holga !!!!!
What's the deal with these Holga 120N cameras I'm seeing everywhere?
From amateur photographers, to fine art wedding photographers alike, this camera has been all over my social media feed.
Why?
When I got my hands on this camera, I was dumbfounded by how simple it seemed at first. I think this also plays into why this camera is such a unique add-on as a photographer who appreciates art. The nature of this film camera provides exciting unpredictable results.
The Holga 120N is a “toy camera”, made almost entirely of plastic, with no batteries. The camera has three focusing modes, indicated by symbols such as a person, a mountain, etc. This small but mighty camera uses medium format film, yielding about 12 or 16 images depending on what you select.
The icons on the lens indicate the distances:
1-person icon is 3 ft
Family icon is 6 ft
Group icon is 18 ft
Mountain icon is 30 ft to infinity
As I’m sure you can imagine, some of the focusing is a guessing game.
So why would find art photographers add this to their arsenal?
The answer lies in the artistic and unpredictable nature of this film camera.
Because the film does not advance on its own, it's not uncommon for an accidental double exposure to surprise you.
The Holga is also prone to light leaks, which might be a nuisance at times, or a wonderful creative flair — seemingly dictated by some invisible force.
Coupled with a flash, I see the Holga's charm really flourish.
I found a lot of enjoyment using this camera during bridal portraits, or in very direct sunlight.
Sometimes, if your flash is not bright enough, or if you don't have enough natural lighting, the film can turn up a slightly green in the shadows or under exposed.
However, I have found that having a bright enough light source can remedy any issues and developing and post processing.
Another lovely feature of the Holga is the square format. I personally find square photos to be satisfying!
Now that we've done a quick run through of this camera I'd love to show you some shots I've taken so far!
