Lomography-lomochrome-color-negative-kodak-aerochrome-infrared-ir-35mm-120-film-stock-celluloid-2-224x147Lomography is both an analog-based film movement as well as a manufacturer of specialty products conducive to such an activity -- these include the LomoKino 35mm stills-to-motion camera and the (successfully) Kickstarted Smartphone Film Scanner app/device. Lomography's goods aren't for everybody, or every project -- but the company has some exciting news for the analog enthusiast in all of us, especially while production of 35mm film seems to be slowing down. Lomography will be releasing a new ISO 400 35mm color negative stock called LomoChrome Purple, inspired by the surreal quality of Kodak's discontinued Aerochrome infrared stock -- read on to check out the details.


Again, LomoChrome Purple isn't a true infrared stock like Kodak Aerochrome was, but it certainly captures a lot of the 'psychedelic' nature of the latter. Here's Lomography on the new stock -- which will be available in July, and will be up for pre-order again once another batch "is ready:"

PURPLE IS THE NEW GREEN

We’ve got a purple sensation to share with you! You’ve dreamed about it, our community has pled for it and we’ve listened to your wishes…so roll out the red carpet for Lomography’s striking innovation: the LomoChrome Purple 400 film! This unique color negative film will astound you by transforming every green element of your photo into radiant purples. It’s a revival of the psychedelic infrared look from the Kodak Aerochrome film we all love. To learn more about this unique look, check out our online magazine article.

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PURPLE EDEN

The Lomography LomoChrome Purple 400 will transform the lushest green countryside into an awe-inspiring magenta fantasy world! As if this wasn’t good enough, this film innovation is an ISO 400 Color Negative film, so it’s incredibly easy to use and to get developed in C-41. The film will be available in 35mm and 120 formats, ready to use for any analog camera. Unlike infrared films that required a complicated use of filters and ideal sunny light to achieve the effect, this new film allows you to shoot in any weather condition!

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Luckily, lomographers don't have to depend on labs to develop their film -- as mentioned above, LomoChrome Purple can be developed by the C-41 process, in your own bathtub (if you really wanted to, this isn't recommended). So long as the proper solutions are available, development will continue to be possible, and so long as companies like Lomography (and the bigger guys, like Kodak) continue to make film, the medium won't be sinking into total oblivion. Photographer Richard Mosse has created some striking work with Kodak's actual Aerochrome -- once again, you won't be able to achieve this exact effect with LomoChrome Purple -- but this may give you a better idea of the type of 'flavor' LomoChrome is getting at:

I don't personally do a lot of still photography -- though those who do should feel free to let us know how much this strikes their fancy -- but the exciting thing about this is that you can shoot this stock in motion, too. The LomoKino isn't exactly anyone's go-to sync motion picture camera, but it's an option:

This type of stock in motion won't likely become any shooter's narrative format, and the cost-to-footage ratio may be simply impractical for many of us -- but the way in which you use it is all up to you -- and it's great to still have the option in a true celluloid format.

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What do you guys think of LomoChrome Purple? Too gimmicky, or a 'secret weapon' you could use to accent a surreal scene?

Link: LomoChrome Purple: Your Questions, Answered -- Lomography