First Impressions with the Neptune Convertible Art Lens System: Gui Martinez

Tokyo-based artist Gui Martinez is a passionate film photographer and medium-format lover. For a weekend getaway, he took the Neptune Convertible Art Lens and shared with us his beautiful shots taken during his trip.

What was your first impression upon seeing and holding the Neptune Convertible Art Lens System?

First of all, I'm not used to shooting with 35mm SLR cameras. So that already was quite interesting. My SLR's are all medium format. Anyway, I thought it was a really interesting lens. The focus is really smooth too.

Could you share your best photo and the story behind that shot?

This is my favorite I think. I went on a road trip from Tokyo to a peninsula called Izu and on our way back we stopped at this viewpoint for a little breather and that's when I got this shot.

Any pointers that one should keep in mind when using the Convertible Art Lenses?

I found that the lens is not as sharp as other 35mm lenses I shoot with, so if you need a lot of sharpness then shoot with a slightly higher f-stop than you usually would.

If you were to give a title to the photos you took this time, what would it be?

'Weekend Away'

"A picture is worth a thousand words" - this saying was what I remembered when I saw your photos -the atmosphere of the location, the weather (cloudy I believe?), the expression of the model - gave me an impression that was "melancholic". Would you say this was something that you had in mind when you were shooting or was it unintentional?

I always try to create a strong atmosphere with a cinematographic feel to the photographs I shoot. It’s like I'm telling a story ("a picture is worth a thousand..."). I think besides the moody weather, as you mentioned, the shallow depth of field, together with the fact that the subject knows me and my work very well and knows how to emphasize this sort of atmospheric feel, helped create this feeling of "melancholia".

What's the most important action/feeling/routine you do when shooting with film?

All my work is shot on film so I'll just answer about shooting in general.
I don't exactly have any sort of routine before shooting. I just shoot. I obviously try to always be as inspired as possible by creating an interesting lifestyle for myself and by being surrounded by inspiring people and things.

Tell me 3 life changing moments that influenced your style of photography.

I think my style has always been influenced by the things/people around me and a certain lifestyle I have created for myself (as mentioned before). It was more of a gradual process than life changing moments that influenced my way of photographing.

What do you think is the essential element one needs to capture a photographic moment?

An essential element, in my opinion, is being able to show a unique/specific point-of-view on the subject you are shooting. This will be achieved a lot more accurately with an understanding of how lights and colors work in photography, so to create the exact mood you need to express this specific point-of-view.

Any exciting events/news coming up this year for you?

I might be in New York later this year for a season. Hopefully, I can get a show running there. I recently did a big collaboration with a boutique design firm in Tokyo and we will be screening and exhibiting some of my work for a week or two in August. And I'll definitely be having another solo exhibition here this year but nothing to announce yet.

Stay updated with Gui Martinez's work and projects by following him on Instagram and his website.

2017-06-23 #gear #people #art-lens #lomography-art-lenses #neptune-convertible-art-lens-system