the madness must stop (should it?)

This toy camera fascination must stop. I am like a little girl purchasing Barbie dolls whenever I look at lomographic cameras or any type of toy camera, for that matter. Going back to old school film camera is refreshing. Don't get me wrong, I love my digital camera but toy cameras have a different feel to it. The amount of time you have to wait while you get your film developed, the spin of the wheel each time you snap a photo, and everything done manually is just different from easy digital point-and-shoot cameras. Plus, you get to see your photos in physical form-- the good old photo paper finish. It's just so exciting! I thought I'd already run of hobbies to be interested in until lomography came along. I couldn't be any happier. Sure, this new hobby is costly for film, developing, etc. but the results and the fun you have after seeing the output of rolls of film is enough for you to stick to lomography.

Joining Lomomanila.ph comes with the package of being new to the lomography scene. People are so helpful there. You can ask anything and they'll give you the answer you want and explain technical stuff like film variations in layman terms. There should be a book called Lomography for Dummies, you know. Some things can be confusing like the first time I replaced a 120 film into my Holga. So many bloopers there. HAHA! But it was fun and definitely worth it. This afternoon I was browsing posts at the boards when I suddenly remembered the article on TIME Magazine on the Chinese government who monitor bulletin boards on cyberspace just in case students and Chinese activists conspire to plot something against the government. Not only that, they have so-called "internet police" that lurk around cyberspace to monitor the activities in case a conspiracy is brewing. They also sensor websites. Yes, where is the internet freedom in that? It's supposed to be a borderless world, this cyberspace.

Back to my point. So I saw this post on a cheap actionsampler. OHMY!! I WANT ONE! So I made a post that I'm interested and all that. Then it hit me--- joining Lomomanila won't make me stop this mad addiction, it will even become fuel to the fire because everyone is like me. We feel the same way about Lomography. This is probably what the Chinese government think about bulletin boards online. Each individual is a catalyst to the burning fire of the group. Grouping together through online bulletin boards will not stop them but will only continue to be more passionate about their beliefs.

In college somewhere in my junior year, my groupmates and I picked out Cyberdemocracy for our report in POLSCI160. I learned from this that the internet is a medium for activists, conspiracy theorists, etc. to connect from all over the world sharing common grievances and beliefs. This, of course, is done both in good and bad ways. While the internet may be a medium to bring a greater cause into an action, it can also be used in a negative way like conspiring something horrible against something some radical groups are against.

Same as bulletin boards for enthusiasts like Lomography. You won't find anyone telling you to stop purchasing cameras because it's silly. The members are exactly like you and you all think alike. While family members, friends, or other people may say to stop being crazy over this and stop spending money on plastic toy cameras, fellow lomography enthusiasts understand the passion and the drive to pursue lomography as a hobby. They'll support you in any decision you make on lomography and such. It's a good thing, you know. It's sort of a support group for lomography enthusiasts. They also organize exhibits (where they construct LOMO WALLS!) and parties for lomography enthusiasts or just visitors who want to check the photos out.

It's crazy how I'm already planning my next purchases. Yes, purchase in the plural form. But should this madness really stop? It's really personally fulfilling as a hobby. So if anyone tell me to stop the mad toy camera fascination/purchasing, I'll give a At-least-I-don't-spend-my-time-and-money-on-illegal-stuff retort. Heeh.

I don't know if you see the coherence between cyberdemocracy or e-democracy and lomography. HAHA! But my point is.. when enthusiasts come together, they become even more driven than before, the passion is stronger, and they meet people who are just like them. Sort of like the Power Rangers, The Transformers, and Captain Planet. They become something BIG or even STRONGER when their powers combine.

Ah well. You do the analysis. :)