© Liz Potter

Project 1: Holga

For your first project, you will be shooting black and white 120 film on a plastic toy camera called a HOLGA! Photographs produced on the Holga camera typically have:
  • a heavy vignette
  • shallow depth of field
  • an abstract, almost dream like quality
We will practice loading and unloading your film into the cameras in class, as well as shoot a practice roll together.  You will write a proposal on your Weebly student blog detailing what kind of images you want to make for your Holga project. Your project proposal should be thought out, cohesive, and feasible for your given time frame. We will go over your proposals in class.

You will shoot 10 rolls of film over the course of 2 weekends. Each roll of film will yield 12 square images. When you return on Monday, you will give your film to me and I will ship it to Austin to be processed.

Once the lab returns the processed film, you will scan the negatives and print your images for critique.

TIPS:
  • KEEP YOUR MANUAL ON HAND!
  • Remember to set your frame number to 12. Point the arrow on the back of the camera to the number 12.
  • Remember, you only have 2 options for aperture on the Holga: f/11 (sunny symbol) and f/8 (cloudy symbol)
  • You have 2 options for shutter speed: 1/100 or Bulb. (Use a tripod if shooting on the Bulb setting!)
  • Use black electrical tape to tape the sides of the camera so that the back does not fall off unexpectedly, exposing your film. Additionally, take a piece of tape and cover the red square on the back of your Holga.
  • When loading and unloading your film, make sure to hold the film roll TIGHTLY so as not to flash your film. When you unload your film, pull it tightly and wrap the tab around the film. Lick the tab and press it to make it stick. For added security, tape the roll together.
  • Place your exposed film in a Ziploc bag to keep up with it and put your name on the Ziploc!
  • You might want to consider checking out a tripod.​
DUE DATES:

Thursday, 9/12/19 (before class): Written, typed proposal due on your Weebly student website blog.

Monday, 9/23/19: 5 rolls of 120 film shot and in a labeled ziploc bag. Bring to class for a grade.