Using flashes
You will need to consider using a flash if you plan on using your Holga indoors, or in low light. For models with built-in flashes, this is a simple case of just switching on the flash. if you have a Holga with a hot shoe attachment, you can connect up any standard hot shoe flash to take your picture. You have a little more flexibility with the hot shoe, because you can use any flash, new or old. It also means if your batteries run out half way through a roll of film you can change them easily.
If you have a 120N or 120GN, there are some tips that will help you get the most out of using an add on flash with your camera:
- Move the flash away from the lens with a remote sync cord. This will stop the majority of red eye and harsh flash problems.
- Diffuse the light by putting a dryer sheet or a tissue in front of the flash. For you students; cigarette rolling papers will work too, and they even stick to your flash!
- Bounce the light off a wall or the ceiling, for a more natural diffused light.
- Colour the light with a gel or coloured cling wrap. Go one step further with the Lomography Colorsplash flash.
- You don't only have to use flash in low light - you can try it in the day time with a coloured gel for a nice effect. Just use nice slow film such as 50 or 100 ISO so as not to overexpose your image.
- Put your Holga in bulb mode and use a strobe flash to capture movement in your pictures. If you don't have a strobe, uncouple your flash from your Holga, hold down the shutter, press the test button on your flash. Cover the Holga lens while your flash recycles, uncover, fire flash, then cover. Repeat as necessary, then release the shutter.
- Use the above tip, but try a different colour on each flash.
- In bulb mode the flash will fire twice; once when you press the shutter, once when you release. You'll have to let the flash recycle in between so pop your lens cap over the lens while you wait so you don't over expose your image. If you threw away your lens cap, cover the lens with your hand while you wait. This tip works best in complete darkness and when taking pictures of people e.g. outside at night with no street lights.
If you have a Holga with a flash built in, then you can still follow most of the tips above. Try each one and see which you like!
Help! I need a flash!
Buying a flash doesn't necessarily mean breaking the bank. A quick trip to eBay provides you with some great choice. There's the simple Mini Flash, the extravagant Lomography Colorsplash Flash, the hypnotic Strobe Flash, and the Wide Angle Slave Flash. All are under £30 if you shop around. There are plenty of second hand flashes available. You don't need any particular features so just get a cheap one to experiment with. The Colorsplash Flash is a common choice as it is small and allows you to easily colour your flash without having to tape gels over the front of the flash.