A 'Distant Summer Memory': Sissi Lu's Color Tests of the New LomoChrome Color '92 Film

NYC-based Sissi Lu is known for her photographic street storytelling. When she's observing her environment and listening in on the anecdotes of strangers before taking their portrait, every shot of hers is intentional.

Sissi recently got the chance to shoot a test roll of our new LomoChrome Color '92 film. Without knowing much about the color and light capabilities, she set out to the streets of New York with an intention: test a palette of colors. Check out the range of looks Sissi was able to capture with this film.

Hi Sissi, it’s great to have you back in our online magazine. How are you doing?

Thank you for having me back on here. I have been going through some highs and lows this year. However, after taking some time off to take care of myself from the burnout, I am feeling more eager than ever to create and share my work. Many exciting projects are in the works, and I can’t wait to share them soon!

LomoChrome Color ‘92 was still in the production works when you got to test a roll. What went on in your head when you received this unknown film?

My first encounter with the new film was back in 2021, when Birgit tested a “secret film” with me on one of our photowalks in my neighborhood. I remember posing for her a couple times, and I'm just now finding out that those shots were from the very early test roll of the Lomo ’92 film.

When I finally got to shoot my first actual roll of Lomo ’92, I decided to rate it at ISO 200. At the time of shooting, I hadn’t seen many sample photos of how the film should look. I decided to give it a range of colors to test out the film’s capability.

Which camera did you pair the film with?

I used my trusty Nikon F3 with 105 mm F1.8 lens.

We love that you went about the test by shooting a variety of colors around you. Which colors do you think fared the best?

This stock has a distinct cooler undertone. Because of it, the color rendering works the best when you lean in with the blue tone (aka blue, indigo, and teal). I would also note that yellow, red, and green have a noticeable color shift. Red, especially, looks very muted on this stock. I would be careful to shoot portraits on this stock of people who have a lot of red undertones in their skin, it might result in them looking “grey”.

Can you describe LomoChrome Color ‘92 in three words?

Distant summer memory. Or grainy, nostalgic, muted.

Do you have a favorite photo out of your results? What about it appeals to you?

This one stood out to me from the roll. (below)

Imagine if this frame was on a much warmer stock. The store light from the background and the taxi would probably jump out much more on a warm film, and take the focus away from the man and his dog. The pavement wouldn’t have merged in the full frame as a part of the overall scene. But because of the blue highlights and shadows, this blurry photo actually looks more cohesive and intentional.

Now that you have an idea of LomoChrome Color ‘92’s capabilities, is there anything you would like to focus on shooting potentially for your next roll?

I would definitely shoot the next roll of this film with lots and lots of available light. I rated the film at 200 speed when I was testing it. I might even try shooting it at 100 ISO for my next roll, just to open up the shadows even more, and maybe it would help with the vibrancy of the colors. But on the other hand, I’m also very interested to see how this film would look under tungsten light and soft window light. I think that it might draw out some very cinematic scenes.

Follow Sissi's work through her Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and website. Also check out her top picks and tricks of Lomography products on her Connoisseurs page.

written by kaylalew on 2023-07-27 #gear #lomoamigo #first-impression #lomochrome-color-92 #lomo-92