Boxspeedx2 is a photo project of Alvi Angulo that has been culminating over years of traveling, live shows, meeting different people and all kinds of international adventures. He’s been experimenting with different film stocks and cameras and has slowly developed a specific kind of personality in his photos. His wide background in music and skateboarding has opened up a world of possibilities for him in things like being able to go on tours with bands around the country and meeting different people.
He’s hands down one of the coolest and most genuine dudes I’ve ever known in my life and I’m lucky to be able to say that he’s been one of my best friends since I was in High School. I remember seeing him skate around in middle school and thinking “damn that dudes so fucking cool” and hoping we’d be friends someday and ultimately us becoming friends later in high school and then even being in a band together and setting up live shows in Miami and going on some crazyyy ass adventures over the years. In my eyes I see Alvi as the equivalent of a Jason Lee or Ed templeton and there’s so much more I could say about him but if you know him personally you know how much of a cool ass mfkr he is. I’m so hyped he got into photography* and film and that he’s doing all this with Boxspeedx2 and can’t wait to see all the cool shit to come out of him and Boxspeedx2 in the near future.
*more into phorography that is, cause he’s BEEN doing this shit, its just recently that he’s been doing it more seriously
1 – Whats your name and how old are you?
My legal name is Alvaro Angulo, but I go by Alvi Tercero. I am the third to carry the name in my family dynasty.
2 – When did you first start taking pictures on film?
I started around 2018. My first exposure to it was when we went on tour. Luis gave me a disposable camera to photograph the trip. I never got around to developing it, and to this day god knows where it is. The following year I bought my first SLR, and that is when I considered I started.
3 – Do you remember your first camera or film stock?
Yes! Both. My first SLR was the Minolta Maxxum 7000. It is such an underdog and overlooked camera. I personally have 11. My first stock was a Rollei Redbird, the last photo of the roll is what made me fall in love with photography.
4 – What cameras are you currently using?
A lot…but my go to’s are the Minolta A-7, Minolta Maxxum 7000, and the Olympus OM-4Ti.
5 – What film stock are you currently shooting on?
Mostly black and white. I decided to diminish the amount of color I shoot because I don’t want to develop color film at home. Black and white is a different story, it’s more forgiving and liberating. There are so many things you can do developing your black and white at home. But specifically for the stocks, I have my favorites; HP5 400 rated at 6400, Fomapan 100 rated at 400, and NoColorStudio no.10 (100) rated at 400.
(Fomapan 100 +2)
6 – What’s the name of that funky film stock that is made of the material they use to print x rays on that you were telling me about?
BONES!! I love them. I came across their account shortly after making my photography account (@Boxspeedx2) and decided to connect with them. They are honestly amazing people and I believe in their project. The roll I got from what I understand, is made of the material they use for X-rays.
7 – Did you make a conscious choice to start shooting in black and white or is it something that sort of just happened and how did that start becoming a thing?
I think it’s both. They both have their magic, but I chose black and white because it gets rid of distractions. It strips it naked and overromanticizes everything. There is something timeless about it and no limits to what you can experiment with. Also, it is much more accessible to experiment at home. Over time I started loving the contrasty and rough look of push processed black and white, and after a few negative experiences with labs in Miami I decided to just do it myself.
8 – I heard you recently started buying film stock in bulk, do you maybe have plans to start selling some of that or you just stocking up?
So, I am currently a reseller of Bones 35mm and NoColorStudio. I was told By Arnas, the owner of NoColorStudio that I was their first US “distributor”. I go to local events with a red Marlboro cooler and sell it to whoever wants it on the low, very clandestine-like because I don’t want to pay vendor fees. I swear some people must think I am a dealer. I don’t have any intention of stocking up for myself, new rolls are always coming out and film is here to stay. I would rather share what I have with people that are passionate and see what they can come up with.
9 – How did you get your photos in an art gallery in France?
The lab I go to in France is called Sunbath Film Lab and fortunately they are right across the street from where I usually stay in Paris. They specialize in ECN-2 stocks, which is cinema film. It is not usually developed by labs because of the remjet layer. They wanted to showcase what their customers have done with their stocks, and they asked me to be a part of it.
10 – You’ve traveled a lot in the past couple years, what kinda places have you been to and how did that come to be?
This is quite a story, and one I don’t get tired of retelling. It all started when I went to my hometown Cartagena, Colombia for the first time in 15 years. I stayed for three months and had all sorts of adventures, but it was not until the very last week when I bought Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. For those who have not read it, it talks about signals from the universe and listening to them. The idea was fresh in my mind. I then returned to Miami and planned my trip to France; I was supposed to stay for two weeks but I met this lady in the plane called Elizabeth. We spoke for hours, and she asked me how long I am staying in Paris. I responded, “just two weeks” and with a smirk she replied, “I said the same thing, no you won’t”. Turns out she was right, within the very first 6 hours I arrived my friend Jean Pierre asked me if I knew anyone who wanted to rent a room for three months because he had a short film to work on in Ecuador. I can swear I heard Elizabeth on my shoulder saying, “I told you so” and if that is not a signal from the universe, I don’t know what is. I ended up staying there for that time with one week’s worth of clothes, during winter should I say. Since then, I keep returning to Paris as I consider it my third home. It has opened so many doors for me, introduced me to so many wonderful friends, and taken me to the most unlikely places. I was just in the Amazon rainforest not too long ago, but that is another story.
11 – What bands have you seen on your travels and what were some of your favorites?
New York for sure has the best bands. I saw Unwound and Dinosaur Jr over there. However, Paris would be the equivalent in Europe, I think many big artists go over there, I got to see Bob Dylan last year. I also saw my friends El Caribefunk in Miami and Paris. They are one of my favorite bands currently. It’s also funny seeing the same band in multiple places, Bass drum of Death for example, I got to catch them over there and in LA.
12 – What are some of your favorite bands in general?
My taste in music is always changing, and as musicians, we shouldn’t discriminate or alienate any genre. My current favorites are The Gerbils, El Caribefunk, Built to Spill, Bedhead, Medicine, Cleaners from Venus, and C. Tangana. I also recently got to see Novely when we went to Tampa for the Superbitch show, they are fu*king amazing too.
13 – What is Astronaught?
Astronaught was a project I had with my brother and friend Tristan that I wanted to bring to life some time ago. Unfortunately, we only got to record one song because it was around the time COVID hit. It isn’t dead that’s for sure, I might bring it back in the future.
14 – You have a wide musical background and have been in different bands and projects, what was your first instrument and when did you start playing?
I started playing guitar when I was about 13 years old. Super randomly a family friend neighbor offered to buy me a guitar if I taught his son in the future. I have not stopped playing since then, but I found out that he passed away. I will forever be thankful to him. RIP PETER
15 – Are there any plans in the near future for recording some Astronaught stuff?
Although I love music and continue to play for myself, I have found other creative outlets such as photography that I feel I can better express myself through. However, I am not closing that door. I would be happy to bring it back one day, just not in the near future.
16 – What are your top 3 favorite Gerbils songs?
Alright going from 3 to 1 because it must build up.
3. Sunshine Soul
2. Walnuts
1. Glue
17 – For the people that don’t know, what is Elephant 6?
Man, there is a whole documentary about this…
Let’s see, to massively summarize it; a huge collective of artists based in Georgia that was sort of like a musical orgy. Everyone was in everyone else’s band. Members would finish a set, switch instruments, and it would be an entirely new band. It is a wonderful rabbit hole to go down into, the Elephant 6 collective has a very special place in my heart. Follow the documentary page on Instagram, definitely worth a watch! @elephant6movie
**also to add, a well-known part of Elephant 6 is the famous Neutral Milk Hotel whose members are in a bunch of these bands specifically like Scott Spillane who played guitar, flugelhorn, trombone, trumpet and euphonium in Neutral Milk Hotel but is also the lead singer of The Gerbils, and plays a plethora of different instruments in other Elephant 6 bands. Another noteworthy band is The Olivia Tremor Control whose lead singer Bill Doss was another very significant part of the Elephant 6 community.
18 – How would you describe your photos to someone that’s never seen them?
A mixture of quotidian life and the twilight zone.
**lol I had to ask alvi but quotidian means “occurring every day” so he meant say like daily life but he just said that shit all fancy
19 – There are many great skaters that turn to photography out there like Jason Lee, Ed Templeton, Atiba Jefferson, Spike Jonze and so on, how do you think your background in skating has influenced your photography?
To be honest, I think skateboarding is the catalyst to everything I do and how my interests bloomed. It overlaps with absolutely everything. All arts. The friends you make through skateboarding not only are they from all sorts of backgrounds but are involved in other artforms, and that exchange is so important. Once I got my first guitar, I already had friends from skating that had been playing for years. When I got into photography some of my friends were already studying it. Its just sort of natural to see someone doing something cool and you think to yourself “oh shit, I can do that too!” and I hope I can pass that passion to others. But the most important lesson I have learned from skateboarding is persistence. Just like when you have been trying a trick for hours.
20 – How did you get into skating?
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 and 4 (let me tell you, the soundtrack for those games also had a massive influence). I had a cousin who used to babysit me, and she gave me an old board she had. Shortly after I went to MIA skatepark, the first time was so terrifying and I saw how good other skaters were, and just like I mentioned previously, I wanted to do it too.
21 – Do you remember your first board and what was it?
It was an old world industries that was water logged. For my birthday that year I got an enjoi (they were also my favorite team)
22 – Who are some of your favorite skaters?
This is such a difficult question…I have not kept up much with what is coming out since everyday we have a new person breaking records. But the skaters I enjoy watching the most are Mark Suciu, John Motta, and Jaws. To give a bit more of the backstory, I actually added Mark Suciu on Facebook when I was around 13 and I thought that was the coolest thing, he was super young at the time as well. But yes, he skates so creatively well and does what he wants. I love that. I saw John Motta and Jaws in A Happy Medium 1. That video is my all-time favorite; the O’Shea brothers (Buster and Hunter) did such a good job capturing what skating is all about which is having a great time with your friends. The moment I saw Jaw’s part I knew he’d be a big deal in the future.
23 – Who are some of your favorite photographers?
My friend Regina (@wasitapril) is honestly my favorite photographer. I’ve admired her bold experimental work since before we even met in person in Paris. She is now a dear friend of mine and I’m thankful for that friendship. Besides her, Trent Parke is always blowing my mind, his approach to photography is almost spiritual, and Jake Wagner is another genius on my list.
24 – Are there any specific photo Instagram accounts that you really fuck with and which ones?
So many!!! Even just here in Miami we have a bundle of creative geniuses.
@wasitapril
@eatenbyflowers
@wrapped.nil
@nocolorphotography
@sagot_gme
@sexiest.grandma
@feralchildhq
@neno2k1
@deathbysushi
And of course, @post666.fg
25 – Do you develop your film yourself and if not, who do you develop your film with in Miami?
Yes, besides only taking photographs I decided to dedicate myself to developing. I had a few negative experiences with labs here in Miami. I accidentally gave one an ECN-2 roll with a remjet layer. It wasn’t supposed to have it, but the manufacturer messed up respooling the rolls and mislabeled it. I woke up to a nasty email because that can mess up machines, so I had to call them and apologize, I had to explain the situation and they understood. As for the other one, nothing personal and I won’t say names, but it felt like the rolls I would take were a burden for them and I’d get the most “cara de culo” face from the owner every time he’d see me. He even said once that my stuff was annoying. And I get it, it sucks to develop a roll that is pushed four or five stops since it takes a long time, but my god, I never rushed anyone and I’m experimenting!!! That is what photography is all about, I don’t know what is going to come out half of the time and I am okay with that, even if I push a roll five stops and use sunglasses as a filter and for some reason it comes out blank, it doesn’t bother me, I just know what not to do next time. Fortunately, by experimenting I found a way to develop my extremely pushed rolls in a short time, heating up PMK!!
But I will give Thacker’s a shoutout because they gladly took my stuff and were super communicative and supportive with my style while dealing with a historic flood in the Ft. Lauderdale area.
At the end of the day, I don’t want to associate any negative feelings with something I hold so dearly.
26 – Earlier I asked what film stock you’re shooting on but now a better question I think is what film stock do you have in your possession and/or maybe are tryna sell?
Bones 35mm and NoColorStudio No. 10. Both are incredible black and white rolls that are extremely experimental. The owners are super kind and supportive, message them on Instagram, they will be happy to see what you can come up with using their stuff.
(NoColorStudio No.10)
27 – What are some of your favorite live shows you’ve shot?
I don’t usually take photos at shows because I prefer to be in the moment and we have some people like @sexiest.grandma that already do an amazing job documenting live shows. But if I HAVE to pick a few, it is the FLOATS mini tour we did in 2022. I love those guys so much and it was a blast, I got to shoot in the desert with a blue film and it looks like planet Namek.
28 – What is your favorite film stock to shoot on?
HP5 400 rated at 6400, Fomapan 100 rated at 400, and NoColorStudio no.25
(NoColorStudio No.25)
29 – What big goals do you have for Boxspeedx2, either long term or short term?
In the long run I will show my work in more places. It would be nice to continue this concept of a trifecta and have simultaneous events in the three cities. Also, to continue visiting more places to photograph, meet more like-minded artists, and NEVER STOP EXPERIMENTING.
30 – What exactly is Boxspeedx2 and how did it come to be?
I chose that handle because at first, I would always shoot HP5 at 800, which is the boxspeed (400) multiplied by two. So it is a tribute to that feeling. It should be read as Boxspeed x 2.
31 – What’s next for Boxspeedx2?
By the end of the year, I will be releasing my first book. It is a tribute to the three cities I consider my homes. Cartagena, Miami, and Paris. They’re so different yet so alike, and that is what I hope to portray in my book. It will also have a lot of work in there that I will never share online, and a few surprises too 😊
Follow @Boxspeedx2 for more of Alvi's photography.
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