26 rue Gaspard Philippe, 33800 BORDEAUX- France 05 56 92 56 17 05 57 59 11 23 06 20 55 50 90 andrie@club-internet.fr
An interview With Françis Andrieux, Bordeaux, France July 2000. Link To Version Française. What is your current job or background? I would call myself a “spray lighter” (sculpteur de lumière, that is a painter with light! Ed). I’m a self taught photographer, but I’ve worked for many years with great professionals.
At the moment, I’m in charge of a photographic training project for young people with learning and or behaviour difficulties. For me it’s a real pleasure, and a real privilege to share my knowledge with this group! Passing on experience is something wonderful! Once finished, all the group projects are displayed to public authorities, or to the school and the parents.
For my own artistic career, my researches, my thoughts are becoming sharper, and new technologies give me the possibility to explore new ideas. Light will stay my main material and my inspiration. I’ve already worked out my next photographic project. But it’s still a secret…..!Your Gear:
With which equipment are you working with? A large format camera, 4x5 inches and a panoramic camera, between a medium format and a large format.
Black/White or colour? What do you prefer? Only colour.
Do you print your own pictures? No.
Your Pictures:
What was your first step to photography? It was not with a photograph or through looking at a photograph but my first step, my first strong feeling towards photography was when I had my first look through a lens, the camera we are talking about was a “Zenith E” (a Russian camera).
What is your own favourite picture? “L’affiche N° 5” (1992)
Any exhibitions? Publications? About twenty in the “big South” in France. Publications in 5 catalogues, and 2 magazines.
Do you like to show your pictures? Yes, showing my pictures gives life to them, they live through and because of other people’s eyes.
Do you think you have a fair opinion on other’s photographer’s stuff?
Yes, I think so. I have already produced other photographer’s work and even helped some of them to get published. I’m a big lover of photography!.
Do you keep all your photographs even the junk? Each of my photographs is prepared and planned a long time in advance, it is very rare if one failed. Now, if we are speaking about the photographs taken a long time ago, when I had a lot less experience, it is true that I still keep them. Each of them is a special memory, a moment, a feeling. I would be completely unable to bin them!
Do you have any personal little trick regarding your pictures? Yes, to paint with the light.
Your Inspiration:
Favourite photographer? I’m a great fan of lots of photographers, but maybe my favourite would be Man Ray.
Favourite place? My studio
Favourite models? No favourite models, I work more with and through the abstract!
Any Favourite moods? Generally I’m extremely concentrated. I need very deep mental preparation to work.
Your View On:
Do you know anything about English Photography? Any English Photographer? I like very much the aspect of social reportage mixed with a good dose of humour. English photographers…….Hummmm, Martin Parr, Richard Billingham…..???
What did you think of Uklandscape.net, what do you think of the photographs there? "Thank you webmaster, the site is nice to visit and it's very easy to navigate. Most of the photographs are classical compositions but very pretty with a particular care for the colours. But the real treasure, for a French photographer from the South West, is to be able to follow Sophie, in her London exhibitions section and read the previews and reviews, to see what is going on at the moment, what is trendy, what is the tendency, what are the prices. It's priceless!"
Your Dream:
What is your photographer’s dream? At one point I would like my pictures to lead thoughts into the future. I would like them to be premonitory in our society’s changes; I would them to deliver a message, social, politic and human.
