Holga Camera Photography
Friday, June 19th, 2009 by Nate Kay
The Holga is an inexpensive, 120 film plastic camera made in China. It has a problem producing quality photos which has attracted many photographers to add this camera to their array of equipment and many of the photographs produced have received lots of attention for their distorted look. There are many variations of the Holga camera from the 120S with it’s fixed shutter speed and plastic lens to the 120GFCN with it’s color flash and glass lens. Once you see some of the photos people have produced with the it, you may be convinced to buy one of these cheap toy cameras to play seriously around with.
Image by Oldtasty
Here are some great Holga images that prove that even a small plastic camera in the right hands can produce quality photographs.
Ford Lake by Matt Callow
Bales by Matt Callow
Trees & Reflections by schoeband
Bridge by schoeband
Star Streaks 60 min by Liquid Lucidity
Streets of Killarney by thephotoholic
a painting artist by Vick the Viking
Night by Matt Callow
wrestling by Prof-B
47 Turn Here by Daniel Y. Go
Broken Factory Window by ansel mcadams
Allen Lake by Matt Callow
untitled by Tamiro
motion shooting by Tazebao
untitled by Danie Y. Go
The Road Ahead by Matt Callow
Flying Holga by jonnyphoto
Ohio by nimrodcooper
untitled by Daniel Y. Go
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5:55 pm June 19th, 2009
Thanks for featuring some of my photos here
8:16 am July 2nd, 2009
Thank you for choosing some of mine.
1:15 am July 15th, 2009
can holga upload images to computers ?
reply in my website! thnks.
2:28 pm October 15th, 2009
Holga is a film camera, not digital; so, no it can’t upload to your computer.
7:45 pm November 10th, 2009
Do all Holga cameras produce the black fading at the corners or is it only some models?
8:00 pm November 11th, 2009
I really like these photos. They all have a uniqueness about them, and I think they are all really really awesome.
3:37 am November 12th, 2009
this is called vignetting, and it completely depends on your camera. all holgas creat vignetting, however some specifuc cameras create more than others. this is what makes you holga camera unique! hope this was a help
1:26 pm March 6th, 2010
Were filters used on some of these cameras or was it just the lighting that create some of these effects? (e.g. pictures, 1,2,6,13 & 16). Or was it the way they were developed?
Very awesome photos!
10:23 pm March 6th, 2010
I doubt filters were used, although I’m sure it’s possible. I’d say the type of film, the kind of Holga camera being used, and how they are developed are the main reasons that contribute to the photos looking like they do (along with lighting, composition, etc).
Truly cool photos that make you want to get one and try it out.
4:32 pm March 23rd, 2010
the images are truly beautiful. they are lke a breath of fresh air.
i use a Holga and would be proud to hang with any of you.
6:27 am June 9th, 2010
The short answer… NO! The long, detailed answer: The only way to get your “film” into “digital” form is either to have someone scan it or to scan it yourself. Most “Lomo-Freaks” out there have their own flatbed/film scanner and tend to do it themselves to save money. One of the problems I have seen people having lately is simply finding a lab that can even process the film in the first place. Any Pro lab should have the means to both process and scan your 120 negs, and might even have the ability to run E-6 or slide/transperancy film stock. Some have even resorted to using Walmart’s outlab service to process & print their film, but I am unaware if the outlab can scan the film… GRIZZ
6:35 am June 9th, 2010
Most of the Holgas out there have a little vignetting in them to start with. However, what you are looking at is what is known as, “Four Corners Dark”. This is when the Holgagrapher actually removes the 12-frame insert, or film plane, from the inside of the camera. They then tape up the inside of the camera and outside seams to guard against light leaks. The whole process is to put a slight bend to the film causing the four corners to be slightly farther away from the light coming in from the lens than the center of the film. This not only causes some wicked vignetting it also lends a dreamy quality to the overall shot with areas of “softer focus” mixed with areas of “clearer focus”! Check out my blog for more examples: holgamodgod.blogspot.com. I hope I have been informative! GRIZZ
6:50 am June 9th, 2010
It is extremely possible that color filters were used in the B&W shots. One trick the Holgagraphers out there use is a “stepping ring”. This is a metal ring that has two threads on it: outer & inner. It was designed for photographers who had one barrel diameter on their lens that wanted to use a larger filter on the end of the lens. The great thing about all of the Holga 120N series cameras is that the inside diameter of the lens is exactly 46mm. So, rummage around in your filter collection and decide which size filters you have the most of: 49mm, 52mm, or 55mm. Then go down to your local Pro Camera Shop and pick up a 46mm to 49mm, 46mm to 52mm or a 46mm to 55mm “stepping ring”. To install the ring to your Holga camera twist the lens clockwise until it stops; carefully screw the 46mm side of the stepping ring into the front of the lens, making sure it seats straight and doesn’t go in at an angle; you get one chance to screw it in so when it seats screw it down tightly grasping the lens barrel in your left hand NOT THE CAMERA BODY! Also, remember one thing: this is not an interchangeable device for your camera – once you have it on the lens you will never be taking it off, again! Now, rifle through the Pro Camera store’s junk bin for the appropriate sized lens cap and, VIOLA! You can now use any filter you want! I tend to use a Deep Yellow or Deep Red filter when shooting B&W. Another trick is to use a #6 Nuetral Density filter to “halve” your exposures when doing double exposures. You can even play around with Star Filters to give your night photography a really dreamy effect! I hope this was informative! Check out my blog: holgamodgod.blogspot.com… GRIZZ
7:19 am June 9th, 2010
Great info Grizz. Thanks!
7:01 am July 15th, 2010
Nice photos. They have in themselves to something
11:06 am July 16th, 2010
that’s great!! I really like these photos.
4:43 am July 19th, 2010
i like this photo… it’s amazing….