Adding Tension To Your Holga Film and What It Does

You may be aware of a little hack, that allows you to greatly increase the tension in your Holga film.

What it entails, its ripping off the end of your card film packet, folding it and wedging it under your spool.

And the results? What it basically does is add more tension to your film while it is passing through your Holga. This means that you are less likely to get blurring around the edges of your shots, and very loosely speaking...less crazyness.

I have often wondered why people do this hack, and I don't recommend it, as it will definitely ruin some of the characteristics of your Holga. Don't do it if you want maximum blurring, but do do it if your strive for that 'perfect' photograph.

Hope you enjoyed the tip. There will be many more coming soon.

Labels: Card, Film, Newbies, Spools, Tension

Holga Focusing Help The Video

Yesterday I added a focusing help video to the youtube channel. Its a quick fact that every new Holga user needs to know before the first film.

here is the video:

Labels: Focusing, Help, Newbies, Video

Tape Those Batteries In The Holga 120CFN

A few people have written to me over the past couple of days complaining that all their Holga pictures have big strips of black on them.

There is a pretty simple explanation for this. Its the batteries inside the Holga 120CFN coming lose and effecting the exposure.

The batteries are actually blocking light because they are moving around inside your camera while you are out taking photos.

The best solution to this is to tape down your batteries inside your Holga, so that they can no longer move around.

This should solve the problems that you have been having.

Happy shooting and I hope this helped.

Labels: Batteries, CFN, Tape

Keep That Spool Fool

This post is to explain what keeping the original Holga spool means for your film.

My advise is that if you want to get some burnt edges, and more light leaks on your film then make sure you hold on to it. If you don't then ditch it as soon as you use your first film.

How Does It Help?

Due to the poor manufacturing of the Holga, the take-up spool that is provided is actually a little bit too long for 120 film.

As a result, the ends of your film can be exposed to light when you take it to the developers. If you don't understand, this very very basic diagram will help to explain:



As you can see the Holga spool is slightly too long and therefore, when you are transporting your finished film to be processed light can get in. The gap isn't actually this big but you get the idea.

This will not happen with take-up spools from more expensive cameras and popular films, because they are manufactured more accurately.

Increase light leaks and burns by holding on to your original take up spool that comes with your Holga. Ask your lab to keep hold of it. Maybe you could paint the end a bright color so they know which one it is!

Hope you enjoyed the tip and thanks for reading!

Labels: Increasing, Light Leaks, Spools, Tips

When To Use Long Exposures With Your Holga

I got a question from a reader a few days ago asking when long exposures should be used. I thought it was actually a pretty good question for new Holga users, and as a consequence I decided to write this detailed introduction to long exposures.

What Are Long Exposures

Long exposures are pretty self explanatory, its when you expose your camera or Holga film to light for a long period of time.

With the Holga this is possible by using the B setting on the bottom of the lens. On this mode, the shutter will stay open (exposing the film to light) for as long as you keep your finger down on the shutter button. This is different to the N setting because that just does an automated 1/125second shutter speed.

When To Use Them

Typically, you use long exposures at times where there is low light. Film needs light to catch an image, and if there isn't much of it around you will need to expose the film for a long period of time. This is when the B (bulb) setting comes into play.

Mounted on a tripod, you will hold the shutter open for a set period of time (usually an educated guess) in order to ensure that the film gets enough light to make an image!

Night time and indoors are the main places and times that you will use this setting.

Examples

Since the beginning of time, Holga users have been experimental. There is a lot you can do with the B setting. Take a look at these examples below. They have all captured moving light by leaving the shutter open as the object moves past the camera, creating a snake like effect on your photograph.





You can of course just use it to make sure you get a good exposure. Here are some examples of that too.

Conclusion

So in conclusion long exposures are needed where there isn't enough light to capture a photograph. Make sure your camera is always mounted on a tripod when you use the B mode otherwise they will look wobbly and crazy.

Thanks for reading and if you have any more questions please ask. I think this pretty much clears it all up!

Happy shooting.

Labels: B, Bubl, Long Exposures, Newbies

Reducing Light Leaks by 99% WIth Tape

Some of us Holga users like to reduce the amount of light leaks that we get as much as possible. There is no problem in this and everyone has their own unique way of shooting with their Holga camera.

So you've decided you don't like the light leaks and want to minimise them as much as possible. Almost all of them can be stopped with tape, and here is how to do it.

Take a look at the images below:

Internal Taping

Note how I've taped over the gaps where the frames clip in. This stops light bouncing around.



Tape across the top bit in the middle as well like so. If you feel under there, there are two holes that can let light in.

Externally

Tape all the seams around the back of the camera and the front seam as well.







As you can see there are points on the inside and outside of the Holga that need to be taped if you want to really reduce the leaks.

This really is the best method for reducing them, but make sure you use black tape and not yellow. I just used yellow so that its easy to see.

Thanks for reading!

Labels: Light Leaks, Tape, Tips, Tricks

Use Gaffer Tape Not Electrical Tape

Sick and tired of the sticky residue that your tape is leaving on your Holga? Well its probably because you are using Electrical tape and not gaffer tape.

Electrical tape works just fine for keeping light leaks out and keeping the back of your Holga on, however after a few films worth of taping, it can start to get a little messy.

Residue can build fast and can be irritating. If you keep your Holga in your bag, you may find it gets covered in all sorts of dust and dirt because its stuck to the tape residue.

So the solution is easy. You need to use gaffer tape instead of electrical tape. Its slightly more expensive but will stop the problem completely.

I've not actually tried this yet, but a big thank you to our reader Mark for pointing this one out. It really is a top Holga tip!

Labels: Light Leaks, Tape, Tips

What To Take On A Day Out With Your Holga

What do you usually take on a day out with your Holga? Did you forget something or wish you had taken certain items with you.

This post will be useful to those trying to see what you need for a day out, and useful for those that just need a recap!

Here is a list of things that I recommend you take on a serious days shooting, with your Holga.

1. Your Holga

Ok lets get the dumb one out of the way first. If you want a good day out with your Holga then you are going to need to take it with you. Simple.

2. A Spare Camera

Don't be caught out by something going wrong with your Holga. If you have a spare camera then at least the day isn't a complete waste of time. I find that I like to take a few cameras out with me, just to mix stuff around.

3. Elastic Bands

Elastic bands are useful for things like keeping the back of your Holga on. Take a few spares. I usually use them to tape all my films together as well, as they can often get lost in the depths of your bag. They always seem to come in handy these little treats!

4. Electrical Tape

A must have on any adventure is spare tape. Sometimes tape can lose its stickyness if its rolling around in your bag, or when you change film. Take some spare tape so you can keep everything working right.

5. Batteries

If you are using one of the Holga cameras that needs a set of batteries then take a spare set with you. Its probably one of the worst things to get caught up on, because its so simple to avoid with a little bit of preparation. I recommend having a pack that just permanently lives in your camera bag.

6. Spare Film

You don't need to be a generous to work out that you need spare film on a day out shooting. From my experience its better to take more than enough than not enough at all. Pack generously and include a range of different films. It would be no good if a carnival suddenly started near you and you only had black and white film would it ^_^.

7. Rucksack

If you've not already got one, then get yourself a decent lightweight rucksack. I recommend somewhere between 15 and 20 litres. Any bigger is a bit bulky and can be annoying. If you are expecting rain, line your bag with a plastic bag. Even if it says its waterproof, don't be fooled. A little extra protection can go a long long way!

8. Dark Bag

Dark bags can be packed down really tight, and are very useful for loading and unloading film in direct sunlight. On a day out you are going to have to change your film at least once, and a dark bag is the safest way to do it. Its not essential but if it fits then take it.

9. Tripod

A tripod is always a useful accessory to have with you and there is now little excuse not to have one with all the different types that are on the market. The Joby Gorrilapod comes highly recommended and does an excellent job of the feather-light Holga. Its very conveniently sized and extremely flexible too. Take it with you and shoot long into the night time.

10. Anything Else That Fits

If you have any space left over in your bag then make sure you cram in some interesting accessories. Its always fun to have something to play around with when you are out and about. Take filers, flashes and masks to make your day out all the more fun!

If you can think of any others that I may have missed then please leave them in a comment below. I love to hear your suggestions!

Thanks again for reading.

Labels: Days Out, Help, Packing, Prep, Tips

What Is Negative Scanning?

I've had a few e-mails over the past few weeks asking what exactly negative scanning is. I guess you take it for granted when you've been doing photography for a while. There are people out there who have no idea what it even means!

Basically, negative scanning is exactly what is says on the tin. Its the act of physically scanning the negative film that you have used in your Holga or other camera.

The film does need to be processed first and it is recommended that you scan using a good negative scanner like the Canon 8800F scanner.

You can hack your normal flat bed scanner to scan negatives but the results are fairly poor.

The Difference?

So the difference between normal scanning and scanning a negative is that when you scan normally you are scanning the print that has been made using the negative.

Negative scanning skips this step out and allows you to get the image directly from the film using a specialised negative scanner.

This can save you money as you don't need to buy the prints, and its great for people who develop their own negatives at home because they (like me) can scan the images in as soon as they have developed the negative film. Its cost effective and very quick.

You can shoot a roll of film and have it posted on the internet before lunch!

Other Notes

Negative scanning is becoming the number one way to share analogue photography because its becoming increasingly affordable and its also considered to be higher in quality than scanning a print.

If you love photography then I really recommend investing in one.

Labels: Help, Negative Scanning, Newbies, Scanner, Scanning

Keeping Your Holga Back On With Band

There are a number of different ways to keep the back of your Holga camera on. Each one I will post individually.

This elastic band hack is probably the best if you want to increase the amount of light leaks that your Holga produces. Its also really easy to do!

Take a look at the photos underneath:





You simply put an elastic band all the way around your Holga camera and this is enough to keep the back on, while keeping all the seams exposed to light!

Hope this helps and if you have any questions or comments then feel free to e-mail me.

Labels: Elastic Band, Hacks, Light Leaks, Newbies

Under Water Hack For Holga Camera

Because there is so little technology inside a Holga camera, and because they are so cheap to buy, hacking them is a must!

The underwater hack is simple and risk free because of the reasons mentioned above. It will allow you to take your Holga into the sea or your private swimming pool and get some really dreamy underwater shots.

Here is how to do it.

1. Get The Ingredients

You will need a plastic bag (I've used a freezer bag), some tape and an elastic band.

2. Pop The Holga Inside

Pop the Holga inside the bag after making sure there are no holes in it. You don't want to let any water in remember!

3. Place Elastic Band Around Lens

This will help to keep it tight over the lens and make the photographs you take as clear as possible. If you don't do this you could get crease marks in front of the camera which will transfer onto the photo.

4. Tape It Up

Wrap all the excess together to improve its water resistant qualities and slap a bit of tape on it to keep it safe.

5. Go Shoot

I've never actually done this mod and taken pictures...because I live in England. The weather is far too cold to go in the sea and I'd probably get arrested if I took it in a swimming pool!

When you are happy its all water tight, go and see what results you can get underwater.

This is a great simple hack that will bring some surprisingly good results. Here are some examples I found on Flickr:

Labels: Hacks, Under Water

7 Things To Do While The Weather Is Terrible

The weather here in the UK is worse than terrible at the moment, and I can't really do much on the practical side of photography.

So as a result, I thought it would be of benefit to make a post about things to do while the weather is bad.

1. Clean Cameras

Get all your cameras out and give them a good old clean! They've been sitting in the dark damp and dust of your room for the last few weeks, so its about time that you gave them a little bit of attention.

Clean off any dust, check the lens for dirt and check the insides for any unwantedness. You'll be surprised what you find in there!

2. Gear Check

Check over all your gear. Did you lend a camera to a friend and not get it back? Did you leave something at your grandparents house? You never know when you might need your gear, so regular checks ensure its always in the right place.

3. Scan All Images

Take some time to scan all those prints/negatives that you have lying around. Share them on your blogs and Facebook accounts and get some feedback. Its not like you have much else to do!

4. Sort Photos Out

Go through all your photos and sort them out properly. Check that all the negatives and prints match up, and if not find where they have got to.

Arrange them neatly so they can be gotten hold of easily. People ask me for prints a lot, so I need to know where they are!

5. Update/Read Photography and Holga Blogs

Take some time out to read some blogs or maintain your own. Remember that post you left unfinished? Well now is the time to get it done. Read Holga blogs and get inspiration for the next time the weather lets you go out and shoot!

6. Stock Up

Check that you have plenty of film and developing chemicals. If not head over to your favourite photography websites and purchase them. You need to be stocked up at all times...just in case!

7. Brave It

Your last option is to just brave the elements. Get your best waterproof gear out and show mother nature that you don't care what she throws at you!

If you have any more tips then please leave them in a comment below. Remember the subject and post something that will help the community of readers!

Thanks for reading!

Labels: Cleaning, Dusting, Sharing, Stocking, Tips, Weather

Top Tips For Your First Ever Holga Film

Your first Holga film is scary! There are a lot of different things that can go wrong, and most of the time the results leave new Holga users seeking the answers to many questions.

This post will help you to do the best you can on your first Holga film and avoid any basic mistakes that could happen.

1. Always Advance Your Film

Get in to the habit of advancing your film as soon as you can. Ok obviously later on you will want to experiment with double exposures, but learning this habit will be more help than it is a hassle.

Advancing your film is the first thing you should do when you take a photograph with your Holga camera.

2. Check Your Lens Cap

A lens cap left on means that you will get a blank or empty frame, and this is not something that you want when you are paying out for your first ever Holga film!

Either take it off and leave it at home, or make sure you take it off before every single shot.

If you plan on leaving it at home, don't throw it away though. It can be used for other interesting hacks.

3. Check Your Shutter Button

Turn your Holga camera over and check the shutter button. It should be over on the N side and NOT on the B side. I recommend placing a peice of tape over it so it doesn't move in your bag. Only use the B mode for long exposures.

4. Check the Focus

Always check your focus before you take a photograph. Make sure your subject is the correct distance away, otherwise you will get very blurry photos and that is something that you definitely do not want!

5. Remember the Viewfinder is Crap!

Remember that the viewfinder on the Holga camera isn't really that great.

You should either use your eye over the top of the holga, or allow for the fact that it is slightly to the left when you are taking a photograph.

6. Check The Back Is On Safe

The back of the Holga has a tendency to fly off, so you might want to add some tape to make sure this doesn't happen. It could ruin a few frames on your first film, and no one wants that to happen!

7. Finally....have fun

After reading these tips you will be well prepared for your first roll of Holga film. Take your time, relax and enjoy it. Don't worry if things don't come out the way you planned. It happened to us all, you are not alone.

Come back and keep reading the blog if you feel you can get better results from your Holga. Its the best place to learn new tricks!

If you have any more tips, or would like to ask a question then please leave a comment below!

Hope it helps!

Labels: Film, Help, Newbies, Tips, Tricks

Parked Bike

This is the by far the best result I have got from my new Canon 8800F scanner so far. I'm really happy with this one.

Please leave a comment if you have something nice or constructive to say.

Labels: BW400CN, Holga, Kodak, Photography

25 Tips For a All Holga Users

Everyone needs a helping hand when they first get their Holga camera. If you've had one a while its not hard to remember the difficult and frustrating few weeks you had when you first got your Holga.

You want to throw it out of a high building at times!

These quick 25 tips should help you to make as little mistakes as possible when you first get your Holga camera, and steer you in the right direction; towards better Holga photography.

They should also make an interesting read for some advanced Holga users out there too. Hens choosing the title that I did.

1. Get in the habit of removing your lens cap before you take a picture
2. Remember that the viewfinder isn't 100% accurate with your Holga lens.
3. Use 400asa on overcast days 100 - 200asa on sunny days for best results.
4. Always check your focus before you shoot.
5. Remember the focusing symbols are 1 2 3 infinity (That's meters by the way!)
6. Make sure the switch on the bottom of your lens is over on N for normal shooting.
7. Tape the back on so it doesn't fly off mid film. Those clips are crap!
8. Remove internal masks for maximum vignetting.
9. Unload and load film in the dark if possible - this avoids sun burning film
10. Forget the first film...we all know it wasn't that great - it happened to us to.
11. The aperture switch doesn't do anything unless you complete the Aperture Hack.
12. Read forums blogs and websites for tips before you start.
13. Always advance straight after a shot to avoid unwanted double exposures.
14. Day one - leave your house and go somewhere interesting to shoot.
15. Always keep your camera handy. You don't know when something cool will happen.
16. Love your Holga, Love film. Enjoy the experience.
17. Play around and be creative.
18. Experiment as much as you can.
19. Share ideas and read shared ideas.
20. Learn to develop yourself and reap the rewards.
21. Don't be shy, have your camera out and shoot what you want.
22. If people kick up a fuss claim its "for an art project". If that fails. run.
23. Take pictures of really weird stuff.
24. Make your life photography
25. Get a Flickr account and share your work.

if you have any more tips then feel free to add them in a comment below!

Labels: Tips, Tricks, Tutorials

5 Steps To Better Holga Photography

Everyone is in need of a little kick up the rear now and then, hey that's one of the main reasons this blog is here...to keep you motivated about Holga photography.

In this post I will outline 5 things that will take you towards better Holga photography.

1. Be Productive

Your Holga photography is not some sort of thing that if left alone gets better. You need to go out and practice. Be productive and set time aside to shoot with your much loved companion. (and yes I mean the camera!)

2. Be Creative

Don't be afraid to express yourself, being creative is one of the best ways to show your inner self. Don't let the freaks on the side-walk make you feel paranoid about you taking shots with a silly looking camera!

3. Be Experimental

Experiment and you will find new and interesting ways to shoot with your Holga camera. Try DIY Masks, Hacking your Holga With 35mm Film and more. The possibilities with the Holga are pretty endless, so there is no excuse for jacking it in!

4. Share Ideas

Forums and ahem blogs ahem are a great place to share ideas and learn from other Holga users, so join in the conversation by leaving a comment on one of the posts. There is a great deal to learn off others if you allow yourself to be taught.

5. Don't Give Up

Many of you will have issues with your first few rolls of Holga film. I still have issues now. Take your time and realise that taking things one step at a time will result in you becoming a better photographer in the long run.

Labels: Tips, Tutorials

Multiple Exposures

You can have fun with multiple exposures.

This is a very old shot that I found in my draw recently:



Can't remember the camera, but its HP5 Plus film.

Labels: Photography

Intense Debate Installed

I am pleased to announce that I have installed Intense debate on the blog.

This makes commenting a lot easier and quicker, and it also adds many other features to the commenting area, to make it more helpful and more useful.

Please join me in starting a community of Holga lovers by leaving a comment on a post!

Thanks

Labels: News

First Negative Scans From Canon 8800F Scanner

Here are some examples of the results I've got from my new Canon 8800F scanner.

I managed to hack it to make it do full frame scans and these are the results.

Hope you like them!





I had to do quite a lot of correction as they were very under exposed, but its nice to see I can actually scan like this.

I will be doing a review of the scanner soon, and hopefully adding some new posts as well. Sorry its been a bit quiet.

Durkin

Labels: Hacks, Photography, Results, Scanner