Petzval LomoAmigo: Surreal and Dreamy Images by Eulalie Varenne

She describes herself as a “photographer based on the Moon.” Eulalie Varenne tested the Petzval lens, and the swirling bokeh of the lens suits her lyrical universe perfectly. Read on for her exclusive interview and immerse yourself in a fantasy world of magic and mystery.

Name: Eulalie Varenne
Location: Saint Étienne, France
Camera: Nikon D750

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Eulalie, I’m 23 and I went to Art school. I’m based in Saint Etienne, France, but photography allows me to travel everywhere. I made my last school year in Chile. I also do illustration.

How did you get into photography?

I was doing a little photography in high school, but I started more seriously during college, around 6 years ago. I started with film photography class, and what I’ve learned was really useful regarding digital SLR cameras.

How and why did you choose to become a professional photographer?

By chance. At the beginning I was doing photography for myself: I loved dreamy pictures, and I had some personal projects in which I asked my cousins or friends to pose for me. Little by little, some girls who appreciated my work asked me to appear on my pictures. I was also hired for weddings… I started working for other photographers at the same time as I was studying and I really started a year ago when I came back from South America.

What aspects of being a photographer do you like most?

I love meeting new people and being able to travel anywhere with my job. What I like even more is to work with people who have similar ideas and universe than me. I’m thinking in particular about the children’s clothing brands I work with. I really love working with them, photographically speaking, because I am very free, and the themes fit me perfectly.

Can you describe the photographic world you live in?

I don’t really like talking about my work. I try to create a poetic universe, maybe even a bit mysterious sometimes. I like to capture what we usually don’t see. I use the camera as an artist uses a pencil to draw what he has in mind. I like to capture magical moments so that everyone can build his own story while looking at my pictures.

Is there an image you dream of creating? A place? A person?

There are so many. I’m not a fan of Photoshop, so I’d like to take photographs with almost no computer editing. This is what I was doing in the beginning but I have increasingly crazy ideas and today I would need a team of assistants to achieve them! Regarding places it’s the same: photography makes you want to travel, and vice versa!

What was your reaction when you first saw Petzval Lens?

“Wooooh”. I love the packaging, and the golden color make it look like an “old pirate’s spyglass!”

Tell us about your experience shooting with the New Petzval Lens. What do you like most about this lens?

I like its vintage look, and the fact that everything is manual. The focus is sometimes hard to handle but you get used to it very quickly. I like the hazy results and the fact that you must take your time, like film photography

I also really love the swirly bokeh, and the small leather pouch, even if it does not really matter.

How would you describe the Petzval in five words?

Two words are enough: elegant and artistic.

Can you tell us a bit more about the pictures you took with it? Do you have a favorite?

This is a series I shot with a girl called Marlene, during my trip to Paris. I didn’t know anything about the city, so she chose a place. I have to admit that she did a great job. I think my favorite picture is the vertical one. I never use this framing, I do not know why, but I do not like. But in this picture, I’m actually quite happy with the result.

Do you have any advice for new and future users of the Petzval Lens?

Try everything!

Which photography or video project would you dream of doing with the Petzval Lens?

I didn’t try the video, but now I would like to test, on any project.

Any future exciting projects?

I have two great fashion shoots projects in January and March, can’t wait!

Thanks a lot Eulalie for your pictures and this interview!
Find out more about Eulalie on her website and Facebook page.

2014-12-05 #people #art #nature #fashion #bokeh #photographer #landscapes #lomoamigo #photobooks #petzval #objectif-artistique
translated by Lomography France