E ric N ouveau N oir is a 3 4 year old photographer from R otterdam
»Working around magazines gave me a greater respect for the power of a great image.«
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WHAT DO YOU DO MOST TIME IN YOUR LIFE?
Thinking.
HOW DID YOU START WITH PHOTOGRAPHY?
The first portrait photo I made was a quite an unexpected experience. I had been taking photos of landscapes for years, but had gotten quite bored with it. After a girl on the streets asked me to take her picture, I was instantly hooked. But it was only after a couple of portrait series I realized what it was I looked for in photography: I wanted to capture beauty, emotion and soul.
WITH WHAT CAMERA DO YOU WORK PREFERABLY?
Last year basically was a study in models and in classic cameras at the same time. I love to use multiple analog cameras parallel during a shoot. Each camera, each type of film portraits a model in a different way. My favorites: Polaroid 195, Pentax 67II, Lomo Lubitel 2, Yashica MAT-124G, Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Expression, Kowa Six.
IF YOU HAVE TO DECIDE FOR ONE LENSE, WHICH WOULD IT BE?
The standard lenses of any of the above named cameras will do just fine.
WITH WHAT KIND OF DIFFICULTIES DO YOU HAVE TO COPE AS A PHOTOGRAPHER TODAY?
Photography has seriously changed. There are lots of people holding an expensive camera, but only a few of them have a good eye. I like to turn things around. That’s one of the reasons why I prefer anything relative cheap, analog and second hand. I just don’t like to hide those differences by cropping to the same format, or converting all photos into black and white. It takes the camera out of the photo
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR A GOOD PICTURE?
Light.
WHICH MODEL HAS MADE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON YOU AND WHY?
Avalon Kip of Ulla Models. Smart and full of alternative and daring ideas, she made my work real fun and easy.
IS THERE A ROLE MODEL OR ARE YOU FAN OF SOME PHOTOGRAPHER?
I like my classics, like Sally Mann. Slightly controversial, but timeless work, even is this era. Of more recent times, Camilla Åkrans has quite impressed me. She shows that successful modern high fashion photography isn’t made in a studio filled with flashes and a white backdrop, but outdoors. Landscape can evoke the model, knock her off, bring her to life. The work of Kessler Tran is also very appealing.
WHICH RELEVANCE HAS FASHION IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
Quite a lot, but I could easily do without.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MOTIVE?
Rotterdam is quite an industrial city. Though there is a certain urban roughness and progressive atmosphere in the city that I adore, there is no nature at all. Certainly not the untamed, wild type. That’s why I combine the longing for raw nature with that for pure feminine beauty. To me it is the best of two worlds.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR OWN FASHION STYLE?
As nothing much, but I’ve got some sort of of indie rock ‘n roll thing going on.
YOU CAN TAKE 3 THINGS ON AN LONELY ISLAND, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I’d bring three persons: Bregje Heinen, Lara Stone and Marloes Horst.
WHAT DO YOU DREAM OF FOR THE FUTURE?
World peace. And a dream gig on a lonely island with and amazing models, a progressive client, an all-star team, somewhere on the other side of the world.
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IZAbel photography by Eric, Nouveau Noir Model Isabel Nollen, ANC model management Hair & Make Up Michela de Simone, O.P.I en Farouk Systems Styling Marlon Leidsman
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