Photographer, art director, video maker, graphic designer… Passionate and always looking for creative projects and ideas. Fabrice is above all a creator of images, whether advertising or fashion, digital or animated, the technique is for him only a tool. Meet an enthusiast.
RC. How did photography become your profession or your passion ?
My first encounter with photography, I was probably about 9 or 10 years old. I went with my father to a small black and white lab, there was a timer, a bathtub and this red lamp. Then a flash of light and the images were revealed on the baryta paper. There was something magical to me !
Later, I understood how to use this tool, but I was already attracted to mac and photoshop ! After 5 years of training in graphic arts, I worked in printing, in agencies and freelance on various projects, and each time, image was my priority ! A beautiful concept, a beautiful idea, without beautiful visuals didn't make sense. At the time, everything was based on online image banks... Frustrating and not very creative !
So I had to get on with it,, but with great pleasure, photography has gone from passion to a key creative tool in creating album covers and posters (music was the world of my first clients, from independent artists to creations for labels such as Warner, Universal or Wagram), graphic and digital documents.... in agency or freelance.
It is in 2016 that I met Studio Hv. I had the opportunity to succeed the two photographers and finally become a professional photographer with a huge equipped studio as a bonus.
RC. What are your references ?
My references come from a variety of worlds, cinema, digital, the music scene and the visual arts. During my studies, art history was a real discovery. The lights used in photography often come from painters (Rembrandt, Vermeer lighting...). During my travels, as in England or Amsterdam, I picked up a lot of flyers. Their modern graphic culture was a source of inspiration. I won't forget to mention great names in design such as Serial Cut, Hello Monday, Brand Nu, Adhéras Batista and of course Design Chapel and North Kingdom... For my photo references, you have to go and see Formento & Formento, Cyril Lagel, John Wright, Marc Lagrange... and many others, especially with the young generation who use cameras in a different way...
RC. What is your equipment and your set up ?
I use Canon since the beginning. I've been a 5D mark IV fan for a few years now ... It's an adventurer always ready to shot, but the R6 is attracting me ... Elinchrom for lighting without hesitation...
RC. What is your working method ?
My method is simple in fact, to understand the need and the project in order to adapt the techniques and style to the final demand. Unlike an art photographer, advertising requires more technique and distance. I start looking for images and choosing my creative axis. Then, I select location, casting, accessories and participants, and draw lighting schemes. In studio it's quite easy to follow your brief, but outdoors you have to know how to adapt, adjust the angle and the settings constantly according to the light and human conditions ...
RC. What technical tip could you give us ?
Creative people need ideas constantly, even in improvisation... so the only way is to be curious, attentive to everything that graphically surrounds us. I also advise you to master your creative tools !
In post-production, I use a well-established technique. I select under Lightroom and choice is often complicated. So, I make a reverse selection, first I keep everything (without tests and technical problems), then I eliminate some in two or three steps until I keep only a small selection for retouching. I created an ActionScript suite that allows me to have a constant and fast flow...You can discover it on my site... and even get it for you !
RC. Do you have any plans to come ?
Always, I've always tons of ideas. I 've just created my new personal website (I invite you to discover it). I would also like to get more contact with other enthusiasts and suggest one/one on techniques in order to transmit my experience.
I'm working on a series of 15 editorial photos, a concept that I may tell you about in a few months...
And above all, the projects I make at Studio Hv
