(VOVworld) - Lomography is an unusual form of photography full of artistic flair. It technically started in 1982, when production of the "Lomo" Kompakt Automat started in Saint Petersburg, Russia. However, the foundations for the modern lomographic movement and cult following began in earnest ten years later, when two Viennese students founded the Lomographic Society International. The trend started in Vietnam about 5 years ago and very quickly the lomography clubs in Hanoi and HCM City becomes favorite places for many young people.

Hanoi Cathedral through lomo lens. Photo: Long Nguyen & Maika Lan - young lomographers

Biking along Hanoi streets with lomo camera every weekend has become a habit for Xuan Bach and his friends who are members of the xomnhiepanh.com. Unlike professional photographers, Bach never has in mind what he is supposed to shoot but simply captures whatever catches his eyes. After more than a year wondering around, Bach owns a collection of over 200 lomographs, which attract viewers with their edgy, half-processed look and feel. “Lomo cameras are low-fidelity constructed. They make use of multiple lenses to capture the color, style and feeling of the moment. Some of my pictures have dark corners and uneven color distribution as a result of vignetting but my friends like that and said they look extraordinary and impressive,” Bach said.

Lomographers believe that lomography is the art of using camera to produce distinctive, almost experimental designs. For them, shooting lomos is an  improvising and thinking-free moment, so the process boils down to two actions: point and shoot as their slogan: “Don’t think, Just shoot”. Lomos are not difficult to capture but hard to pose. Thanh Thai has been a lomographer for 3 years and learned a lot. “The first principle of lomography is to always stick to your camera. It demonstrates the lomographers’ freestyle and their respect for the wonderful moments in life. You never know when these moments will come so it’s better to stay ready,” Thai said.

An image captured by 4-lenses lomo camera. Photo: Viet vun vut - Young lomographer

Lomography has made its availability on different photography forums in Vietnam such as Vnphoto.net, comnhiepanh.com, and attracts about 1,000 younsters nationwide. Minh Hang is a member of Hanoi Lomography Club. She shares: “I am a new comer but this is a wonderful opportunity for me to join the club, where members are of different personalities using different kinds of cameras. I learn a lot about how to photograph unique lomos”.

For lomographers, an eye for what works and what doesn’t work is somewhat key because there is no preview function on lomo cameras. The cult of lomography in Vietnam is increasing because youngsters have an opportunity to demonstrate their innovation through the lenses.

Thu Phuong