The simple cult camera that inspired Instagram (2017)
14 hours ago
- #Holga
- #photography
- The Holga, a simple plastic camera from 1980s China, became an iconic tool influencing photography and apps like Instagram.
- Originally designed for affordability, the Holga used medium format film and had minimal features, leading to unique, often flawed images.
- Photographer David Burnett used a Holga during the 2000 US presidential campaign, creating distinctive images with light leaks and soft edges.
- The Holga gained a cult following, especially with the rise of Lomography, which celebrated experimental and imperfect photography.
- Instagram's filters were inspired by the Holga's aesthetic, mimicking its dreamy, high-contrast, and vignetted look.
- Despite digital dominance, the Holga remains popular for its unpredictability and artistic results, even in wedding photography.
- Holga production paused in 2015 but has since resumed, proving its enduring appeal in the age of digital photography.