Duffman and the Art of Shooting Perfect Petzval Portraits

Say hello to Duffman, a 20-year-old photographer based in Frankfurt, Germany. He started taking film photos when he received a Diana F+ camera for his 16th birthday. Now he uses the Petzval Lens for capturing really impressive portraits. Get to know more about him after the jump!

Hello, duffman! Please tell us about yourself and how/where your love of film photography began?

I’m 20 years old and I live in Frankfurt. I started with film photography in 2012 after I received a Diana F+ for my 16th birthday. I immediately loved experimenting with different films and shooting multiple and long exposures.

Tell us about your experience shooting with the New Petzval Lens. What was your reaction when you first used the lens and what do you like most about it?

I shoot with my Petzval on the streets. I use it for portraits, landscapes and also skateboarding. It works really great for me. It’s a bit difficult to be fast and focus accurately, but sometimes I appreciate taking my time and working slower. The special swirly bokeh effect and the softness in the edges is what I like the most.

You shoot many portraits — in your opinion, what makes the perfect portrait?

I always look for character in faces and then try to capture the right moment. If the expression conveys the emotion and there is a connection between the viewer and the subject through the eye contact, it’s a great portrait for me. A special light and a nice background for the bokeh effect would probably make the perfect portrait.

Do you have a specific routine or procedure for approaching people you want to photograph? Do you prefer spontaneous or well-planned shots?

When I shoot people with the Petzval, I usually ask them for permission. Then they want to know why and for what purpose I’m doing it. I never ask people to pose or smile and to get an authentic photograph, I only take 1-2 photos. Sometimes I plan too much and sometimes I'm just snapping around — it depends on my mood and camera.

You also seem to always tell a story with your photos. What’s your favorite story behind your Petzval shots?

Once I was looking for interesting people in the city and I saw a guy who had a spitting fire snake tattoo on his face. After five minutes of thinking should I ask him or not, I did. I found out that the snake head guy called Andy was from London and he had come to Frankfurt for a concert. He agreed to have his photo taken for the price of a beer. A week later I met him again and gave him the two photos. He was very impressed and thankful. He even posted them on Facebook with the comment ‘‘I’m looking like a chicken lol’’.

Is there something/someone you would love to photograph but haven’t had the chance to yet?

I would really like to do a portrait session with my old ethics teacher, Mr. Eichhorn. He is a special character. Also, a portrait series of Jim Carrey's different faces and Germany's next top model Stefanie Geisinger (hahaha).

What other photographers/artists inspire you to keep creating?

I kick myself in the ass to keep shooting and improving. Photographers like Bruce Gilden, Joel Mayerowitz and Steve McCurry inspire me to shoot more on the streets.

Finally, do you have any tips for current and future Lomography Petzval users?

Shoot wide open for the swirly bokeh effect. Put your aperture plates on a ring or something so that you don’t lose them. While focusing, set the distance approximately and then move forward and backward to get it precise.

Thanks for sharing your work duffman! Keep it up!

2015-03-23 #news #people #petzval-lens