Newcomer of the Week: Erin Walker (@epw615)

After 25 years of shooting with digital gear, community newcomer Erin Walker (@epw615) goes back to shooting on film. Get to know more about her and see her richly detailed black and white photographs in this quick chat.

Name: Erin Walker
LomoHome: @epw615
Location: Roswell, GA

Please tell us something about yourself and what you do.

I started shooting film in high school but left it behind when digital arrived on the scene. My daughter is in high school now and began taking a film photography class (YES! They still teach film!) and I was lamenting the look and feel of film. Now, 25 years later, I am hooked again! I love street photography, macro, and trying to repair vintage cameras so I can bring them back to life.

How did you find the Community and who/what convinced you to join?

I listen to the Film Photography Podcast and heard about your website on one of their shows.

As you have read the 10 Golden Rules of Lomography, what rule do you apply in your everyday life?

"You don’t have to know beforehand what you captured on film.” I love not knowing. Regardless of the outcome, it brought me joy in doing it.

In this digital age, why still film?

I am turning back to film because it was something I loved as a kid…and the patience and thought that I have to put into it makes all the work worthwhile. Digitally, I can shoot a hundred images and photoshop the heck out of them all. Film…yeah, I can photoshop but I don’t for the most part. What you see is what you get and I don’t waste a single shot.

Your favorite analog camera as of the moment? Why?

I am in love with my “new” Kodak Duaflex IV. I love the waist level view. It gives a unique perspective and challenges me to perfect it!

What is the Lomographic camera you’d want to have someday?

I would love to work with large format someday. Or find a Rolleiflex TLR at a garage sale for $5. That’s probably not gonna happen, but I can hope!

I am also on a quest for a Pentax K1000. Someone stole mine when I was a kid. I know I can find it on eBay or elsewhere but I want to find it in person!

Any song, book, or movie you live by?

“Our Town” by Thornton Wilder.

“Choose the least important day in your life. It will be important enough.” ― Thornton Wilder, "Our Town"

Guess what? That least important day will surely be documented in my photographs...

Share your current favorite Lomograph, could be yours or a friend’s. Why?

My current favorite of my own is:

Because it shows how some people can be invisible, like the homeless man on the corner. All those people walking past him, they see right through him.

Any Community member you look up to? If so, why him or her?

I am a little new, so it’s not just one member. I am soaking up all the imagery and learning so much! I love seeing styles that will inspire me to shoot more creatively.

What are you looking forward to in our Community?

I am just looking forward to being a part of it. A part of this resurgence and appreciation for photography, a part of the creative process. I love finding new films to explore with too. Can’t wait to try some Portra! Thank you for existing!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Erin! Welcome to the community and we're all looking forward to seeing your future work!

2017-08-27 #news #lomohome #newcomer #newcomer-of-the-week