Holga Week 2019!

Well, Holga Week is almost upon us, as October 1-7 is Holga Week, meaning that it starts tomorrow!    It was not too long ago that we thought the Holga was dead.  In 2015, we were told that it was no longer going to being manufactured, but alas, in late 2016, we were told that no, the 120N was going to be manufactured again, but in a different factory, thanks to Freestyle Photo. 

I have been using the basic Holga since about 2002.  In the beginning, they were very inexpensive, and as cameras go, they still are relatively cheap to own. I recall buying one new for $15, but now the 120N sells for about $40.  It's still my favorite low-fi camera for a lot of reasons, and I own a half-dozen of the 120 models.   I have owned the Holga 120 wide pinhole, and still have the Holga 135 pan and Holga 135.  Their plastic construction and plastic lens is about as basic as you can get. Yet, the images made with them can be jaw-dropping beautiful.  Just take a look at the Holga images from Michael Kenna, and you'll see what I mean.  Yes, people have maligned the Holga for its cheapness, but I say it's because they don't understand that it's just a tool.  I have exhibited Holga images at several shows over the years, and still feel that the Holga is a camera that lets one be creative and it just takes a while to figure out how to make it work its magic. 

Tall Ships, Marquette, MI 2016

Kalamazoo, MI,  2016

Fishtown, Leland, MI, 2016 

Fishtown, Leland, MI, 2016 

Amenia, NY 2016

Letchworth State Park, NY, 2016

The Holga 120N is easily modded, and a quick web search will reveal a lot of ways that it's been modified by people. This summer I modified one my Holgas to have a hexagonal image mask.  I am doing a long-term project with it, and hope to have some interesting results to share later this year.  A lot of people have asked if the Holga is a good introduction to medium format photography.  My answer is no.  Your expectation of medium format is a larger, more detailed negative -- and you'll get that with a twin-lens reflex as the entry to medium format.  The Holga and the Diana and similar low-fi 120 cameras will give you something, but you need to know the limitations and make them work for you in composition, lighting, and subject. 

Holga Pinhole 120W, Ann Arbor, 2015

Another point is that because the Holga has limited adjustments for exposure, you can easily tape a colored orange, yellow, or red gel over the lens to compensate in b&w film, or use a Neutral density filter for color (and yes, it works for b&w, too).   You can also use an external flash for poorly lit situations, or use the B setting while on a sturdy tripod for long exposures.  An adapter allows you to use studio strobes for anyone wishing to do so. 

Mason, MI, 2014

While the Holga is basically a box camera, it is far easier to use than a Kodak Brownie, easily modified, and takes readily available 120 film.  In bright daylight, 100 ISO film is fine, bit 400 ISO film will be fine in most situations.  If you haven't used a Holga before, don't sweat it.  Before long, you'll appreciate its quirky features, and think less about the use, and more about the image.  Light leaks?  I just use artist's black masking tape or gaffer tape.  My biggest fear is that the back will come loose, so I use gaffer tape over the metal clasp on each side to avoid that.

So, get out that Holga, whatever type it is, and shoot away this week!

Holga 135 Pan,  Sharon Twp., MI 2012