The native New Yorker shares which effects he uses most, why the EZ Mask is a must-have tool, and how the plugin has made him more efficient.
Larzhay is a luxury portrait photographer born and raised in New York City. He is a self-taught artist who transitioned from film to photography. During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, he traveled around NYC/NJ and captured the desolation of the lockdown, which he hopes to turn into a book. He shoots with a Sony A7RV (his current camera of choice) and relies on Boris FX Optics in Photoshop to quickly add effects. You can find him on Instagram.
How did you get into photography?
Iโve always loved it! As a kid, I would look through magazines and be in awe of the images, whether it was Sports Illustrated or National Geographic. Thereโs nothing like viewing a great photograph and letting it stimulate your imagination.
Optics filters used: Reflector, Mist, Photographic Gradient, Light Leak, Ambient Light
Where do you draw creative inspiration from?
Cinema. For a time, I wanted to be a film director, so thatโs my background. I admire the work of visionaries like David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, and Ridley Scott, as well as DPs like John Alcott, Roger Deakins, and Wally Pfister. Dreams are another source of inspiration for me. I write down what I see in my dreams and try to work them into a shoot concept.
How did you first discover Optics, and how long have you been using it? Do you use it in Photoshop only? Lightroom only? Standalone?
Iโve been using Optics for two years now after seeing an ad in 2022. What caught my attention was how it was geared specifically to photographers' needs. I use it as a PS plugin and love how easily it fits into my workflow of Lightroom > Photoshop > Optics.
Optics filters used: Film Stocks, Film Damage, Low Contrast, Light Leak
What type of photo editing/photo manipulation tasks do you look to a plugin like Optics to help with?
Previously, I used static overlays for effects, and it was time-consuming to get them to look precisely how I wanted. FX editing in Optics is so much more efficient because now I can place a lightning bolt and quickly alter the number of bolts, color, width, length, branches, angles, glow, and intensity โ in literal seconds. I spend more time being creative and less time doing tedious tasks.
Which Optics effects do you use most โ and why?
I was going to say either light leaks or lens flares, but itโs probably the EZ Mask. I love that I can create a mask, and change the filter to any other effect. The mask remains a truly underrated feature, to be sure!
Before Optics was available, how did you create effects like glows and lens flares? Have you used other photo plugins?
Before Optics, I made my own glows in PS and purchased lens flare overlays. Iโve tried a lot of plugins (too many!) over the years and ditched them all except two, mostly because they bogged down my workflow. Iโm thankful for Optics because almost everything I need is in one program.
Optics filters used: Film Stocks
If you could have only one Optics effect, which would it be?
I canโt choose one effect, but Iโll say the entire Light section is a treasure trove. Itโs incredible how malleable it all is.
What are your top 3 reasons why photographers like yourself should use Optics?
1) Ease of use and there are free tutorials online for anyone willing to learn.
2) A suite of first-rate effects with a โtimeโ feature thatโs truly game-changing.
3) Unlimited creative options that can be tweaked and saved make this a dream app for photographers.
Whatโs your best pro tip to artists new to Optics?
Optics has so many options, it can feel overwhelming, but embrace it. Experiment with them all and try combinations youโd never think of. Optics is at its best when you donโt play safe with the program, so go crazy!
What feature requests do you have for the Boris FX product designers?
Iโd love to be able to quickly flip effects horizontally or vertically. Not the layer but the effect itself.
Optics filters used: Film Stocks, Mist, Lens Flare
Whatโs your favorite project or image that youโve ever worked on โ and why?
My images are my babies! Thereโs no way I can choose between them!
Whatโs your best advice for people looking to become professional photographers?
Photography is like cooking. It isnโt easy and requires practice, skill, and dedication to be great. Everyone has a kitchen, and anyone can cook, but not everyone will be a great chef! A great photographer is a chef โ just one who cooks with light.
Learn more about Optics and download the Boris FX Hub for a free trial.
