BEHIND THE LENS
WITH
ALEX PEREZ
~~~
A CORUNA, SPAIN
ALEX PEREZ
~~~
A CORUNA, SPAIN
METAL PULP AND PAPER: Hello Alex. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for Metal Pulp And Paper’s feature called Behind The Lens. We appreciate it.
Before we go any further, let’s first tell everyone what Behind The Lens is all about. This feature is about the person that’s behind the camera lens. All about that individual that captures that perfect fiery orange of the setting sun, finds a child jumping in a mud puddle in the pouring rain, or catches the moons glow in the water next to some snowcapped mountains. Or captures the rock guitarist jumping in the air during mid solo. It’s about finding that beauty in something that some might not take notice of in their everyday busy lifestyles. Behind The Lens will be a way to get to know a little more about the photographer and the work that they bring to everyone. A full 360 degrees around the camera.
So, let’s take off the lens cap, and go behind the click of the shutter and get to know more about you and your photography, shall we?
How long have you been a photographer and taking pictures?
ALEX PEREZ: I tried to take pictures when I was a child: school holidays, my dogs, later came concerts… but it was in January 2009 when I seriously decided to become a photographer.
MPAP: What first drew you to it? Was there an inspiration for picking up the camera and beginning that journey into the art of photography?
ALEX: Almost embarrassing to tell because it is the lamest reason ever: women! I’ve always been attracted by goth girls and their sexy and beautiful aesthetics. I was checking one day the website of one of my favorite photographers when I saw maaaaany gorgeous girls I would not even dare to dream of, begging for him to shoot them. In some cases, even travelling from other continents just to be shot. That, somehow mad my blood boil hot: "if this guy can do it, I can do it too!".
MPAP: Now that you’ve been doing it for a while, what interests you the most about it? Is there a passion behind it for you at all?
ALEX: This is a very hard one because that is something I wonder very often, and I cannot find the answer anymore. Nowadays I think it has become some type of routine which I mostly enjoy with very close friends. Shooting has stopped being that exciting, but still gives me the chance of meeting interesting people. That’s probably the main interest, meeting interesting people.
MPAP: Can you describe that moment, the experience, or even the emotion you felt when you knew that photography was something you just had to do?
ALEX: I would say the moment I was awarded Best International Fetish Photographer, back in 2016. Maybe it is true what people say and I am not so bad. The nicest part is definitely when people you don’t know come to tell you they love what you do. It is a very weird but nice feeling, because at no time did I look for any recognition.
MPAP: What do you like to photograph the most of? Do you have a favorite setting, scene, landscape, or any items that you like to capture? Or do you like to just take pictures of people, or perhaps a live music concert now and then?
ALEX: What I like to photograph the most are alternative women, but in particular, of my super partner in crime Shelly D’Inferno. We love to travel to different countries together. Find spots for amazing locations and create some art at the same time. We love adventures, chill or just have fun. Another side of my photography, less known, and which I sometime combine with the pictures to models, is abandoned places. I like to visit them and try to capture their spirit, beauty and greatness while I imagine how life could have been there.
MPAP: Is there anything out there that you try to avoid taking pictures of?
ALEX: Yes, of all the rest! I’m not a person who enjoys taking any other type of pictures… so no landscapes, pets, weddings, parties, sports, concerts, etc… for me. Sometimes I even wonder if I really like photography!
MPAP: When picking up the camera, it obviously took some time, along with some practice, to get the feel and hang of it of what you wanted to do or go with it? Maybe even a class or two was taken to learn more about it. Tell us what were some of the challenges you’ve encountered with taking pictures? What have been some of the difficulties you’ve experienced since first began, and maybe still happens to this day?
ALEX: When I spent the money on my camera and saw I had absolutely no clue of how to use it I thought it would be smart to take some lessons in order to learn the basic concepts of photography. I did this for a couple of years before I started to fly alone. The biggest difficulty was to convince people I was determined in what I was trying to do and 'being allowed' to take pictures of them. You couldn’t imagine how many times I had to hear: "Are you a photographer? Are you joking? No way! Where’s your portfolio?" Technical and conceptual difficulties can be worked out by studying, taking thousands of pics, being persistent, hit and miss… but getting people’s trust and interest is a different story. In the beginning you beg people to shoot them and as years go by and if you do things well, at some point you realize tables have turned and people are basically begging you to shoot them. It’s a crazy world but reach a certain point you can shoot everyone you want.
MPAP: On the other side of it having some difficulties, what are some of your favorite things about being a photographer you can tell us about? What have been some of your camera highlights so far that you can share with us also?
ALEX: My fav things are making people happy when they get their pictures and having had the chance of meeting talented and amazing people all around the world who, somehow, like and are interested in what I do. Highlights have been to know my favorite photographers and models and many other people who maybe do not have a 'big name' but whom I truly adore.
MPAP: When someone sees the picture you’ve taken for the first time, whether it’s the new bride and groom, or a family member that just had a baby, what do you want someone to get out of it? Is there ever anything you’re trying to say within your pictures, a message deep in the pixels that makes it up?
ALEX: My pictures are strictly something between my model and I, I don’t care too much about what the rest of people external to the picture may think or say as long as I have my model satisfied. But of course, I am not going to lie: it is nice when you also get people’s appreciation. I wouldn’t say I try to add any message to my pictures, because what I basically try is just showing someone’s portrait (and most of the time beauty) in a way that shocks the viewers and the image manages to stay in their minds. We see tons of pictures every day, I try to avoid my images say nothing and become just 'one more' which nobody will remember 2 seconds later.
MPAP: Is there an artist or another photographer out there that you admire and might have influenced you at all? What about their work do you love the most?
ALEX: As an artist I would say Shelly D’Inferno because she is amazing in every discipline she tries: as a model, performer, designer, photographer, editor, weirdo and the most important one: friend. My favorite photographer and let’s say 'hero' is Steve Diet Goedde, whom I was able to meet in LA with Shelly thanks to my pictures.
MPAP: Before we move on to talking about the pictures that you shared with us, are there any tips or advice that you would want to give yourself if you had to pick up the camera and start photography all over again?
ALEX: Well I think I followed a nice path and I am quite ok with everything I’ve done. Maybe I should have been smarter not to work with certain people… but those are really the experiences you learn from.
MPAP: Now on to the pictures that you took and have shared with us here? Take us into each one of the pictures and tell us what they are about, and which one is your most favorite and why?
ALEX: It has been very difficult to make a selection, but I think these ones might describe me a bit…
Shelly D’Inferno. One of my fav pics ever and which summarizes perfectly the great time Shelly and I spent road tripping in the US. Image happened spontaneously: super warm day, driving for hours towards Palm Springs looking for some Joshua trees, a lonely road. Shelly jumped on this star & stripes latex pants, we had some cola… and I did the rest.
Shelly D’Inferno- Shot with Shelly in Spain, very close to my hometown is a very special place for me. The location is an old abandoned theme park from the very early XIX century, sadly completely abandoned and decadent these days… We should have not climbed its old remains, but it’s all for the sake of art!
Shelly D’Inferno- Beauty at its best. Shot in the outskirts of Las Vegas. The desert, high temperatures again, Shelly, her beauty, ink, bare skin… transmits beauty and fragility.
Cassidy Rose- Part of a series shot with Cassidy Rose in Köln for a well-known Music Store’s catalog… This particular one never made it, but is it one of my super favorites.
Shelly D’Inferno- Some kind of tribute to Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, my fav Iron Maiden album. Kick ass location with icebergs, a wicked mask and a demonic Shelly. One of those typical pictures where people ask: where do you find those locations?
Cecina Niehof- This was one of the most terrible shoots ever regarding organization, and the edition of the images was a real hell since every inch of the latex was super dirty in every take. But Cecina is one of the best models I know and with her beauty, attitude and too much work from my side cleaning the latex we finally got amazing images. One on my most successful shoots ever.
MPAP: Thanks for sharing. Those are some great pictures!
Everyone has a different style or taste, whether it’s street photography, modeling, black & white, or nature, from your point of view what do you think makes a good picture?
ALEX: If I am the one taking the picture, a good pic for me is that one which manages to show the idea I have in mind. I get very nice images sometimes, but not always do I manage to get exactly what I was trying to get. When I am the one looking at a picture, a good one for me is that one which is technically correct, with a good composition and balance of colors and which manages to transmit something.
MPAP: After the camera is put down for the moment, for the day, or for the night, whether it’s for a day or a week at a time, what else do you like to do in your free time?
ALEX: I am a very ordinary human being. I love to travel, listen to music, go to concerts, enjoy time with (some) friends… and sometimes, to be alone lost in my deadlyworld.
MPAP: Before we bring Behind The Lens to a close, just one last question and we’ll wrap things up and put the lens cap back on. What would you want to say to someone that’s interested in taking pictures for the very first time?
ALEX: It is basic to get some formation in photography, understand how the light works and once the knowledge is achieved, try to break those rules, being creative and doing what you like, never letting anyone telling you what to do, but constantly learning from everyone. Be yourself, believe in yourself and work very hard…
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Alex, for being a part of this Behind The Lens feature. It was great getting to know you and your photos. We look forward to seeing what you will capture in the future and beyond. Please tell us where we can find your work or your photo galleries on the internet, and any social media that the readers can follow you on?
ALEX: It’s been my pleasure to be published by a magazine which combines my 2 biggest passions: music and photography. I’m pretty active on the internet, so probably even if you don’t search for my work, it will somehow come to you. You can find me here:
www.deadlywood.com
www.alexperezfotografia.com
www.instagram.com/alex.perez.photo
www.facebook.com/deadlywood
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©metalpulpandpaper
Before we go any further, let’s first tell everyone what Behind The Lens is all about. This feature is about the person that’s behind the camera lens. All about that individual that captures that perfect fiery orange of the setting sun, finds a child jumping in a mud puddle in the pouring rain, or catches the moons glow in the water next to some snowcapped mountains. Or captures the rock guitarist jumping in the air during mid solo. It’s about finding that beauty in something that some might not take notice of in their everyday busy lifestyles. Behind The Lens will be a way to get to know a little more about the photographer and the work that they bring to everyone. A full 360 degrees around the camera.
So, let’s take off the lens cap, and go behind the click of the shutter and get to know more about you and your photography, shall we?
How long have you been a photographer and taking pictures?
ALEX PEREZ: I tried to take pictures when I was a child: school holidays, my dogs, later came concerts… but it was in January 2009 when I seriously decided to become a photographer.
MPAP: What first drew you to it? Was there an inspiration for picking up the camera and beginning that journey into the art of photography?
ALEX: Almost embarrassing to tell because it is the lamest reason ever: women! I’ve always been attracted by goth girls and their sexy and beautiful aesthetics. I was checking one day the website of one of my favorite photographers when I saw maaaaany gorgeous girls I would not even dare to dream of, begging for him to shoot them. In some cases, even travelling from other continents just to be shot. That, somehow mad my blood boil hot: "if this guy can do it, I can do it too!".
MPAP: Now that you’ve been doing it for a while, what interests you the most about it? Is there a passion behind it for you at all?
ALEX: This is a very hard one because that is something I wonder very often, and I cannot find the answer anymore. Nowadays I think it has become some type of routine which I mostly enjoy with very close friends. Shooting has stopped being that exciting, but still gives me the chance of meeting interesting people. That’s probably the main interest, meeting interesting people.
MPAP: Can you describe that moment, the experience, or even the emotion you felt when you knew that photography was something you just had to do?
ALEX: I would say the moment I was awarded Best International Fetish Photographer, back in 2016. Maybe it is true what people say and I am not so bad. The nicest part is definitely when people you don’t know come to tell you they love what you do. It is a very weird but nice feeling, because at no time did I look for any recognition.
MPAP: What do you like to photograph the most of? Do you have a favorite setting, scene, landscape, or any items that you like to capture? Or do you like to just take pictures of people, or perhaps a live music concert now and then?
ALEX: What I like to photograph the most are alternative women, but in particular, of my super partner in crime Shelly D’Inferno. We love to travel to different countries together. Find spots for amazing locations and create some art at the same time. We love adventures, chill or just have fun. Another side of my photography, less known, and which I sometime combine with the pictures to models, is abandoned places. I like to visit them and try to capture their spirit, beauty and greatness while I imagine how life could have been there.
MPAP: Is there anything out there that you try to avoid taking pictures of?
ALEX: Yes, of all the rest! I’m not a person who enjoys taking any other type of pictures… so no landscapes, pets, weddings, parties, sports, concerts, etc… for me. Sometimes I even wonder if I really like photography!
MPAP: When picking up the camera, it obviously took some time, along with some practice, to get the feel and hang of it of what you wanted to do or go with it? Maybe even a class or two was taken to learn more about it. Tell us what were some of the challenges you’ve encountered with taking pictures? What have been some of the difficulties you’ve experienced since first began, and maybe still happens to this day?
ALEX: When I spent the money on my camera and saw I had absolutely no clue of how to use it I thought it would be smart to take some lessons in order to learn the basic concepts of photography. I did this for a couple of years before I started to fly alone. The biggest difficulty was to convince people I was determined in what I was trying to do and 'being allowed' to take pictures of them. You couldn’t imagine how many times I had to hear: "Are you a photographer? Are you joking? No way! Where’s your portfolio?" Technical and conceptual difficulties can be worked out by studying, taking thousands of pics, being persistent, hit and miss… but getting people’s trust and interest is a different story. In the beginning you beg people to shoot them and as years go by and if you do things well, at some point you realize tables have turned and people are basically begging you to shoot them. It’s a crazy world but reach a certain point you can shoot everyone you want.
MPAP: On the other side of it having some difficulties, what are some of your favorite things about being a photographer you can tell us about? What have been some of your camera highlights so far that you can share with us also?
ALEX: My fav things are making people happy when they get their pictures and having had the chance of meeting talented and amazing people all around the world who, somehow, like and are interested in what I do. Highlights have been to know my favorite photographers and models and many other people who maybe do not have a 'big name' but whom I truly adore.
MPAP: When someone sees the picture you’ve taken for the first time, whether it’s the new bride and groom, or a family member that just had a baby, what do you want someone to get out of it? Is there ever anything you’re trying to say within your pictures, a message deep in the pixels that makes it up?
ALEX: My pictures are strictly something between my model and I, I don’t care too much about what the rest of people external to the picture may think or say as long as I have my model satisfied. But of course, I am not going to lie: it is nice when you also get people’s appreciation. I wouldn’t say I try to add any message to my pictures, because what I basically try is just showing someone’s portrait (and most of the time beauty) in a way that shocks the viewers and the image manages to stay in their minds. We see tons of pictures every day, I try to avoid my images say nothing and become just 'one more' which nobody will remember 2 seconds later.
MPAP: Is there an artist or another photographer out there that you admire and might have influenced you at all? What about their work do you love the most?
ALEX: As an artist I would say Shelly D’Inferno because she is amazing in every discipline she tries: as a model, performer, designer, photographer, editor, weirdo and the most important one: friend. My favorite photographer and let’s say 'hero' is Steve Diet Goedde, whom I was able to meet in LA with Shelly thanks to my pictures.
MPAP: Before we move on to talking about the pictures that you shared with us, are there any tips or advice that you would want to give yourself if you had to pick up the camera and start photography all over again?
ALEX: Well I think I followed a nice path and I am quite ok with everything I’ve done. Maybe I should have been smarter not to work with certain people… but those are really the experiences you learn from.
MPAP: Now on to the pictures that you took and have shared with us here? Take us into each one of the pictures and tell us what they are about, and which one is your most favorite and why?
ALEX: It has been very difficult to make a selection, but I think these ones might describe me a bit…
Shelly D’Inferno. One of my fav pics ever and which summarizes perfectly the great time Shelly and I spent road tripping in the US. Image happened spontaneously: super warm day, driving for hours towards Palm Springs looking for some Joshua trees, a lonely road. Shelly jumped on this star & stripes latex pants, we had some cola… and I did the rest.
Shelly D’Inferno- Shot with Shelly in Spain, very close to my hometown is a very special place for me. The location is an old abandoned theme park from the very early XIX century, sadly completely abandoned and decadent these days… We should have not climbed its old remains, but it’s all for the sake of art!
Shelly D’Inferno- Beauty at its best. Shot in the outskirts of Las Vegas. The desert, high temperatures again, Shelly, her beauty, ink, bare skin… transmits beauty and fragility.
Cassidy Rose- Part of a series shot with Cassidy Rose in Köln for a well-known Music Store’s catalog… This particular one never made it, but is it one of my super favorites. Shelly D’Inferno- Some kind of tribute to Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, my fav Iron Maiden album. Kick ass location with icebergs, a wicked mask and a demonic Shelly. One of those typical pictures where people ask: where do you find those locations?
Cecina Niehof- This was one of the most terrible shoots ever regarding organization, and the edition of the images was a real hell since every inch of the latex was super dirty in every take. But Cecina is one of the best models I know and with her beauty, attitude and too much work from my side cleaning the latex we finally got amazing images. One on my most successful shoots ever.
MPAP: Thanks for sharing. Those are some great pictures!
Everyone has a different style or taste, whether it’s street photography, modeling, black & white, or nature, from your point of view what do you think makes a good picture?
ALEX: If I am the one taking the picture, a good pic for me is that one which manages to show the idea I have in mind. I get very nice images sometimes, but not always do I manage to get exactly what I was trying to get. When I am the one looking at a picture, a good one for me is that one which is technically correct, with a good composition and balance of colors and which manages to transmit something.
MPAP: After the camera is put down for the moment, for the day, or for the night, whether it’s for a day or a week at a time, what else do you like to do in your free time?
ALEX: I am a very ordinary human being. I love to travel, listen to music, go to concerts, enjoy time with (some) friends… and sometimes, to be alone lost in my deadlyworld.
MPAP: Before we bring Behind The Lens to a close, just one last question and we’ll wrap things up and put the lens cap back on. What would you want to say to someone that’s interested in taking pictures for the very first time?
ALEX: It is basic to get some formation in photography, understand how the light works and once the knowledge is achieved, try to break those rules, being creative and doing what you like, never letting anyone telling you what to do, but constantly learning from everyone. Be yourself, believe in yourself and work very hard…
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Alex, for being a part of this Behind The Lens feature. It was great getting to know you and your photos. We look forward to seeing what you will capture in the future and beyond. Please tell us where we can find your work or your photo galleries on the internet, and any social media that the readers can follow you on?
ALEX: It’s been my pleasure to be published by a magazine which combines my 2 biggest passions: music and photography. I’m pretty active on the internet, so probably even if you don’t search for my work, it will somehow come to you. You can find me here:
www.deadlywood.com
www.alexperezfotografia.com
www.instagram.com/alex.perez.photo
www.facebook.com/deadlywood
©metalpulpandpaper