Are you eyeing this baby?
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — "Where did you get that camera from?" asked the owner of the dog I was taking photos of, with the Lomography Fisheye Baby 110 Metal Edition.
Trying to get a shot of the adorable Pomeranian who playfully shied away from the camera lens, I told the owner that I got it from Lomography. Lomography is a movement founded in 1991 by Viennese students Matthias Fiegl and Wolfgang Stranzinger who support the spontaneous "Don't think, just shoot" philosophy of using analogue cameras.
As I look through the circular fisheye viewfinder of the Lomography Fisheye Baby 110 Metal Edition to capture the hyperactive puppy, I could see the effects of the fisheye already: it is like looking through a fishbowl.
The puppy's features were magnified and looked comical. Before I press the shutter, I have to make sure I turn the Film Advancing Wheel to ensure that I don't shoot on the same frame. I have the option of Normal or Bulb mode. Bulb mode is where I can open the shutter as long as I want, resulting in a trippy effect.
Click! and I've taken a shot. But wait, you can't see the results of your shot yet because it's film. The wonders of Lomography is that you never know how wacky, boring, silly or serious your shots are until you develop the film. For me, it's like opening a present on Christmas Day when I get my film developed.
The Lomography Fisheye Baby 110 Metal Edition is a joy to use because it's so tiny; you can hang it around your neck like a pendant. It's the most fashion forward-looking accessory and the best part is that it takes fun photos.
Out of the box, every Lomography camera comes with a detailed illustrated manual so you'll never be confused. It's so straightforward that even young children can experiment and enjoy the experience of a toy camera.
People, animals, landscape, architecture — the options are limitless with the Lomography Fisheye Baby 110 Metal Edition. There is no such thing as a good or a bad shot because the art is in the little mistakes, such as the slight distortion or the accidental composition. Designed with high quality plastic and metal body, I had no problems putting it in my handbag — it won't break that easily!
If you ask me, loading the film is so much more simpler compared to loading a 35mm film. Using a 110 film cartridge, all you got to do is slide and lock it in! No rewinding required. Priced at RM29 each, there is the Lomography Orca 110 B&W Film and Lomography Color Tiger 110 to choose from.
A tip for first-time users though, the Lomography Color Tiger 110 is a ISO 200 film and the Lomography Orca 110 B&W is ISO 100 so you should get out in the sun and have fun!
The Lomography Fisheye Baby 110 Metal Edition also has a multiple exposure feature where you can choose not to advance the Film Advancing Wheel and shoot as many shots on the same frame. Shoot patterns or plants as your first frame and then shoot people or places over it. You'll be surprised at the double-vision effect!
With the 170-degree lens, you can capture a whole cafe or a huge chunk of landscape in a round shape. Catch little details you miss with the naked eye using the Lomography Fisheye Baby 110 Metal Edition.
The Lomography Fisheye Baby also comes in Basic Edition and Bauhaus Edition, so make sure you head over to http://asia.shop.lomography.com to check out the wide range of cameras, films and accessories!
● Pictures by Choo Choy May and Lydia Koh
