Dreamy Portraits with the Petzval 80.5 Art Lens by Eugenio Levis
7 Share TweetToday we welcome to our Magazine Eugenio Levis, Argentinian photographer based in Spain, who recently tested out our Petzval 80.5 Art Lens for some incredible portraiture photography. Check out his advice for creating beautiful portraits with this lens, letting go of control and making the most out of its unique character.
Hello Eugenio, welcome to our Magazine! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Eugenio Levis, and I’m the son of Italian immigrants who arrived in Argentina after fleeing post-war Europe. I grew up in Buenos Aires, where I earned my degree in Industrial Design at the University of Buenos Aires. Together with two partners, I co-founded a company that started as a skateboard and longboard manufacturing business. It quickly grew to become one of the largest in Latin America. Later, we expanded into furniture manufacturing, and today, we are leaders in the furniture industry in Argentina. Five years ago, I decided to step down from my position as COO and move to Spain, where I now dedicate myself entirely to photography. I focus on creating and selling my own photographic work while also taking on various commissioned photography projects.
When did you start your journey into photography?
I’ve always been passionate about imagery. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of drawing at my grandparents’ house, where they had dedicated an entire cabinet to store my drawings, pencils of all kinds, and stacks of blank paper. When I was about 10 years old, my father, an enthusiastic amateur photographer, gifted me my first camera—a Fuji Fujifilm DL-7 Plus. With that simple point-and-shoot film camera, I took my first steps in photography. I still remember the sound it made when advancing the film and the excitement I felt picking up the developed prints from the photo shop. It’s the same excitement I feel today when I take my negatives out of the developing tank or review my SD cards after a long day of shooting.
You shoot mostly black and white. What do you think inspired you and led you to find your style?
Photography has always been a part of my life, but I began to take it more seriously in 2020. After exploring various courses, I found my place at the school of Argentine photographer Diego Ortiz Mugica. There, I was inspired by his passion for technique and his belief in the importance of processes—not just in photography, but in life itself. Photography, like any meaningful pursuit, requires time, patience, and dedication. There are no shortcuts; we must all embrace the journey of learning and respect its rhythm. Just as in life, nothing is mastered overnight, and knowledge is infinite—there’s always more to discover. Just as Diego refined his craft under the mentorship of John Sexton, disciple of Ansel Adams, I continue to perfect my own path under his guidance, deeply influenced by the great California masters of the early and mid-20th century. With the same enthusiasm as on my first day, I approach photography with humility, always eager to learn and to uncover the next surprise that this art has in store for me.
Can you tell us more about your project Primitivos ?
Primitivos is a photographic and spiritual journey that explores the essence of simplicity and human connection through the Camino Primitivo to Santiago de Compostela. Over the course of 20 days, I walked more than 450 kilometers, documenting the landscapes, pilgrims, and local culture of Asturias and Galicia. The project reflects a return to our roots and a slower, more meaningful way of living, rediscovering the value of the everyday and the extraordinary. Combining evocative imagery with personal testimonies, Primitivos invites the viewer to reflect on their own journey, both physically and spiritually.
With these photos, you explored the characteristic bokeh effect of the Petzal 80.5. What do you think of the results? And how was your experience with the lens?
Testing the Petzval 80.5 mm was an incredibly interesting and fun experience. It’s a lens with a strong personality that offers something completely different from more traditional lenses. To bring out its full potential, I believe it’s essential to use it at its widest aperture and choose suitable backgrounds, such as foliage or ocean water. Add some strong backlighting to the mix, and you’re in for a truly unique effect. Of course, being a manual focus lens and working with such a shallow depth of field requires a brief adaptation period.
One technique that helped me achieve accurate focus was shooting in burst mode while slightly moving forward and backward, allowing me to select the frame with the sharpest
focus afterward. Interestingly, even the shots where the focus wasn’t perfect had their own charm with this lens. I was also pleasantly surprised by how well it performs at smaller apertures, although that’s not the reason I would consider adding it to my gear. Its strength undoubtedly lies at f/1.9. Another detail that didn’t go unnoticed was how lightweight the lens is—a welcome feature when walking long distances searching for that scene that seems to call out to be photographed.
Do you have any tips for photographers who want to try Lomography Art Lenses?
If it’s your first time using one of these lenses, I believe the most important thing is to let yourself play, experiment, and be surprised. These lenses invite you to let go of control—things that might be considered flaws with more traditional lenses, like flares, chromatic aberration, or vignetting, should be embraced here. Learn to enjoy them and make the most out of their unique character. While I used the lens in various settings, if I had to choose one specific use, it would undoubtedly be portrait photography. With its 80.5 mm focal length, which I find ideal for capturing people, this lens truly shines in that context.
Any upcoming projects or exhibitions you would like to share with our community?
While I continue with the editing and fine-tuning process of Primitivos, with the goal of turning the project into a photobook, 2025 will welcome me with a new exhibition here in Madrid. I’m still finalizing the venue, but I’ve already started preparing the material. One interesting challenge I decided to take on this time is framing my own work. Drawing on my background in carpentry, I’ve spent the past few days in a workshop crafting my own frames. It’s been fascinating because the types of wood available here are different from those in Argentina, so I’ve been experimenting with various options. I ultimately chose American walnut, a dark wood with ashy tones that I believe will beautifully enhance my photographs. In a way, I feel like I’m completing the creative circle—from previsualizing the image to framing and presenting it, all done with my own hands. That makes the process incredibly personal and exciting for me.
Make sure to follow Eugenio on Instagram and on his website.
written by ludovicazen on 2025-01-16 #gear #people #portrait #portraiture #art-lens #petzval-80-5-art-lens
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