Anthony ILacqua - Photography

After participating in the Solo Photographer Photo Book project, SoFoBo, during the organization’s last year, I was hooked on the process. The basic requirements of SoFoBo was simply a fully designed photo book with a minimum of 35 photos taken during the course of a month. Whereas SoFoBo has gone defunct, I continue to make one of these photo books each year.

Photoshop paintings of my favorite cameras

This image is 24 inches squared. I chose a square format in honor of the square images that come from the 120 film in these Holga cameras. I took the initial image of my Holga 120N with a DSLR and manipulated it in Photoshop. I wanted a look reminiscent of a toy camera image with an encaustic wax transfer. “Holga 120N” appeared in the 2022 Emerge Design Exposition and it won the “Creativity Award.”

Film, toy & DSLR Cameras

Pentax K1000

Despite my preference to toy cameras, this camera is an entirely different experience. No matter what I point this camera at, it records the exact thing that I see, I image and it makes the world appear as it should be. The only real drawback is the weight. There is no digital camera that can give me the same feeling this camera gives.

35mm, speeds up to 6400 ISO
Shutter: 1 - 1/1000 1/60 second
Metering: TTL ISO range 8-6400
Flash shoe and tripod mount

Holga 135bc

There are many merits to the Holga 135. 35MM film is easier to procure and easier to develop than the 120 film my other Holga uses. It’s cheaper film too.

I have lost a few rolls of film in this camera over the years. It can barely take a 24 exposure roll. A 36 exposure roll will almost without fail get torn in the sprockets. This is probably just a problem with this particular Holga. Needless to say, this camera is not one of my favorites. I have a few great exposures with this camera, and it does really well with double exposures.

47mm f/8 Plastic Lens.
Shutter Speeds: 1/100 sec and Bulb.
Aperture Settings: f/8 or f/11.
Hot Shoe and Tripod Mount.

Holga 120n

This Holga 120N is my absolute favorite camera. Actually, it may be one of my favorite possessions. I say this Holga 120N because it is this particular camera that’s my favorite. I have and I have had a few of these cameras, and even though they are the same model, they don’t compare to this one.

I see the world differently when I have this camera around my neck. I’m different.

60mm f/8 Plastic Lens
Shutter Speeds: 1/100 sec. and Bulb,
Aperture Settings: f/8 or f/11, Hot Shoe and Tripod Mount

Canon Eos t7

Here's the contrast: the appeal to the DSLR is that it has features, not flaws. I have to wonder about the features, and the near constant need to upgrade those features. Although this particular camera is considered old in the world of DSLRs, I have used it very little. Despite having this camera for years, I've just recently learned to use it. Admittedly, I still prefer my analog cameras, even if they're more limiting, more inconvenient, they're still more fun.

EOS Rebel T7'
24.1 Megapixel
CMOS sensor
ISO range of 100-6400