Romancing the Square   (Medium Format) This project is intended to introduce you to medium format photography in a non-threatening environment. By using the unique qualities and completely limited abilities of the Holga "Toy Camera", you will be forced to deal with the available light (or lack of) while familiarizing yourself with the nature of the square format (6x6). You may use any camera that shoots square format. Goal:  Learn to use, develop and print Medium Format Film while dealing with the unique challenges of the square aspect ratio. Holga Notes: There are several different types of Holgas, some aren't being used anymore. Depending on which Holga you bought (borrowed), you may have a Bulb setting, an on-camera flash, or a hotshoe, but other than that, most Holgas have the following in common. f11 (This is the sunshine setting on the click switch. The cloudy one is supposedly f8) 1/125 sec. (Other than bulb, that's it) 120 Film When the arrow on the back points to 12, it means 6x6 (square) image size. Don't forget to remove the insert on older Holgas, or add square insert on newer ones. When it points to 16 it means 6x4.5 (vertical) Keep in mind there is no advance, so you can multiple expose to increase times when not on bulb setting. You can advance part way to overlap images. You can use 35mm film if you brace the inside with stiff chunks of foam. The camera is quiet and non-threatening, so it can be used more discretely. The camera is inexpensive, so it can be endangered or sacrificed if need be. Use the Sunny 16 rule to help determine exposure times using bulb or multi-exposure. The clips should never come off. Just press down on them to release the back. Your focus doesn't really work before 5 feet. Try using the focusing ring with 6,9,12, and 20+ as half person, 3 people, many people, and mountain settings respectively. On a Medium format camera, 80mm is equivalent to 50mm on a 35mm camera... so the Holga lens is slightly wider. Tape the back to avoid light leaks. Keeping things out of the center will become more difficult with the holga. Because of the Square format, centering comes more naturally and in many cases tends to work, but you should still think about your composition as you normally would. As usual, your job as artist/photographer is to shoot what you want to shoot within the constraints of the assignment. Turn in 2 images