A True Blue Lomographer: Community LomoAmigo johnny-weimar

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Jonathan Weimar, better known as johnny-weimar in the community, professes his passion for photography with the help of quite a few analog cameras. He has made quite a reputation and is best remembered by the Lomography Turkey crew as the guy who gave 50-something films to develop and scan. Get to know the high school teacher-cum-lomographer in this candid yet inspiring interview.

Name: Johnny Weimar
LomoHome: @johnny-weimar
Location: Turkey, İstanbul

Tell us more about yourself and what you do.

Okay, let´s go: My full name is Jonathan but most people refer to me as Johnny. I´m 29 years old and I am currently living in Istanbul. While living here, I have lost a big part of my heart to this city, especially to the Bosphorus. I was born and raised in Weimar, Germany. I spent almost 27 years in the same small area but it isn’t as bad as it would seem because my friends are there along with my family, my football club, and a lot of memories.

Originally, I am a German and History high school teacher but here in Istanbul I only teach German at a public high school. It is a great opportunity for me because I am surrounded by intelligent kids, a great city, good friends and a lot of leisure time. With my free time I engage in sport, Lindy-Hop dance, photography and enjoying the wonderful city of Istanbul.

What encouraged you to get into lomography/analog photography? And when did you start?

Once upon a time, there was a couple that visited Berlin during the summer of 2012. While having an adventure they happen to stumble upon the Lomography Store by coincidence. It was a huge surprise when they saw the big LomoWall and all the unique, colorful pictures. At first they decided to go for an ActionSampler, but then they realized they didn’t know anything about taking photographs the old fashioned way. By the end they were happy with a couple of pictures and disregarded the rest.

The summer passed but in the boy’s mind there was the image of a large treasure bundle named The Diana F+ Deluxe Kit. Without the boy noticing, the amazing, lovely girl secretly prepared and planned a wonderful gift for the Christmas season.

But we must mention that the boy has always been very impatient. Without any care he took the precious Diana and started to shoot. It was quite a disappointment. Interest was lost and for almost a year the camera sat on the desktop untouched.

Later, the boy remembered the gift from his girlfriend. “I´ll give you a second chance,” he thought, and decided to take the camera with him when he left for Istanbul. He also found the magic book and now the true journey had begun. He went around the city, traveled to different areas of Turkey like Ankara and the historical Aegean side. He finally began to understand what it meant to photograph with the Diva Diana.

We understand that you have a lot of cameras! Which ones do you use the most and are your favorites?

I wouldn’t say I have a lot…but maybe I don’t want to accept my kind of spending spree. I have an ActionSampler, two Diana Deluxe Kits, a Spinner and I just bought a type of Monsterflash: The Ringflash.

To excuse myself, I bought the second Diana Kit because no one could find the back for the 120mm-film, the cable-release and other objects. I just took some things with me to Istanbul but recognized later I would love to have more with me. But my girlfriend move to another city as well and unfortunately the camera equipment was lost. Long story short: I ordered a second hand Diana Kit. I could finally use every option the camera offered and thankfully the lost accessories were eventually found later on.

The Spinner I purchased second hand the day we left for vacation to Istanbul. I am still shocked by her amazing and brilliant photos. I am still using my Diana most of the time, especially now with the 120mm film. I don’t have any problems guessing how much scenery is on the photo. I love using the Fisheye as well.

In the long run, I want to have a better option for taking 35mm photos. Perhaps, I will spend some money for the LC-A.

You shoot a lot with the Diana F+. What makes this camera special for you?

I can´t count all the situations when I was asked about the Diana. For example, “Oh, what is this? Does it work or is it just a toy? Can I see the photo?” I am guessing you all can relate to these funny moments. But sometimes there is someone who also shoots with Lomographic cameras as well.

I really enjoy the opportunities Diana gives me as well as her “special” way of teaching me how to take analog photos. The Diana requires a lot of patience, experimentation, and some knowledge about light (ISO and more). She seems to be very simple but it is important to know how to handle her to achieve the quality photos you want. She has the ability to capture fantastic, unique, and dreamy photos. Our relationship is becoming better and better… and that’s why I rarely give her into other hands. Actually it´s a pity. I should be more relaxed. Oh I forgot: I´m German and the Turkish influence doesn’t changes everything ;-)

Describe your favorite camera in five words.

Oldschool, lightweight, diva, heaven, hell.

When using Lomography cameras, what are you favorite subjects to photograph and why?

Everything?!? I´m living in Istanbul! I love the fat sleeping cats that don’t care about what´s going on around them, or the big white-yellow ferries crossing the Bosphorus. I could take a photo every day of the Istanbul skyline, the Simit-guys, the shoeshine-boys and so on.

Any memorable experiences you’ve had? Can you also share with us your strangest, funniest, or best Lomographic experience?

There are many actually. For example; Pamukkale, Turkey 2014. After a day with a lot of great photography moments and some nice shots with my friends, I couldn’t rewind the film. Something was stuck. I decided to open the Diana in my dark bag but I knew that everything was gone. I became very angry at this moment.

Some photos I recall, I took with the cap on the lens. It happened to happen at a very cool party with some close-ups of my friends.

There are more stories about the Spinner like when I was positive there is a film inside and after 10 spinning shots I realized I didn’t reload the camera! Unfortunately, a lot of my memorable experiences became destroyed moments. Luckily I can remember these moments without any photographs.

On the other hand, there are special moments for a newbie photographer. Times when you receive some positive feedback and you become proud about your learning process. For example, when I went into the Lomography Store to take my negatives back and the employees gave me compliments for my photos.

Sometimes my Diana surprised me with cool shots I never expected. I went to Stockholm in the summer and decided to take longtime exposures of a funpark, but it was rainy, grey and difficult to handle everything. The camera, cable release, tripod, umbrella at the same time was quite a challenge. I was very skeptical but the results I got back were great.

Among all your Diana F+ snapshots, which ones do you like best and why?

I can´t pick a favorite actually. It seems that some people of the Lomography community like a photo with a seagull in front of the lens… but I don’t know why
Maybe there are two photos I really like. Both of them were created by coincidence or my foolishness. Anyway there are multiexposures. One from tour around the snowy old town district in Istanbul this February (it was some kind of shooting from the hip). I used the Lomography Xpro-Slide film and you still can feel the cold winter day.

The other one were created at the Westfriedhof in Vienna in the same month. I took a picture of an old clock, forgot to advance the film and the next photo was a way between old tombs, trees and sun breaking to the branches. This photo screams “memento mori.”

If you could take your camera and a sack of film anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

Uff ya! I´m terrible when it comes to these kinds of questions. My trip down to the Aegean side in Turkey showed me so many beautiful places I would have never expected to see there. At the next street, in the next garden, could be the next big surprise. That’s why I wished that I would have a loaded camera with me for special moments like that.
I am actually interested in traveling to Japan. A friend of mine showed me pictures of his adventures there, and he really had my attention. But there are still some place in the east and southeast of Turkey I really want to see. Unfortunately, it is kind of dangerous these days.

Who/what do you draw inspiration from for your photographs?

It’s sort of being spontaneous that inspires me. Sometimes it’s the photographs of my father, friends, or even from the books that come along with the cameras. The rest is all about experimenting.

What can you say to people who want to try Lomography. Any tips?

Advice from a teacher should come very clear. You asked for it, so you´ll get it. ;-)

1) Get some information somewhere (lomography.com or photoblogs) and read read read.
2) If you already got a camera by coincidence: Read the small guides for your Lomographic camera very carefully!
3) Ask someone who is into photography about all this ISO-Stuff!
4) Be patient!
5) Never surrender!
6) Experience your disappointments!
7) Take great care of your little plastic treasure!
8) Overall: Have fun and follow the Lomographic rules! (Sorry, I´m German. Work first you know…)

Thank you very much for the interview. I did not expect to have this great opportunity. Kolay gelsin!