Uwe Rafael Braun's Cinema-Inspired Experimental Photography

For animation writer and director Uwe Rafael Braun, film photography is a tool that allows him to break down narratives and expose its raw, emotional components.

Since discovering our LomoChrome films, Uwe has leaned into experimental approaches in all aspects, from the cameras he uses to the processes of shooting. We speak with him to learn about his artistic philosophies and how Lomography has aided his journey with film.

Hello Uwe, welcome to the Lomography Magazine! May you briefly introduce yourself?

Thanks so much for having me. My name’s Uwe Rafael Braun, I’m a Vancouver-based writer and director working in animation. Photography has always been an important creative outlet for me as well as a means through which to explore the world. I also love that I get to own the process in a hands-on way. Dust, scratches, and all.

Why do you choose to shoot film in today’s digital age?

The mood. The texture. The timelessness. Analogue photos are like memories, riddled with the same emotional nuance and dreamy distance. They have a sense of mystery that amplifies my relationship with the image. There’s also an element of uncertainty. Being surprised by frames, even the ones you thought you messed up, is exciting. You take your own impulses and layer on the unpredictability of the world and what you get back is a bit of magic.

What does Lomography mean to you? How did you get started with our cameras and films?

My entry into Lomography was through the colour-shift film stocks (Purple, Metropolis). I’d been doing film photography for a while when I came across the Lomo films and they encouraged a sense of play that I loved getting back in touch with. It helped that my wife dived into Lomography at the same time so we began mixing and matching cameras and film stocks, relishing the experimentation. Cool gear can take you on an unexpected adventure.

What influences your style of photography?

It all starts with an emotional response to the subject. Whether it’s a person in a scenario, a landscape, or simply a pleasing shape, I want to lean into the emotional narrative this moment in time suggests. I’m fascinated by the act of taking the most subjective thing, dictating what you are looking at, and making it seem inevitable. A lot of how I interpret this undoubtedly comes from cinema. It’s definitely been the gateway to how I conceive images. Even when I’m taking a series of photos I can’t help but think, “How are they going to cut together?”

You shared such an interesting series of photos — the Diana F+ overlapping negatives immediately caught my eye! Can you tell us about the creative process behind those?

I’ve always really liked Diana sprocket hole photos. That ‘look behind the curtain’ feeling adds an additional dimension, making the photographer as much a part of the image as the subject. This led me to think about utilizing the sprocket holes in a way that made them indispensable to the image. Well, they expand the frame, so let’s take that one step further.

And how about your process for the Lomo Lubitel photos?

When I was a kid, Bram’s Stoker’s Dracula made a big impression on me. I watched it relentlessly and when I learned how they did all the visual effects in-camera, double and triple exposing footage to get an early-cinema look, that cemented its place in my imagination. Fast forward to now. I was doing a noir shoot and Dracula came to mind. I decided to also do some in-camera comps, as if they were for a 1930s horror film, so, naturally, I reached for the Lubitel, which is my go-to for multiple exposure 120. For an unrelated project, I’d built a 360 rotation rig using lazy susan bearings to get a circular motion. All those pieces came together for some pretty fun shots.

You’ve shot several of Lomography’s experimental film stocks. Do you have a favorite one?

I’m rather enamoured of the Redscale. It’s wonderfully dramatic and lends itself to fantastic deep blacks. Although, I’ve also just shot some Fantôme Kino ISO 8 for the first time and its theatrical high contrast is amazing. I think there’s a pattern developing here.

What Lomography products do you want to experiment with next?

I’ve got a fridge full of LomoChrome Turquoise which I am very excited about. I’ve also just received a Sprocket Rocket in the mail.

Do you have any upcoming projects we can expect?

I’m definitely expanding upon the ‘overlapping negatives’ with the Sprocket Rocket’s panoramic framing. I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface and there’s so much more to explore.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?

Thanks again for having me! It’s been a pleasure connecting with Lomography and other Lomographers on Instagram.

Thank you Uwe for sharing your Lomography adventures with us. For more of his work, please visit his Instagram.

written by kaylalew on 2023-06-15 #gear #redscale #diana-f #lomo-lubitel #lady-grey #lomochrome-purple