Phillipe's Interview
18 rue de la Chapelle – Latresne (near Bordeaux) – France 05 56 20 73 75
Link To Version Française. You
What is your current job, or background? Professional photographer, I did photojournalism and lots of reportage. I worked for various newspapers and magazines, in particular for the famous “Paris-Match”. I’m retired now, and do freelance photography. A the moment, I’m working for a television channel “Canal-Plus” and I’m in charge of all the pictures related to bullfighting for a weekly magazine about this subject.
Your Gear
With which equipment are you working with? In my studio, a Rolleiflex 66, then Nikon, and now a Canon EOS 1N.
Black and White or colour? What do you prefer? Black and white, but I can adapt myself to the subject I have to photograph. It true that some situations have to be in colour.
Do you print your own pictures? Black and white photographs, always.
Do you have any personal “trick” regarding your pictures? I’m very keen on the saturation of the negative. I over expose to be able to obtain a maximum of details in the blacks. I use this trick especially in my bullfighting photographs.
Your Pictures
What was the story behind your “great “ picture? PB: It was in 1967: The German Navy’s school tall ship called “Gorgh Fock” was sailing under the “Aquitaine Bridge” (in Bordeaux) with all sails out. All the professional and amateur photographers were on the left side of the river “Garonne”, I decided to go on the right side, amazingly, I was by myself, and luckily, had the benefit of an angle that none of the other photographers had. I sold all the rights for 8000 Francs to the newspaper “Sud-Ouest” (a large amount of money at this time) and I kept the commercial rights use. This picture was published 300.000 times.
What is your own favourite picture? I was about to say “ those I still have to take”! Seriously, it’s in fact a recent picture of a Virgin Mary in Séville (Spain) called “La Macarena”. I find it full of emotions.
Any exhibition? Publications? Some exhibitions in Morocco, in the “Beaux-Arts” in Paris, two in Bordeaux. During the thirty years I was working in a Publicity Agency as Creative Director, I was so busy during this period of time, that the desire to exhibit disappeared little by little. If we’re talking about publications, yes, a book in collaboration with writers and photographers called “les Contes de Zoccato», but I was also published very regularly in various press. I could mention again my five years work at “Paris-Match”.
Do you like to show your photographs? PB: Yes, but only to those I love, otherwise, I’m not that keen. Would you believe me, if I tell you that one day I had an exhibition with all my work….and this exhibition was….anonymous!
Do you think you have a fair opinion on others photographer’s stuff? Yes, and plus, I really need exchanges and to have contacts with other photographers. I also like very much to organise any photographic event but let somebody else be in charge, I like to act as an artistic Director.
Do you keep all your photos even the junk? No, I get rid of them quite quickly, what was useless, what will always be useless.
Your Inspiration
Favorite photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson
Favourite spot All kind of spot with human beings, except Sahara!
Favourite models People being busy and doing something.
Favourite mood When I’m taking photographs, I’m extremely tense, nervous, nearly anxious.
Your View On
What do you know about English Photography? I’m very aware of all kinds of photography, no matter what is the nationality of the photographer.
Your Dream
What is your dream as a photographer ? To make a movie.
