Documenting Isolation: How Lomographers Cope With Confinement, Pt. 2

We started this series with concern about you — our dear community members — and how you're dealing in this unsettling time. It's good to hear that, despite the anxiety the current situation brings, you're still keeping your head up and taking care of yourself and/or your loved ones. Today, three more Lomographers share their thoughts, photographs, and encouraging words with you. Thank you, goldenirene, erdalito, and paulinegoasmat.

Irene, Italy

Name: Irene
LomoHome: goldenirene

Please tell us a bit about this photo series taken during quarantine?

It started with no pretense at all, I had received a Lomo'Instant Square thanks to a giveaway by Lomography in December and it was (and is) the only way to take analog pictures without sending the roll for developing, since I can’t develop at home. I kept asking myself what I would have liked to remember of these days, locked at home, trying to stay sane by talking and cooking and getting to know each other better, so, every day we had lunch together I took a picture. I took pictures when I was bored, too, or when it felt right to have some tangible memories. It took a pandemic to get my first significant double exposure, not everyone can say the same.

How does the current global situation affect your creative process and your daily routine?

Italy went to a full lockdown at the beginning of March, our lives had to change drastically and so did my daily routine: I thought it was the right moment to start on working on my master thesis and all of a sudden I had so much spare time I couldn’t use it, I couldn’t go to the library, I couldn’t look for a job, an awful situation that drained most of my energies into the void. I kept on watching tv shows and reading books for a whole month before accepting what was going on and restoring a semblance of routine. I don’t really like taking picture inside the house, it’s comfortable of course but also crowded with stuff as every shared house, there’s not enough light during the day, not enough space, nor a garden or any green space except the trees right outside the door, and yet it’s my only option until May 4th. I had to rearrange the way I looked at the things that surrounded me and my flatmates and I’m not certain it worked, though it positively helped to get me through.

How do you keep inspired despite the limitations?

I made lists about places in town I want to go to take pictures, thought carefully about which film could work better and ways to improve my shots. I’ve spent days after days on the internet searching for works of well-known photographers to inspire me, as well as picture posted on social media and different communities, even to see something different from the view from my window. I think I got inspired for ages, now I just want to go out and maybe inspire others.

As a photographer/creative, are there any lessons or realizations that you picked up from the current situation?

First of all, take your time and don’t force anything. Nobody can control a pandemic and people’s reactions are vast and complicated, we really can’t expect to be always productive and resourceful in these unnerving times. Second of all: stock up! I’m not talking about toilet paper and food but film rolls and cartridges. I’m having troubles at getting films because online retailers have low stocks or concentrate on delivering essential goods. It would be nice to have a camera obscura too, if only I had extra space. I also pay more attention to my neighbourhood when I go to the grocery store and maybe it’s time to take some pictures and celebrate the surroundings. What is more, I realized I like shooting portraits, but most of them are in a film roll I don’t know when it can be developed.

Any advice for Lomographers from all over the world?

Keep on taking amazing pictures, go with your creativity flow and take care!

Check out Irene's LomoHome to see more of her photos!

Erdal, Germany

Name: Erdal
LomoHome: erdalito

Please tell us a bit about this photo series taken during quarantine?

The roll was shot on the second weekend of quarantine in Hamburg. I found that mask at home. We were strolling through the city almost empty-and were looking for statues and taking pictures. I was thinking: let's do something funny. This will soon be over.

How does the current global situation affect your creative process and your daily routine?

I like to go out a lot and visit places and watch people - this came to a full stop and I was really really down the first weeks. Also, there was this pressure of creating and being productive. Once this was processed, I went through my archives. I took the time to look back and enjoy my memories. Meanwhile, our sabbatical got canceled. We were planning to travel to Canada and the USA in a campervan for 12 months from June onwards.

As a photographer/creative, are there any lessons or realizations that you picked up from the current situation?

I read a lot and listen to music and write postcards to friends and family. We cook a lot and we learned to change our shopping behaviour; also as a couple, it brought us closer. I am thankful that I traveled so much around the world and saw so many different places. No one can take that away from me.

Any advice for Lomographers from all over the world?

So my advice for lomographers around the world: you're on the right path. You are analog photographers -the muse will kiss you again - no pressure!

Follow Erdal's LomoHome for more photos!

Paulin·e Goasmat, France

Name: Paulin·e
LomoHome: paulinegoasmat

Please tell us a bit about this photo series taken during quarantine?

When the quarantine started, I was very sad about not taking analog photography anymore, I don’t have a lab at home. But I wanted to document the quarantine, it is so a surrealist situation! So I put a Diana lens on my 7D (I use it mostly for video as a director) and start a black and white series at home, with my family. My wife is still working as a caregiver and I want to talk about it too! We have a very huge problem with masks in France and using social media is a good way to raise awareness of it.

How does the current global situation affect your creative process, your daily routine?

I was already spending a lot of time at home for writing or editing, but now I can’t shoot outside anymore! And sometimes it’s not easy to work at home with the kids, so I found that way to still shooting and to integrate them.

How do you keep inspired despite the limitations?

I try to look at my life as someone else, as a spectator. I ask myself every day, how long it could be possible to shoot only at home and I try to found different ways to show our daily life. I talk about the news too. I write about the French government, the death of a famous singer, gay wedding anniversary … and I take pictures of it. It’s been six weeks now we are in quarantine, and it starts to get difficult. Last weekend, I went out with my camera, and it was so good taking something else! But I assume to show boredom and routine. And also I am lucky to have an amazing cat, he’s so inspiring…

As a photographer/creative, are there any lessons or realizations that you picked up from the current situation?

The Diana lens at 1600 iso with the 7D is pretty cool! It looks like a bit analog :) I think I will do it again later when we could get out! And also, if we take the time to look around, everything is inspiring…

Any advice for Lomographers from all over the world?

Be strong! And keep taking pictures, we need to travel in our head!

Visit Paulin·e's LomoHome to see more photos!

Heartfelt thanks to the Lomographers who contributed to this mini-series. Here is the first part, please stay tuned for the next one.

written by shhquiet on 2020-05-16 #corona #create #covid19 #stay-home