Written by Jennifer Stamps
Lomography has a very special place in my heart. My very first film camera in the digital age was a Lomography Diana and my first roll of film was Lomography Color Negative 800.
That was 12 years ago and Lomography still plays a huge role in my shooting.
The reasons I love Lomography are the same reasons I love film photography: it’s fun, it’s a little unpredictable, and it can be taken as seriously – or not – as you want.
One of the Lomography Ten Golden Rules states:
Number 10: Don’t worry about any rules… Life is about remaining true to yourself, not giving in to rules and regulations or conforming to norms. It’s time to discover your own version of Lomography and to take photos which express who you are, not who you are told to be…
You see? Lomography is literally giving us permission to break the rules. And truthfully, their film reflects that. Can you shoot it professionally for a wedding? Yes, absolutely! But can you also just pop a roll in and shoot from the hip without really knowing what you’re photographing at all? Also, yes!
Lomography’s film offers a unique, artistic, and nostalgic approach to photography. Today, I’m going to be comparing Lomography’s four most popular black and white films: Earl Gray 100, Lady Gray 400, Potsdam Kino 100, and Berlin Kino 400.
Lomography Earl Grey 100
This film stock comes in 35mm and 120 formats. The film is known for its fine grain and rich tonal range.
This high-contrast black and white film is ideal for bright sun and begs to be played with! Here are some details and tips for Lomography Earl Grey (but again, please break the rules!).
- ISO 100: This is a fairly low ISO rating, meaning the film is best suited for bright, well-lit conditions.
- Grain: Earl Grey is a fine grain black and white film which means – assuming you’re shooting in bright light – there will be minimal noise in your images.
- Tonal Range: This film offers a very wide tonal range. The whites are bright, the black and rich, and there is a lovely variety of grays in between.
- Contrast: With the wide tonal range, comes high contrast. This means you can produce dramatic images with the right lighting.
Find Lomography Earl Grey 100 on Amazon or at B&H Photo.
Lomography Lady Grey 400
This film stock comes in 35mm and 120 formats. Lomography Lady Grey 400 is a versatile black and white film known for its ability to perform well in various lighting conditions while delivering classic, high-contrast images.
- ISO 400: With an ISO of 400, Lomography Lady Grey can perform in varying lighting conditions. If you’re unsure of your lighting situations before you leave the house or think that they could vary throughout the day, this is a good option.
- Grain: Lady Grey 400 offers a moderate grain structure. If you shoot and develop the film at box speed (AKA don’t push or pull it) you’ll see the grain, but it will not be overpowering.
- Tonal Range: The film captures a large spectrum of grays, from deep blacks to bright whites, with smooth gradations.
- Contrast: The contrast of Lady Grey is balanced. The images are clear images with distinctions between light and dark areas without being overly harsh.
Find Lomography Lady Grey 400 on Amazon or at B&H Photo.
Lomography Potsdam Kino 100
Spoiler alert… Potsdam Kino 100 is my personal favorite Lomography film.
This film stock comes in 35mm and 120 formats. Lomography Potsdam Kino 100 is a black and white film known for its fine grain and movie-like quality. Literally. The film was inspired by the aesthetics of classic German cinema. I once described it as “If Grace Kelly was a film stock.” So dreamy.
- ISO 100: Another 100 ISO film – you know the drill. It loves light! But also, break the rules.
- Grain: Potsdam Kino 100 boasts very fine grain which allows for a very polished texture.
- Tonal Range: There is a wide range of grays, blacks, and whites which allow for a beautifully, detailed photograph and excellent depth.
- Contrast: Nothing jarring about this contract. It’s smooth and moderate, giving you a balanced photograph. Some might say, “movie-like.”
Find Lomography Potsdam Kino 100 at B&H Photo.
Lomography Berlin Kino 400
This is another Lomography black and white film boasts classic cinematic aesthetics – also Inspired by German cinema.
This film is known for it’s fine grain, versatility, and rich tonal range. This film stock comes in 35mm and 120 formats.
- ISO 400: With the higher ISO, you have some freedom with your lighting. This stock is suitable for outdoor sun, clouds, or even indoors with slower shutter speeds.
- Grain: The grain structure on the Berlin Kino 400 is moderate. You likely will notice grain, but it won’t see drastic grain unless you shoot in very low light or push your film.
- Tonal Range: Berlin Kino takes the midtones and neutralizes them by making everything more gray and less black and white.
- Contrast: Because this film was inspired by cinema film, the contrast is subtle and smooth, giving your images a very dreamy look and feel.
Find Lomography Berlin Kino 400 at B&H Photo or at lomography.com.
How to Shoot Lomography Black and White Film
Tip one: don’t think, just shoot. Kidding…kinda. The best photographs – in my opinion – make you feel something. Usually, they aren’t technically perfect.
So I encourage you to experiment with the “rules” – but here are a few tips to help you get started.
- Experiment with Lighting: Play with different lighting setups to see how the film reacts. Full morning daylight, a cloudy day, a setting sun, or even a flash – all will produce lovely yet different results.
- Embrace the Grain: The graininess is part of the charm. Use it to your advantage when shooting. Look for white space and see what happens with the grain once developed.
- Developing at Home: Consider developing your own film at home to have full control over the process. This can also add to the creative experience. SIWF has several straightforward and experimental ways to develop black and white film at home.
- Subject Matter: Black and white film can transform everyday scenes into something extraordinary. Look for strong shapes, lines, and contrasts in your compositions.
Using Lomography black and white film is a fun and rewarding experience. Their inclusive nature and eagerness to experiment with film keep me coming back.
Thank you so much, Jen! Jennifer is a regular contributor here at Shoot It With Film, and be sure to check out her other articles, like My Love for the Vintage Polaroid Sun 660 and Adding Embroidery to Polaroids to Create One-Of-A-Kind Works of Art.
You can also check out more of Jennifer’s work on her website, Instagram, and Etsy shop.
Leave your questions about Lomography black and white films below in the comments, and you can pick some up for yourself on Amazon or at B&H Photo.
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