Michelle Bates
Encyclopedia
Michelle Bates is an American photographer, teacher and author who specializes in images taken with toy camera
s. She has been exhibiting her work, teaching classes and workshops, and writing about photography since 1991 .
Bates learned about Holga
cameras at the Maine Photographic Workshops in 1991, and she has used them for almost all of her fine art photographs since that time. Because of her extensive use of toy cameras and her knowledge of other photographers who also use them, Bates has been called a "well-respected evangelist" for Holga
s … the "Holga Queen", “The High Priestess of Holganess” and “The Fairy Godmother of the Holga.”
One of the hallmarks of her work is her use of the inherent qualities of cameras with inexpensive plastic lens while conveying a clear artistic style. She says she prefers "quirky subjects, like carnivals and animals" but also likes "to push the boundaries and try new subjects". Bates prints all of her own work in a darkroom using a hand-cut negative carrier that she made nearly 20 years ago.
Bates has given lectures on plastic and toy cameras to groups all over the world, including the Society for Photographic Education
, San Francisco Camerawork, the Center for Creative Photography
, the Photographic Center Northwest and at TEDxRainier in 2011. She has also taught classes at the International Center of Photography
, the Newspace Center for Photography and the Maine Media Workshops
. Her book Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity (ISBN 0240814215) is now in its second edition.
Toy camera
Toy cameras are simple, inexpensive film box cameras made almost entirely out of plastic, often including the lens. The term is misleading, since they are not merely 'toys' but are in fact capable of taking photographs. Many were made to be given away as novelties or prizes...
s. She has been exhibiting her work, teaching classes and workshops, and writing about photography since 1991 .
Bates learned about Holga
Holga
The Holga is a medium format 120 film toy camera, made in China, known for its low-fidelity aesthetic.The Holga's low-cost construction and simple meniscus lens often yields pictures that display vignetting, blur, light leaks, and other distortions...
cameras at the Maine Photographic Workshops in 1991, and she has used them for almost all of her fine art photographs since that time. Because of her extensive use of toy cameras and her knowledge of other photographers who also use them, Bates has been called a "well-respected evangelist" for Holga
Holga
The Holga is a medium format 120 film toy camera, made in China, known for its low-fidelity aesthetic.The Holga's low-cost construction and simple meniscus lens often yields pictures that display vignetting, blur, light leaks, and other distortions...
s … the "Holga Queen", “The High Priestess of Holganess” and “The Fairy Godmother of the Holga.”
One of the hallmarks of her work is her use of the inherent qualities of cameras with inexpensive plastic lens while conveying a clear artistic style. She says she prefers "quirky subjects, like carnivals and animals" but also likes "to push the boundaries and try new subjects". Bates prints all of her own work in a darkroom using a hand-cut negative carrier that she made nearly 20 years ago.
Bates has given lectures on plastic and toy cameras to groups all over the world, including the Society for Photographic Education
Society for photographic education
The Society for Photographic Education is a nonprofit membership organization that provides a forum for the discussion of photography and related media as a means of creative expression and cultural insight...
, San Francisco Camerawork, the Center for Creative Photography
Center for Creative Photography
The Center for Creative Photography , established in 1975 and located on the University of Arizona campus, is a research facility and archival repository containing the full archives of over sixty of the most famous American photographers including those of Edward Weston, Harry Callahan and Garry...
, the Photographic Center Northwest and at TEDxRainier in 2011. She has also taught classes at the International Center of Photography
International Center of Photography
The International Center of Photography is a photography museum, school, and research center in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
, the Newspace Center for Photography and the Maine Media Workshops
Maine Media Workshops
The Maine Media Workshops is an international non-profit educational organization offering year-round workshops for photographers, filmmakers, and media artists...
. Her book Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity (ISBN 0240814215) is now in its second edition.