There are lots of sites dedicated to modifying a standard Holga. Part of the fun is in finding out how your particular Holga responds to it's unique design flaws. As the company has very little quality control (which is to be expected given the nature of the camera), each unit will produce a different footprint. Some are not bad right out of the box, while others have huge problems with light leaks, film tension, and shutter timing/focus.
I have four:
- one Holgaroid, though I'm not too sure what I'm going to do with it when I run out of film.
- one w/ a modified "bulb" setting - depress once to open the shutter, and a second time to close it.
- another w/ a modified "time" setting - depress and hold, activated via cable release.
* Both with tripod mounts, tension control via Polaroid foam inserts & plastic tabs, and velcro backs.
- and the last one is not modified, other than tension controls.
(Of course, I purchased mine quite a while ago - I think they were around $9 - $12 at the time, so it wasn't as much of an investment as it might be now.)
Here are a couple of links to sites that will help you in modifying your Holga should you find that you don't like the way it comes from the factory.
http://www.argonauta.com/html/holga_cameras.htm
http://shop.lomography.com/holga/modifications/
http://www.holgamods.com/mods/order/tips/tips.html
http://www.geocities.com/markhahn2000/holga_mods.html
There are a bunch of accessories that are sold on the market, and most can be made with just a little ingenuity, and elbow grease. The thing to remember is not to be afraid to experiment around - both in physically modifying the camera, and in your photographic endeavors.
As for developing the film? Many areas have a County Adult Education Center, or facility. I know that here in Northern Virginia there are at least three different Adult Continuing Ed Campuses that offer basic darkroom classes. Chances are that your area will have one as well. They are an excellent way to get into black and white photography, and along with teaching you how to develop and print your own negatives - they should teach you the basics of composition, an introduction into the zone system, as well as learning to capture the moment, vs. the spray & pray method.
HTH's,
Art