In the Studio with Mathilde Levistre and the Lomo'Instant Wide Glass

Our newest launch, the Lomo'Instant Wide Glass, is practically made for the studio. With its unmatched sharpness, precise focus and lifelike color rendering, fashion photographers can truly shine with this new tool for the instant format.

This summer, we asked photographer and visual artist Mathilde Levistre to put the camera to the test. The photos, shot in New York, explore a set of varying lighting conditions and highlight the unique beauty of each model.

Continue on to hear insights from Mathilde, and take a look at what she created with our newest camera!

Hi Mathilde, welcome to Lomography Magazine! Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your work?

Hi, thank you so much for having me at Lomography magazine! I am a French fashion photographer, based in both Paris and New York. I’ve been shooting on film for a very long time now. My mom transmitted me her passion for film since a very young age— spending all my Sundays in the darkroom with her during my childhood definitely opened secret doors for my imagination and an endless journey into photography.

I studied Fashion Design in college but I gradually self-taught myself everything I needed to know in Fashion Photography to be able to create and direct my own shoots.

Tell us about these shoots with the new Lomo'Instant Wide Glass. What did you decide to shoot with this camera and why?

Using the Lomo'Instant Wide Glass was a first for me, and I was pleasantly surprised by the image quality. I chose to photograph a variety of models in different settings and lighting conditions to explore the camera’s versatility.

My favorite part was seeing the models' reactions to the unique effects produced by the camera, which added a special element to each shot. The whole experience broadened my creative possibilities and inspired new approaches to instant photography.

How is the experience of using this camera compared to other instant cameras you have used before?

I would personally say that the appeal of this instant camera, compared to other analogue formats, lies in its ability to create a dreamy atmosphere in each shot while maintaining impressive sharpness and image quality.

Once you get used to it, the framing possibilities feel endless, and makes you open up creative opportunities for diverse compositions. This combination of artistic potential and technical precision makes it a unique and versatile tool in instant photography!

What is the appeal of instant photography as compared to other analogue formats for you?

For me, the appeal of instant photography comes from my experience primarily with the SX-70 Polaroid. It has an almost magical quality— each shot is unique, and with only a limited number of exposures, you really think twice before capturing the moment.

Instant photography has such a rich history, and I've always been passionate about the idea of creating a physical image within minutes. It's a blend of spontaneity and creativity, where each image feels like a personal piece of art, all of them being very unique.

Describe the Lomo'Instant Wide Glass in three words.

Versatile, authentic, nostalgic.

What was the camera's performance like in the studio setting? Do you have any tips for anyone who wants to test this camera for fashion or editorial shoots?

The camera in studio setting was very easy to work with. I found the 1.5 m zone focus distance easier to work with, as framing and composition are crucial for each shot. The 0.6 distance, however, was a bit more challenging. To get better results, I would recommend slightly overexposing your shots to avoid underexposure when the image is fully developed. This helps bring out more details and enhances the final outcome.

Also would 100% recommend natural lighting even during a golden hour! I created my favorite shots then.

Do you have any recent or upcoming projects that you'd like to share with our community?

I worked on a thesis called Obscurity to come for more than two years, that you can check on my website. This was one of my biggest photography projects that consisted of this subject matter: everything that could hurt us, humans, dark thoughts, only for our own good, knowing how to accept pain the way it is, find where we buried those thoughts deep in the back of our minds.

All photographs were located in abandoned castles, theaters and hospitals between the East Coast and the south of France. I did an exhibition in Soho, New York with Moda Curations and I will be showing some of my photographs in Paris at the end of September at Little Big Gallery in Montmartre.

I am now based both in New York and Paris and always looking for new clients or brands to work with, so anyone that is interested in creating a new perspective in their work is free to reach out to me!

Thank you Mathilde for joining the magazine and testing our newest launch! If you'd like to stay connected with her work, you can find her on Instagram or her website.

written by alexa_alexiades on 2024-11-07 #gear #people #fashion-photography #lomo-instant-wide-glass #mathilde-levistre