Interview Stephan Kaps
Photography is a part of my life.
Name: Stephan Kaps aka mephisto19
Hometown: A small town near Hannover, Germany
Style of photography: Lomography / analog
Type of camera(s): Analog cameras: Lomography, Russian cameras, AGFA, all formats (110, 126, 35mm, 120) except large format (but I will try it someday)
Website: Lomo-home
What gives you inspiration?
I am inspired by nature, friends and other lomographers. Also by a camera, a film, a light and a color. You know, I am a visual guy so I see patterns, structures, colors and contrasts everywhere. I think in photographs.
What are your influences?
Definitely lomography. The chance to have these ten golden rules (including rule # 10: forgetting all rules) allows me to do what I want. That is mostly point and shoot, Of course I am making photographs too but with lomographic toys like a LC-A, Lubitel 166+ and a Diana. I use cross processing to make strange colors so I stay analogue and don’t digitally manipulate my shots afterwards.
Why did you choose these photos?
First of all, I have to say it is very hard to choose photos! I am a very active lomographer and shoot circa 50 photos per day (if I count all together), so deciding just to take four is a difficult choice!
But here is my choice:
The first shot is an self portrait taken for the big Lomo LC-A race. The mission was to make a self portrait with a local newspaper. In my case the Schaumburger Nachrichten.
A green Diana-shot called "Alice in Wonderland" is in my top list, cause it is my most printed/published shot. It was a planned photo shoot with a friend. I just love it and the fact that it is an analog picture without being changed in any way.
The third shot, also an self portrait, which again I made for the Lomo LC-A race. This time the mission was to make a self portrait with a mirror. So I tried something new: not holding the camera but the mirror in front of my face and shoot it.
The fourth photo is a shot made at lake Steinhude. I’m very pleased with the result, you see the sun set and the beautiful light. It is so dreamy.
What does photography mean to you?
Photography is a part of my life. I think I have always been a photographer, but too lazy carrying a heavy SLR with me. Now I sometimes have ten cameras in my bags to have a choice and not to miss a moment, if I do not reduce myself to the basics: the Lomo LC-A (my all day camera I always have with me). Photography is a kind of visual diary for me.
Photos:
Copyright reserved by Stephan Kaps
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