First Impressions of the Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens: Irina Mattioli

An effective litmus test for the versatility of a lens? Movement. Italy-based photographer Irina Mattioli had Lomography’s new revival project, the Daguerreotype Achromat Art Lens, following the graceful moves of her ballerina friends. Dancing shadows also got in frame, thanks to Mattioli’s intuitive handling of our storied lens. She managed to bring out our dream results—sharpness layered with a soft glow.

Please tell us about your photography. How long have you been doing it? What is the pull of photography?

My relation with photography blossomed suddenly but then developed increasingly during the past ten years. It actually started as a hobby but then it became a full-time job. If I had to identify the engine of this love and longing for photography, I would say it’s the desire of creating something beautiful.

This lens has a fascinating history, so let’s play the association game. What came to mind when you first saw the Daguerreotype Art Lens? What is special about its build?

Honestly? Steampunk aesthetics, technology pre-digital atmospheres, the romantic charm of His Dark Materials trilogy by British author Philip Pullman. The beautiful craftsmanship of the Daguerreotype Achromat Art Lens is already so dreamy that it can easily belong to an imaginative long gone world: precious navigation tools, telescopes, golden astrolabes.

What did you take pictures of? What camera did you use?

Following chance and passion, ballerinas were the main subject of my shoot. I am a ballerina myself. I studied ballet for 20 years, and this world still pays a big role in my life and my imaginative sensations. For this shoot we chose my region, Umbria in Italy, having access to a wonderful palace from the 18th century. Working on full bodies and movements has been a real challenge with this type of lens and its focal length, but the results legitimized the efforts. All pictures where shot using a Canon 5D Mark III.

Did the Daguerreotype Art Lens impart a special look to your photos? Tell us about your first photo session.

Yes, it did. At the beginning my attention was on the difficulties—as for every manual lens—connected to the focusing. Then you realize that the pictures produced by this lens are unique and impossible to replicate in terms of sensitivity to movement and light. The depth and vividness of its colors are really impressive.

The lens is a continuation of Lomography’s experimental tradition. What special effects have you done using the lens?

As the settings I chose were not exactly easy—I shot interiors with natural light and I needed to be quite far from the subjects because I wanted to catch the full figure—I soon realized that the best choice I could have was the round aperture plate. If the weather would have allowed me, I could have also shot outside and then try all the aperture plates, experimenting with all the bokeh I could have achieved.

In terms of your own photography needs, what is the best feature of the Daguerreotype Art Lens?

The chance to produce iconic portraits, basically ready and complete just in shooting phase. It’s undeniable that, when using this lens, the post-production work is basically irrelevant. The atmosphere given by the Daguerrotype Achromat Art Lens is painterly and physical, less cold compared to many excellent lenses that I use in my daily job.

How does Daguerreotype Art Lens differ from other Lomography Art Lenses?

Last year I had the chance and the pleasure of testing the New Petzval 85. The bokeh of this new lens is more free than the characteristic swirly bokeh, thus granting the photographer more style choices for his pictures. The Daguerreotype Achromat Lens is a powerful object in the hands of the artist, showing even more the skills and creativity of the person who’s shooting.

Why use a special lens at all?

To stand out. Not only in content but also in style and technique.

Let’s get technical. What tip would you give to a first-time user?

Be patient, especially if you are used only to digital photography. I think you need to be more careful, hold your breath, and then after that, be ready to shoot.

To know more about Irina Mattioli, visit her website, Facebook and Instagram.

2016-04-23 #gear #ข่าวสาร #daguerreotype #kickstarter #achromat #artlens #irina-mattioli #lomographyartlenses #daguerreotype-achromat-lens #daguerreotype-achromat-art-lens