Lomography Partners: Nostàlgic of Barcelona, Spain

Come one, come all. Lomography has partners all over the world to help serve your analogue needs. If you're from Spain then it's your lucky day! We're featuring our Barcelona-based stockists Sara and Miguel of Nostàlgic in today's installment of Lomography Partners.

© Olaf Pla Garcia for Nostàlgic

Can you introduce yourself to the Lomography community?

We are two photographers, Sara and Miguel Ángel, brother and sister who decided to create Nostàlgic in Barcelona 11 years ago—a space for photography lovers and especially for analogue enthusiasts.

What does analogue mean to you?

For us analogue photography is very unique, it means capturing and developing the image—chemical, organic and tangible. Both the shooting process and the results are different from digital. We are talking about a more thoughtful type of photography, where due to its characteristics, tends to be more reflective and the waiting time to see the results makes it magical. The color, the grain, and the imperfections that sometimes appear give it that special touch that will get you hooked.

What does Lomography mean to you?

For us both, Lomography means experimentation, fun, creativity, randomness, imperfection as well as being a trend that keeps analogue photography alive.

© Nostàlgic

What is your favorite Lomography product and why?

We love the Lomo LC-A+ 35 mm, because it's a light, compact, small camera with a good lens that gives very good results. Plus it allows you to make multi-exposures and has a nice history.

Are you doing any creative projects right now in the store or personally? Please tell us more about them.

We always have projects and plans to improve the shop and its services. Sara is passionate about double exposure and is working on a project in which she mixes nature and windows with a modernist style, creating plastic images with a surrealist touch that reflects moments in her personal life.

Miguel Ángel opts for a more minimalist type of photography where all the elements fit together perfectly and in which nature is shown in a subtle way but giving great importance and focus on the image.

© Nostàlgic

What does the future of analogue photography look like to you? How will this impact your store in the next ten years?

When we started Nostàlgic, analogue photography seemed to be out of fashion and that at some point we thought that it would disappear. But after 11 years in the business, we see that analogue photography is back and it's here to stay. We see it as a stable industry and we think it will be coexisting with digital photography for many years to come.

What hardship did your shop/lab have to face during the lockdowns and what kept you going through these hard times?

The worst moment was when we were forced to close during the lockdown. Although we felt very supported and loved by our customers when we returned. Their renewed desire to immerse themselves in art and culture and the increased value of small commerce meant that we faced the difficulties with a hopeful and positive attitude.

Quick Questions

What's the most annoying thing about running an analogue lab?

The equipment is often old and when there are breakdowns, parts are very expensive and difficult to find.

What's your favorite memory from the lab so far?

A lot of them! I don't know, for example when you produce for an exhibition and you go to the opening and you see that it has turned out great.

© Miguel Ángel Ruiz and Sara Ruiz Alcaraz of Nostàlgic

What's the weirdest thing you have received when developing films?

We could make an endless list, but to mention something recent, a roll of “Film Soup” dipped in urine.

What would you do if you didn’t run a photo lab?

The truth is that the lab has become one of the most important services we offer, we could not do without it. We are especially happy with the lab we work with, VM Foto Profesional. They are very professional, efficient, and friendly. Our clients and we are very satisfied with the results.

Vital Information

Official Name: Nostàlgic
Address: Carrer de Goya, 18 08012 Barcelona, Spain
Services offered: C41, B&W, E6, hand developing, wet plates, 110 processing, fine art prints, photographic finishing, framing, and gear and film sales
Film lab staff: 3


Want to see your favorite store featured in our magazine? Please send us an email at wholesaleinquiries@lomography.com and we will check them out!

written by cheeo on 2022-04-01 #people #places #partners #spain #film-lab #stockists #lomography-partners

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