- PHOTOMAG N째2
STORY
CAPE VERDE
DESTINATION
GUADELOUPE
PORTFOLIO
MANTIS IN THE GARDEN
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE
LE HAVRE
CONTENT EDITORIAL TIPS
“MON ŒIL !” is open.
PORTFOLIO SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE
It’s a simple affirmation, but it is essential. How would it be possible to admire the world without an open mind? You have to look, watch, examine through the aperture. You need to step back and not to judge. Being open is what allows you to admire a landscape, even an industrial one. The concrete then releases its secrets, its reflections, its geometry. You think that you already know Le Havre, France? Open your eyes, Mon Oeil ! will show you another view of Le Havre! Embracing other people, sharing time, moments, is what Cyril Bezzina suggests in Cape Verde. Immersion within the islands, let yourself go in those smiles and looks. Next, an extremely small world will open to you. With Stéphane Boulic’s portfolio, discover one
of the most captivating bugs that exists: the praying mantis. After composition, it’s time for Mon Oeil ! to talk about aperture. You wish to sharpen your portraits and have success with your landscapes or macros? We will guide you along with the techniques. And finally, where are you going for the next holidays? Mon Oeil ! brings you to the French Antilles. Guadeloupe island will have no more secrets for you!
MANTIS IN THE GARDEN
LE HAVRE P. 4
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS #2: THE APERTURE
P. 40
P. 56
DESTINATION
GUADELOUPE ISLAND P. 62
Stay open-minded and have a nice trip with our magazine :) You like this magazine and want us to publish your work, your passion, your favorite pictures? Write us at: monoeilphotomag@gmail.com And become fan of our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/monoeil.photomag
THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ISSUE :
STORY
PHOTOBOOTH P. 82
Mon Oeil ! team /monoeil.photomag
This magazine has been made by: Sébastien Boullier, Adrien Bruand, Sophie Perez and Hélène Pyckaert. Special thanks to Owen Phillips for the English translation. Pictures credits for cover and back cover: Cyril Bezzina EDITORIAL - P. 2
CONTENT - P. 3
CAPE VERDE
P. 22
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE
LE HAVRE
Pictures by Grégory Canu, Jean-Baptiste Darasco, Nicolas Lorre and Sébastien Boullier
2
h30 from Paris, would you like to discover one of the most photogenic cities in France? Le Havre was founded in 1517 by French king François the 1st. Its lights attracted famous impressionist painters of the 19th century, following Claude Monet.
Razed in 1944, Le Havre owes its current aspect to the architect Auguste Perret who appended its signature: the concrete. But not any concrete. The city is now classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and its reputation is going across the borders and oceans. Have a nice stopover in Le Havre de Grâce!
Sébastien Boullier - The guard wall)- 18mm f11 1/100 sec Iso 200
Londres Brugge
Angleterre
Belgique
Calais Lille
Le Havre
Rouen
France
Caen Paris
‘‘Poor
guy, you live in LE HAVRE! It’s ugly, it looks like STALINGRAD!’’ I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that kind of gibe from colleagues or friends. Well, I think that this article on LE HAVRE will make many of you change your mind... I like its modern and atypical architecture, its airy avenues, its nearby forest. I love the gigantism of its harbour and the atmosphere around there (despite gates and wire fences, for security reasons).
Watching the back and forth movements of the sea giants, while enjoying an ice cream, this is not given to everyone. Finally, the best for a photographer: its natural lights are magnificent. It is at dusk, when the night is falling, that our city is the most beautiful. Your camera turned to the west, you’ll catch skies with incredible colors. Turned to the east, the artificial lights of the harbour will give pictures with surrealistic tint. In addition to this, the urban lighting helps to magnify the buildings. Yes, really, it is when LE HAVRE is in all its finery, that you should take your tripod and go out. Grégory CANU
Jean Baptiste Darasco - Matriochka - 24 mm f13 1/320 sec Iso 200 SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 6
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 7
Grégory Canu
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 8
Grégory Canu
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 9
Jean Baptiste Darasco - The Slaughterhouse - 14 mm f8 1/640 sec Iso 200
Jean Baptiste Darasco - Hand-knitting - 14 mm f8 1/500 sec Iso 200
Nicolas Lorre - Cap trafalgar - 2013 - Bassin RenÊ Coty Illustration of the city’s harbour activity, with the EDF power plant in background. At nightfall, there is just enough light in the sky to give grain to the clouds, while taking advantage of the lighting spread in the scene.
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 10-11
Le Havre does not have an obvious beauty. We love it, we hate it, when talking about this city, the opinions are often strong and definite. I consider Le Havre, despite not living there, as my city. It feeds me, I have memories there, and if I do not go back for a while, I miss it. Le Havre, for me it means space, opening. It is the reconstruction of the downtown by Perret with this architecture where you breathe and where the light comes in, it is the sea surface extending the city with England as its dream, it is the harbour and its huge structures that you could imagine handled by Royal de Luxe’s giants. It’s like we do not do things by half in this place. Maybe it is because of its history: the city managed to spring up despite fens and
storms, it was completely destroyed during WWII and saw its new walls recognized by UNESCO. Of course, Le Havre is also made of women and men, but my pictures only approach the structural aspect and the emblematic places of the city: the angles of Perret’s architecture , the curves of Niemeyer, the harbour area, the sea... Choosing black and white was evident for me, by taste but also because it allows me to better underline the lines and curves of this urban environment. Jean Baptiste Darasco
Jean Baptiste Darasco - 17 mm - f9 - 1/125s – iso 200
Jean Baptiste Darasco - Iris - 56 mm f10 ¼ sec Iso 200 SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 12
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 13
GrĂŠgory Canu
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 14
Nicolas Lorre - Time scars, 2013 - Sainte Adresse Fort / Suspended gardens The wall of this fort, bearing the marks of the History, shows an incredible texture. A beautiful tree proudly poses at the top, looking for some fresh air above all this violence.
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 15
GrĂŠgory Canu
I love Le Havre for its contrasts. First, there is the proximity of the harbour with the city. Seagulls fly over the downtown and we can feel the sea breeze. It’s not rare to hear a foghorn ring out in the city before a ferry goes between the buildings designed by Perret, at the end of rue de Paris. There, big boats coexist with smaller ones, delighting onlookers at the wharfs.
Nicolas Lorre - Benches on the deck - Eure Basin The burning sky at sunset is reflecting itself in the soaked wood, gives a great color to the composition, while the terrace boards give a direction where to look.
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 16
The caprices of the weather also have their charm. You wake in the morning with a great blue sky, then at noon, dark clouds emerge announcing the storm that will lash the North embankment, before a beautiful sunny spell appears again for the afternoon. Those changing light conditions bring happiness to photographers!
Then on scale of a year, the city show two sides. The intense life of the Summer stands out against the quiet Winter period. In the spring, the beach huts come back and call out to the inhabitants who invade salso the terraces and gardens. The skyline is full of boats, windsurf boards and swimmers, giving the city an atmosphere of a seaside resort. Quiet comes back after the Autumn when the deserted streets are ideal for melancholy and solitary wandering. Not because the Havrais (inhabitants of Le Havre) are gone, but they rather enjoy differently their city, as they are already preparing themselves for the next Spring...
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 17
Nicolas LORRE
Sébastien Boullier - Summer canvas - 82mm f11 1/640 sec Iso 400
I came to Le Havre in Spring 2007. It was for a job interview. Coming from the parisian greyness, I found it original to park near the beach to go to my interview. It was hot and sunny : an appearance of holidays. This particular atmosphere always goes fine with me. The days often end with a sunset at the beach. The impressionist painters were the first to really get these lights. They tirelessly reproduced the views they saw depending of the daily light : the harbour, the ride, the boats...
The current artistic stage has nothing to be ashamed of. Many photographers highlight each day the appeals of a city which was designated 10 years ago as a UNESCO World Heritage site. An ad campaign in 2008 stated: «I live in Le Havre, I live elsewhere». Le Havre seduces me by its whole aspect: the city, the architecture, the seaside, the industry, the harbour, urbex spots, the nature, the cliffs, the wonderful and changing lights... it’s hard to list everything that makes it charming ! So, when are you coming? Sébastien Boullier
Nicolas Lorre - Low tide at dawn - The beach - 2014 At the first light of the day, the sky is showing beautiful tints. Seen from the beach, the city is then in back light and draws a skyline in background. SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 18
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE - P. 19
Sébastien Boullier : Le Havre at sunrise - 98mm f/8 1/1000 sec Iso 200 À CÔTÉ DE CHEZ VOUS - P. 16
STORY
CAPE VERDE
Text and Pictures by Cyril Bezzina
I
t is so sweet to think about Cape Verde while listening a gentle song by Cesaria Evora. She was its best ambassador: her reputation and her character are so evocative of this country. When people discover Cape Verde, they have a mix of emotions which can be close to the ones procured by Cesaria Evora’s melodies. A mix of spleen, gentleness, simplicity and the feeling of going back to the roots.
My travel to Cape Verde began on Sal island. I have mixed feelings for this island. On one side, you can find paradisiac beaches with fine sand, turquoise water, an ever-present
sun in the blue sky, restaurants along the sea with fresh seafood caught that day, and some street scenes just as I like.
STORY - P. 24
On the other side, you’ll find in Sal an end of the world atmosphere with almost empty streets, incompleted constructions, an arid soil, and an
oppressive heat that makes you work in slow motion.
STORY - P. 25
Santo Antao island is beautiful with its peaks amongst the clouds, its impressive mountains and deep valleys. It is the wettest islands of Cape Verde and due to that, the landscapes are diverse, with alternating arid areas and very green areas. The fields of sugar cane and banana trees are abundant.
When walking around, you can find many “traditional” alcohol factories. And if you’re hungry during your hike, just grab mangos along the path.
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STORY - P. 27
STORY - P. 28
STORY - P. 29
Houses in Ponta do Sol are very colorful and the atmosphere is definitely quiet… except on Friday night at the village square where music is all out loud until 2 or 3 am: enjoy the party! You can feel as if you were in Cuba sometimes. The central square is nice with its “colonial” architecture. It is a peaceful and colorful place, with an unobstructed view of the mountains.
You can see the sea in this picture and the village of Ponta do Sol, but I was more drawn to the pigsty in the foreground, with its surprising geometry.
STORY - P. 30
Ponta do Sol is a place where you want to linger, to watch time flying by. To really seize this island’s atmosphere, you need to spend some time amongst the Awale players on this small square protected from the sun, and watch out for the fishermen coming back to enjoy the life of the tiny port.
When the firshermen are back, all the tiny port become busy. The fish are sliced, weighed, and sold. People yell, move, shout out and in record time, all the fish are gone. Then quiet comes back, and the port is empty again. Only a few kids are playing in the port’s water or diving from the pontoon. Then, up from there, the imperturbable Awale players keep going their games.
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STORY - P. 32-33
This is a memory from Sao where I spent a great afternoon singing and dancing with musicians until exhaustion!
STORY - P. 34-35
Let’s go towards Fogo island. Fogo mean “fire�. The island is called this from the name of the volcano which is the main attraction and whose last eruption was in November 2014. During the rainy season, the vegetation is plentiful and the alternating red lands and green fields is splendid. Fogo coffee is excellent and apparently one of the best in the world. Furthermore, this island (together with Santo Antao) is a must-do for hikers. I especially liked the atmosphere prevailing in the small village near the volcano. Everything seems to work in slow motion in this strange landscape, almost lunar. The rainy weather of the first day was not good for a hike on the volcano, so I went exploring almost all streets of the village, taking several portrait pictures.
STORY - P. 36
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PORTFOLIO
MANTIS IN THE GARDEN Pictures by StĂŠphane Boulic
May 2014 Little mantis was born only few days ago, you need to have a sharp eye to find them in the garden.
June 2014 A quite unusual scene, the bee was trying to force the mantis to leave, by knocking its head, because it took possession of « its » flower...
June 2014 A young mantis in full meditation before a dew tear... PORTFOLIO - P. 42
PORTFOLIO - P. 43
July 2014 Meeting in lavanda, looks exchange... PORTFOLIO - P. 44-45
August 2014 A young male at takeoff, changing of support... PORTFOLIO - P. 46-47
September 2014 A posture falsely naive for this formidable predator.
PORTFOLIO - P. 48
September 2014 A male washing itself, the antennas will be very clean.
PORTFOLIO - P. 49
September 2014 A beautiful posture for the picture’s needs, the mantis acts graceful... PORTFOLIO - P. 50-51
October 2014 This Perched female saw me when she was waiting for its prey.
September 2014 A bizarre encounter with this male, upside down under its umbel. PORTFOLIO - P. 52
PORTFOLIO - P. 53
October 2014 Tonight at dinner, it’s McCricket: a female surprised in full lunch in the grass.
WHAT IS THE APERTURE?
TIPS SECTION
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS #2: THE APERTURE
Taking a picture is exposing a sensitive film (or a cell) to the light according to a certain speed and aperture stop. Like an eyelid, the aperture stop opens and closed to let some light get in thanks to the shutter that you can adjust.
Keep practising to focus with a static object and in good light conditions and never give up! OUVERTURE AND SPEED
Depending of the aperture stop you choose: either wide (f1.8) or small (f22), the shutter will
Pictures by Adrien Bruand, Aurélien Primot, Hélène Pyckaert, Yves Queyrel
let more or less light go through. This adjustment will have major consequences on the others adjustments of the camera: depth of field, shutter speed, and ISO. APERTURE AND DEPTH OF FIELD
I
n the first issue, you’ve learnt how to compose a picture thanks to the first issue of Mon Œil !, now let’s see a technical aspect which is essential to success your pictures: the aperture. The aperture is one of the most important elements to focus on when taking your picture because it determines the depth of field: meaning the sharpness area of your picture.
f2, 1/1000s, 35mm, ISO 100
You love that blur behind the subject that makes your pictures so beautiful? Say “thanks” to the aperture! So put your camera on aperture priority mode (A or Av) and follow our advice!
Aperture has a direct effect on the depth of field of your picture. The depth of field means the sharpness area which is in front or behind your subject (on which you focus). All other areas are what we call “bokeh” (from japanese “bokeh” : blurred area… but which gives a very aesthetic effect to the picture! Indeed, the viewer’s eye is naturally attracted to the sharp area of the picture, so the bokeh helps to compose your picture. According to the aperture you choose, the bokeh can be emphazised in order to be an integral part of the composition or, on the contrary, be understated. The smaller the aperture is (f22), the deeper the depth of field will be and so the picture will be sharp on a greater area. On the contrary, the wider the aperture is (f1.8), the smaller the depth of field will be... and the focus will be more difficult to do in that case, to be exactly where you want it to be.
For a landscape picture, a small aperture allow all of the photo to be sharp. f11, 1/3s, 18mm, ISO 200
The aperture has an effect on the speed which is necessary to take a picture. It determines the quantity of light which will go through your cell according to the exposure speed. With a wide aperture (f1,8), more light will come in and the picture will have more chance to be overexposed. On the other hand, a small aperture (f22), will let less light coming in: so the picture will have more chance of being underexposed with a slow speed, increasing the risks of having a blurred picture (below a speed of 1/50 without a tripod). The important point is to take care not to “burn” (too much light) or obscure (not enough light) your picture: otherwise, the details in white or black areas of your pictures will not be visible anymore (and this cannot be corrected with post-production).
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS - P. 57
You have to choose the aperture according to the effect you want to give to your picture (depending on the composition) while checking that the speed is sufficient.
aperture, think about the bokeh even before you click on your camera: the background will be an essential part of the picture, though it is blur.
A wide aperture is also helpful when the light conditions are difficult, in order to avoid increasing the ISO - for example for inside pictures.
The shades and shapes are important and can be foreseen and used to create your picture. In some cameras, there is a button allowing to see what the bokeh will look like, before you click. Indeed, the bokeh is only visible when the puicture has been taken, but with digital cameras you are free to take several pictures with different apertures, and then select your favorite one. You can play with the bokeh (i.e.: town lights, …) that are in the background: on some pictures, we can think it is real paintings enhancing the principal subject!
A wide aperture is helpful when the light conditions are difficult, to avoid increasing the ISO - f1.7, 1/15s, 40mm, ISO 800
If the speed is not sufficient enough but that you want to keep a small aperture (and so a great depth of field), we recommend you increasing the ISO (but be careful not to overdo so or it will reduce the quality of your picture), or even better: use a tripod.
A small tip: a small aperture (i.e.: f18) turns the sun into a star! f14, 1/300s , 17 mm, Iso 50, filter ND 0,9 © Y. Queyrel
For landscape pictures, we generally want to have successive sharp fields. In order to do so, you should use the smallest aperture. Be caerful, as some say that beyond an aperture of f13, the quality of the picture will be damaged. We recommend also not choosing the maximum aperture that your camera can offer you (i.e.: f22), as this would allow you to keep some light and so, some speed.
APERTURE AND COMPOSITION The aperture is an important element for your picture’s composition. Indeed, depending on the chosen aperture, the picture will look totally different!
Everything depends on your composition: if the subjet is on the foreground, you will play with the aperture: a wide aperture will emphasize the «bokeh » effect in the background and suggest it rather than show it. This gives very interesting pictures (and less classic than the traditional landscape where all areas are sharp). In that case, pay attention to not using too large an aperture (in that case the background will appear only in bokeh and so will not be very clear), and favour a medium aperture (f5 for example) so that the background is slightly drawn and is easily perceived.
As explained, the focus helps playing with the depth of field, the eye being naturally attracted to the sharp area of the picture. A small depth of field is ideal for portraits, because it bring outs the model, while separating it from the background (or to hide ungraceful objects). In the same way, a wide aperture is also very aesthetic for detail pictures or for culinary pictures, for example. Of course, the choice of focus (on the foreground or background) is very important for your composition and the aesthetic finish of your picture, thanks to the bokeh. On pictures with a wide
On that picture, a wide aperture and the focus on the tap let us perceive the mountains that are in the bokeh and so, to attract our view to the foreground. f2, 1/2500s, 40mm, ISO 100
Choose the shades and elements that will appear in the background in order to create a nice bokeh. f2, 1/800s, 35mm, ISO 100
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS - P. 58
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS - P. 59
APERTURE AND PORTRAIT At the risk of being repetitive, we insist on the fact that for portraits, managing the aperture well is essential! We generally favour a wide aperture (f2). But when the aperture is wide, the depth of field is so reduced, that there is a big chance of blurring the focus (you click on the shutter realease, the camera moves and the focus is blurred). The difficulty is more important for portrait pictures because the focus should be perfect (example: on the eye).
The aperture offers a lot of possibilities in order to compose your picture, so let’s practice making the same composition with different apertures (and also different focuses) and observe the results. Be open to the different possibilities offered to you thanks to the aperture!
Here, the wide aperture allows highlighting the model, isolating her from the background, and creating a nice bokeh with texture. f1,8, 1/100s, 50mm, ISO 110 © Aurélien Primot
On the contrary, for portraits with several people or of a group, you will need to use a smaller aperture in order to increase the sharp area, so everyone is clear in the picture! Of course, these tips are only indicative (and not rules to stricly comply with) in order to let you understand the consequences of the aperture settings for the pictures. But you decide how to manage these settings according to the composition and the desired effect...
‘‘
There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept. Ansel Adams
‘‘ f4,5, 1/250s, 22mm, ISO 640
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS - P. 60
DESTINATION
GUADELOUPE ISLAND Pictures: Yves Queyrel, Nicolas Le Dilhuit Text: Yves Queyrel
The Native Indian name is « Karukéra » (which means the island of beautiful waters), the french archipelago of Guadeloupe is nestled in the Antilles. Guadeloupe’s islands have names that invite you to travel and daydream: Les Saintes, Marie-Galante or La Désirade; and various idyllic landscapes between roaring
waves of the Atlantic ocean and the quiet of the Caribean sea. Here are some of its treasures, shot by photographers Yves Queyrel and Nicolas Le Dilhuit who strode across the island for our great pleasure.
Nicolas Le Dilhuit
T
he islands of Guadeloupe give the photographer an amazing playground. They are full of extraordinary landscapes and biodiversity, all bathed in incredible light! The seven islands composing the archipelago overflow with natural sites which are each more beautiful than the last, between beaches, tropical jungle, even a volcano.
POSTCARD LANDSCAPES...
Each island has its own charm. You’re looking for white sand beaches? Then go to Grande Terre or Les Saintes. You would prefer some freshness, hikes or rivers to swim in? Let’s go to Basse Terre. Follow the guide ...
Walking towards the Accul cape, you can become filled with the quiet of this place, while watching the clouds drifting in the strong alizés winds. That is why it is the favorite spot of kite-surfers, and don’t miss the great show of the surfers at the end of the day, it is the chance to try shooting some sports pictures !
Let’s start with the dream scenery of the Grande Terre island, near Sainte-Anne. The caravelle beach is one of the most beautiful of the island, with a lot of palm trees. It is better to go there early in the moring (around 4 am) while the beach is empty and when you can enjoy the changing colors of the sunrise.
Yves Queyrel
The beach of Bois Jolan on Grande Terre island is very quiet… except on weekends! White sand, turquoise water, patato corals: nothing is missing. You feel like you are in a postcard.
Yves Queyrel DESTINATION - P. 64
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Yves Queyrel
‌ TO THE ROARING OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN In the North of the island, at the Ponte de la Grande Vigie, the strong winds come to smash waves against this coast of the Caribean sea. It makes me think of the Normandie coast in terms of height and grandeur.
Beached. Dead tree on the Bois Jolan beach. Grande Terre. Yves Queyrel.
DESTINATION - P. 66
Surfer at La Caravelle on Grande Terre. Yves Queyrel
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Yves Queyrel
Yves Queyrel
At the East of Grande Terre, after the city of Saint François, there is the Pointe des Chateaux (Castles Point). This is where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. To say the least it is a turbulent area...
From the top of the Pointe des Chateaux , we can see far off the island of La Désirade. Be careful with the very strong wind and sea spray… your photography gear may not survive it!
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We reach the Porte d’Enfer (Hell’s Gate) from Le Moulle (not to be mistaken with the Hell Gate at Anse Bertrand). Its worrying name comes from the waves violently smashing on the volcanic rocks and sending up geysers. This place is accessible on foot but watch out when it’s raining as the ground can be extremely slippery, and you should not approach the edge of the cliffs because of the strong winds. Be careful when taking pictures at the Porte d’enfer, it can seem very quiet, but then the second after, you’ll end up with water up to your waist!
Yves Queyrel
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Lagoon at the Porte d’enfer. Yves Queyrel
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Nicolas Le Dilhuit
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A LUXURIANT NATURE Should you wish to lose yourself in the tropical forest, then go to the Basse Terre part of the island. The Deshaies Garden is a botanical garden where you can discover all kinds of endemic plants of Guadeloupe. You can also see the former house of the famous French humorist Coluche, looking out over the Caribbean Sea.
The Raisins Clairs (Light Grapes) beach in Saint François is idealy located for an improvised picnic, for a real West Indian moment. Yves Queyrel
In the Deshaie garden on Basse Terre, Yves Queyrel
Have a tour in the heart of the National Park of Guadeloupe on Basse Terre island and you will be in the middle of a jungle environment, while not very far from civilizaation. This makes its charm: you are immediatly immersed in another universe. But it’s better not to get lost... Lézarde waterfall, Nicolas Le Dilhuit DESTINATION - P. 74
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A MAGICAL BAY In order to reach Les Saintes, at the South of Basse Terre island, you have to take the ferry. From the top of Fort Napoléon, you’ll discover one of the most beautiful baies in the world, a magical place.
To have a different viewpoint on the bay, nothing is better than making the crossing in a catamaran from Pointe à Pitre: the arrival at Les Saintes is way more spectacular and will offer fine conditions for making great pictures.
The Pompierre beach on Terre de Haut island (Les Saintes) is one of te most beautiful beaches of Guadeloupe, with its numerous palm trees. A must-see !
Les Saintes at the South of Basse Terre island, Yves Queyrel Pompierre beach on Terre de Haut island, in Les Saintes, Yves Queyrel
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TIPS When? Each season has its own charm, but to enjoy clement weather, it is better to go between December and March. February is ideal as it is the least rainy month, but also the hottest. What about the weather? The weather is variable, and the local weather forecast websites are not always reliable‌ How long? At least 2 weeks to have time to explore the islands. What camera equipment? For this kind of trip far away, it is better to travel with less. Prepare your trip and itinerary well before in order to take only what is necessary. Pay attention to the weight and size of your cabin luggage. Light in Guadeloupe is extraordinary but also very strong, and difficult to manage. Therefore we recommend bringing filters: polarizing, grey levels or big stopper. For landscapes, an ultra wide angle is nice. Once there: Renting a car is necessary to travel in the islands.
Jungle in Basse Terre, Yves Queyrel
View on Les Saintes with telephoto lens from island of Basse Terre‌ secret place, Yves Queyrel
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LE PHOTOMATON U
Meet here the photographers who published in this issue:
PORTFOLIO
Last name: BOULIC First name: Stéphane Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: as a hobby
U
Last name: BEZZINA First name: Cyril
STORY
Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: As a hobby For how long have you been taking pictures? I discovered photograhy when I was around 15 years old when I got permission to borrow my father’s Nikkormat with a 50 mm lens. A great silver camera, all manual. The best to learn on. With this beautiful camera, I went in Paris to take my first pictures. Since then, the passion never left me. What is your favorite photography style? What I like to take in pictures above all is people and street scenes. Most of my work is constituted of travel pictures and street scenes. I’m also interested more and more in portraits with natural light and studio as well.
What is your favorite photography style? Undoubtedly the macro, 80% of my shots are devoted to it. I try some landscapes but I have to admit that I am not very skilled at; I should read and practice a little.
What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? When I’m in a new place, a new country, photography allows me to be more observant but also to have more confidence in my instinct. It incites me to be more aware of my environment, to have a global vision of a scene while being on the lookout for details. It awakes me to what is around me. I love these magical moments when everything is perfectly aligned in my viewfinder. I love the little rush of adrenaline when you push the shutter release and you know that you have a good picture. I love grasping emotions and smiles. I also love seeing joy on the faces of pictured people when I show them the pictures on the screen or when I show them the prints. And above all, I love the meetings and exchanges that the photography prompts.
What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? Discover and let people discover the tiny world, the one at our feet or around us but that we don’t necessarily see. I think photography has peaceful powers. Taking pictures of little beings allows me to clear out my mind and break up some moments from the surrounded constraints, a kind of therapy…
Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? Each travel is in a way, a new story project. I try to transcript through my pictures the emotions that bring about the countries I discover and meetings I have. And then, one way or another, series are taking form thanks to the different travels. I keep them in at the back of my mind to then grasp all good opportunities allowing completing them.
Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? Unfortunately, I don’t have any realized project…
Do you have some current or future photography projects? I don’t know yet what will be my next destination. I had the opportunity to travel in around 20 countries but there are still dozens of places I dream of discovering and hundreds of fascinating encounters to make. During my last trips, I’ve started a serie on games in the streets worldwide and I’d like to go deep into it. I’m fascinated by social links that are created around games and the life resulting from. It goes from the awale game in Cape Verde, while waiting for the fishermen to come back, to dominos’ party in China, through a simple foot game improvised in the streets of Sri Lanka. I’m also exploring studio photography with pleasure.
For how long have you been taking pictures? I started photography when I was a teen (small compact cameras), then with a silver Canon and finally I went digital around 10 years ago. I first got bridge cameras to get my hand in (my first macros, with a supplementary lens) then I got a reflex camera only 3 years ago, which allowed me to open up the scope of photography possibilities…
Do you have some current or future photography projects? …and none in sight… What was your best photography moment/memory? I don’t have any in particular, each shot may bring satisfaction… or not. I really enjoy when looking for a subject to shoot and then turning around it in order to get the best possible result. What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? My favorite subject being the praying mantis, I wish I could take picture of one in a spectral position, with wings spread out to intimidate its preys or potential predators. I would also love taking pictures of empusas, but I live too much in the North to have some in my region. Become his best fan:
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What was your best photography moment/memory? Actually, I have plenty of excellent memories that come to my mind. In Sri Lanka, when I had to take pictures one by one of a whole village, after I told the 1st person that I’ll send him his portrait by mail. In Peru, when despite the tiredness caused by several hours walking, I suddenly ran on the Incas trail, in order not to miss pictures with golden lights on the Machu Picchu. At home, more recently, when I saw the emotion brought by giving one of my Fine Art prints. What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? I don’t look for one picture in particular because I rarely conceive them in advance. I have, in general, a direction and then I work by instinct, always taking care of the composition. Become his best fan:
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Last Name: BOULLIER First Name: Sébastien
Last Name: BRUAND First Name: Adrien
Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: As a hobby
Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: As a hobby
For how long have you been taking pictures? I started making « artistic » photography in 2010.
For how long have you been taking pictures? Since 2012.
What is your favorite photography style (ie.: landscape, portraits, architecture, etc…)? I try to remain eclectic in the choice I made for my shots, but I have to admit that I mainly work on landscapes.
What is your favorite photography style (ie.: landscape, portraits, architecture, etc…)? Landscapes pictures are my favourite and more particularly when the sun sets or rises.
What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? Above all, I look for the beauty and aestheticism of each thing. An improvement of what is around us. Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? One of my most remarkable projects is my project 365. One picture per day during one year, with a weekly theme and technical constraints. Maybe the hardest excercice, but also the most enriching: sebbou365.tumblr.com Do you have some current or future photography projects? Exhibition projects and the will to continue working on two series: “superpositions” and ghosts.
What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? I would like to share my photos with the others, make them discover landscapes and immortalize memories. Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? To me, the most important is «projet 365» which consists in taking a picture every day for a year. It’s long, very long but rewarding. Do you have some current or future photography projects? Nothing particular for now. I just feel like travelling, strolling, discovering new spots and capturing these moments and then sharing them.
What was your best photography moment/memory? The warmth of a sunset, the refreshing wave of a storm...
What was your best photography moment/memory? It’s rather difficult to pick one, each time I go for a photo exit and that a nice light is out there, I’m like a child, I run everywhere, I’m a bit in a trance in front of this spectacle!
What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? I think that THE picture to make is always the next one :) Actually, at the end, this is it (I am never satisfied, always making a new picture...)
What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? IThat would be a beautiful sunset just after a thunderstorm and for me,managing to pass an emotion through the photo.
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Last Name: DARASCO First Name: Jean-Baptiste
Last Name: CANU First Name: Grégory Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: As a hobby
For how long have you been taking pictures? I have started taking pictures around 15 years ago. I bought a silver EOS 500N with some of my first wages. What is your favorite photography style (ie.: landscape, portraits, architecture, etc…)? Landscape, rather by night and urban or harbour. In recent months, I’m doing urban exploration but mostly as background some « post-apocalyptic » little scenes, dark or with “steampunk” influence. What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? For me, photography is a visual art. So I’m trying to do beautiful pictures, which are pleasing to look at, to find good light or atmospheres. By analogy with music, I’m not a “text photographer” as we say in France. But sometimes, my friends find meaning in my pictures while I’ve not thought about it. Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? I haven’t really realized any photo project but few series that are the results of circumstances. More often, I find interesting places while walking around. I go back there with an idea in mind and come back with pictures which are totally different from the initial project because I forgot half of the gear or the light was not there… Do you have some current or future photography projects? I’d like to take advantage of the nearby natural landscape of Etretat to realize a series on Arsène Lupin (character of a French famous novel), maybe 2.0 version or steampunk. We’ll see… What was your best photography moment/memory? I have many! Maybe it is the day I planned to do a series on the Little Red Riding Hood story in the forest. The rainy weather forced me to find a plan B. We ended in the suspended gardens of Le Havre. We made a great series under the white vaults of the Sainte-Adresse fort and we had a lot of fun. What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? I’d like to take pictures of erupting volcanos in Sicily or La Réunion island. Become his best fan:
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Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: As a hobby For how long have you been taking pictures? I started getting interested in photography when I was a teen (now more than 20 years ago), but without being part of a club and Internet did not exist at this time, so my learning process was very empirical. Then after a break of around 10 years, I dove into it again in 2007, with the democratization of digital reflex cameras and I bought a Pentax k10d. Since then I’ve never given up and it’s getting worse and worse. By the way, I’ve recently gone back to silver (film) photography in order to extend my range of expressions and techniques. What is your favorite photography style (ie.: landscape, portraits, architecture, etc…)? I mainly take pictures of urban environments and especially industrial and harbour areas. I also regularly shoot concert pictures. But nothing is frozen... What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? As a hobby photographer, I particularly look for having fun while taking pictures that I want to. I like having an aesthetic approach of subjects that are obviously not. Having fun is not only in practicing photography but also reading books and magazines, as well as visiting exhibitions. I think it is very important to improve its look and to feed on others’ work if you want to progress in your own practice. Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? For the moment, I cannot say having really worked on some projects which have been thought from the beginning. In a first time, I gather pictures on different subjects and I look if there is a germ of a series being built up. If it’s the case, I try to enrich this series over time, like I do for my series “Opaque” for example, which shows harbour lanscapes in fog. I’ve also participated to Expolaroïd in 2014 and 2015 with two series of polaroïds, one showing uninhabited places, the other showing an out of wall inventory of objects. Do you have some current or future photography projects? Apart from my series in progress that I’m continuing to enrich, I’ve started a new series slightly different from what I’ve proposed since then, in which I show a “little robot”. This series is made with silver traditional format. I don’t know well where it’s going but I’m having fun with this character. The recent use of traditional format also made me want to work on portraits or stories, but I’ve nothing tangible for the moment. What was your best photography moment/memory? A picture of factories out of clouds. It was a foggy day in the Seine valley and while going back to Canteleu, I noticed that the fog was quite low. I had already an angle for that kind of situation. When arriving at the spot, the show was there, you could see the top of the factories getting out of that fog and producing a white smoke mixed with it. What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? THE picture is the same kind I’m just describing, but in Le Havre. One day, while arriving in Gonfreville L’Orcher, you could only see the chimneys of Le Havre power plant getting out of the fog, but that day… I did not have my camera in my hands! Become his best fan: www.jbdarasco.com -
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Last Name: LORRE First Name: Nicolas
Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: As a hobby
What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? For me, taking a picture is not the most important. What is the most important is the photography trip. It is a way out, a way to clear my mind and of course, to discover the surrounding nature. But well, I’m not against some very colorfould pictures inside the SD card when coming home... Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? It’s not a personal project but a collective one, together with 5 others Breton photographers. We have started a crew called « Breizh’scapes », we are all passionnated by the landascpes photography of our region; We have a facebook page www.facebook.com/Breizhscapes with already more than 20000 fans, and an online magazine published every 2 moblished on the facebook page. We also made an exhibition in 2014 and several projects in 2015. Do you have some current or future photography projects? Still having fun wandering around on my beaches or fields, discovering new spots and making great meetings, either with flowers or animals... End of october, I plan to go in the Alps to discover the beauty of landscapes in Autumn. I’ve been always fascinated by the colors of larches in the Clarée valley during by this season. What was your best photography moment/memory? I have one in particular: in August 2014, a photography trip of 3 days in the Ouessant island off the coast of Finistère. I was impressed by the wild side of this island as well as the diversity of landscapes. In addition, the lights were great, so I was my best photography trip ever. What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? As a landscape photographer, I’ve always dreamed about taking pictures of Scotland and the puffins… time will come!!! Become his best fan: http://www.descliks2bretagne.com/
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Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: As a hobby
For how long have you been taking pictures? I started to take pictures of everything in 2008 with a lumix Fz18. I got the virus and so in 2010 I changed my gear for a reflex camera (canon 450D), I’m faithful to that brand so I have several lens with this camera ; since last year I went in the FF world with a 6D. What is your favorite photography style (ie.: landscape, portraits, architecture, etc…)? All my work is around nature, ldanscape, macro photography and animals. But my favorite style is of course marine landscape. Living in French Brittany, all subjects are here nearby and without limitation!!!
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Lest Name: LE DILHUIT First Name: Nicolas
For how long have you been taking pictures? I had my first camera in my hands when I was 6 years old. But I’ve really practiced photography for around 4 years now. What is your favorite photography style (ie.: landscape, portraits, architecture, etc…)? I like montage photography and different kinds of experimentation (lightpainting, long exposures…). What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? Above all, having fun ! For me, photography is an excuse to have fun from the shot thanks to the directing and the experimentation, until the picture’s development. Moreover, with digital, there is no limit to the expression of an idea and to the sharing of the final picture. Everything is possible and everybody can enjoy it. Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? « Tetris dans la ville » (“Tetris in the city”): I explore the city looking for the “urban holes” that constitute the missing part of a giant puzzle. On another part, I use recognizable buildings as raw material to create one of the seven particular shapes of the famous Tetris game, floating in the air. « J’y étais » (“I was there”): 1 picture composed of 2 pictures. On the top, what I see and on the bottom, the exact place where I was. If possible with an explanation or the description of a particular feeling. Creative portrait/Self-portrait: Directing improbable scenes in familar environments. Some magic for adult children. Do you have some current or future photography projects? Project 52: 1 picture a week for 1 year. I started this challenge in january 2015. It is for me the chance to develop series in progress or experiment new techniques with a weekly rythym. This allows me to explore several techniques through 4 different themes: montages, inside pictures, outdoor pictures and human. What was your best photography moment/memory? Each preparatory shot for a montage or a lightpainting is a real pleasure. Alone or with my wife, there is always a moment when I tell myself: “But what am I doing in pyjamas on my dinner table?” or “did I really succeed in wrapping our heads with a wool ball !” What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? I dream of going to Norway to shoot a troll in its natural environment! I think it will be a great picture. Become his best fan:
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Last Name: QUEYREL First Name: Yves
Last Name: PRIMOT Firt Name: Aurélien
Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: Professional
Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: Professional
For how long have you been taking pictures? For a dozen years and professional since 2010.
For how long have you been taking pictures? 7 years
What is your favorite photography style (ie.: landscape, portraits, architecture, etc…)? Landscape, portrait, architecture and a lot of weddings
What is your favorite photography style (ie.: landscape, portraits, architecture, etc…)? First, it was macro then I’ve started to include more background, so I did proxy photography. But now I mainly take portraits. In studio, I have a lot of fun playing with lights. And portrait work allows me to meet people, it is nice to enlarge my circle of relations and have great meetings.
What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? I am mainly interested in the light which will give all its sense to the picture, it needs to have an emotion. Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? I went to Guadeloupe island last year to bring back landscapes and try to capture those extraordinary landscapes with my own look.
What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? To pass emotions, show what people cannot necessarly see.
Do you have some current or future photography projects? As a professional, the implementation of projects is complex but I’ll certainly provide photography trainings for next season.
Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? I don’t have projects, strictly speaking. For the moment, I play with light, try to find my own style. It is getting more polished. The hardest part is to find ahead a model that will let me express things once in front of my camera.
What was your best photography moment/memory? My best photography moment was, during a photography training, when I saw the look of my trainee taking his picture.
Do you have some current or future photography projects? For the moment, I’m continuing my portrait series. I would like to go back to proxy photography that I’ve set aside since I went professional.
What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? I am a traveler at heart, I love nature under all its forms but mostly seeking wild places. My dream would be to shoot in the Marquises Islands.
What was your best photography moment/memory? That’s a hard one! I would say it was when I took pictures of robins in the snow. With the cold, the conditions were not easy but generally speaking, I think it is pleasant to hide waiting for the bird to come, observe it then finally take a picture. Time stops and I love watching them so closely.
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What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? Landscape pictures in a foreign country. Not very far. Like Scotland for example. Anyway, the best picture is still the one you haven’t shot yet ! Become his best fan: www.posersonregard.com -
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Last Name: PYCKAERT First Name: Hélène Photographer as a professional or as a hobby: As a hobby For how long have you been taking pictures? I started with silver films when I was a child (with a Rollei 35led that I still have), a gift from my mother and from the 70’s! But I started to take it more seriously around 6 years ago... What is your favorite photography style (ie.: landscape, portraits, architecture, etc…)? Landscape. Some portraits and stories: these are the styles in which I would like to improve because I really like these photography styles. What do you seek in photography, what is your vision of photography? I want to make dreaming, travel and show the beauty of the world and of nature! Could you please let us know more about some of your photography works? I made a self-edited book on landscapes in Iceland, with a Lumix FZ at the time! Sometimes, I shoot fashion pictures for creators (Chayet Chienin and De la Sebure). But I don’t have yet big projects… the creation of this magazine is my big project right now :) Do you have some current or future photography projects? I would like to do something (book or exhibition) with my pictures from Ladakh in order to better let people know about this isolated region in Himalayan India. What was your best photography moment/memory? My best photography moment was when I met an old lady walking in a valley of Ladakh. I asked her in Ladakhi: “can I take a picture of you?” ; she was surprised that I spoke her language, she laughed and allowed me to take two pictures. I like when photography, which is a lonely hobby, brings people together. What would be THE picture that you have not taken yet / or your dream as a photographer? It is not only one but several pictures, a story or a portrait… but the perfect picture will always be the next! Become her best fan: www.cryingbear-photographies.blogspot.fr/ -
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