Ever since I first used my first lomo camera, I got hooked on lomography. It wasn’t even a real lomo cam… my Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim, but it is considered a poor man’s lomo cam. Then I saw those square photos with really cool vignettes and I was pretty amazed. That’s when I bought my pink Holga. And now, I’m waiting for my third lomo cam… the wicked Oktomat with its 8 lenses and I can’t wait to use it!

So, what exactly is lomography? Here is a definition from Wikipedia…

Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, “happy accidents,” and alternative film processing are often considered part of the “Lomographic Technique.” Users are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography, and use these techniques to document everyday life

I fell in love with lomo because of all the characteristics mentioned… over-saturated colors, vignettes, off-kilter exposure, blurring, happy accidents.. all those and most especially the element of surprise. It is actually like a box of chocolates for you’ll never know exactly what the outcome of your roll will be.

I know, I know, a couple of people already told me that you can get all these results by manipulating your images digitally. But where’s the fun in that? And just to prove how fun it is, here are the 10 golden rules of lomography:

1. Take your camera everywhere you go.
2. Use it any time – day and night.
3. Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it.
4. Try the shot from the hip.
5. Approach the objects of your Lomographic desire as close as possible.
6. Don’t think. (William Firebrace)
7. Be fast.
8. You don’t have to know beforehand what you captured on film.
9. Afterwards either.
10. Don’t worry about any rules.