Holga Projects | The Art of Photography

Update: we have a TON of people signed up, if you still want to participate please read this…

What are Holga Projects?

I have been producing the Art of Photography Podcast for almost 3 years. I’m always humbled by the enthusiasm and interest that the podcast has generated from photographers all over the world. This year I’ve been thinking of ways we could strengthen the community who watch the show and bring people together. Holga Projects were suggested on the talk show podcast I do with Wade Griffith called the Photography Show.

The idea is simple. We will send a Holga camera loaded with film around the world with a theme. Photographers who want to participate will get 3 shots to fill on the roll before sending the camera to the next person (4 people per camera). When the camera is returned to me I will process the film by hand and post the entire roll with photographer credits on the show website.

What’s a Holga?

A Holga is a plastic film camera manufactured in China. Holga’s take medium format film so they make bigger negatives than the older 35mm standard. Holga’s also have plastic lenses and no controls on the camera other than a crude focusing system, a lever to take the picture and a winder to advance to the next image on the film roll.

The cheapness and lo-fi qualities of the Holga are what make it special. Images suffer from all kinds of problems that modern cameras have aimed to correct and this is the charm. Images are not perfect. Most often they’re not predictable. But the Holga is capable of a beauty that’s impossible to achieve on more expensive “perfect” cameras.

Why a Holga?

I am sending cameras around the world to people I’ve never met in person. Cameras that are sent out need to be inexpensive (in case of loss) and simple enough for anyone to use. More importantly, the point of Holga Projects is to show that one camera can be capable of completely different results. Photographs are controlled by the artist taking them. The Holga in its simplicity and lo-fi results is the perfect choice for this.

How Can I Get Involved?

The project is open to anyone who listens to the show. The only thing I ask is that you make sure you have time and are willing to take three images on the camera. If you can’t do the project and you receive the camera – not only do we loose the camera, but the project fails and the other photographers who have already shot images will be likely irritated. Its important to keep the cameras moving. You will also need to be able to pay for the postage to send it to the next person. This could be anywhere in the world. I know its probably not that expensive, but I want to be upfront with that. If you would like to be involved please follow these steps:

1) Follow me on twitter if you’d like to get updates on projects and more information.

2) I’ve closed the project to folks who want to be sent a camera, but if you’d like to participate with your own camera – please see the instructions for doing so.

So that’s it! If you’d like to participate – contact me!