A new concept for Camera 7

k_jupiter · Jun 9, 2009

I wasn't kidding about the Holga.

I got one on EBay just for this project.

We are talking primitive. This is a 120S. one speed (1/100), maybe two apertures (f8, and maybe f11). Piece of plastic. Flash shoe (I'll have to try it out and see if it works)

16 shots. 645 format (vertical).

My first thoughts about this...

1.) Two rounds of 12 people each. (or three rounds 8 people each, everyone gets two shots?)
2.) First round goes to the States only.
3.) Camera gets returned to me, I reload the film, send it to Canada and then Europe.
4.) Camera winds up in Ireland. Sile develops 2nd roll, I develop first roll, we put the pitchers together and release project.

This will keep the US faction interested until Camera 6 gets here, keep the European faction interested after Camera 6 leaves.

Now some input...

Film? B&W?, XP1?, Color?, Speed?
Concept if any?
Are y'all feeling 'Arty'?

tim in san jose

Christopher Walrath · Jun 9, 2009

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Sounds cool. I haven't shot much color lately but I would shoot whatever was in it when I got it. Count me in.

mooseontheloose · Jun 9, 2009

Tim - I'm in! I've got three Holgas of my own and love what they can do. My suggestion for speed is 100 if most people can shoot on sunny days, or 400 if most people will be shooting on cloudy or overcast conditions. I know that's a little hard to predict. For me, my go to speed is 400, but that's just me. Also, I would prefer black and white, but I wouldn't be opposed to colour either - maybe everyone in the group could vote for their preference?

If you're doing a round with 12 people, wouldn't the 6x6 format make more sense? 12 shots for 12 people. Otherwise the 645 x 2 shots for 8 people works too. Again, just me, I prefer the 6x6 format since you really get the full Holga effect with all the weirdness in the out-of-focus areas, and some vingetting as well (especially if you remove the mask entirely and tape up the edges on the inside of the camera). But I'll go with whatever comes my way.

Christopher Walrath · Jun 9, 2009

If you do this, also include a log sheet so photographers can jot down data, subject info and the like.

flatulent1 · Jun 9, 2009

Yea I'm feeling kind o farty. I got me a few Holgas already, not that I use them much.

Film? B&W for me, if you don't mind. One of the old-school (Jeez how I hate that expression) formulations seems fitting, something you're comfortable processing. HP5, Tri-X, Foma-something... ISO 400 would work for all the seasons the camera's floating around out there. Something with exceptional latitude because we're going to need it.

Concept? I'm having a hell of a time coming up with a 'cornerstone' that hasn't been done to death. I prefer no specific assignment. Too much thinking involved.

Instructions re: winding the film will have to be very explicit and well-published, as there is no way to prevent accidental double exposures from somebody neglecting to wind on, or the occasional wasted blank frame from too much winding on between users. I suggest including a spare roll of film in the package, in the event the winding gets out of hand.

I have not taped any of my cameras against light leaks, as I see these as a part of the Holga experience. Sending these things around the world to people who've never used one, without securing the back with gobs of tape, means an excellent chance the back will fall off two or three times, destroying the film that's been shot.

I'm in, whatever's decided.

k_jupiter · Jun 9, 2009

Theese is an EARLY Holga. It only has 645 format. (or some one previous lost the mask for 6x6).

Oh yes. The camera will be taped but not taped to death. Just enough to keep the back on and hold it together if dropped.

tim in san jose

largely · Jun 9, 2009

Tim,
Please count me in.
My preference would be Tri-x but I'll be happy with whatever.

Larry

Marc Akemann · Jun 9, 2009

Please count me in, too. I like the thought of keeping us chicken-cooking pagans occupied while waiting for camera 6. Great idea, Tim.

My film vote would be for black & white. XP2 Super (C41) may be the simplest to work with here.

Concept ideas:

1) Portraits at a distance of no more than 6 feet or 1.83 meters from the camera (people or animals).
2) Double exposures (we may get these anyway as it's so easy to do accidentally).
3) A photograph from (or of, if you're not allowed) the tallest building in your town. Or simply from the highest point in your area.
4) Open a dictionary (or other publication to be determined later), point to a word that represents an object. Go out and photograph that object.
5) Street photography. If you're squeamish about this...great! You only need to take one or two shots. You have to try this at least once in your life.
6) For Photo #1, locate a photo of yourself from at least 10 years ago and photograph it. For Photo #2, have someone photograph you at the very same spot.
7) Compositional concepts like the Golden Ratio, Golden Rectangle, 1.618 etc. Close to the Rule of Thirds, I suppose. Here's too much info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio
8) Photograph something you're not supposed to photograph. (We may need disclaimers on this one.)
9) Signs that make you smile or scratch your head.
10) Letters. Each participant is assigned a letter. Whether you see your letter in the clouds or within a pattern on your morning toast or whatever, photograph it. When we're done, we'll have something to say on the APUG gallery with our thumbnail images. What we say will be determined later.

Okay, I know some of these concepts are a stretch, but, something here may trigger other ideas.

Marc

nickandre · Jun 9, 2009

By the way: there is no mask for 6x6. You're supposed to remove the mask entirely. The result is a look whereby the image sort of fades out of the corners. It's very cool. I prefer that.

thebanana · Jun 9, 2009

Include me in on the Canada/Europe round. Ilford XP2 (asa400) would be a good choice.

Tim Gray · Jun 10, 2009

YES. Sounds fun. I say Tri-X or maybe Portra 400NC. But it sounds like more people want B&W. 6x6 preferably.

lmn · Jun 16, 2009

Please include me! And yes, my first holga came with no 6x6 mask. Just took out the other one and taped the little squares inside.

k_jupiter · Jun 16, 2009

First time APUG lost this post!

We have so far...

1 Christopher Walrath usa
2 mooseontheloose CAN
3 flatulent1 usa
4 largely usa
5 FilmSprocket usa
6 tiberiustibz usa
7 thebanana CAN
8 Tim Gray usa
9 lmn usa
10 Síle Europe
11 k_jupiter usa

So far that is 7 Merkins
2 Candiananas
1 Almost European.

I am going to post to the toy list.

Make sure I have your latest address (via PM please)

tim in san jose

cdholden · Jun 16, 2009

8 merkinz!
Count me in.
It gives me something to look forward to while waiting for #6.

Laurent · Jun 17, 2009

Don't know where this may get me, but I'm interested ! So if you want to count me in, I'm in !

Laurent

pcyco · Jun 30, 2009

hallo

im also interrested for an europe round
count me in, if it is possible.

thomas

GJA · Jun 30, 2009

I live in the USA and id like to try this. Traditional B&W would be my first choice.

Christopher Walrath · Jul 5, 2009

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Address PM sent.

MkII · Jul 10, 2009

I'm in (Europe)

guissimo · Jul 10, 2009

Seems like there's room for more Merkins.
Please add me.
I can can see in color as well as in b&w, so no particular film preference
Thanks.

k_jupiter · Jul 13, 2009

Hi all,

I have checked the camera out. It works.. as well as a Holga can, and I will be putting the list together at the end of the week. I am, fortunately, or not, in Germany till Friday. I'll be monitoring this and all the other threads and getting all the names together.
I suspect this will be an interesting round.

tim in san jose

Christopher Walrath · Jul 13, 2009

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HOLGA!!!!!!

Tim Gray · Jul 14, 2009

Cool. I've never shot a holga.

flatulent1 · Jul 14, 2009

They're plastic. Shoot 'em with a big enough gun and they splinter into little bitty pieces.

k_jupiter · Jul 15, 2009

flatulent1 said:
They're plastic. Shoot 'em with a big enough gun and they splinter into little bitty pieces.

Drop them on the floor and they splinter into little bitty pieces.

tim not in san jose

A new concept for Camera 7

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