In an age of Instagram-perfect itineraries and AI-generated bucket lists, Lomography is offering something refreshingly human: Lomo Travel Guides, a newly launched collection of city adventures curated not by algorithms but by analog-loving explorers from its global community. Although catered toward film photographers, all photographers can benefit from the new travel guides.
The Lomo Travel Guides site marks an exciting evolution for the brand known for celebrating imperfection, spontaneity, and the uniquely unpredictable beauty of film photography. Rather than leading travelers to the same tired landmarks and heavily hashtagged hotspots, these guides offer a lo-fi passport to the roads less traveled, those known only to locals, artists, and the light-chasing Lomographers who walk them.
“Skip the tourist traps and see the world through a Lomographic lens! Whether you’re exploring a new destination or rediscovering your hometown with fresh eyes, these 33 travel guides offer a fresh perspective curated by our global Community. Go beyond the map and typical sightseeing checklist and explore the authentic atmosphere of each location. From iconic museums and creative hangouts to hidden photo spots, top-rated film processing labs, analogue camera shops and more, you’ll get a unique guide through the eyes of an analogue enthusiast,” Lomography says.
Built by Lomographers, for Lomographers
With over 30 guides already available, the platform is a growing archive of intimate photo diaries, practical shooting advice, and artistic reflections on cities around the world, from Tokyo’s backstreets to Berlin’s graffiti-clad alleys. Each guide is a personal love letter to a place, crafted with care by members of the Lomography Community who are as passionate about storytelling as they are about film stocks and shutter speeds.
This isn’t travel for the checklist traveler, it’s for those who pack expired film for the color shifts, who lose hours composing a shot through a plastic lens, who’d rather stumble into a flea market camera stall than a gift shop.
Browsing the guides offered the opposite of gatekeeping, opening the doors to a carefully curated list of photographic gems.
“Comprising 16 cities, Metro Manila is the bustling capital region of the Philippines. From historic Intramuros to trendy BGC and artsy Cubao, every corner of this metropolis has its own flavor. It’s an eclectic mix of jeepneys alongside horse carriages, centuries-old churches next to modern high-rises, and flea markets nearby massive malls. Whatever it is that fits your vibe, there’s a spot for you somewhere in Metro Manila,” Lomography writes in its “A Photographer’s Lifestyle Guide to Metro Manila, Philippines.”
“We’ve curated a list of our favorite museums, art galleries and cultural landmarks in Metro Manila to give you an exhaustive guide to the best creative hot-spots to visit on your trip. The wealth of knowledge and experience that comes from the Lomography Community is simply unrivaled. In this section we share some of our community’s top-tips about the city of Metro Manila. This includes their favorite locations for visiting and photographing and some invaluable tips on shooting in analogue. We will also showcase some of our most inspiring Manila-based LomoHomes and Partners.”
What Sets It Apart
A Photographer’s Lens on Place: These aren’t just where-to-go guides; they’re how-to-see guides. Readers will discover how light behaves on a certain street at golden hour or why a particular vintage film stock suits the moody skies of Edinburgh.
Community as Compass: Content is created and curated by Lomographers, ensuring a dynamic, ever-evolving resource that reflects real experiences, not corporate partnerships or SEO trends.
Analogue Advice at the Ready: Wondering which camera to bring to the misty coast of Lisbon? Or which film stock best captures the neon haze of Seoul at night? The guides offer gear suggestions tailored to each location’s vibe.
More Than Maps
What makes the Lomo Travel Guides particularly compelling is their commitment to preserving the unpredictability and intimacy that analog photography embodies. They’re filled with poetic detours, off-kilter frames, and serendipitous stories that celebrate the slow, tactile joy of shooting film in a fast-moving world.
As the Lomography Community continues to contribute new guides, the project is shaping up to be a living archive of creativity and connection. It’s a reminder that in photography, as in travel, the best moments are often the ones that aren’t planned.
Whether you’re planning your next trip or simply daydreaming of far-off places, the Lomo Travel Guides are an invitation to see the world differently: through a viewfinder, with curiosity, and one roll of film at a time.
Image credits: Content courtesy Lomography, lead image features work by Apisit, Adi Totp, and Gabyo, with article body images individually credited.
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