LomoGuru of the Week: Dannyedwards

He admits that Lomography is something very personal to him; a special connection with photography that he has found plus that bridge he is keeping strong with the Lomographic Community.

Even if he is what he calls a “Lomo-loner,” he is generous enough to share us thousands of his amazing Lomographs. And now that we’ve asked him for a LomoGuru interview, he was more than giving in sharing us his very own Lomography experiences!

Say hello to this week’s LomoGuru, dannyedwards!

Name: Daniel Edwards
Lomography Username: dannyedwards
Location: East Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Number of years as a Lomographer: 3
Number of years in the Community: 3

Share to us your most memorable experience in the Lomographic Community.

First off, I really love the Lomography Community. I find much inspiration flicking through the hand-picked section, I like being updated on what’s going on in the Magazine section, and the Reviews section is pretty much the first place I come when I’m considering buying new cameras or films. I suppose my most memorable experience, or proudest moment was when I won the Lomography X Digital Arts rumble. My picture won out of over 8,000 entries, and it was great to see my little boy Stan published in the magazine. I have a copy which I’ll be able to share with him when he’s older!

Have you actually met people in the Community that you now consider as close friends? If yes, name at least one of them.

I met a few of my fellow UK Lomographers in summer last year on a LomoWalk around York. It was organised by kneehigh85 and was a good day. It was really the first time I had spoken face to face with other people who shared the same passion. I’d love to do another Lomo meet up, but as much as I enjoyed meeting other Lomographers, Lomography was something I discovered on my own and it’s kind of something I just do. It’s quite personal to me. If you look through my albums you’ll see that I don’t have a big group of friends, I’m in no way a socialite, I really just document my little family life on film. I’m a bit of a Lomo-loner!

The best thing about the Community for me is getting inspiration and encouragement from other Lomographers. I’d like to mention grazie and vici, two great Lomographers who always give me encouraging feedback. There are so many other talented photographers who I find really inspiring; ccwu, porkchopsandy, lighthouse_keeperess, and susielomovitz to name a few. And maxpinkers whose Splitzer Barcelona album remains my favourite album ever from the Community and is actually the reason I bought an LCA+ and a Splitzer.

Do you think you’ll still be taking Lomographs in the next 5 years? Why?

Yes, I’m sure I will. I’ve been taking photographs since I was a teenager! I’m a big fan of photography full stop so even if there was no more film, and no more analogue, I’ll still be taking pictures. Lomography is the style of photography I prefer and film has so much more personality than digital. It’s a matter of taste, I guess. For me, I’ve always seen Lomography as more “art” than photography, and I enjoy the creative process. It’s more fun not knowing what you’re going to get and there are just too many different films and camera combinations for one to get bored. I actually feel like I’m just getting started in some ways, I have a long list of things I want to do so I don’t see myself stopping any time soon.

What is your favorite Lomo camera and why? Do you have any memorable experiences while using this camera?

Part of the fun for me is how each camera I use has it’s own personality so it’s tough to choose a favourite. But because it was the first Lomography camera I bought, I would probably say that the Holga is my favourite; it’s simplicity, it’s cheapness, and the fact that it’s basically a toy but can capture truly amazing, dreamy images make it my favourite.

Although I really love my LC-Wide at the moment, I never thought I’d use it that much. But while my LC-A+ has been broken, it’s been my “carry everywhere” camera. It’s compact, easy to use and produces great images.

Please share your most favourite Lomographic photo that you took and explain why.

My favourites change all the time, right now it’s probably this picture.

It’s a double exposure of Stanley vs some trees. I shot it on my LC-W using Lomo Xpro Chrome film. I do think about my shots momentarily when I’m shooting a double. I’ll usually go with textures vs portraits so there’s always an idea of what I think the end result will look like but you never actually know until you see your films. Double exposures are a big part of the reason I prefer analogue. You could do something similar with digital images in Photoshop, overlaying images with other images until you create something that looks nice, but this would never give me the same satisfaction as taking them on film. Not really thinking too much about it; forgetting all about it; and then getting a nice little surprise when you pick up your films is what’s its all about for me.

Is there any advice you can give to new analogue shooters?

Lomography is all about experimentation so take the rough with the smooth – sometimes you get a roll developed and can be really disappointed with the results. But these rolls are valuable in that they make you learn from your mistakes. Everyone says it but try to have a camera with you wherever you go. And mix up HOW you go – if you’re walking home from work, take a different route, or if you drive, take the bus instead every now and then.

Do you think you’re qualified as a LomoGuru? Got something to share in our Community? Then drop me a line at mayee.gonzales@lomography.com qne become the next LomoGuru!

written by mayeemayee on 2012-12-16 #lifestyle #interview #community #dannyedwards #q-a #lomoguru