Meet our Holiday Amigo Zoe191!

For our special edition of Holiday LomoAmigos, we introduce you to zoe191. A Lomographer since 2003, Zoe shares a few tidbits about her Lomo-life as well as her plans for the Holidays!

REAL NAME: Zoe Ezequiel
LOMOGRAPHY USERNAME: zoe191
CITY: Makati City
COUNTRY: Philippines

Tell the community a little bit about yourself and maybe something about you we would never have guessed.
I am soft-spoken. Whenever I cook spaghetti for myself, I have to count exactly 90 strands of spaghetti. I like to walk, and many times as I walk in the city, strangers on foot and even in their cars stop or approach me to ask for directions. It has happened to me so many times that I have lost count. I once had a Horizon Perfekt and I made some nice photos with it, but I found the camera cumbersome for a tiny person like me so I sold it.

How long have you been a Lomographer and how did you get into this whole thing?
I have been a Lomographer since 2003. During a river trek and camping trip along the Bagsit River with some friends, I learned that one of them brought a Lomo LCA. I had never heard of it before so when I got home I did some research to see what was special about it. When I found the Lomography website I became mesmerized by the pictures. A few months later, while walking to the mall after work, I saw a new store that had just opened that day. I decided to check it out and there I found a brand new LCA. I bought it right away. And I became doubly happy when I saw my first pictures. For the next few years it was the only camera I owned. It is now broken, but another LCA and an LCA+ took its place. I also now have many different kinds of cameras.

How will you celebrate the holiday season? Will you be getting together with family and friends and do you have anything special planned?
As usual, I will spend Christmas day with my family and other relatives. I don’t mind spending my birthday or New Year’s Eve alone but for Christmas, I must celebrate with my family.

Describe if you can your personal shooting style. Are you a classic snap shooter, experimental lab rat or just plain up for anything?
I tend to prefer classic snap shooting with my LCA, LCA+, Diana+ and Holga. I prefer simple cameras that do not require too much manipulation. But I also like surprises, so sometimes I make multiple exposures or use my LCA+ Splitzer. The Supersampler and Fisheye 2 are also fun to use.

If you had to choose one- (yes, just one) shot – what would be your favorite photo from the ones you took this year?
From the photos I took this year, my favorite is this photo of the beach at Dinadiawan in Aurora, northeast of the Philippines:

We ask for a photo selection that you feel is kind of a recap of your year.
Here are three photos that I think represent a recap of my year:

If you could make a soundtrack for your photos / year what would these songs be? Any reason in particular? (3 songs title & artist please).
I think these songs best express my thoughts, feelings and experiences in 2010 and I think they also go well with the three photos that I chose:

1. Mas – Kinky
2. These Are The Days – 10,000 Maniacs
3. Peace, Love and Happiness – G. Love & Special Sauce

What is your weapon of choice when it comes to your favorite camera and film?
I have both an LCA and an LCA+ and they are both my favorites. I use all kinds of film and have plenty of film in my refrigerator, but if I had to use only one specific type, then I would choose Lucky Color 200. It’s very cheap but it makes clear pictures with nice colors.

If you could choose any Lomographic analogue goodie to receive this year (hint, hint family & friends) what would it be?
Can I choose two? Number one would be the Spinner 360 and number two would be a grey Lomography Sling-On Bag.

What is the strangest, funniest, or hands-down greatest photographic/Lomographic moment you had this year?
As I stood under a tree to take a picture of the beach in Dinadiawan, I felt a tug on my hair. I nervously turned my head to find out what was going on and I was surprised to see a monkey up in the tree. I thought the monkey was going to jump on me but I saw that it was tethered. I had noticed earlier a small house on one of the branches but I thought it was a bird house. I didn’t know it was a monkey house. But before I could take a picture of the animal, it scampered up and hid behind some leaves. The monkey was camera-shy.

Are you making any New Years resolutions for 2011 that you would like to let the community on?
Yes, my resolutions are: Exercise more. Be more frugal. Read more. Take more pictures.

Any parting words of wisdom to all your Lomography friends out there?
I think every Lomographer should have an LCA. But if you do not want one or cannot afford to buy one, it’s OK. Be happy with whatever camera you have. Don’t be whiny. Have fun.

2010-12-03 #people #interview #holidays #lomoamigos #lomoamigo