If there
is any type of photography that’s punk, it’s shooting
with a toy camera. Toy cameras prove that you don’t have
to spend thousands or even hundreds to make photography fun.
While you might not produce a photo that’s Ansel Adams
quality, chances are you will come up with something interesting.
There are many types of toy cameras out there and you can
never have too many. Yes, there are some that take really
crappy photos, but there are plenty that will work fine. A
few that I’ve discovered are Holga, Diana, Lomo, Lubitel,
Nickelodeon, and various antique cameras. They can be found
in many places. Start looking in thrift stores, fleas markets,
the Internet, pawn shops, your grandma’s attic, and photo
mail orders. Like I said, you won’t have to spend too
much. A cheap throw-away camera from a thrift shop might cost
$25. Everything you’ve been taught or learned about photography
can be thrown out the window.
There
isn’t much use for f-stops, shutter speeds, or focusing.
Generally the picture taking process consists of looking through
the view finder, clicking the shot, and winding the film.
If there is any exposure calculation it’s going to be
vague. On a Holga the exposure is simply determined by whether
it’s sunny or cloudy. Don’t expect a crisp, clean
focus like your prized Nikon lens. More than likely it is
going to be soft and hazy. It’s not really a bad thing.
The effect it creates is one of the main reasons for why people
love these cameras. Most toy cameras are made of plastic,
so light leaks are common. These leaks can be used to your
advantage, or remedied by covering the seams with black electrical
tape. If you are lucky you might come across a toy camera
that splits a single negative into 2 or 4 parts. This feature
opens all kinds of creative doors for sequencing. Toy cameras,
for the most part, are unpredictable. One thing you can count
on is having fun with them. So what are you waiting on? Get
one today.
Shooting
With Toy Cameras