As an artist I could not remain aside. Many
people in France even if they where not artist felt the need to react,
contribute to our society by acting. Personal initiatives were numerous. My
reaction began on saturday the 10th of january, when I began with some photos
at Place de la République. I discovered the numerous commemorative sites
gathering candles, flowers and all sorts of writing and design tools. On Sunday
before working I was there too. It is on the 11th that I decided to apply my
technique in the middle of the crowd, normally journalist shoot their photos
using a high speed and a wide angle lens. Here the challenge was to try fix
this historical moment with panoramic photos. Here distortion is not the
subject. How could I be creative and simultaneously report that day? that was
the question. I was not in the march due to my work.
After that week end I discovered other
commemorative sites of different importance between La République and Bastille.
The most impressive one was in the street of Charlie Hebdo. So during 3 months
I followed and photographed these sites. Some where vandalysed and I registered
that too.
Today Charlie Hebdo is reprinted and publication
is saved for 2 years. History is sometimes produced by stupid and dramatic
acts. If nothing had happened on the 7th the newspaper was going bankrupt and
today it would be unpublished and an object for collectors.
Regarding photography what is the result with
the photos obtained :
- first it is possible to produce panoramics in
such a context and have real expressive photos
- secondly it is possible to have in the same
photo a detail and the context. This is what I call "INCREASED
REALITY". Instead of having two photos and a text to connect them, you
present every thing in one picture. The viewer is completely
"informed" by the image.
-thirdly creativity can be found in the framing
and the subject. The purpose of my photos was not to compete with journalists
but have a personal approach of the subject.
-Retouching is necessary to save images that are
expressive. In the present context of informative photos retouching just
corresponds to what is made in the press today. It does not affect the meaning
of the image. It reinforces the impact of the image. I managed to make certain
in one shot, but it is a real challenge.
- The panoramic angle is really near the normal
human view, as a result you are in the event.
-In France due to the regulation these photos
are delicate, but in this historical moment I accepted to cross the line and
present the people. Every one, including myself, could not avoid to be
photographed that day, all wanted to have moments of that event, with cameras
or Iphone shooting was every where. You can spot it in the photos.
Finally I have produced over 100 photos,
pictured about 9 commemorative sites during 3 months. Now I am looking for an
editor. The titel of the publication is : Mes Journées Charlie. My Charlie Days.
mail: denoronhapanoramic@gmail.com
