Lomography Partners: Interphoto Film Lab Tel Aviv

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Come one, come all. Lomography has partners all over the world to help serve your analogue needs. If you're from Israel then you probably know them already. We're featuring our Tel Aviv-based stockist Ofer Mousai of Interphoto Film Lab in today's installment of Lomography Partners.

If there's anyone who understands analogue love, it's got to be Ofer Mousai. He grew up around film photography and had seen the phases it went through to be what it is today. Indeed, it's not a disturbance but an alternative way to experience photography and understand how light behaves. We're just happy that he's part of our strong Lomo family and we look forward to more years with him as one of our beloved Lomography Partners!

Photos developed and scanned by Interphoto Film Lab © Omer Joe Koort

Can you introduce yourself to the Lomography community?

Hello, I'm Ofer Mousai from Interphoto Film Lab in Tel Aviv. My family has owned this store for decades, and I've been managing it for the last 20 years.

What does analogue mean to you?

I really feel that analogue is the true way to learn what photography is. It's such an essential way to understand how light behaves. Personally, it's also the way I preserve the story of my own family, snapping rolls of film here and there over the course of a few months, then getting those frozen moments back to reflect on later.

Photos developed and scanned by Interphoto Film Lab © Omer Joe Koort

What does Lomography mean to you?

There's no one else like Lomography. It's the community that literally brought analogue photography back from the dead. They kept the flame alive.

Why do you choose to work with Lomography?

As both a business and a mentality, Lomography represents everything I believe in and it remains at the forefront of keeping analogue alive.

What is your favorite Lomography product and why?

I've gotta go with the Diana F+. Even just in terms of versatility, it's probably my favorite camera. The interchangeable lenses, the different backs, the pinhole option... The possibilities are really endless with Diana.

Photos developed and scanned by Interphoto Film Lab © Omer Joe Koort

Are you doing any creative projects right now in the store or personally? If so please provide some details.

Right now we have a disposable camera competition that ends on the 15th of August. We'll be picking out the best photo among the submitted entries. We also have the Jewish Valentine's event on July 23 where couples can learn how to develop black-and-white photographs. Lastly, we'll be kicking off a sunset-themed Lomowalk this coming August at the Tel Aviv beachfront.

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

Analogue experienced an immense decrease around 25 years ago and had made a comeback as a niche - a hobby. I think It'll stay that way. It does not interfere with digital photography and it's another way of expression. I do think that film prices will increase even more but that will not stop avid film users from using it.

Photos developed and scanned by Interphoto Film Lab © Omer Joe Koort

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

We had three lockdowns but fortunately, the work just increased from lockdown to lockdown. Our staff has grown and we are still looking for more workers. We did have a rough time doing public stuff like gatherings and exhibitions but this is now just starting to come back.

Quick Questions

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

Finding replacement parts for my minilab.

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

It is impossible for me to think about one single memory, I just love working in the lab and developing so many great photos.

Interphoto Film Lab © Omer Joe Koort

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

I think people forget that there is a person in the lab developing their photos, so I would say some of the strangest things we have received have been images that I don't know if the owner would like us to see - let's put it this way ha!

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

Work in high tech probably.

Vital Information

Official Name: Interphoto Film Lab
Began Accepting Film for Developing: 1987
Address: Allenby St 22, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Services offered: 110,135, and 120 film developing, C41 and B&W developing, camera and film sales
Film lab staff: 4


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 2021-08-01 in #people #places #lomography #israel #stockists #interphoto

2 個留言

  1. halbert
    halbert ·

    nice place!

  2. dudizm
    dudizm ·

    Hello Ofer, Omer, Great article ! Can't wait to see you guys !

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