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I’m Paul Fuentes, an artist known for mashups and creative fine art photography.
I use photography as a canvas for my imagination, crafting whimsical scenes that blend reality with a playful twist.
From pop art mashups of food, flowers, and everyday objects to surreal snapshots of animals swimming in California pools and pink cars cruising through the desert, my work is like stepping into a world of wild dreams and pastel colours.
Hasselblad X2D II – I remember the first time I heard about Hasselblad cameras. My photography teacher called them the best cameras in the world and mentioned that they were used to take photos during the moon landing.
It has always been a dream to own one. In 2021, I entered the Hasselblad Masters, one of the most prestigious photography competitions in the world, and proudly won the title of Hasselblad Master in the Product Photography category.
Since then, I haven’t been able to put down this beautiful camera. I love it because I rely on high-quality files for manipulation. Creating composites requires consistent quality across all photos.
The files are enormous, so I don’t have to worry too much about cropping when shooting.
Nikon D750 – This was my previous camera, and I don’t tend to use it much anymore. However, this DSLR is faster, more mechanical, and easier to use than the Hasselblad. I used to love the freedom of using third-party options for lenses with it.
I prefer using zoom lenses because they suit my two main photography styles: product and travel and architectural street photography. Since I travel frequently, carrying multiple medium-format lenses adds significant weight to my bag, which is not ideal.
Hasselblad XCD 35-75mm f/3.5-4.5 Zoom Lens – is a great mid-range zoom lens that delivers superb image quality from edge to edge!
Hasselblad XCD 120mm f/3.5 Macro – I use this macro lens for shooting product photos and landscape shots that need a bit of extra zoom. It’s like having a versatile tool in my kit that can easily handle a variety of scenarios.
Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8
Nikon AF-S 40mm f/2.8G Micro
I rarely work in studio photography anymore; natural light has become my primary source for most shoots.
However, I’ve kept my two Elinchrom BRX 500 Compact Flash units and the Elinchrom EL-Skyport Pro Transmitter because they are so easy to use and compatible with both cameras.
They’re like old, reliable friends who are always there when I need them.
I’m a big fan of WANDRD backpacks and slings—they’re incredibly well-designed, durable, and have a clean, professional look.
I use the WANDRD PRVKE 21 Backpack for travelling, the WANDRD ROGUE Sling 9L sling when I need both lenses, the WANDRD ROGUE Sling 6L sling when I’m just carrying my camera and the 35-75mm lens.
I have two tripods: the Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Tripod for the studio and the Manfrotto 190 Go Carbon Fibre Tripod for travel. Manfrotto tripods are of top quality.
Now, for post-editing, I use:
Hasselblad Phocus – I use this first to get a bird’s-eye view and select the best shots.
Lightroom – I give my RAW files a makeover before going to Photoshop, and I use the Camara Raw filter to apply some presets to my final composite.
Photoshop – is my primary tool and my digital playground.
Since I often photograph cars and pools, reflections are a constant challenge. I always carry a Sigma 77mm WR Circular Polarizing Filter to combat this. I also use a UV filter—not so much for UV protection as to safeguard my lenses from mishaps.
When I’m shooting, I use my phone a lot. I don’t like to make test shots with my camera as the files are enormous, and I get confused, so my iPhone is great for having an overall look.
Also, I record some of the settings and behind-the-scenes for social media use, so I always have a power bank, just in case.
I always pack the essentials: an energy bar for when I inevitably get hangry, water because hydration is critical when you are a summer photographer, business cards to remind people I’m legit, a cloth for the lens as smudges are my nemesis, a brush for the sand on those beach days, and three fully charged batteries because nothing kills the vibe like a dead camera.
Fun fact: I don’t consider myself a very technical photographer. I rely heavily on the magic of Photoshop to save the day later on.
I’m pretty speedy during shoots—like a ninja with a camera—because I know I can fix things in post-editing. I shoot many separate elements to piece them together like a puzzle in my composites.
Some photographers have that sixth sense for capturing the perfect moment, but I prefer the Frankenstein approach, creating a masterpiece from many different photos!
Website | Instagram
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