LOYALTY / TRUST / COMMITMENT

AlravNyn is a “nom de plume” under which the photographer creates and publishes his photographs. “Alrav” is an anagram for the name of the photographer’s pet dog, long since passed but whose loyalty, trust and unqualified commitment to his human “pack” helped shape the photographer’s core values as a young man. For those who have been interested enough to ask about the origins of the name, he proudly boasts about being named after a dog.

Pursuing photography as a hobby, AlravNyn seeks to explore all aspects of what the camera eye can see, capturing the beauty and diversity of all things by using all styles of photography ranging from macro photography to capture the very small, to underwater photography to capture life as it exists on the other 2/3rds of the planet through to astrophotography using cameras mounted to telescopes to capture distant universes. As part of these photographic pursuits when shooting people  AlravNyn seeks to combine interesting people, places, wardrobe and lighting to create stunning photographs that both he and his models can be proud of.

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Moevir Magazine February Issue 2022 featured edition

[Seek No Approvals]

https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2159723

Photographer: AlravNyn @alravnyn

Fashion Designer: Northbound Leather @northbound.leather

Model: Cecilia Renee @ceciliaarenee

studio: Neon Demon Studio @neondemonstudioi

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Tell us something about you. Maybe your life, profession, habit, dream.

I  took up photography as a hobby later in life after inheriting a DSLR camera from my wife who lost her battle with cancer. Since then, I have used photography as a way of connecting to many different things that I enjoy in life, including but not limited to travel with vacation photos, people with all the interesting models I work with, nature with nature photography, and exploration via astrophotography for very large things far away and macro photography for very small things very close.

In your daily routine, what resources do you like to learn new things about art, fashion?

As part of my daily routine I am almost always on the lookout for new items and places which could be used for the purpose of creating something interesting in photos. Thrift shops offer a plethora of fashions for reasonable prices (one person’s garbage is another’s treasure) and postseason sales, such as the post Christmas sales where stores get rid of surplus Christmas lighting and decorations provide great resources for various light set ups and backdrop setups for next year.

Is art, fashion important in your life? Why?

Art is fashion and fashion is art. Life is an art that should be lived fashionably in accordance with the highest values and ambitions.  Fashion and art are means by which we define ourselves in this world and to those around us. The art of a life well lived can be a lasting testament to our brief presence in this world. 

If you have a superpower or talent, which one do you wish to have? Why? 

If I could be granted one superpower or talent it would be the power of hindsight. Most of the mistakes that are made in life could be avoided if we were simply able to learn from past mistakes. 

In modern society, lots of people want to be famous and influential. What do you think about it?

Fame and influence are highly overrated. Those who seek either or both solely for having them seldomly acquire them and end up unhappy as a result. True fame and influence comes from hard work, patience, generosity of spirit and kindness.These characteristics typically contribute to happiness which is in my opinion more important than either fame or influence.

What will be the suggestions to new photographers?

My best suggestion for new photographers would be to push yourself to learn continually. Learn the exposure triangle and about light and shadow. Learn about people and places which will be the subject matter of your photographs. Learn the technology that you will use in taking your photos and in processing them. Learn continually!

What is your favorite camera? Why?

My favorite camera is always evolving and really depends on what shot I am trying to capture. Different cameras have different capabilities and as newer models of those cameras are released, the capabilities increase. Having started with a Canon 6D and then upgrading to a 6D MKII and most recently a R6, I greatly enjoy using each of the cameras for different shoots. My original 6D has been converted to a full spectrum camera for astrophotography, my 6D MKII for nature photography and the R6 for model photography. 

Where does your inspiration come from?

Inspiration can come from anywhere. In the case of the “Seek No Approval” set, I was inspired by the beauty of NorthBound Leather’s harness and then had them make a custom shoulder piece, hat and gloves to go with it. From there, I waited for the right model and place to shoot. I have also been inspired while shopping in Costco one time when I found this flood light that is meant to be used outside to project Christmas colors on your house. The effects I have achieved with that silly light have been amazing to me and will hopefully see the light of day in a future publication.

What are the most difficulties during your shoots?

I would say that contemplating and being prepared for environmental factors probably bring the most difficulties during a shoot. Being prepared for different environments can involve issues of clothing for a model to wear between shots, privacy issues when shooting in any general public place, or something as simple but important as having mosquito repellant when shooting a twilight backdrop with a model in lingerie and therefore a veritable mosquito smorgestboard.

How often do you create new works?

As a hobby, I do try to create new works of some sort at least every month. If not working with models and concepts, then simply going out to shoot nature or astral photography at night, or staying in to set up some form of a macro photography concept such as water drops or reactive minerals.

What is the most important thing for creating new work?

The most important thing in creating new work really has to be passion and the ability for those in front of the camera to convey it and for the person behind the camera to capture it.

Do you have that feeling? When you have a look at the work you created 1 or 2 years ago, you still think it is in fashion. 

When looking bad at my earlier photography I can certainly see where I needed to improve but in most cases, yes I still think many of those shots are timeless in nature. Elegance and eroticism in both fashion and art remain largely timeless.

Will you still create new works when you are old?

This question makes me chuckle. Not having really started taking photography seriously until I was approximately 58 or 59, many would say I was already “old” when I started. I am hoping that I still have a few more good years of being able to crawl around on the floor and climb up onto things to get those great angles on shots!