Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity
"PLASTIC CAMERAS: TOYING WITH CREATIVITY" is the first complete guide to the world of toy camera photography! Join Michelle Bates on a romp through the exciting world of plastic camera. Fromthe history of their use, to the latest in exhibtions and resources, featuring the work of 33 world-class photographers working in all genres of photography. Also including extensive how-to information to get you started and keep you going into advanced techniques and camera modifications. "Plastic Cameras" introduces you to the Holga camera, as well as the Diana, Lensbaby, Action Sampler and more!
Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity Accessories
 Holga 120N Medium Format Fixed Focus Camera with Lens
Lomographic Holga Starter Kit
Holga: The World through a Plastic Lens
Fujifilm Fujicolor Pro 400H Color Negative Film, ISO 400, 120 Size, Pack of 5, USA
Holga Four Color Filter Set for Color or Black & White Film.
Holga Slip-on Filter Holder Adapter
Ilford HP-5 Plus 400 Fast Black and White Professional Film, ISO 400, 120 Size
Holga 120CFN Medium Format Fixed Focus Camera with Lens and Built-in Flash with Color Filter Wheel
Lomography Diana+ Medium Format Camera
Digital Negatives: Using Photoshop to Create Digital Negatives for Silver and Alternative Process Printing
Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity Reviews
Well done, Ms. It's also well bound and excellently printed. Film selection and processing is also discussed. The book contains an extensive collect of works by major toy camera artists and an explaination of their methods.
Read it once, refer to it often, it's that good. There is an interesting history of the Holga and several chapters demonstrating the use and modification of our favorite piece of plastic. Bates If you are a Holga or Diana user or are considering purchasing one, then this is the book for you.
Michelle Bates has the experience and expertise to give an overall review of the Holga, Diana and others.
The images were hauntingly beautiful and I was surprised to find out they were completely un-touched by any digital process. Holgas, one of the models that form the centerpiece of this book, can produce a variety of images depending on how they are set up, or in some cases, not set up. This is a great title for the curious.
I disagree with the reviewer who described the images in the book as too 'artsy fartsy'. I feel they appropriately serve to illustrate the techniques discussed and are a good overview of contemporary artists using 'plastic' cameras. I'm now inspired to attempt some panoramas and double exposures as described in the book. As someone who has been involved with digital photography for over 10 years, I first became curious about 'plastic' cameras after seeing an exhibition of the author's work a few years ago.
Michelle's book is fun to read and offers many tips, tricks and techniques for the amateur and seasoned photographer alike.
Most books either inspire, through the wonderful work of other photograpers, or are how-tos. I bought another for a lot more than $5. (I'll study up on it). This book is both. I can't imagine using the how-to section of this book if you've never used anything but a digital camera. Read Toy Cameras. However, you must be familiar with cameras that use good old-fashioned FILM to use it.
You'll never go back to "the real thing" again. But here it is: When my cameras were stolen a few years ago, I wasn't concerned about replacing the Olympus. It devastated me to lose my toy Dories. Buy a toy camera. On the other hand, there is a little bit of info at the end of the book on computer scanning and pixels that goes right over my head.
I've shown the book to some of my friends and they loved it, too. It has all the information that you need to start using a Holga. The book is easy to read. I found the book excellent for new users of toy cameras. The pictures are excellent and it's also good that the book includes short background information about the photographers. I bought this book because I own a couple of toy cameras. I also like learning about the origins of the toy cameras. I have a Holga that I didn't use often and I thought the book might have something in it to inspire me to use it more.
while i have been able to find much of the information in this book in other places on the web, it is great to have a consolidated, concise reference on the joys of toy cameras. if you like plastic cameras, or are interested in getting to know them better, then BUY THIS BOOK. this book is an outstanding introduction to anyone just getting into the toy camera experience. this book mainly focuses on the holga but there are homages to the other great toy cameras in history, the diana for example.
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