Constant Formé-Bècherat Photography @ Interesting Photographers

Dec

08

2014

Constant Formé-Bècherat Photography

What kind of equipment (camera body, lens, filters, flash, tripod, cleaning equipment other) do you use?

I use a 5D Mark III camera for every of my works and I often switch between a Canon 50mm f.1.4 and a Canon 16-35mm f2.8.

I also have in my bag a Canon 24-70mm f2.8 but I prefer fixe lenses so i don’t use it very often. I also have a Manfrotto Tripod for night photography only. No filters are plugged on my lenses and I don’t like Flash light. I prefer constant light so I have a LED panel that i use for portrait stuff and only in studio. I have a big bag and specialize clothes for my reports across countries.

What do you like and dislike about your equipment, specially your camera, and how would you improve it?

I completely like my camera. It’s a perfect equipment for what i want to do. I would probably prefer fix lenses like the 35mm f1.4 and the 85mm f1.2.

A second « security » camera will be great like the Canon 6D.

What is your favourite lens, and why?

It depend of the subject. For my portrait works I am completely crazy fan of my 50mm f1.4 because it create a perfect blur on the pictures, especially at f2.8.

For landscapes and report like Iceland, I use my 16-35mm for impressive picture like huge landscape and to create a big impression of space but I also use the 50mm for more abstract picture.

When you travel, what is in your essential photographic kit bag?

For Iceland, I travelled with my camera, for sure, the 16-35mm f2.8 and the 50mm f1.4, the tripod and a microfiber tissue. Good gloves are reeeeaaally necessary if you want to take picture in cold countries. ^^

What kind of software/tools do you use for post-processing, if any?

For my report, i only use Lightroom because i consider that if the picture is too modified, it has not the resentment that i felt during the shot.

For portrait, prefer to use Photoshop to create images more thin and precise.

How long have you been taking photographs? How do you find inspiration? How do you take your pictures?

I started photography when at the age of 20. After i decided to stop my studies after a licence in advertising and marketing strategy. I always love seeing pictures, understanding how it can be taken. What was the techniques.

And because of that curiosity, I deeply fall in what is now a real passion. I always try things, I always want to experiment new techniques. So I find the inspiration on what i discover or on what which bite my curiosity. When I’m in a country, I always shoot everything. I have a thin line of subject and I try to turn my spiritual approach on what I’ve decided.

Which style of photography do you like the most, and why?

I don’t like a special style. I’m always attracted by beautiful pictures. I’m completely open minded. If the subject of a picture is the life of an oyster in the north of San Francisco bay and if the picture is beautiful or bite my curiosity, it will be as much good as a picture taken by a famous photographer. I’m just focus on my personal feelings and how the picture can vibrate on my body.

What goal are you working towards within your photography and when will you know you have reached it?

For me, it’s only a question of vibration. If I have the complete feeling that my picture is good or is vibrating, it means that I’ve reached a new step. And when I’ve reunited lot of « vibrating pictures », i try to create a link between them and that’s the moment I erase some of them because the whole are not coherent. To resume, first, the feelings and finally, the concrete part of the work and the research of consistency.

Looking at your own work, which piece is your favourite? Why? Please provide a link to the picture.

I really like the work I’ve made in Iceland. Because it’s my first report and it’s my first lonely travel. I always wanted to go in Iceland but I didn’t find the strength to do that. I’ve decided to experience the loneliness of mind and discover what I’m capable to do. I’m really proud of the report because it’s the beginning of a new way of life. http://www.constant-photographie.com/islande-ce-pays-que-je-n-ai-pas-aime#0

Does your work fit into any one or more distinct genres (nature, landscape, long-exposure, black-and-white, infra-red, urban, artistic, macro, vintage, vernacular, social, street)? If other, please specify.

A part of my work is completely anchored in nature, landscapes, urban and artistic photography. And the other part fit into portrait photography. I’ve done Live Gig photography for two years too so it’s not possible to put my works in a box. I’m a free photographer and it’s a luxury i want to keep.

Are there any photography websites that you visit regularly?

I often visit artistic blog like Fubiz because I’m not focus only on photography but design, architecture, drawing are really important to feed my imagination. I follow many photographs on Facebook and it’s a perfect way to see fresh stuff, always reinvented. I also buy lot of photography books.

What is the one most important lesson that you have learned since you started taking photographs?

I learned many lesson but the most important is probably « Don’t be idle, if you are not close enough of the subject, move your ass and be closer, you will never be too close of your subject »

And finally, what other interesting photographers would you like to see in this blog?

I have many name Yohan Terraza has already an interview on your blog. Probably Sylvain Norget for his amazing portrait work. Anthony Fournier for his curiosity about photography and experimentation. Thomas Babeau for his impressive fashion work. I have probably many other photographers I want to name but they are already big : Erwin Olaf, Ryan McGinley, Annie Leibovitz…..STOP. Haha !