Phil Jones: Fantasy Art Photography with the Petzval 85 Art Lens

Phil Jones uses photography as a way to create unusual stories through his images. He works as a professional photographer and jumped at the chance to test out the Petzval 85 art Lens on some of his models.

Tell us more about yourself. I’m a professional photographer specialising in photographing people and lifestyle. My portfolio is divided into two:

1. Commercial photography: I work with businesses and organisations and help them create a a better image for their marketing, my clients include household names to business start-ups.

2. Fantasy Art Photography: Creative storytelling through images. I have always been a fan of fantasy and fiction in the movies and on TV which has led me to develop a style of creative storytelling through my images.

My interest in photography started at an early age and was encouraged by my dad who kindly passed down his SLR cameras including a Zenith B, Petri and Pentax SP1000. At school I was the only pupil in my year who chose photography as an option. Unfortunately I was told that it was ‘no longer an option’ but it didn’t put me off. I spent as much time as I could shooting rolls of film and developing and printing my shots in my home darkroom, which also doubled as my bedroom.

On shooting with the Petzval 85 lens: I really enjoyed shooting with the Petzval lens it was a lot of fun and is a breath of fresh air to use. I never get bored being a photographer and shooting with the Petzval Art Lens felt helped me look at light a different way because of the swirly bokeh effect the lens can create. The Petzval 85mm Art Lens really lends itself to my style of whimsical, ethereal photography and it creates a unique look which I wouldn’t get when using my other lenses.

Changing the aperture isn’t as quick as turning a dial on the camera but changing the aperture ring plate adds an excitement when shooting. Beginner hobbyist photographers who haven’t yet taken their camera off fully auto mode would love how this lens works as it would help them grasp the concept of f-stops. It took me a little while to get used to focusing manually again but the lens creates a crisp sharp image. The unique look of the lens with its brass finish always gets people’s attention.

On shooting the perfect portrait: Photography like any art is very subjective. I believe the perfect portrait captures a personality and reveals a soul. The perfect portrait stirs an emotion within you. The list of emotions are endless and so are the opportunities to capture the perfect portrait.

Have you had any difficult or challenging situations throughout your photography career? Many! Shooting in low light was always challenging, but the more experience you get the less challenging they become. Equipment, however expensive it may be, can break so be prepared! When shooting my damsel in distress series my professional lens broke, fortunately I had a spare. (I guess if I was using a Petzval lens then that wouldn’t have happened?) I’m always mindful that a difficult or challenging situation could arise on every shoot so consider all eventualities!

Any advice for the Lomography community? Create a style which is unique to you. You can learn from other photographers and creatives but it’s important you don’t copy their style but develop one which works with what experience, equipment and space you have. It’s also really important to photograph what you love shooting so your passion shows. Visit photography exhibitions and meet-up groups and talk to people and get their advice but most importantly follow your dream, it’s better to do something you love and fail than never try and spend every day doing a job you hate.

2016-06-20 #soho #showcase #london #uk #art-lens #petzval #phil-jones