5 Tips for Shooting with a Holga 120N by Jennifer Stamps

How to Use a Holga 120N by Jennifer Stamps on Shoot It With Film
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Written by Jennifer Stamps

Toy cameras… People seem to either love them (me!) or are terrified of them. They can be challenging to get the hang of, which can make them even scarier.

Somewhere along the way, I fell madly in love with my bright blue plastic Holga. So much in love in fact, that it was the only camera I took with me on our road trip across Europe this summer. (You can check out my tips for traveling with film here.)

So I’m here to help you master that amazing piece of plastic we call Holga. Here are five tips to keep in mind when shooting Holga. (Find the Holga 120N on Amazon)

5 Tips for Shooting with a Holga 120N
5 Tips for Shooting with a Holga 120N
5 Tips for Shooting with a Holga 120N
How to Shoot with a Holga 120 by Jennifer Stamps on Shoot It With Film

Tip 1: Throw the Lens Cap Away

What your lens sees and what you see through the view finder are not the same, making it easy to shoot a whole roll of film with the lens cap on.

Just throw that lens cap away so you never have to remember to take it off.

How to Use a Holga 120N by Jennifer Stamps on Shoot It With Film
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Tip #2: Use Your Settings Properly

Just because it’s a toy, doesn’t mean it’s simple.

Sunny or cloudy?

Pick one. Just like you’d change your aperture when you go from bright sun or complete shade, you want to do that with your Holga.

You can change this setting on the top of the lens in the front of your camera.

How to Shoot with a Holga 120 by Jennifer Stamps on Shoot It With Film
Adjust for sunny or cloudy conditions & the focal range

How close are you to your subject?

On the lens, you’ll notice a graphic of a mountain, a crowd of people, three people, and one person to adjust focal range. Use that setting properly.

I would suggest starting with the mountain setting and doing an entire roll of landscapes outside on a sunny day. When you get an entire roll back of photos that turned out, your confidence will grow!

How to Shoot with a Holga 120 by Jennifer Stamps on Shoot It With Film

“B” or “N” mode?

This switch is at the bottom of the camera. N = about 1/100th second shutter speed. B = shutter stays open as long as your finger is on the shutter button (aka only use for long exposures).

How to Use a Holga 120N by Jennifer Stamps on Shoot It With Film

Tip #3: Shoot Outside

I hesitate to even write this one, because I’ve gotten some cool indoor photos with the Holga. But it’s really hard to do, and they usually end up very muddy.

There is so much you can’t control with this camera that I suggest shooting outside so you have tons of natural light.

How to Shoot with a Holga 120 by Jennifer Stamps on Shoot It With Film
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Tip #4: Tape It Up

One of the things I LOVE about toy cameras are light leaks.

Holgas are plastic, so sometimes they don’t 100% block out the light. However, some people hate light leaks. If you want your Holga completely light leak free, you’ll want to tape up every seam.

I tape mine shut in two places, just so the back doesn’t fall off (that happened with my first roll of film in my Holga, and I learned my lesson). Just a little masking tape will do the trick.

How to Shoot with a Holga 120 by Jennifer Stamps on Shoot It With Film

Tip #5: Have Fun

This probably should have been tip number one. What’s the point of having a plastic camera if you’re not going to have fun shooting with it?

Take doubles (easy to do, just shoot twice – or as many times are you want before winding the film). Change the orientation of the camera. Shoot from the hip. Whatever you do, just enjoy it.

How to Use a Holga 120N by Jennifer Stamps on Shoot It With Film

My very first film camera ever was a toy camera. I’m sure that’s why I love them so much.

It’s when you treat them like a real camera (compose your photo, proper lighting, correct settings) that you get some really epic, dreamy photos.

Toy cameras produce images unlike any other camera – it’s that amazing plastic lens! So enjoy it for what it is. I call my Holga magic, because it is. Go have fun and make magic.

And once you get the hang of it, ignore all the rules and just experiment!

Thank you so much, Jennifer! Jennifer is a regular contributor here at Shoot It With Film, and you can check out her other articles here, like the Olympus OM-1 camera review and tips for getting out of a creative rut. You can also check out more of Jennifer’s work on her website and Instagram.

Leave your questions about the Holga 120N and other toy cameras below in the comments, and you can pick up one for yourself on Amazon!

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Jennifer Stamps

Jennifer Stamps is a toy camera and travel film photographer and a regular contributor for Shoot It With Film. Find her other articles here, such as Olympus OM-1 35mm Film Camera Review and 5 Film Cameras Under $50.

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Blog Comments

Hello! Loved your article! I have been gifted a Holga for my 21st, fr me to take on my OE to Europe, post-COVID; BUT I don’t know what film to buy.. I want to buy black and white and colour film, but get a bit lost with all the different brands and types of film.. I’m a total newbie at all of this. Do you have any advice for how to pick film/favoured film? Thank you so much! 😀

Hi Amy! How fun – the camera and trip to Europe. I haven’t met a film I didn’t like. But for my Holga, I really love using Lomography film. Lomography color 400 or 800 would be a great color film for your Holga. And Lomography Lady Gray (400 ISO) would also be great. Have fun!!

Thanks for the tips with the mountains settings – I’ll use it with my second roll (the first one wasn’t even developed – it was black with no photos. I used it inside, so will take another tip with using it outside).

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