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i am currently working on an article about lomography for an arts publication, and it is getting nearly impossible to maintain an impassioned perspective when i am becoming fascinated by this kitschy and creative form of photography.

the above is a painting of chairman mao by andy warhol, with whom lomography is closely associated, along with the entire ‘pop art‘ movement. there is a LOMO (lomographic camera) called the ‘pop9′ (no prizes for guessing where the name came from) which is able to replicate the above effect, together with alternative processing methods. If not for the fact that LOMOs only shoot with film and cost on average about S$300 each, i’d have gotten myself one.

what is special about lomography as compared to conventional photography is that while the latter emphasises elements such as composition, lighting, texture and other principles of design, the former brandishes a ‘devil may care’ attitude when it comes to taking pictures. it is this irreverence and boundless ability of expression that give lomography its appeal.

below are the ‘ten golden rules of lomography’ as prescribed when shooting lomographs. they really are unconventional.

1. Take your LOMO with you wherever you go.

2. Use it all the time, anytime – day and night.

3. The LOMO does not interfere with your life, it’s part of it.

4. Get as close as possible to the objects of your lomographic desire.

5. Don’t think.

6. Be fast.

7. You don’t have to know what’s going to be captured when you shoot.

8. You don’t have to know what’s on the film afterwards either.

9. Shoot from the hip and over your head.

10. Don’t worry about rules.

to visit lomography asia, click here.

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