Ethereal Portraits with the New Petzval 85 Art Lens: Alessio Albi

Alessio Albi is an Italian photographer with a standout style: mysterious portraits where delicate feminine figures are serenely immersed in a natural setting. Through this Alessio creates a unique aesthetic for his pictures, drawing in the viewer in an emotional and profound way.

Because of this we thought that he would be the perfect candidate to try out our new Petzval 85 Art Lens. Let’s get to know him a bit!

Hi Alessio, please introduce yourself to the community and tell us a little about your passion for photography.

Hey! I’m 30 years old and live in Perugia. My studies did not fall into the artistic/photographic scope; in fact I studied medicinal biotechnology for 5 years at the University of Perugia. Then I attended masters and began a career as a nutritionist. I began taking photographs in 2010, inspired by the people around me who were very active within the artistic world. Knowing my passion for drawing a friend of mine suggested trying out photography. I bought my first reflex camera with no expectations. Within a few months photography had secured itself an important spot in my life and eventually became my primary passion and starting from this year my job.

Could you define your photographic style with 3 words?

Emotional. Pictorial. Instinctive.

Are there any photographers who inspire you artistically?

There are several, from the iconic Annie Leibovitz, Tim Walker, Eugenio Recuenco and Gregory Crewdson, to more recent photographers discovered through social media such as Emily Soto and Marta Bevacqua.

What did you shoot with the Petzval 85? What inspired you?

I used it for what I believe is its principal focus, portraits, using its peculiar spiral bokeh to add an element of atmospheric intensity.

What camera did you use to shoot?

My Nikon d810.

What do you appreciate most about this lens?

The unique ethereal tone which adds so much to the atmosphere of the portraits.

What advice would you give to first time users?

Use a tripod for focusing in and try and become familiar with the various apertures; shooting at full aperture will not always guarantee a better or more interesting photo.

Thanks to Alessio Albi for these beautiful shots. Soon we will publish the second part of the interview and the photographs taken with the New Petzval 58 Bokeh Control Brass Art Lens.

To see more of his work have a look at his website, his Facebook and his Instagram.

2016-08-10 #gear #people #art-lens #lomography-art-lenses #petzval-85-lens #alessio-albi