Community Spotlight: Gian de Leon (@doqtaevil) and Sina (@urbantristesse)

1

Being one of the largest analogue photography communities on the web, we are proud of the creativity and diversity of our members. For this month's Community Spotlight, we are pleased to introduce to you Lomographers Gian de Leon (@doqtaevil) and Sina (@urbantristesse) and their unique way of seeing the world.

Credits: doqtaevil & urbantristesse

Name: Gian de Leon
LomoHome: @doqtaevil
Location: Philippines

Hi, Gian! What do you do and what got you started with photography?

I am a pilot but I do street photography as a hobby. I started doing photography (in general) back in 2017 when I first purchased my Sony A500. To be honest, I just leave my camera set to full auto. Never bothered tinkering with the ISO, aperture, or shutter speed. I just point and shoot with the A5000. It’s a simple camera, and I take around with me all the time because it gets the job done. Then I started appreciating analogue when I bought my Polaroid Spectra early last year. I started appreciating old film looks. A few months later, I bought my very first film camera — a Canon AE-1 Program. Again I had it on full-auto mode initially. But then as soon as I started getting my scans from development, I started taking notes on what to do the next time so that I won’t have an underexposed or overexposed look. This is where I fully understood ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. I have been shooting on full-manual ever since.

How did you discover Lomography and what made you join our analogue Community? Who are your favorite photographers here?

I discovered Lomography through 35 mm film. The first film I bought was 400 ISO. I love the results that it gave me. I joined the community through finding film online. I saw that there is this huge community of analogue photographers on this website, and I want to join in. I have joined many platforms for photographers like Flickr, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. I also want to post my photographs here so that the community can see and appreciate my shots. Of course, I also appreciate feedback, so that I will be a better photographer.

I don’t have a particular photographer in mind, but I do love street photographers' pictures. I love the background and the people in the shots. Both complement each other in the scene.

Credits: doqtaevil

What is your favorite subject to photograph? What do you usually look for in a scene before you hit the shutter?

I usually love taking pictures of architecture, but I do take portrait shots as well. I don’t usually take pictures of random strangers up close. Usually, I do it at a distance. But over time, I've gotten comfortable and choose my moments. I do a quick snap then move on hoping they won’t notice. You have to account for a person’s right to privacy, of course. You just don't take shots right up in front of their faces for the sake of street photography. I do sometimes ask a person if it is ok to take their picture. I learned to be more social with people through this.

I imagine that if I’m taking a picture of my subject/model in front of a very nice background, they make the scene more interesting than it already is. If I do architectural photography, I shoot from below. Say for example I am going to picture a tower or a building, I would frame the shot with just 1/3 or 2/3 of the top of the building showing with blue skies as its background.

In this day and age, why choose film?

I would be happy to shoot more film till the day I’m old. Film photography teaches you patience. You will never know your shot till you get it developed. You become more and more skillful with your shots from just learning the basics: ISO, aperture, shutter speed. You become more experimental with what film you use (push, pull). You show people what you want them to see through your photos but with a grainy look that film has. I like the vintage look that film gives. Brings me back to a time where everything was simple.

What does a perfect day look like for you?

A perfect day for me is being with the ones I love, shooting film, and having fun.

Credits: doqtaevil

Name: Sina
LomoHome: @urbantristesse
Location: Bremen/Germany

Hi, Sina! What do you do and what got you started with photography?

Hey there! I am a quality manager working in a small business in Northern Germany. I guess what got me into photography was the urge to express myself and to capture certain feelings, moments and parts of my life. Also, when I grew up my father always had a camera on hand and I loved it when we gathered the whole family to look at his slide show presentations. After first shooting with a small digital camera, I got my first analogue camera more than ten years ago and it felt just like watching old slide shows. So since then, I only shoot film.

How did you discover Lomography and what made you join our analogue Community? Who are your favorite photographers here?

I already heard about Lomography from a friend but hadn't thought much about it until I got a Holga camera for my birthday from my parents. I did some research and was hooked immediately by the pictures I found on the website and in the community. It was so different and exactly what I was looking for. What I really love about the community is that there is no competition and no judgement on how good you are or what style/genre/equipment you choose. Everyone here is very supportive. It's also great to see so many people from all around the world in the community. It gives so much inspiration and a great exchange in knowledge and experience. Therefore I wouldn't want to point out one or a few specific Lomographers.

Credits: urbantristesse

What makes you stay with film photography in this day and age? What's your favorite subject to shoot?

Shooting film gives me a very unique feeling. I have to give much thought in every step of the process, from choosing the camera and film until scanning the negatives. It is the unexpected, the coincidence, the wide range of possibilities film photography gives you. Honestly, I am still thrilled every time when I get a first look at freshly developed negatives. It just makes me happy and I believe, it is something that helps me to find a balance.

I love being outside and discovering nature, so I mainly take pictures of landscapes, flowers, animals, and so on. But I also have a thing for street art and graffiti. I also like doing double exposures which show some contradiction and/or opposites, because I often feel that way, too.

For you, what's the best part about being a Lomographer?

The best part is, that there are still so many ways to experiment and also, to know that there are still so many others out there who shoot film and share the same passion.

What is your favorite Lomography camera and film and why?

That's a tough one. My favorite Lomography cameras would be the LC-A and the LC-Wide because they fit in every pocket, are easy to use and produce great results. It goes easy with “Don't think, just shoot!” and I like that a lot. I also love my Holga and the RevueFlex AC2 my father gave me because these two cameras brought me to film photography and Lomography in the first place.

My favorite film is Agfa CT Precisa, especially when cross-processed. I am also a huge fan of Lomochrome Purple and Lomochrome Turquoise.

Credits: urbantristesse

Stay tuned for our monthly Community Spotlight to discover the work of some of the most talented Lomographers!

written by cheeo on 2020-01-19 #culture #people #community-spotlight #urbantristesse

More Interesting Articles