Introduction to the world of crap photos.

I guess before I get too deep into this blog I should create a launching point for you.

My goal with this blog is to help anyone interested in iPhone camera apps, toy cameras, Polaroids, weird film effects- ie. light leaks, emulsion pulls, lens flares, damaged or expired film - find out what those effects they like might be, how they might be able to get them, other fun ways to get weird and fun effects, and basically build a little bubble of photo stuff I think is cool, old and new.

This isn't meant to be a 'serious' photo blog. The world of toy camera's already shows that, otherwise you wouldnt still be able to buy cameras using film at Urban Outfitters. It is more for fun and for hobbyists, than a serious professional, though of course they can and do partake, and push this form even further. It is interesting that with the advent of the web, these various forms of low tech photography have somehow become one type of expression.

In this day and age, where almost any style can be downloaded to our iPhone or mimicked via an Adobe program, it is nice to know what, where, how, and why many of these things exist, and why they are fun. And to learn about other weird cameras of the past (I for sure have not seen them all.)

Basically, I just wanted to share the limited knowledge I have gained over the past years, and the new daily usage experience I have now with various apps. This of course is intended to act as a type of bridge between the digital new world, and the old film world, ultimately what you see is the picture, not how it got there, and with most things the end result is what becomes covetable, each in their own right. Digital, like it or not, can be just as viable in it's own right.

Expect fun posts about vintage cameras - film, digital and instant.

Expect illumination of great photos found around the web and on Flickr and Tumblr.

Expect reviews of iPhone camera apps, tips and tricks, sources and more.

Expect to have fun, and just enjoy. This is all about experimentation and DIY.

Thanks for reading.

Enjoy.

inspiration- light leaks

Light leaks are the incredible effect you get when the back of a film based camera is opened. Usually you do this mid-roll, meaning you get a bit of the film pulled out of the canister before you open the camera back.

Here is a great article with much more info at thedphoto.com.

One of the great masters of this style commercially is Mark Borthwick.(click to google his pics)

He has an excellent bookthat you can buy, it includes many of of his better photos, and is curated by Beautiful Losers founder Aaron Rose.


Here are some of my favorites of his...