Lo-fi photography hits Melbourne

In today’s world of expensive, high-tech jazzy SLR cameras, there’s a growing trend against picture-perfect photography – ‘lomography’. Our new love for the ‘not-quite-right’ cleverly replicates the photography of yesteryear, with colours and contrasts that make you feel dreamy with nostalgia.

The mistress behind these modern technicolour dreams is a pretty, plastic dynamo called ‘Diana’. Diana, born in the sixties, was renowned for shooting beautiful lo-fi images on 120mm film, but her days were numbered when 35mm film took over, and she disappeared into obsolescence.

All was not lost. Diana re-emerged, winning friends and influencing people, becoming a cult must-have amongst the hip ‘80s New
York art scene.

Recently affection has again grown for the Diana camera and its ‘lomo’ clones, with their return spawning an entire style movement. So much so that a worldwide tour has been dedicated to Diana where appreciators alike can celebrate their love of lomography.

The tour showcases 25 Diana cameras customised by Aussie designers; a very cool photo exhibit; and a kitschy pop-up store for all your lomo needs. There’s also an introductory workshop for first-time lomographers.

If you miss the tour, be sure not to miss the online auction, with each of the 25 exhibited ‘customised clones’ to be sold and proceeds donated to charity.

So ‘don’t think, just shoot’ (the lomography motto) and get re-acquainted with the excitement of taking your film to be developed.

Diana World Tour
No Vacancy Gallery, 34-40 Jane Bell Lane, QV, Melbourne
(03) 9663 3798
Exhibition until March 11th – free admission
Workshops Saturday March 5th, $20, register online