Light Leak Chronicles

Last Saturday, I had the idea to take a couple of guest photographers (ages 5 and 4) to a Fall Festival at  The Optimist Coffeeshop  here in Raleigh. Given that it was perfect shooting weather (sunny and pleasant) we decided to bring along the Holga 120N. I loaded up some Arista EDU Ultra 400 Black and White that I grabbed cheap, and off we went.  I particularly enjoyed seeing them get the hang of shooting. Getting the right dexterity is hard at first for little hands. Especially on a Holga, give the quirky shutter release location. Fine motor skills are something we adults take for granted, but for young folks there is a learning curve. Thankfully this one wasn't steep, since it's only cheap film and a cheaper camera. We didn't practice winding the film since getting the right number of turns, actually turning, and looking at the frame counter can be challenging. We'll work on that next time.  Our guests had never taken a picture with an actual camera thus some...

Since this site is dedicated (at least in name) to light leaks, I thought it would be cool to feature your light leaks as well. So, HERE is your chance. Send me your favorite light leaks. I will feature you, and any socials you want to promote in the post. I waive all rights to ownership, and I will credit it you completely. You can already have published the phot as well, as long as you are cool with my sharing it.  I have already shared my first (printed) light leak, but if you missed it, here it is again.  (Please be patient. I will get to your picture within two weeks of you sending it.) 

 As anyone and everyone will tell you, Holga leak the light. The back popping off,, or somewhere along the sides, the front, the back. Taking the film out, putting the film in. You name it, it's going to happen.  So here is my first light leak, well that I have printed. I have other light leaks on negatives but I was learning how to print in the darkroom during a class, thus had little time to print something like a light leak.  This came from a roll that I started before my darkroom class at the NC State Craft Center  (shout out and shameless, free plug) and finished at a Carolina Hurricanes preseason game . You'll see the scoreboard on the left hand side.  Information Date: 9/24/25 Camera: Holga 120N Film: Fomapan 400 Developed: Southeastern Camera-Raleigh, NC

Yesterday, I had watched enough videos to float a battleship and decided to shoot a roll of film myself. Originally my idea was to finish up a roll of Kodak 400 in my Pinhole Camera around the neighborhood. With only two shots that didn't last very long.  Still itching to get out and about, I loaded up some film into the Holga and did a Google search for MOST PHOTOGRAPHED PLACES IN RALEIGH. Having not ever been to Historic Yates Mill County Park , I hopped in the car, drove the 5 or so minutes down the road. I've seen pictures before, and even seen it from the road, but never gone. What a shame on me for having not taken the time to go, but hey...better late then never.  It was really nice to get out, enjoy the almost 80 degree weather (it's October), and stretch my legs. The park has severally well marked trails, but the mill itself was closed for renovations. All told, I bet I walked a mile out and back to the mill using the HIGH RIDGE TRAIL to get back. More, far more, t...