RC. Can you present your project ?
During an architectural photography work in a prefecture, I saw various statues of Marianne. This emblematic french Republic figure is an inspiration to numerous artists. I like the beauty of her image, a woman wearing a Phrygian hat. I thought Marianne should be an icon that all the French citizens can make their own. After all, it represents our republican values: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Showing a Black Marianne is also a reminder to the zealous defenders of a traditional and consensual Marianne that our nation has not only built with Berrichons and Normans ...
RC. Do you always work with the same team ?
Yes, I have every confidence in the people who work at the studio. I like to move in with them and watch them thinking up new creations. I appreciate the fact that everyone can progress thank to each other, in confidence. My make-up artist knows that she can suggest ideas, they will be discussed and that I completely trust her.
RC. How did the creation and the shooting go ?
First, I selected a good looking Phrygian cap as a model . After a few hours on internet, finding only cheap disguise, I ordered one that was looking correct. But, when I saw it, it was not good at all … Finally, I asked a very talented seamstress to make one for me, using the "thing" I received as a pattern ... Thank you so much Lucie (Lutilu )! If you read these lines, you have saved my project ! Then, I searched for the right model. A few months earlier, I worked with Lyre-Divine and I liked her profil for my project. I contacted her and my make-up artist Julie (Girardot). Lyre-Divine agreed. We worked all together looking for the style I had in mind (clothes and make-up). We created the visual in my studio, in a good mood ! I've been working with Elinchrom lighting for 10 years now. I like it and as I am a perfectionist, I have 10 torches and generators, and around 30 modelers. I love shaping light ! Then I show the first shots on the computer screen to the make-up artist who can make changes. It is not the final creation, but as I am used to it, I have some few details to retouch.
RC. What is your post-production method ?
In general, I always work in the following way : shooting online (when possible) on Capture One Pro. This software is fabulous : great stability in the capture and perfect work of the colors. When you start to make it, you loose a lot of reference marks and I think that's the reason why I get my reputation... Once the RAW is processed, I print off in PSD 16bits and then I use Photoshop. I started very young on this software (version 4.0 around 97 or 98 I think) and I haven't stopped since. I don't use "commercial" retouching Tools. I choose techniques I like, work on them for a few weeks or months, and only keep what I think is relevant. I retouch on a wacom cintiq 27" tablet. I spend a lot of time on it, so I prefer to work in great comfort. I like retouching with a 300% zoom, but I do it less (laughs). I try to anticipate the uses of my visuals in advance in order to adjust them accordingly. For fine-art like this Marianne, I retouch the images in Canon 5Ds (50x75cm at 300dpi...) There are lots of details !
RC. Do you like your final creation ?
I like it because I succeded with the "icon style" I wanted. In general, I am "like allergic" to my visuals a few months after they have been produced… This time, I am not, and I even think to keep on with this series ...
