Light Leaks On Pike's Peak

 

A "light leak" is when light "leaks" into a film camera and exposes an area of the film. The result is usually some kind of discoloration or streaking depending on the camera.

Light can get inside the camera a few different ways...perhaps the removable camera back doesn't have an adequate seal. The most common way light can leak in is through the film counter window (i.e. Holga & Diana F+). This is the small window on the back of the camera that lines up with numbers on the back of the film paper. After you take the shot, you turn the film winder to reach the next number by reading it through that small window. It's extremely easy for light to get in that way, especially if it's extremely bright...like on top of Pikes Peak.

Except for the occasional passing cloud, we were in full blaring sun when we got to the top. Not great conditions for photography, even at 9am when we were there. The view was magnificent and I wasn't about to leave without photos. How long would it be before I'd get a view like this again? I used my DSLR plus the two toy cameras.

Previously, images with light leaks that came from the Diana have always been within what I like, but the bright sun on top of Pikes Peak was no match for the Diana. The images were nearly obliterated.

I got plenty of good shots with my DSLR, so I wasn't too worried about not capturing the scene. The shots from the Diana were mostly light streaked images most likely due to the conditions I used it in. The streaking is interesting because it's so random. That's the fun thing about these cameras...no two will give the same result. You never know what you're going to get.

In spite of the fun streaking effects that came out on the photos, I am going to look into putting something over that little window on the back.

Comments

[Amy]

Wow these pictures are gorgeous! keep doing what you're doing!