about holgadigital
My name is Kevin Black. I am a photographer living near Philadelphia specializing in studio still life, food, people and product. My work can be seen at www.blackinc.net.
A few years ago, I purchased a PhaseOne H20 digital back for my commercial work. Ever since, I have fallen in love with the digital workflow. I guess the high degree of control and the instant gratification have truly spoiled me. This is the “in-control” part of me.
I also have been shooting fine art figures, flowers and many other things that interest me, just for fun. I shoot also with a pinhole camera, a Holga, a Lensbaby and whatever else I can get my hands on. This is the “out of control” part of me.
Awhile back, I wondered if I could meld the two and have a little fun along the way. So, off I went to the shop and using my trusty Dremel, started whittling away at a Holga. Soon enough, I had found a working focal length, a triggering mechanism and a way to join the Holga with the H20. Now, it is not pretty, but it works.
In essence, the H20 is rubberband attached to the Holga. Since the H20 needs to be attached to a computer, my Macintosh Powerbook makes a somewhat portable solution.
Starting first with my son and items around the house, I was able to calibrate the lens and the exposure settings. Then, one beautiful day I went to a local private garden to really test the system. I was able to place the Powerbook in its travel case, run the firewire cable out and around my shoulder to the camera system. In order to keep the computer awake and ready to receive a capture, the screen had to be up, but that seemed not to be a problem as the body of the Powerbook was snug inside its case.
So, amongst the birds and bees I was out shooting the gardens of Chanticleer, not too far from home. It was a dream become reality. Image after image was captured. I learned a bit about proper aiming of the unit without the benefit of a viewfinder as well as focus and exposure. I was in photo heaven. Then, after taking an image I turned around to seek my next subject and I heard a small ‘pop’. It seemed that my arm had hyperextended the screen a little bit. No problem, I thought, I’ll just flex it back. When I removed the Powerbook from its case, I realized that I had broken the hinges between the screen and the body of the unit. Snapped it in half!
Oh well, what could I do there in flower heaven? So I gingerly replaced everything and continued for a few more hours taking pictures. A little more careful now, but still having photo fun.
The cost to fix my accident exceeds what the used unit warrants. So, now I have a really flexible Powerbook! Nothing that a simple piece of 4x8 pine cannot handle on the desktop.