Sabrina Dennis's Experimental Diana Mini Half-frame Shots

Sabrina Dennis is a Texas-based photographer who we've previously featured for her Neptune Convertible Art Lens photos as well as her LomoApparat results. Today she gives us a rundown of being back in the studio with the Diana Mini Half-frame & Square Camera. In the recent shoot she used the camera's half-frame mode, transforming a normal 35 mm roll of film into 72 shots rather than the typical 36! She then experimented even further with at-home development.

Hi Sabrina, welcome back to Lomography Magazine! Can you tell us what you've been up to since your last feature?

Thanks so much for having me back! I've been doing more shoots and working toward submitting art for an upcoming exhibition!

Can you tell us about the concept behind your recent shoot?

We were inspired by dreamy celestial-like vibes and isolated lighting, as well as childlike wonder that is emphasized through the Teletubby toy and Calpurnia's styling.

What was the process like setting up before shooting?

We shot at the Austin Cinemaker Space which was nice because we had a nice big black box room to shoot in. I loved the room because the contrast of color from the black really makes everything pop. Calpurnia brought a lot of their own things from home and I had been saving the clown-like fabric for a special shoot.

What was the post-shooting process like when developing and editing your photos?

I love developing my own film! I use my bathroom sink to develop. Its a very DIY process but it works for me! I edit on my phone and only make very basic adjustments to color and contrast. I like bringing the colors of the film out without making things look too perfect.

What was your first impression of the Diana Mini's half-frame mode?

I love the way the camera looks as it's so tiny and cute, especially with the large bulb vintage flash that works SO well. This camera is super lightweight and portable. It has so many different options to create. I love that the half-frame aspect also saves film since you get double the pictures per roll.

Do you have a favorite shot taken in half-frame mode?

My favorite shots are where Calpurnia is on the ground by the round lamp with the yellowish light/aura around them.

Do you have any tips or tricks for using half-frame mode?

Have fun and experiment with different combinations of photos potentially being in the same frame. Also, don't take it too seriously and prepare to see some really cool results.

If you could use half-frame mode to shoot anything in the world, what would it be?

I would love to visit Mexico or Japan and use this to shoot people, landscapes, and different architecture. It's a great camera for travel because it's so small and you get more use out of your film.

Can you share your final thoughts on shooting in half-frame mode?

I can't stress enough how much I love the fact that it gives you twice the amount of photos per roll!

Anything else you'd like to share?

I'm so grateful to Lomography for making so many accessible and experimental cameras and films for people to use. I always love shooting on any of the cameras and love all the surprise effects you get and versatility.

If you're interested in keeping up with Sabrina's work make sure to check out her Instagram!

written by eloffreno on 2023-03-24 #gear #people #experimental #half-frame #home-development