Lomography Partners: Migo Film Lab of Santiago, Chile

Come one, come all. Lomography has partners all over the world to help serve your analogue needs. If you're from Chile then it's your lucky day! We're featuring our Santiago-based stockist Cristóbal of Migo Film Lab in today's installment of Lomography Partners.

Can you introduce yourself to the Lomography community?

Hi, my name is Cristóbal and I am the Lomography Ambassador for Chile since 2007. I am an engineer and photographer. I started promoting analogue photography with a project called LomoChile where we did beautiful things with our community like LomoWalls, LomoMatrix, LomoWalks, International Film Swaps, workshops and more. We also had the first Lomo Store in South America. This project has evolved to Migo—a photo lab and store that continues the work of promoting analogue photography and inviting people to go back to have their photo memories printed on paper.

What does analogue mean to you?

For me analogue photography is more of a candid way of shooting. It pushes you to stop, see, and wait. Not knowing exactly what the outcome will be and having a space for unexpected errors to appear give analogue photography a special value. I love all the steps you have to take before you see your picture. It's like a ritual that starts when you choose what film you will use and what camera you will have with you on your daily adventures.

What does Lomography mean to you?

Lomography is passion and commitment to this beautiful way of registering our daily life.

Why do you choose to work with Lomography?

I think they have been, for many years, a brand that pushed analogue photography in times when all the world was dazzled by digital photography. They keep looking for ways to keep it fresh with wonderful products and ideas.

What is your favorite Lomography product and why?

For me, it would be the Lomography LC-A+. I just love the simplicity of it and the amazing pictures you can make even though my first love was the SuperSampler! I was really attracted to the panoramic shots you could get with this beautiful camera. Both cameras represent very well the spirit of Lomography that invites you to play and experiment.

Are you doing any creative projects right now in the store or personally? Please tell us more about them.

Not really. At this time, we are focused on surfing the pandemic situation, but we do have a plan that will continue our vision of promoting contemporary photography like we did with Ciclo Migo in the past, but with a new twist.

What does the future of analogue photography look like to you? How will this impact your store in the next ten years?

I think that the industry will have to adapt to the new needs of this area. I think new development will replace the way we are doing things today in terms of developing and scanning. Films will see some changes as well to make manufacturing more efficient and stable. Also, I think that the way it is marketed will change, making it more direct and less bureaucratic to get film stocks and cameras. All these will be pushed by technology and the need for a more environment-friendly industry.

What dififculties did your shop have to face during the lockdowns and what kept you going through these hard times?

We had to stop our services for the film lab and rely on our online store for selling products. Times have been difficult but we have used this time as well to think and push some ideas that will help us grow our project in the near future.

Quick Questions

What's the most annoying thing about running an analogue lab?

Lots of effort, old machines, and supplies issues.

What's your favorite memory from the lab so far?

Processing my first film and seeing all the processes behind it—from putting the film in the cameras to seeing the final results of the printed pictures.

What's the weirdest thing you have received when developing films?

We received a small ball that should have had a film inside. It was put there to protect it from light, but instead there was weed and nothing else.

What would you do if you didn’t run a photo lab?

I would probably start a programing business instead.

Vital Information

Official Name: Migo Film Lab
Began Accepting Film for Developing: 2011
Address: Las Azucenas 2997, Providencia. Santiago de Chile
Services offered: 35 mm, 120, 110 and APS, C41, B&W,
Film lab staff: 3

Want to see your favorite store featured in our magazine? Please send us an email at wholesaleinquiries@lomography.com and we will check them out!

written by cheeo on 2021-11-18 #people #places #partners #film-lab #stockists #lomography-partners