Speed Holga
November 24th, 2006
I know some photo-
graphers who work with Holga cameras. Some of them do truly wonderful photos with that tool. I worked with Diana F cameras many, many years ago and never really enjoyed the limitations and inability to predict results with that camera. But I do appreciate the fun that can be had with a simple camera.
But, Holga photography is not a religion, despite what some who practice it may tell you. And the Holga camera is not a religious icon. It’s just a cheap plastic camera that takes crappy photos, at least from a technical standpoint.
I was talking with one of the more zealous of Holga photographers…also one of the best photographers I’ve ever seen using that camera…and she got a bit upset with me for pointing out that any crappy camera setup could produce “Holga” photos. There have always been crappy cameras. I have an old single-element soft focus lens in a Nikon mount that I sometimes use on my digital Nikons. When I referred to that arrangement as my digital Holga, that seemed to infuriate this particular Holga photographer. In the course of the discussion I said that I could take any cheap lens and make Holga photos. I said I could hang a cheap magnifying glass on the front of my Speed Graphic and do Holga photos. That was met with total disbelief.
So, I did it. I went to Walgreens and bought a magnifying glass for $3. I duct taped it to an empty lensboard and put it on the front of my 4×5 Speed Graphic. This is one of the photos I shot with it, my “Speed Holga.” I used Polaroid film and window light in my studio. I like the result. I think it does have that “Holga” look…although I did refuse to poke holes in the Speed Graphic’s bellows to get the characteristic Holga light streaks.
The model is Nemesis who was featured here in the moon photos last month. Nemi is always willing to make herself available to model for my weird ideas. I really appreciate that. Thanks, Nemi.
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