© Denise
Sarlin
Hello,
I am impassioned of nature since always... from there liking photography, it had only one step there!
With the 17 years age, I offered myself with my first wages of workmen a super camera 8 (it was there is... a long time!). This discovery of the cinema impassioned me, I very quickly improved my equipment, until reaching a professional semi level. But I was rather solitary and moreover I lived in an "isolated" area, which did not enable me to meet others impassioned. In short I was all alone in my corner... to make all alone cinema, it is not very effective, more especially as was very expensive for a budget of workman!
Three years later, I discover photography. I give up not without regrets and gradually the cinema to devote itself fully to the fixed image! Although having worked, as assistant, with professional photographers, I did not see myself making my profession of it. What I knew of the trade: they was the portraits, the marriages or to photograph in studio of the objects of all kinds. This type of photographs really did not impassion me, I quickly needed air...
I thus continued to make "my photography", to all alone learn (or almost), as an autodidact, the various photographic techniques. Although appreciating the supports "black and white", I very quickly directed myself towards the "color". In the beginning of the Seventies, the photo color for the amateurs like me, was with its stammerings, I speak about the treatment in of course laboratory. It was not easy for me to inform me and to supply me into consumable (like one does it today), especially at the fine bottom of the Mounts of Drill and without means of transport. Moreover, I had not found better than to offer a Suisse room to me of workshop 4x5 inch (but why of workshop?...) and all will tra it it it which goes with. Already!... hello to find films!... but when one is obstinate...
I developpais my films plans at the house, but since I did not have the means of investing in an enlarger large size, I went in the photographer of the corner. It lent to me its laboratory in exchange of small services of the kind "marriage" when it was with "flock" (all that I like!). I think that it took to me for an eccentric (it was not only), it wondered why I had such an object and not a 24x36 like all the amateurs. It is true that there were many constraints but this photographic room enabled me to evolve/move quickly parce what with it I did not have the right to the error, not question of "canarder". In fact, without wanting it, I worked a little like the pioneers of photography, I trimballais my cases of matos everywhere (with foot), I made use of it as one would be useful oneself of a "pocket" which would make more than 10 kilos (with all the accessories). It is what enabled me to learn how "to see" and to tally. Appointment counts... if I were mistaken from point of view... one needed all remballer and to start again further!
With the room, experience gained, I worked "with the filling". I seldom used a cell to measure the light because the subject, did not wait to him. The image of frosted was not rectified (aimed to back and reversed), but I thought that if the image were good with back, it was good at the place (I know... that this discusses!). And then it is nevertheless a marvellous tool, have cannot do everything, but for me it was the signal for framing and the prospects... so only it was not so heavy, the so expensive films...
Me which dreamed to be free like the air, that did many constraints. Then a day I broke the moneybox and chose the average format.
A superb Swedish case, provided with German optics, which almost made me forget essence: the image. Not being a square follower of the image, which implies an almost systematic realignment, this format really did not satisfy me. For me framing was to be done with the catch of sight and I know that I was not the only one to think that. This being said, the realignments belong to the world of photography, I resounded as an amateur purist! Finally, I separated from this beautiful tool and I invested in the "reasonable one" in 24x36 (after all I was not a pro of the studio). But there! I was completely disorientated... think! to pass, in little time, of a room 102 x127 mm with a format "riquiqui" of 24x36 mm with the same film emulsions... that shocks!!
In short, I arranged the room in the wall cupboard that to arise it in the moments of intense nostalgias, but I never sometimes happened at me to separate some.
I thus relearned "my photography" and I discovered many qualities to this small size. Initially was needed that I learns how with my brain "to see" systematically with only one œil, hé yes! I was accustomed to tally the two open eyes. I know that that can appear strange, but the brain "does not see" not the same thing with one or two eyes, the sight has also its "stereophony", finally it is what I think... and I also think that the image must be conceived with the catch of sight, but not inevitably to finalize itself.
The beautiful adventure which is the life, makes me leave the forgettable moisture of Drill for will install me under the unforgettable one and generous sun of Provence. It is in this area, revealing for me, that I discover a superb paper color, invertible, with the azo dyes (for those which know)... ! It is after some gropings, like always, that I ended up controlling this support well, at the point to interest certain photographers pros of the corner, it was at the beginning of the Eighties. I said, higher, than Provence was revealing for me; it is the light of Provence which gave me really desire for photographing landscapes.
At that time I found myself, I do not know how, propelled "responsible" in a shop for photo trade where I acquired other experiments, but I still did not live a professional dream!
My dream? It is towards the end of the Nineties that I saw it being profiled at the horizon... and some galères further... I had finally found my way; a camera, an arranged van (that passes everywhere), the blue sky, and here... it left!
With the assistance of my agency of illustration, which supported me and advised, I became today professional photographer with the statute of author, I course with my wife, who it also is an author photographer (the foot!), the roads, ways, paths and have are filled with wonder permanently, the true life what!
Recently, arrived of numerical left me a little perplexed! At the beginning, when that I intended some to speak, that passed like a flight of wasps on my head, I were aggravated more than another thing, but there, I made the ostrich. At certain people the brutal changes make fear, I do not think of forming part of these people there, but, I concentrated myself on the problem before it is not too late. The concern with this technology it is the post-production. With film, one "shootais", one carried to the laboratory, one captioned and that left in exploitation. Now, that neni, not only one "shot" much more, but afterwards, it is necessary to sort, "dérawer" (from where y leaves that one?)... in shorter... it is necessary to treat the images with a computer during hours and hours! ... advantages or disadvantages?...
In what relates to me, the principal advantage (I would speak only about that to be short there), it is to be a Master of my image until the end... with precedes the joy of it of not being more one "push-button assisted", but a photographer with whole share, like there is... well a long time! As for the disadvantages, I would say simply "that nothing is perfect, but very improves, is enough to want it".
Here, now you know my photographic course and my ideas, at least in the broad outline.
I wish you a pleasant visit.
Christian Leyreloup
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