Petzval LomoAmigo: Takeshi Suga

Takeshi Suga is a photographer from Japan who loves Lomography. He embraces all the elements of film photography and creates images that are soft and dreamy. We couldn’t wait to lend him a Petzval lens and the results he came back with are stunning.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into photography?

My name is Takeshi Suga. I’m a photographer from Kobe, Japan. I shoot light and colours, basically. I moved to London last November. I’m currently living in Forest Hill. Originally, I wanted to be a film director but I was never bothered to write a script. So I started to wander around with my camera instead. I love literature but as it turned out I’m more of a visual person and am fond of solitude…

How was it shooting with the New Petzval lens?
Brilliant! I’d been interested to try it out ever since it was released. I finally got the chance when I shot a lookbook for Leftovers, an antique and vintage fashion shop in Brixton Village. The images you see here are from the lookbook entitled “The Gardener’s Muse”, due out in late November. The fantastic look the lens creates is perfect for the philosophy and aesthetics of the shop. I had learned that focusing would be a bit of headache but I quite enjoyed the Petzval way of focusing. I’ve always felt auto focus leaves too much in the hands of a camera when shooting digital.

In your opinion, what makes the perfect portrait?

Chemistry.

Have you had any difficult or challenging situations throughout your photography career?

I’m having them all the time. I think they’re part of the game. I take it for granted. I’d be bored without them!

What piece of advice would you give to someone who wants to become a professional portrait photographer?

As Ansel Adams puts it, I bring to the act of photography all the films I have seen, the books I have read, the music I have heard and the people I have loved. So my advice would be to devour everything and every moment of your life.

These images are currently on exhibition at Lomography+ Tokyo.

Credits:
Model: Anna Smirnova
Styling: Margot Waggoner 　
Photography: Takeshi Suga　
Hair & Make Up: Anna Burel
Assistant: Shiori Kadoi Coleman

written by hannah_brown on 2014-10-31 #people #accessories #analogue-photography #instant-photography #uk #portraits #lomography-gallery-store #gallery-store #analogue-cameras #exhibitions #lomoamigo #eastlondon #takeshi-suga #regular-contributors #quickie-tipsters #londonsoho #soholondon #petzval