I am pleased to announce the completion of the second video interview for Pineapple. This time, with Eugenio A. Schulz Mexican and an Argentine photographer , Hiram Di Lorenzo talked in front of the camera. Both of them have been featured here on Pineapple (click here for Eugenio, click here for Hiram) and if you have PNPPL zine 05 magazine, you can find their material there too.
During the interview they talk about where they started, where they are going, talk about the differences and similarities in their work and of course add a lot of details to the picture of them. You can watch the interview in Spanish, and you can find an English translation below. Both of them also brought an exclusive material, Hiram is committed to nature and naturalism, while Eugenio represents the expressionist line. Two different styles, but now in one article.
ES / Eugenio A. Schulz @eugenioaschulz – HDL / Hiram Di Lorenzo @hproyecto
ES: How about we start with your background: where did you grow up, where have you lived and how did you become a photographer?
HDL: I’m from Mendoza, a province in western Argentina, bordering Chile. We have many mountains and I grew up and have lived here my whole life, except for a few occasions I visited Mexico.
ES: How did your interest in photography begin?
HDL: I have no recollection of an exact moment where I felt attracted towards photography. I grew up in a generation of changes in photography, which allowed me to try all technology available at a very young age. It was starting college when my interest really kicked in, I’ve been a photographer for almost ten years. Now tell me about you.
ES: I’m from Mexico City originally, but grew up in Cancun. Later on, I lived for a while in Canada, where I took some graphic design and photography courses. I came back to Mexico City to study advertising and started working on editorial. But I was introduced to photography because I used to have a jewelry brand, so naturally, I needed photographs to advertise it, but I abandoned it and focused on photography. I really like jewelry and I plan to go back to it, I find it a really great form of self expression. Since I love drawing too, I think any visual content is within my interests.
HDL: So you always create an aesthetic. How old are you? ES: 23 years old. HDL: OMG, so young! I really enjoy meeting younger creators with such an impact and authentic voice.
ES: Thanks! I was born on September 27th. HDL: So, you’re a Libra. ES: Sure! What about you? HDL: I was born June 10th, I’m a gemini.
ES: How is your pandemic life going?
HDL: I was at the mountain when it all started, so I didn’t have much internet access or communication at all. When I returned to my home, which is a medium-size city, transportation was really limited. I think quarantine in Argentina was actually the longest one in the world, so we couldn’t travel. Fortunately, I haven’t had Covid. Professionally, life hasn’t changed much, I just started experimenting with any type of photography. I had to reinvent myself but it was for the art. Above all, it has been a time to grow and learn new things.
HDL: How about yours?
ES: By the time it all started I was in Cancun visiting my mother for her birthday and surprise! I had to stay for two more weeks, which turned out to be 6 months. I lost all my work scheduled at the beginning of the pandemic. Being one of the most populated in the world, Mexico City was chaos and life as we know it just stopped. So, staying at Cancun was actually fun because I haven’t stayed in for a while. I had time to see old friends and family. When September arrived I came back to the city and started working again. I really feel like the creative industry has found ways to stay current in the digital world. I actually tried doing online photoshoots and I didn’t enjoy it.
HDL: Yeah I know, you miss the touch and feeling of the film. The interesting thing about technology is what you can do creatively speaking. I’ve seen photographers doing it and using the latest technology, but it didn’t really work for me, I really need to feel the environment and connect with it to work all the possibilities.
ES: Sure, it was complicated. We made an editorial, just between the model and me. She had to be the make up artist, stylist, everything. It was a cool experience! I wouldn’t want to repeat it, though.
HDL: Some of the years when I lived in Mexico, I lived in Cancun too. At the tourists zone and then downtown, near Walmart, before living in Puerto Juárez. I love it, Mexico has a special place in my heart.
Photographed by Hiram Di Lorenzo @hproyecto
HDL: Let’s talk more about photography. Since I’ve followed you on Instagram, I’ve seen your work talks about all sorts of things, of all those issues, which one is your favorite?
ES: I really like taking portraits, either head-and-shoulders crop or full length, but lately I really enjoy doing product photography, because you are in control of everything. In quarantine, many jewelry brands sent me the product and it is a freer job.
HDL: Of course, rather than having the creative director on top or brand owner…
ES: Yeah.. so, I’ve really enjoyed doing product photography, because you can set up the studio and space as you wish, you can use different lighting and do it at 4 am if you want!
HDL: Yes, because the only human factor there was ours during the photo and you are more under control. Doing product photography, you only have to please yourself and also the brand…
ES: Exactly! I have also illustrated a lot and would like to combine it with my photography. What did you like the most?
HDL: As for the photo, I work particularly with portraits, at some point I started drawing and I don’t know, never did it again. When making a book, I take several shots to use as illustrations. What do I like to photograph? I don’t know, I have a love for landscapes. I am sensitive to many photographic issues because of the charm they convey, the composition, to see that instant on the street. I love observing situations and imagining photographs in my head, I also do a lot of event photography. Here, unlike there, it is summer. Luckily, December is ending. Without parties, people will go crazy, so you can have them only if you invite up to 250 people.
ES: Events are highly regulated here.
HDL: Now’s a good time to do that, because we’re finally free after a while we were in confinement. So I keep doing social photography, which amuses me a lot. I love the documentary-style moments of a celebration. I always work with a documentary style but in a love union there are many very important things, not only about the protagonists, but also the environment. I have a lot of fun telling that story.
ES: I only worked at one wedding and it was a horrible experience. HDL: Sure, it depends on the wedding, I have worked in several and my favorites are the Argentinian ones. Because I get the party. ES: It feels close. HDL: Right!
HDL: We also get to know the clients a lot, so representing that situation is interesting, more accurate.
ES: I’m thinking of doing it, lots of people come to Cancun to get married. Are you? Married? HDL: No, I’m not. HDL: I worked a lot at weddings while I was staying at Cancun.
ES: I want to work on weddings, but the only wedding I did here in Cancun, I erased the camera memory card and lost all of the photos, because it got hacked. I got them back a month later, but before then, I was in agony. HDL: You can’t lose a thing!
ES: So you really like portraying outdoors and events.
HDL: Sure, but i like my personal project more than anything. It started a while ago. I think it’s really important to prioritize it. It has a better reach than I expected.
ES: What’s that project about?
HDL: I take male-nude portraits in nature. It all started as photography for myself. Then, my love for landscape photography emerged, so I started expressing myself as a need for nature and took self-portraits. That’s why it is always about telling personal stories from the point of view of both the model and the photographer. When we both are the protagonists, we generate good portraits. I like photographing people, adding more life to nature. Natural environments with life and this documentary part. Luckily in some cases I have been able to mix the same people in different photo styles.
ES: Lots of couples want their wedding session in a natural environment, I suppose.
HDL: Yes, look, the pre-wedding session is not very fashionable here. Because we do live in a natural environment, not as in Mexico. Here we just like documenting the day.
HDL: Well, I always wanted to review books and I realized that I really like documenting photography as an object. So I started working to make it happen and materialize it. ES: That’s how you started collaborating with Pineapple… HDL: Yes.
Photographed by Eugenio A. Schulz @eugenioaschulz
Model: Andrew @drewfromthegym / Stylist: Juka @jukafashionstylist
HDL: I’ve seen your ID’s and passports project , tell me more about it.
ES: It all started because I saw the cover of a record that had a student ID on it. My mom has always kept family IDs and photos, so I liked that aesthetic. Around that time, it was the trans day of visibility. A friend just got her first document as a woman… So I wanted to talk about identity in general and how our appearance often does not reflect who we are or may not identify us as much as something that feels ours. From your Facebook or Instagram, to your passport. Adding to the pandemic, where everything was digital. I started collecting photographs of trans girls in general, and then I extended it to everyone, because we have all felt disconnected with what it represents us visually. For example, a photograph from 5 years ago, when you look at it and think “that’s not me.” So I began to collect images of identifications and it escalated, people wanted to be part of it and they began to send me all their photos and it talks about of the identity that we develop through our lives. Instagram is censoring even these photos! HDL: But it’s only part of it, right? ES: Yes, it is just an ID scan. And I want to put up on it again.
HDL: I was gonna ask, have you published it?
ES: I have all the photos in a file on my computer, and since it started so organically, I collected about 300 photos and I have not thought very well about how to land it. I would like to print it and make a collage or installation. If you want, you can send me yours.
HDL: Yes of course!, I just moved out, but I have an envelope with many photos of me from when I was a child to the most current one. I find it interesting to present it as a sequence of the passage of time.
ES: There were some people that sent me their photographs throughout their lives.
HDL: Yes, I’ll send you some funny ones. You are a photographer who narrates and tells stories, I see that in your documentary style. Where do you find inspiration, stories to tell, do you invent them or are they yours?
ES: I consider myself an observant person and I try to find inspiration in absolutely everything that appears to my eyes. If I am at the airport and I see people, I look for a reference to link them with. If I’m drawing and a commercial appears on TV, the song catches my attention and I write it down as inspiration. I am looking for answers all the time.
ES: Once you look at things with curiosity, a narrative is born. I also like to train my eye so that this narrative can be visual, as a drawing, photograph or portrait.For example, two years ago I got sunburned, which caused me terrible blisters and I was traumatized. So I thought about what would happen if they got on my face. I put on a prosthesis and took some pictures of it.
ES: All of this because of a sunburn. I create all sorts of stories so people can interpret them. I try to have a sponge state of mind and get inspiration from everywhere and anything.
HDL: Yes, it is important, because you cannot go out with the camera all the time, but there is a large part of the time when you are not doing it but you are putting the image together and these experiences are important to start creating. It has happened to me. For example, if I see a couple passing by in the street, I create a dialogue for them. It is something fleeting, you have to be very attentive to develop it, I really like that technique.
ES: I had a homework of taking pictures every hour of the day, so you end up with a repertoire of 200 very specific photos. These exercises train the eyes and the mind to be on the lookout.
HDL: Analog photography has a lot of that, because of accessibility. Nowadays, due to some limitations, you have to plan the image you wanna create.
HDL: Which is your all-time favorite fairy tale and why?
ES: I remember my mom reading Hansel and Gretel for me. I really liked the crumbs part and the whole witch thing. I also liked The sword in the stone. Nowadays, I get more inspiration in magical elements such as fairies, mushrooms, the forest…
HDL: It happens to me, whenever I talk about fairy tales I immediately think of Disney. ES: As in Cinderella? HDL: Sure, but I loved The Jungle book. I find it more human, rather than having your carriage made into a giant pumpkin. ES: I really liked Jack and the magic beans, too. HDL: Have you seen Jim and the giant peach? ES: Sure! I love the animation on Burton’s version. HDL: Well, that version is one of the newest ones.. ES: I think Disney bought it already.
HDL: Do you have ever tried to add some pieces in your photography?
ES: Yes, I took some photographs inspired by Beauty and the Beast at the beginning of the pandemic. The model and I styled with roses from a long distance.
HDL: Do you show off all of your works on Instagram?
ES: Yeah, most of it. There are some things that are special only to me HDL: Yeah, your personal and professional work. ES: Yes! I can choose what goes to my Instagram account. Social media is difficult because they ban images sometimes, so I try to put only commercial work in there.
HDL: When I look at your work, it reminds me of a fantastic world. Has this world been your world from the beginning?
ES: I think it all goes hand in hand with alteration and doing a bit of what you want. I’ve always liked things to be different, and fantasy is definitely something different. A new planet, the distortion of the body… And going back to roses, I like flowers a lot. HDL: I can see that on your pictures! ES: I really enjoyed the element of the untouchable magic rose.
HDL: How do you get photo shoot-ready? Do you like working on your own or would you rather work with a team?
ES: It is very important to be in a comfortable environment for everyone, from the model to the production to the makeup artist. Let all opinions count. I like to develop an idea with a mood board and references to be prepared before the session. But I do improvise a lot, something will always change during the session. So I do like working with people who are open to speaking out loud, a space where everyone has a voice. How do you get ready for a photo shoot?
HDL: I do basically the same process, always getting to know people beforehand and ensuring that both: the portrayed person and I understand each other and are aware of what we are going to do. I like going in blank, I really enjoy exploring and being perceptive with space while taking the photos. I think about some things as part of the preparation ritual: knowing the exact place I will go and at what time…
ES: Because of the light?
HDL: Yes, I use natural light, as long as I can. There are times that I like to portray a personal experience. I think it is very important to have great communication, and people willing to listen, because I do something that exposes people a lot. So they can feel comfortable and safe. In some places nudism is not legal, so you also have to be comfortable on that side and be willing and comfortable in nature. It’s really necessary that people feel good on their own skin.
ES: That’s kinda the point. HDL: Of course. Documenting the person having a good time and that in the end they see something new and that they enjoy the memory as something that transmits what they lived being in nature. I see that post production is a big part of your job, and you like it a lot. Do you enjoy doing it or just the result?
ES: I really enjoy the process, many times while taking the photo I already know what I’m going to do when I edit them. I like to have the photography in my hands and make physical notes. There was a time when I would print the photos and alter them and then scan them. All of it is part of post-production. This was until I saw how many papers I produced and found new ways to do this post-production. Yes I really enjoy doing it and I am very immediate. If I take some photos today in the morning I like to make the selection and at night some editing, to have them delivered the next day. Because I know myself, I am easily distracted.
ES: I really like to go back to my past editorials and do them again.
HDL: Love that! ES Yeah, post-production is something I really like.
HDL: Same here, it seems like something very important to me, and I do a lot. But unlike you, I finish as it is. I am interested in seeing the whole picture, so I let the project advance and then look at them again to see if I find new things, to be able to do a more precise color treatment. Sometimes I let it go and turn the images, then I see something new in them.
HDL: Going back to analog photography, do you have the same process or do you digitize, edit …?
ES: I always take analog and digital photographs, since the incident at the wedding to make sure it won’t happen again. With film, it takes me longer because before I used to print at a photography center and the pandemic started, which was limited. But if it is the same process, it takes longer. HDL: Yes, finish the film first and then develop it… ES: Right, the selecting process… I also really like working with negatives, sometimes I scan them and other times I manipulate them to get new results. So I do all these processes either analog or digital. I combine a bit of every technique.
HDL: Yes, I don’t trust the physical thing much, I need to digitize it in order to have the opportunity to experiment more. I hardly edit anything analogous. I really enjoy the essence of the film. I don’t make color modifications.
ES: Many times you make these modifications when choosing the film, for example, if you want a more green or blue tone … Then the film gives you that. Have you felt limited? HDL: Yes, where I live there is hardly anyone who reveals well, due to space issues. Then, production comes in, which is not really much, and when it enters a laboratory, you start to produce more.
HDL: Easy access and costs ES: I had to pause all analog photography because of the pandemic. HDL: Since we’re already talking photography, I’m curious, do you feel passionate about other activities? ES: I really enjoy roller skating, in Mexico City, specifically. I also found a way to enjoy my everyday routine, cooking and finding new hobbies in everyday activities. What about you?
HDL: I love swimming whenever I get the chance, because I find the water fascinating. I also like cooking for my friends. Since the pandemic started I’ve been working on my carpentry skills, which I started back at school.
ES: I love swimming too! Growing up in Cancun, water was a huge part of my life.
Thanks for the interview to Eugenio & Hiram and huge Thanks for the translation Karla!
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