Often classified as a 'toy camera', a Holga camera can create unexpected images with the simplicity of its plastic casing and the subtly of its characteristic light leaks. Photographer Kris Krüg has had a very unfortunate short-lived career with his two Holga cameras. Due to the temperamental tendencies of this particular camera, Kris went through dozens of rolls of 120 film with little to no creative success. He ended up giving his first camera to Rachael Ashe who ironically went to have a very successful Holga career with subsequent art exhibits. Five years later Kris attempted to creatively attack a second Holga camera which has since been retired to a collectible camera shelf in the Static Photography studio. If you are looking into a Holga camera, Kris is open to a trade for this one! :)
In contrast our good friends at Specialty Color Services have been very successful with their Holga-inspired path. For the past year they have been teaching a series of workshops called Holgas and Coffee, which includes photo walks and special type of film developing using coffee. Influenced by the success of their workshops, Specialty Color Services was able to bring the Holga Inspire Exhibit, an international art show, to their town of Santa Barbara, CA. This exhibit opens later this week at Gallery 27 at the Brooks Institute.
The Holga Inspire Exhibit is an international art show that supports photographers who are using this toy camera to create their body of work. This exhibit is a great example of the creative spectrum that the Holga camera can operate in. The ten featured artists in this show are Michelle Bates, Susan Bowen, David Burnett, Tammy Cromer-Campbell, Taiju Fubuki, Teru Kuwayama, Pauline St. Denis, Annu Palakannuthu Matthew, Harvey Stein and Rebecca Tolk. The exhibit will run from September 2nd to October 1st in downtown Santa Barbara, with the exhibit opening on September 2nd 5pm - 8pm.
Specialty Color Services has been a great friend and ally to Static Photography with their help in film and film developing sponsorship. Their love of film has fuelled Kris Krüg's love of film in this age of all digital photography. If you are in the Santa Barbara area, make sure to check out the art show and cultivate your own love of film.
More Information:
Specialty Color Services Website
Film Photos from Kris Krüg's Flickr Photostream
Holga <3! I think you should
Holga <3! I think you should take the Holga out of retirement!
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