Chasing Creative Freedom

As an ametuer photographer, I don't know all the tips and tricks to take great landscapes or portratiture (I know the rule of thirds). I don't have any fancy equipment, lights, filters, etc. I do have some extra lenses for my Diana F+ and Lomo'Instant Automat, and I have some coloured flash filters, which I've rarely used, because I'm honestly a little scared of using flash. It takes my mind back to red-eyed, over bright childhood photos. I should probably just get over my issue with flash and experiment. One day, when I'm ready, I might dedicate a roll of film to it.

The truth is you don't need fancy things to be a good photographer or take great photos. I once saw a photographer uses a Big Mac container to reflect light and take an amazing portrait. It was a revelation to me, that with a bit of brains and creativity, you can use a lot of every day objects to take excellent photos. 

Lomo'Instant Automat - Top left: bike in a tree. Top right: tree at night with embroidery. Bottom Left: floral double exposure. Bottom Right: split double exposure, sculpture and plant. 

If you follow any social media influncers in the art of photography world, most of them have the latest gear, they do reviews and they do sponsored posts. It's easy to think that without all the bells and whistles, you can't take great photos, so unless you have the cash, you shouldn't even try. 

When I first started taking photos, I had a digital Canon camera that cost me $1000 in 2005. I was a terrible photographer, but for some reason I thought having (what was to me) an expensive camera, I would be able to take good photos. The camera didn't help, I did everything on auto, and I didn't bother to learn anything about anything that would make my photography better. I was 20. I was lazy. Within less than a year, if it wasn't a family photo, it wasn't getting photographed. I deemed photography too hard and myself too hopeless. 

It wasn't until 2018 that I got back into photography, after finding a Polaroid 600 camera in a thrift store. It led to me finding other cameras and bidding on a Diana F+ on ebay, which I got for $50. I'd never used a medium format camera or film before, but I loved that I had the option of multiple exposures, and the camera was so light and easy to use, I was in love. My first photo shoot wasn't the greatest. I still didn't know what I was doing, but I went in with a different attitude. I didn't expect photographic masterpieces. I literally took the camera out to have fun and see what happened. Of the 12 shots I took, four where something I felt I could be proud of. They turned out better than I ever could have expected. 

Diana F+, using 100 ISO 120 film. Top left: double exposure, rocks and tree. Top Right: beach. Bottom left: beach. Bottom right: triple exposure, cliffside and beach..

Since then, I've shot more 35mm film than 120, because I'm inexperienced and I don't have the money to waste on terrible shots. I still love medium format, but in order for it to be worth it, I feel I need to upgrade my skills a little, and 35mm gives me more freedom to do that. 

My Diana F+ is my favourite film camera, and I purchased a 35mm backing for it, so I could enjoy the versatility of it, and its unique photos, without resigning to a shelf. My second favourite camera is my Minolta Maxxum 3xi which I also purchased off ebay. It's bulkier and the rubber around the sides is disintingrating, but it's an easy camera to use for a beginner, and the learning curve was small. I feel good with it in my hands. 

I also own a Lomo Smena 8M I purchased from Russia, which is reknowned for it multiple exposure feature. I'm yet to get the film developed and I've heard they are temperamental cameras. The wind and counter are also a bit dodgy, so I have no idea if photos are overlapping of if I'll have massive gaps between photos, or how many photos I've shot. 

Nikon F90, using Kodak 400 expired film.

I was gifted my dad's old Nikon F90x a few years ago, and it has some lens fungus, which I don't mind too much, and takes excellent photos. He also gave me his telephoto lens, which is a pain to lug around, so I haven't used it much. 

Other camera's I have, but haven't tested out yet, are a Cosina, a Practika (which is 100% manual and frankly a little overwhelming for an ametuer), and a Kodak Brownie 110. 

It's perhaps ironic, that given my love of film, my everyday camera is digital. It's the Fuji Mini Evo hybrid instant camera, and it takes beautiful, imperfect shots, allows me the freedom to do double exposures, black and white photography, and is excellent if you love lens flares, which I do. It gives me the creative freedom I crave, and I can print them as instants if I like. 

Fuji Instax Mini Evo. Top left: Sunshine Plaza, retro filter. Top Right: mirror filter, garden. Bottom left: lens flare, house. Bottom right: retro filter, palm trees.   

Fuji Instax Mini Evo. Top left: Climbing course, Maroochydore. Top right: powerstation. Bottom left: local park. Bottom right: Yaroomba Beach. 

The last camera I purchased is my first proper digital camera in 17 years (even though I have an irrational dislike of DSLRs) and have been playing around the the Canon 200Dii. I surprisingly love the macro lens, despite it not being super versatile, and have taken one of my favourite shots of my toddler that I've ever taken on any camera. 

I think there is beauty in photography no matter what format you choose. I will always love film a little bit more than digital, but it's an expensive hobby, and having skills in both can't be a bad thing. 

Lomo ActionSampler. I dabbled briefly with this camera, but ended up selling it on eBay. I enjoyed the shoot, but the wasn't super happy with the results, and didn't feel like it was worth pursuing  a continued relationship with the camera.