In the Mood for Love: Soft Focus Production's NYC Petzval 85 Experience

Today we have East Coast Photographer Steve Gindler, also known under the pseudonym Soft Focus Productions, talking to us about his time shooting the Lomography Petzval 85 Lens for Pursuit of Portraits and their NYC event “In the Mood for Love.”

I shoot a lot of portraits, so the chance to shoot with Petzval Lens is akin to a race car driver having the chance to drive a Bugatti. This lens was made in a different time in photography, but the principles of capturing a subject and the human element remain the same. For a lens based on the original lens from 1840, it surpassed many “modern” lenses in image quality, color reproduction, and sharpness. But let’s not forget the quirk that makes this lens so special, the Bokeh! The out of focus areas on images you capture with this lens will deliciously swirl into and around your subject, drawing the viewer’s attention to the face.

I brought this lens with me on my travels between an event put together by Pursuit of Portraits (@pursuitofportraits) and a few adventures in Upstate NY. In both situations, the beautiful golden, vintage lens drew almost as much attention as the models themselves. The lens itself has a sturdy build quality and a beautiful aesthetic that pays tribute to the original. The “focus ring” is actually a small knob on the side of the lens that reminds me of a follow focus on modern video camera lenses.

When shooting with this lens, and on a film camera, I had to take my time. Transitioning from a digital Sony shooter to a Nikon film shooter for a few weeks took some getting used to, but after learning the basics I was able to snap away. The one thing about this lens is that it rewards patience. No autofocus, and no excuses for missing focus because that delicious bokeh will eat everything. It creates a more intimate experience with your subject, because you help them define their best angle, or their best emotion through either trial and error or careful planning.

When I first heard about this lens, I thought that it was very interesting, albiet a tad gimmicky. After two weeks of using it, and reviewing my images I can safely say that I was wrong. I could see myself using this lens for anything from lifestyle portraits, to weddings, to adventures with friends.

To find more of Soft Focus Productions work, take a look at his IG. To grab your own Petzval 85mm Art lens and start shooting today, check out our online shop!

Be sure to follow Lomography NYC on Instagram for more content and uploads from our local artists and updates on NYC based photography events!

You can also take a trip to our Gallery Space:
Lomography NYC Gallery Store
41 W 8th Street
New York, NY 10011

2016-03-26 #gear #news #people #lifestyle #event #review #lomoamigo

Mentioned Product

New Petzval 85 Art Lens

New Petzval 85 Art Lens

Photos shot with a New Petzval 85mm lens are immediately recognizable for their super-sharp focus areas and wonderful swirly bokeh effect.

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