Instead of high-tech and costly cameras, the photographers being featured in the latest SAANS Downtown art exhibit were required to use Holga "toy" cameras to produce their photographs for display.

The effect is definitely unique. Because Holga cameras are made with inexpensive plastic and other low-cost materials, the images created with them have a blurry, dream-like quality. Other unique effects include vignetting around the images and light leaks on the film.

On Friday, SAANS will open an exhibit with 150 Holga photographs taken by people from around the world. There's no specific theme to the images in the exhibit, other than the fact they were all taken with a Holga camera.

"We've got photographs of people, of landscapes, of you name it," SAANS curator Shalee Cooper said. "It was up to the artists to shoot whatever they wanted."

The SAANS Holga show will end in January. The public can purchase any of the images on display but won't be allowed to take home any prints until Dec. 17. Holga cameras also will be available for purchase at the show and a book highlighting each entry in the show will also be sold.

Cooper said she is excited for the Holga show because of its unique focus and the fact the general public was allowed to submit prints for possible display. Early next year, she is hopeful SAANS will begin offering classes about shooting with Holga cameras. The gallery is also working to build a darkroom in its basement.

"It's just a great opportunity to get started in photography if you're interested in using film," said Cooper.

SAANS is one of the only galleries in Utah that exhibits just photography, according to Cooper. Shows are changed every month and each year, SAANS will put out a call for entries to exhibit.

For more information, log on to: www.saansdowntown.com.

If you go

What: The HOLGA Show 2008

Where: SAANS Downtown gallery, 173 E. 300 South

When: Opens Friday with an artists' reception from 6-10 p.m. Show runs through Jan. 5.

How much: free

Web: saansdowntown.com

---

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com