But, you know, from the perspective of a digital pinhole camera, you could be mistaken...
About substantial photographic skills /
I've probably shot hundred of portraits on assignment for magazines and various clients. This particular area of my work feels fabulous as it's always a wonder to face up actual situation with improvised creativity. Although, once in a while, a portrait photographer will be challenged to reveal the core of his essential skills. Let me clarify this one for you. It's not about pure techniques but more about a photographer's ability to express himself with only the very heart of his potential. He's got to act quickly with the substantial part of his art and trade. What's in the way? Surprise. It's not necessarily a challenge coming from the person the photographer is assigned to shoot. It may also derive from the timing or the nature of the location. Usually, I'm given three basic informations on an assignment: who, where and when. "Where" and "when" may be subject to negociation but rarely. Sometimes tension comes out of nowhere. For exemple, I remember that time when I was sent to an exotic location for five days, flying business and accomodated in a luxurious hotel, only to be given, last minute, 90 seconds to shoot the portrait I was there for. You need to be zen and focus on the present event if you want to go back home with a picture.
Recently, I went to shoot some portraits in a hyper timed context. I definitively couldn't bargain over where and when. It was taking place in a palace in Paris. But as I was showed the location for the photoshoot, I walked from luxurious lobby to pompous halls to modest staircases and finally to a dissapointing tiny conference room. And my first appointment was to arrive in 5 minutes. That's the kind of situation that monitors where stands your substantial photographic skills. Five minutes to think about something else than the unphotogenic room you are in and to set the lights and camera. Well, I'm glad this test happened early this year and here are the results.
The Year 2014 /
Everyone, I wish you the most pleasant things for 2014. I'm proud to announce, also that, for now on, it will be forbidden to smoke on my set.
Lines /
I usually make a drawing of my intentions before shooting a picture. Sometime, i doodle after the photograph. Perhaps, there is an adjacent world, where both actions collide.
Are you watching closely? /
I usually don't fancy scholia and explanations about photography, but I was thinking recently that I could share some thoughts, from time to time, about how the craft of making pictures mesmerizes me. I'm not really a talkative person, so I guess this will be mostly images...
Read MoreStand /
Two last ones from the Standard Beauty shoot.
E. Shot /
Noisy Kiss /
Grainy lips or mouth full of noise. Who knows?
Standard Beauty /
The actual photographs should be seen steadily in next Standard Magazine, on proper glossy pages.
SF Novels /
No comment.
Still /
Still in S.F., California, for science fiction.
Layers /
Taken in the SF area. Looks like science and fiction.
Off To Dance /
Swedish singer Fredrika Stahl's 4th album will be out in seven days at Sony Music.
I was asked to work on the pictures for the cover some weeks ago. Touching music, sympathic persons and great encounter.
Update: Nice paper in french Les Inrocks magazine about Fredrika Stahl's album.
Off /
Just teasing.
Every year /
L'homme de Rio /
Steve McCurry for Victoire Magazine in Rio De Janeiro.
As one may have read it somewhere, the famous photoreporter shot the 2013 Pirelli Calendar and I was lucky enough to be sent in Rio for a 90 seconds "meet and shoot a portrait".
Before catching my flight back, I could meet Redemption, but alas, it was in the myst.
Sidse Babett Knudsen for Le Monde /
Sidse Babett Knudsen is a danish actress staring in a danish TV show, which has gained quite some attention south of Danemark. She is certainly part of this success as she is really keen and charming.
FYI, the show is "Borgen", written by Adam Price, Jeppe Gjervig Gram and Tobias Lindholm
Ribbon /
Somewhere in Le Monde, Paris.
Cast, sand and sea /
Comme à O. /
I went on a scouting errands on the North Sea border, few weeks ago. I hadn't been there since ever. At least! It's funny how things aren't even tainted by souvenirs. Except the smell from the sea.