Maria Louceiro's Dream-Like World Through the Petzval 80.5 Bokeh Control Art Lens

In this new interview, LomoAmiga Maria Louceiro shares some tips on how to achieve ethereal and dreamy photographs, and shares her recent stunning photos taken with our Petzval 80.5 f/1.9 MKII Bokeh Control Art Lens.

Hi Maria, welcome back to our Online Magazine! This time you tested one of our art lenses, the New Petzval 80.5 f/1.9 MKII Bokeh Control Art Lens. What features of the lens did you like the most?

The features I especially enjoyed of the Petzval lens were the unique bokeh effect and great control over it, along with the sharpness in the center of the images. The lens helped me to create a dreamy, almost painterly background, but still keeping the subject in focus added an artistic touch to the photos while maintaining its quality, which is something I always try to look for in my work.

Was it the first time using a totally manual lens? If so, how was your experience?

I've had the opportunity to work with various types of lenses, including manual ones. The Petzval being fully manual, was a good challenge as it incentivised me to play more with the process of composing and focusing, which I always find rewarding and creatively refreshing.

How did you like the special aperture plates?

The special aperture plates were amazing to use. They allowed me to manipulate the shape of the bokeh in the background, which is not something you can do with most lenses. I was able to play a lot with abstract imagery as well as portraits, making it easier to achieve the dreamlike images I envisioned. Even if you are not a huge fan of bokeh in different shapes, it's a great creative tool for creating abstract images and using it subtly and creatively in portraits.

You do a lot of portrait photography. Do you think that this lens, with its unique bokeh effects, can integrate well with your photographic style?

My style often leans towards creating ethereal and emotive portraits, and the Petzval lens fitted really well into this aesthetic. The particular bokeh effects and the softness around the edges of the frame added an interesting depth and character to portraits, aligning well with the type of images I enjoy creating.

Which camera did you use for these shots?

For these shots I used my Canon, which worked great with the Petzval lens. It was a great combination thanks to the lens's characteristics that have helped me create these images as I envisioned them.

How did you choose your subject and location?

When selecting subjects and locations, I looked for elements that fit with the mood I wanted to convey. For this series, I chose nature settings that complemented the dreamy effect of the Petzval lens. Natural light and settings that offered interesting textures and colors such as a pink afternoon in Berlin, as well as directional sources of light such as Christmas lights that produced interesting abstract shots thanks to the bokeh.

These photos are incredibly ethereal and dreamy. How did you achieve these amazing results? Can you share some technical tips to those that wish to obtain similar results?

To achieve these results, I focused (and unfocused) on using natural light to the fullest, often shooting during the golden hour for softer lighting and pinkish hues. I also paid close attention to the background, looking for patterns and textures that can be transformed into beautiful bokeh by the lens. I experimented with different aperture plates and shooting angles, as well as mirrors, reflective surfaces and colored see-through objects that could bring out the combination of the bokeh and silhouettes to create in-camera double exposures.

Check out all incredible works on Maria's website and Instagram profile.

melissaperitore tarafından, 2024-02-16 tarihinde ve #donanım #experimental #portrait #bokeh #art-lens #petzval başlığında yazıldı.