Alejandro Laurel

Our interview with Alejandro Laurel, an LA based photographer. Sharing his photography under the name 'Some Pulp', Alejandro is inspired by, and aims to capture, old school charm and edge. His work ranges from lifestyle and fashion to product, street and landscape photography.  

"I THINK PEOPLE CRAVE THE CONCRETE TANGIBILITY OF FILM. THERE'S A SENSE OF SATISFACTION THAT COMES FROM DOING SOMETHING IN ITS MOST ORGANIC AND ORIGINAL FORM"

At what age did you start shooting with film? What sparked this passion?

"I bought my first film camera in February of last year (2020). For me, photography started out as more of an interest and curiosity than a passion. I’ve always been creatively inclined and visually inspired. But more than anything, I really just wanted to find out what I could do with a camera. I was curious to see the kind of work I was capable of creating. It was through shooting and scratching that itch that the curiosity became a passion."

Can you tell me about this shot (La Piscine), where it was taken, the concept/message of the photo and why you chose to shoot what you did?

"The intention behind this photo was purely vibe-driven. I could assign more meaning to it, but honestly, I just wanted a shot that felt classic and timeless. The title, “La Piscine” was a direct reference to the 1969 film. I wanted to recreate the image of Romy Schneider in that white one-piece."

What gets you up in the mornings? And what’s the first thing that you do?

"I love sleep more than most things, but I feel I owe it to myself to squeeze each day for all it’s got. It’s this sense of responsibility and excitement for what I could reap from the discipline that gets me out of bed in the mornings. So after hitting the snooze button for the 7th time, I get out of bed, make myself some coffee, make a list of all the things I want/need to do for the day and check them off as I go."

Are there any quotes that you live by?

"Yes, I’m not sure who said it, but the quote is: “Your comfort zone will kill you.”'

What inspires you the most?

"I’ve always had a love for classic shit. True rock n roll (Hendrix), classic cinema (Kubrick), timeless fashion (Ralph)... These people and the worlds they created inspire my work, both conceptually and aesthetically. Shooting film was a way to create my own world, in the style that shaped me."

Do you think that film is truly still alive? Even in such a digital era?

"I definitely think that film is still alive. I think people crave the sort of concrete tangibility of it. There’s a sense of satisfaction that comes from doing something in its most organic and original form."

Do you prefer analog over digital photography? Do you think these two modes can coexist, or is it necessary to take sides?

"I personally prefer analog to digital, but also believe the two modes may coexist. I think they each serve their purpose. To me, it’s like the difference between a firewood grill (film) or a gas grill (digital). Both get the job done, there are pros and cons to each, it’s really just a matter of preference."