Newcomer of the Week: johannb

Graphic designer Johann Bottos caught the community’s attention with his striking black and white landscape photographs. Previsualization is central to his photographic style. Before clicking the shutter, he tends to “wait for a particular moment or weather condition” that fits the image he has in mind. In this interview, he shares more about his passion for shooting on film as well as some of his favorite landscape images.

Name: Johann Bottos
LomoHome: @johannb
Location: Italy

Please tell us something about yourself and what you do.

I am a graphic designer from Italy. I started looking at analog photography when I was about 20 years old, then I moved to digital photography.

Four years ago, I chose to sell all of my digital equipment and go back to medium format black and white landscape photography. I do my own negative development as well as darkroom printing.

How did you find the community and who/what convinced you to join?

I have found the community online and I decided to join. I was not advised or told by somebody else. I like to be part of several film photography communities to broaden my knowledge and see a variety of photographic styles and techniques.

As you have read the 10 Golden Rules of Lomography, what rule do you apply in your everyday life?

I have to admit that as much as I would like to be more ‘free and relaxed’ about taking photos, it is still something not so direct and immediate for me. I do take my camera with me as much as possible, and I happen to break some rules at times. I also do take photos in different light conditions (day, night, etc) but I am still the kind of photographer who needs to wait for a particular moment or weather condition and I do try to previsualize my shots.

Your favorite analog camera as of the moment? Why?

So far I had about five cameras and my current one,a Mamiya 7ii, is also favorite. It is quite compact, for a medium format camera, and it has great optics which shows when making large prints in the darkroom.

What is the Lomography camera you’d want to have someday?

There are several which capture my attention: LC-A 120 and Belair X 6-12.

Any song or movie you live by?

This is too difficult! In general, I am a fan of early ’70s progressive rock. I like the care and amount of work which was carried out by some music groups from that era in search of a particular sound or feel.

Share your current favorite lomograph, could be yours or a friend’s. Why?

I think is difficult for me to give you a current favorite because there are several lomographers whose works I like. At the same time I am ‘new’ here, which means I have not spent a lot of time in the community yet. That said lately I have seen several landscapes that I enjoy from
@bravopires and @herbert-4.

Any Community member you look up to? If so, why him or her?

I always look at everyone in a positive way. I don’t have one in particular whom I feel has an ‘edge’ over the rest. I think there is great work coming from many and there is lot of potential in the community.

What are you looking forward to in our Community?

To continue as it is now! The members are open and have a positive outlook and seem more concerned about the ‘feel’ of a photo rather than the technical side of it. It is not always the case for online photography communities, so it is positive to have a different kind of feedback.

écrit par Eunice Abique le 2015-08-30 dans #lifestyle #newcomer #newcomer-of-the-week