Through the LC-Wide Lens Around the Globe: Layers of Japan with @gocchin
6In our ongoing series, Through the LC-Wide Lens Around the Globe , we invite Lomographers from every corner of the world to shoot with the classic Lomo LC-Wide 35mm film camera – loved for its ultra-wide angle, rich saturation, bold contrast, and dreamy vignettes!
This time, we teamed up with long-time Lomographer and multiple exposure enthusiast, Yoshitaka Goto, aka @gocchin, from Japan. We handed him the LC-Wide before his trip to Osaka and Okinawa – naturally, he made time to create a few of his signature double exposures along the way.
Hi Gocchin! Welcome back to our Online Magazine! We know you're a dedicated Lomo LC-A+ shooter, but you've also had some experience with the LC-Wide. What do you like the most about it?
The 17 mm focal length adds an impact to the depth of field that I cannot achieve with the LC-A+. The wide viewfinder on the LC-Wide is exciting when compared to the one on the LC-A+, which I am used to seeing on a regular basis. But when I first started using it, I wasn't so aware of the wide angle and accidentally had my finger caught in my photos.
I also love how close I can get to subjects–up to 40 cm. The 40-90 cm zone focusing is perfect for subjects like kids or animals, whose movements are a little unpredictable.
How was it trying double exposures with the 17 mm lens?
The 17 mm lens captures more than I thought, especially when shooting distant scenes. So at first, I had trouble adjusting myself to that. But being able to get as close as 40 cm to my subjects helped me enjoy close-up shots a lot more than I would with my LC-A+.
The LC-Wide comes with plenty of features, just like the LC-A+. What would you say is your favorite?
Isn't it obvious? The MX mode! Just like the Lomo LC-A+, it's simple and easy to use.
Where did you go to shoot this time?
I went to Osaka and Okinawa. In Okinawa, I continued working on my ongoing film swap double-exposure project. The island has these huge banyan trees, and I used them to layer my double-exposure shots. Osaka was for an art book event, but I got myself some time to explore around Osaka station to see how the neighborhood has changed.
What was your concept for this LC-Wide shoot?
I haven't shot portraits with a wide-angle lens before, so I challenged myself to do that with the 17 mm on the LC-Wide. I asked my models to stand in the center of the frame and photographed them up close to achieve some dynamic shots I can't achieve with my LC-A+.
What scenes or subjects worked well with the LC-Wide?
Just like the LC-A+, the LC-Wide is a true "utility player." Be it landscape, portrait, animals, or plants, the LC-Wide got you covered. But if you want to the wide perspective, it would be a good idea to get close to your subjects. With a wide-angle lens like the 17 mm, objects near you appear larger while those further away shrink, which really exaggerates your composition, so it helps you create dramatic portraits unlike regular focal lengths.
If you're photographing architecture, try incorporating diagonal lines to create a strong sense of space and dimension–something the LC-A+ isn’t built to achieve.
What advice would you give to those who want to get creative with the LC-Wide?
Make the most of its closest focal distance, 40cm – don't hesitate to move in tight. Also, try placing the camera on the ground without looking through the viewfinder. The wide, low-angle perspective might give you some interesting shots.
Do you have any ongoing/upcoming photography projects to share?
From July 1 to 13, I'll be holding my solo exhibition at Kyoto Museum of Photography – Gallery Japanesque. I will showcase 32 color and b&w double-exposure works, all shot on my LC-A+, with the biggest print size being 891 mm x 1189 mm! If you happen to be in Kyoto, please drop by!
Thank you to @gocchin for taking us along on his latest LC-Wide adventure! Want to see how other Lomographers are exploring the world through this ultra-wide lens? Dive into our ongoing series Through the LC-Wide Lens Around the Globe and get inspired by creative captures.
written by kota_97 on 2025-07-20 #gear #people #places #japan #lc-wide-lens-around-the-globe
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