Lomo LC-A Moments (Part 1)

The Lomo Kompakt Automat, or LC-A as it is now lovingly called, first came into production on June 19, 1984. The initial run was a success but ultimately it was curiosity that saved it from oblivion.

On May 1991, a group of students from Vienna discovered dusty and forgotten LC-As on a quirky camera store. By that time, its production had long been halted and this little gem's days were numbered. Out of fun, the group bought a couple of LC-As and zipped their way through several rolls of film. They shot from the hip, between their legs, and even without looking through the viewfinder. Upon seeing the unusual yet striking photographs from it, they were hooked.

The following year, Lomographic Society was founded. As the news on the LC-A spreads, the demand for it increases, paving a way for negotiations to reopen the LC-A factories and sparking ideas to create an improved version. And the rest, as they put it, is history.

The Lomo LC-A serves as the cornerstone of the Lomography movement. For its 32nd birthday, lomographers from across the globe narrate how this analog wonder became a part of their own history.

sobetion

No explanation other than the LC-A is a part of my life.

vicuna

The LC-A is one of the first cameras I had when I discovered Lomography about 10 years ago. Since then, even after acquiring a huge collection of cameras, the LC-As (I have a vintage 1986 LC-A, LC-A+, and LC-A+ RL) remained special to me. Shooting with this little gem is something that's very special. It produces such amazing pictures. The whole spirit of Lomography is in this camera!

Looking back at all the LC-A pictures I took in the past 10 years, I noticed that a great part of what I experienced was documented by this camera. Like my beginnings with Lomography, the fantastic time I had in French Polynesia (including an epic diving with sharks that I took with the LC-A plus Krab combo!), my travels to Easter Island (where I admired a surreal sunset with the giant Moai statues) and my first trip to Burkina Faso. So, LC-A is a part of me and my history---a faithful companion in life! Happy 32nd birthday, LC-A!

superlighter

It's amazing how this little black box made my life so colorful! It was love at first sight. We first met on a warm July evening in 1997. At that time, I was already taking pictures. I never imagined that photography would become a significant part of my life.

During the past years, I have accumulated a significant amount of photographic equipment, but whenever I have some special moments to capture or whenever I want to experiment, she (LC-A) still remains as my ultimate choice most of the time. Every time this happens, I'm assured that I'll have no regrets.

What Lomography would have been without the LC-A? Dozens of people around the world stayed in touch with each other and some have even become real friends. And it's all because of this little black box from the past. Happy birthday dear LC-A and thanks for everything!

kylethefrench

I can't say that I can identify just one memorable experience that I had with the LC-A because it is just always with me. My most troubling and common anxiety nightmare is that one instance where I am at the airport and I forgot my passport and my LC-A. I think my subconscious knows how I feel about my favorite camera.

adi_totp

I met him two years ago when my friend and I went to Mount Bromo. I think it was on September 2011. At that time, we were walking to Mount Bromo after watching the most beautiful sunrise ever. My tired legs didn’t stop me from taking photographs because, come on, I’m in Mount Bromo and my trusty LC-A+ is in my hand. What more do I need?

As I was shooting, I saw some local people riding on horses. When I approached them, I stumbled upon this lad, all looking bold and cool. I think he’s much younger than me. He offered that I ride a horse because he said that walking to Mount Bromo will be so tiring. Instead of accepting his offer, I decided to ask him: "How about I take a photo of you?" He then asked several questions. Some that I never got from other people whom I met during my travels. So, we agreed on some terms. No, I didn’t give him any money. He didn’t asked for it. He wanted to pose like this--- the classic smoking-cigarette-in the hand pose!

After taking his photo, I asked him: “What is your name?" To which he replied, “Tomtom…” He still looks cool while holding that cigarette on his hand. I learned a lot from this experience that I have to ask permission first before taking photographs of strangers during my travels. So yes, Tomtom taught me how to photograph strangers!

Since then I’ve traveled a lot---from India to Ubud---and I always remember Tomtom every time I photograph a stranger. In the future, I plan to meet with him so I can give this photograph. Maybe, two photographs: one for him and another one, for myself, with his autograph on it. He changed the way I took portraits. Thanks Tomtom!

stacy_mcpommes

I once bought a stash of expired Ferrania Solaris 200. I had used this film with other cameras and I did liked it, but it wasn't exactly overwhelming. Then, I got my LC-A and tried my first roll of this film with it and I was so excited by the results. The vivid colors, vignetting, everything---this was real Lomography style. I was hooked.

And every time I scan a new roll of film shot with my LC-A, I still get amazed by the brilliant and versatile results that this little, simple, black box (which, by the way, is as old as I am) produces. Happy birthday, LC-A!!!

disdis

The LC-A has been always in my pocket. She was there when I met my girlfriend, when we got married, and during our honeymoon. She was there on my adventures around the world. She was there when my first child was born. Even when my father died and after that when my sweet daughter came to my life. She (LC-A) will always be with me. It is a part of my family and a part of my life.

stonerfairy

I have two LC-A+s and these are the 'weapons' that I use to shoot many golden moments. My magical shots from this camera won many hearts and never fail to impress some competition judges. She (LC-A+) created many stalkers to my LomoHome, too.

gaz

I've been shooting with the LC-A+ for around five years now, using mostly an Agfa Precisa film and cross processing it. I take it everywhere I go and it is pretty much my most valuable possession.

My LC-A+ has come back from the dead a few times now. One time, when my wife and I were on honeymoon in California, I dropped it while climbing down from a wall in San Francisco. This happened after I took a picture of the famous winding street that you see in Dirty Harry movies! But still it lives on!

It's light weight so it always sits nicely in my pocket, ready to capture the moment! I would like to thank @hodachrome, @fotobes, @lomomowlem and everyone else who uses the LC-A for the inspiration!

masha_njam

If i could paint, I would draw a perfect painting. But unfortunately, I can't paint so I am trying to realize this fantasy with a camera. The LC-A is the perfect partner for it. Sometimes, it produces great pictures. Sometimes, there's nothing. It has its own character.

he-mo

One day, I walked through the vineyards near my hometown with my LC-A. There, I saw this donkey and I knew that I had to take a picture!

Some days later, I published it picture on my LomoHome. I was very happy because this photo was my first Selected picture on Lomography. It also was the Most Popular Photo for September 23, 2012.

gocchin

I often enjoy using the LC-A+ with a Splitzer. Whenever I do it, I shoot at random so I don't have any means of seeing the result of the combination until the film was developed. But I made a super, miracle double exposure once.

bebopbebop

LC-A is arguably one of my most favorite cameras. I always recommend it to my friends when they need a versatile camera for film swap because of the ultra vibrant photos it produces. Vibrant colors plus multiple exposures always make a perfect combination.

Stay tuned for more inspiring, tear-jerking, and amusing stories as we go down the memory lane with the LC-A!

written by Eunice Abique on 2016-06-17 #lc-a #lc-a #lc-a-moments