Why I Love Optics: Michael Larzhay, Photographer

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?

I’ve 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. There’s 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 that’s 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?

I’ve 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 — in literal seconds. I spend more time being creative and less time doing tedious tasks.

Which Optics effects do you use most — and why?

I was going to say either light leaks or lens flares, but it’s 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. I’ve tried a lot of plugins (too many!) over the years and ditched them all except two, mostly because they bogged down my workflow. I’m 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 can’t choose one effect, but I’ll say the entire Light section is a treasure trove. It’s 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 “time” feature that’s truly game-changing. 

3) Unlimited creative options that can be tweaked and saved make this a dream app for photographers.

What’s 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 you’d never think of. Optics is at its best when you don’t play safe with the program, so go crazy!

What feature requests do you have for the Boris FX product designers? 

I’d 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

What’s your favorite project or image that you’ve ever worked on — and why?

My images are my babies! There’s no way I can choose between them! 

What’s your best advice for people looking to become professional photographers?

Photography is like cooking. It isn’t 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 — just one who cooks with light.

Learn more about Optics and download the Boris FX Hub for a free trial.