We spoke with Chicago based Lomographer Piper Robbins about her love for instant photography. She runs our gallery store in Chicago and shoots a TON of film in her spare time. Take a look at what she has to say about life, instant film, and Lomography.
Hey Piper! Tell the Lomography community a little bit about yourself and your relationship with Lomography.
Hi everyone! I have been an avid analogue shooter most of my life. I have a degree in fine art photography, and have a strong passion for keeping film alive. I am an example of hard work paying off, as I had the pleasure and opportunity to open Lomography Chicago. I started out as an intern and worked my way to opening the beautiful Chicago location. Now I am surrounded by the thing I love the most, FILM!
How long have you been a photographer and what do you love to shoot?
I took my first photo at 3 with my Mom’s 35mm Olympus and was unable to put it down. Now I primarily shoot portraiture and a documentary fine art combination or stills, architecture and landscapes. My main camera is my Hasselblad 503cm. It’s the love of my life. I also shoot with the LC-Wide.
What kind of subjects do you shoot when using instant film?
I love shooting landscapes with the instant back, especially when I use the LC-A instant back. When I use the Diana F+, I shoot a lot of people and tend to combine it with the Fisheye lens. How cool is it to have a fisheye instant photo? There is literally no other camera that can produce a result like that.
What about instant film makes you want to shoot?
The magic of watching a photographic process happen before your eyes, is an indescribable feeling. I hear people mention how film is almost romantic, and I really feel this way with instant film.
Do you have any awesome photography projects in the works?
I’m shooting a fine art doc project right now about the impact on tornadoes on poor towns in the Midwest. This is inspired by where I grew up in Indiana and seeing the effects on the land, the people and their homes. The way buildings look after such strong winds and rains break them down really fascinates me, and I hope to portray that through this project.
Thanks to Piper for taking time out of her busy Lomography filled life to give us a little insight. Take a look at more of her images on her Lomohome at piperrobbins. If you live in the Chicago area definitely stop by the Lomography Gallery Store Chicago and say hey to Piper!