My love story with my Diana
20080423
A friend of mine was the one who was really into buying a Diana camera. I was not really that interested since it uses 120 film and its hard to find here in Davao. At that time when he was in Manila there were no available supplies of Diana. So he just ordered and the supplier promised to ship him the camera once the product arrives. My friend Tisha who was working in Manila is going home to Davao for the Christmas break. She said she could buy me a lomo cam if I want to. At that time Kenth's orders already arrived (along with the fisheye that I ordered for my sister). I asked Tished if it's ok if she could get the orders. The time was short and so I didn't wire the money to Tisha but it was not a problem since we are neighbors here in Davao. When she got back I got the cameras from her and paid her. I didn't get to see Kenth at that time so I just paid for him.
He is so busy with work and so he said I could use the Diana. Tisha gave me a roll of 120 film. It's only 12-16 shots but I took my time taking pictures. By the time I started using it and saw sample pictures from the internet I was already smitten with the camera. My sister also said to me that I should tell Kenth that I will the camera from him. Later when I finally got a hold of Kenth I told him of my proposal. He agreed. I promised him that I could lend him the camera if he wants to use it.
My first shots were kinda disastrous. I didn't know the right timing, or lighting or whatever but still I did get a very nice picture. Even though its one shot my love for Diana grew.
There was supposed to be an exhibit for Lomodavao but unfortunately it was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Before it was canceled I bought films for my Diana since I wanted to showcase Diana pictures for the exhibit. I got 6 black and white films and 2 slide films (which I went great lengths in procuring).
I saw pictures from Tisha's multiply account and I was really itching to take my own photos. I am not yet confident with lighting so I wanted to shoot in daytime. I was very happy when I was invited to go to the beach. It was not just the beach we went to Samal island to Kaputian which has a very nice white sand beach.
Taking photos was one thing and having them developed and printed was another. When I got back from Kaputian. I immediately went to SM to have my pictures developed last time I got my film developed there. I gave the film and waited for an hour. I was really tired from the trip but I couldn't wait to see the photos. After an hour I came back. Unfortunately the salesperson there explained they couldn't the slide film and the black and white once. They don't develop those kind of film. I wanted to eat the salesperson alive. She let me wait for an hour just for that when she could have asked the technician about the film if she was unsure in the first place. I didn't really picked a fight or whatever. Still I was really pissed off.
The next day I went to another branch. Still they didn't accept it. My last resort was digiprint. Tisha has her pictures developed there. The people from LBC didn't really know what to do with since there are a few who have their film developed at digiprint (it involves sending the film to Manila to have it processed then shipped back to your house). The people at LBC were very friendly so I gave it a shot. It takes three days till you get the pictures.
After three days it finally arrived. After everything I have through it was all worth it.
My story doesn't end just there. I just finished reading the hardbound book that is included in the Diana.
I was totally blown away with the Diana vignettes , the image gallery and the stories from master Diana users. I loved the colors produced by the slide film but when I read the book I am now more interested in shooting in black and white (glad I still have 4 black and white films). I am inspired by the works of Mark Sink.
I haven't got my black and white pictures developed YET. Tomorrow I walked the crowded street of San Pedro and have it developed. Wish me luck.
Posted bymiles0282 at 09:25
Labels: Diana, lomography
