Lomography Partners: Fotoclub BKK of Bangkok, Thailand

Come one, come all. Lomography has partners all over the world to help serve your analogue needs. If you're from Thailand, then it's your lucky day! We're featuring our Bangkok-based stockist Jate Pokmangmee of Fotoclub BKK in today's installment of Lomography Partners.

Can you introduce yourself to the Lomography community?

We are Fotoclub BKK, a film lab located at Chareonkrung road which is one of Bangkok's oldest towns. Our services include film developing and scanning, accessories and film sales, workshops, and photowalks. We also have a gallery and cafe. And yes, you are right—we do a lot of activities!

What does analogue mean to you?

Analogue is something crafted, smooth, and touchable.

What does Lomography mean to you?

To us, Lomography plays an important role in bringing back analogue photography. You guys turned photography into unlimited creativity and a whole lotta fun and that’s why people love Lomography.

Why do you choose to work with Lomography?

Many of our customers are teens and young adults who just want to have fun with film photography. And we're happy that Lomography has so much to offer—from cameras, films, to an active online community.

What is your favorite Lomography product and why?

The Simple Use Reloadable Film Camera is our favorite product. It’s simple enough for a very beginner photographer to use while still being cool enough for a very professional photographer as well. We always call it the simple and cool camera.

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

Yes, we always have creative projects like photo walks, workshops, exhibitions, and collaborations. This is the unique brand of Fotoclub BKK. Currently, we have a collaboration project with Nadech Kugimiya, a famous superstar in Thailand. We produced his music video which was done with film cameras and some images in the MV were curated for exhibition.

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

I am sure that analogue photography will still be there, though maybe not as popular as it is today. I believe there will be a certain group of people who will stick with film photography. Fotoclub BKK may still be there too, but perhaps in a different form.

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

During the lockdowns, the big challenge we faced was to close our doors without knowing when the shop could reopen again. Among all the uncertainties, we still had to pay for the rent and had to look after our staff.

Fortunately, we had a contactless ‘dropbox’ system prepared before it all happened. The dropbox system allows the customers to fill in all the information online and all they have to do is drop the film at the nearest and most convenient dropbox for them.

Quick Questions

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

Of course, it has to be the machines that are really old.

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

Good people keep coming in and becoming our good friends.

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

A customer brought in a digital camera and asked how they can put the film in.

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

Probably taking pictures.

Vital Information

Official Name: Fotoclub BKK
Began Accepting Film for Developing: 2019
Address: 1158 Charoen Krung 32 Alley, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Services offered: 35mm, 120, C-41, B&W, E6, hand-developing,
Film lab staff: 5

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 2022-02-28 #people #places #partners #bangkok #thailand #film-lab #stockists #lomography-partners #fotoclub-bkk