Tuesday, August 31, 2010

After all, art is subjective anyway...

It's been a while since I've mentioned lomography -- the happy-go-lucky photography movement based on the phrase "Don't think, just shoot." Lomography humbly began with snapshots taken by the Russian state-produced 35mm LOMO LC-A Compact Automat Camera. The camera was easy to use, cheap to obtain and widely used by photographic comrades all over the former USSR. The unique, colorful and often blurry images became signatures for a new style of photography that was light on technique and heavy on candid documentation. It's a movement I wholeheartedly embrace not only because it fits right into the tradition of cinema verite and la nouvelle vague, but also because it makes happy accidents like this shot somehow seem more artistic.

I actually took the motto "Don't think, just shoot" a step further with this image. It was more like: "Don't think, don't look, don't even notice that after drinking a mimosa at lunch and laughing so hard you fall against your open handbag, the camera laying on top of it just shoots." (Somehow I don't think my slogan is nearly as catchy.)

13 comments:

Judy Williams said...

HEE HEE HEE!! I'm thinking that couple's motto was "don't pose, just move." I think maybe it was taken in the 40's?

There are groups of people who "shoot from the hip" and get a huge kick out of what they can share, not really knowing what they'll get when they click the shutter. I rather like the camera surprise idea.

Your technique takes on a life of it's own. Next time we get together, let's try it. I'll bring the champagne - you bring the orange juice.

Mister Earl said...

If you didn't look at Kat's blog yesterday, you're either psychic or there's a big convergence going on!

Trish said...

I've always thought "what a perfect motto to sell more cameras and film!" the more you shoot, the more film you'll need...but I digress...

love the tin ceiling and what reminds me of the 70's babypoop yellowish wall paint. The pic within a pic reminds me a bit of my grandparents, tho I doubt my grandmother would have been caught in a picture in pants at that time.

and "yeah, I MEANT to take this pic this way" is a great line...the view does give me the idea that I'm perhaps a little too tipsy, maybe laying out on a couch trying to recover myself before I head back out to whatever event I'm at, tho the walls sure aren't helping me feel better!

Anonymous said...

Catchy enough!

Anonymous said...

If we thought that picture was composed to impart a message or effect, I'm sure many would read much into it. (Ah, the human mind!)

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I'm glad to hear you've been drinking

TheChieftess said...

Ahhh...the mimosa did it!!!

Kat said...

I love the whole concept of lomography! I've become very interested in it lately and have tried to adopt the "don't think, just shoot" rule for my photos. And I just started running a Monday post on my blog illustrating the ten commandments of lomography as spelled out (somewhat self-servingly) on lomgraphy.com. And, one of your previous commenters has a good point-- a lot of it does seem to be a little bit focussed on use a lot of film. And buy more from us...

barbra said...

The new Gus's! Yum. You lucky.

Mister Earl said...

@Kat What's film?

Anonymous said...

so you were at Gus's it seems?

again great work...

Kat said...

BTW, I actually think your slogan is much more catchy than the original....

Laurie Allee said...

THanks so much, people.