The art of manual photography: Beauty in imperfection

These days it seems difficult to take a picture that doesn't look good.

Whether you're at home or traveling abroad, you simply point and you shoot -- and in less than a second, out comes a perfectly exposed image of your local neighborhood or the River Seine at sunset.

Indeed, with digital equipment, one might think that photography is an easy art to master.

However, it wasn't always like this.

Not too long ago, the act of taking a picture entailed as much guesswork and technical know-how as it required artistry. And it was a lot more fun -- just ask a growing number of retro photography enthusiasts who shun the latest black boxes in exchange for old-school film cameras.

Call it a “back-to-basics” approach to shooting that often results in unique imagery that blazes with personality, if not technology.

Read on and see a selection of images taken by a handful of local alternative photographers.

Zann Tiang: Shoots with a Minolta 110 Zoom

These photos were taken in 2005, right before construction began to convert the St. James Power Station -- a 1920s coal-fired power plant -- into one of  Singapore's favorite nightspots.

I used a Minolta 110 Zoom SLR camera loaded with expired color-negative film for these shots.

The Minolta 110 Zoom was launched back in 1976 as a submini SLR. It used the then-popular 110 film cartridges, and was targeted at amateur users who wanted additional features in their cameras.

It had versatile controls for a 110 camera of its day -- like manual focus ring, aperture control, x-sync hotshoe and, obviously, a zoom lens.

I got this camera off eBay. The 110 format cameras are really affordable. It's the film that's a killer to find because its no longer made. Besides, most film labs will give you a blank stare if you tell them to develop 110 film -- they just don’t know how to process it anymore.

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But there's a shop at Sunshine Plaza called Thirty Six (Sunshine Plaza, 91 Bencoolen Street, tel +65
6337 6916) that still stocks 110 film.

What I like about this camera is the fact that you never know for sure if the photos will come out right. Digital cameras don't even come close to matching the sense of anticipation you get from using it.

This is what alternative photography is about: the process and the experience.

An alternative photographer goes for the experience and finds joy in the full process, awaiting for the surprises that might sit waiting at the end.

Nestor Lacle: Shoots with Sprocket Rocket and Golden Half cameras

I once saw a photo made by the Sprocket Rocket online, showing the edges and sprockets in the frame and I was completely fascinated by it.

I bought the Sprocket Rocket at Thirty Six (Sunshine Plaza, 91 Bencoolen Street, tel +65
6337 6916), which is a local toy camera shop that has a wide selection of cameras and films.

The photos were taken in Chinatown, Arab Street and near Boat Quay, places that I always find interesting. I was photographing places that are unique to Singapore and fit the panorama like composition of this particular camera.

The sprocket rocket is very easy to use from a technical perspective, but harder when it comes to composition due to its wide format and wide-angle view.The toy cameras I have are very basic, without focusing or exposure possibilities, which leaves me with only composition to focus on.

The other aspect of shooting with film in general is the lack of instant feedback. This helps me slow down and make sure everything is right and perfect when taking a picture, whereas with digital I can get lazy and make adjustments after reviewing every shot.

Unpredictability is key in shooting with toy cameras. There might be light leaks or focus issues or the entire roll of film could have a green tint or amazing rich contrast-y colors.

Part of the enjoyment is picking up your developed pictures and not knowing what you will get. Often what you see in the viewfinder will come out very different than the final picture.

I got the Golden Half camera as a Christmas gift. This camera is small and light and one of those that fits in your pocket.

I have always been fascinated with Half Frame Camera’s (cameras that give two vertical images on one frame of film). I always appreciated the increased efficiency of turning a 36-exposure roll of film into one with 72 exposures.

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But even more than that is the new perspective of framing and composition of taking two images and creating one new complete image.

I have about nine toy cameras and a DSLR. I would say I shoot 50 percent digital and 50 percent film, I almost always carry my DSLR and one or two film cameras with me.

In the end I think my best images come from my DSLR, but I have the most fun when shooting with film.

Check out Nestor Lacle’s blog at www.lostaruban.com.

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