Richard PJ Lambert: From Kenya to Birmingham with the LC-A 120

Birmingham based photographer Richard PJ Lambert has been impressing us on social media with his LC-A 120 photos. We talked to him about his journey into film photography and he gave us some handy tips on shooting with this glass lensed, medium format camera.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I live with my wife and cat in Birmingham, England. I’ve been taking pictures for 10 years and I like traveling, tattoos and weird art.

Tell us about your experiences shooting with the LC-A 120?

Through the generosity of a friend, I already had a beautiful medium format camera, but it was so precious (and heavy) that it hardly ever made it outside. When the LC-A 120 came out it seemed as though it would be perfect to take out, shoot and enjoy 120 film more. I started shooting film with the 35mm LC-A, and I really appreciated its simplicity and how easy it was to create multiple exposures. With the LC-A 120’s zone focus and automatic metering, its light weight and MX switch, it meant that I could turn off my brain a bit and have some fun making pictures. After overcoming the usual catastrophic failures that I have with any new camera, it made my favourite photographs from the last year. The 6cm x 6cm negatives are sharp, well exposed and look better than I imagined. The vignette, especially with cross processed film is gorgeous and it even fits in some of my larger pockets.

What did you choose to shoot? 

I always carry a camera with me, so whatever I find unusual or beautiful. These pictures were taken over the last 18 months in Scotland, Kenya and my home town of Birmingham. 

What is it you enjoy about shooting with film? 

 As a very undisciplined photographer with a very lose grasp on the craft, I like how the mistakes look better on film. Whilst the medium doesn't determine the quality of the image, I love the whole analogue process and the ways it makes me think - I couldn't get the same results any other way. 

Any tips for other people shooting with this camera?

• It has the widest lens I’ve used, so take that into account and get close to your subjects.
• I initially had a problem with the frame spacing, so check out this Lomography article to fix it.
• If you are going to make multiple exposures, remember to change the ISO to compensate.
• It might be because I take it hiking in cold weather, but my batteries always run out quick. Always check the view finder for the little red lights and carry spares.

Any photographic plans for 2018?
 
Travel, get better at portraits, print some zines and collaborate with other photographers.

For more information visit Richard's Lomohome @richardpjlambert or website richardpjlambert.com

2018-03-01 #luoghi #birmingham #london #uk #lca120