Capturing Silence in a World That Never Stops: A Conversation with Fine Art Street Photographer Cyrille Druart
Jan 5, 2024
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Delve into the serene world of fine art street photographer Cyrille Druart and his 'Plein Silence' series capturing pandemic stillness. Explore his methodical shooting approach, structured compositions, and stylistic adaptations. Discover his post-processing techniques and reflections on social media's impact on art.
Cyrille Druart's 'Plein Silence' series captures the pandemic's solitude and stillness with fine art photography.
Cyrille's methodical shooting and self-critique reflect his dedication to perfection in his evolving artistic journey.
The photographer values printed images for their timeless look and control over appearance, contrasting with digital displays.
Deep dives
Photography Philosophy and Influence
The photographer discusses his minimalist approach to photography, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and focus on key elements. He believes in expressing ideas clearly through images, akin to how one chooses precise words in speech. His architectural background influences his image compositions, often centered around simple shapes like circles, triangles, and squares, highlighting his preference for graphic and structured visuals.
Series Creation and Reflection
The photographer reveals his methodical approach to creating series, involving months of reflection before finalizing and showcasing them online. While he rarely changes images once displayed, he occasionally removes or modifies pictures that do not align with the series' overall theme or visual narrative. Despite being open to exhibitions or book projects in the future, he prefers to keep his work primarily on his website, curated and reflective of his artistic philosophy.
Digital vs. Print Media
The photographer discusses the differences between viewing images on digital screens and in print, acknowledging the unique impact and experience of printed photographs. He values printed images for their timeless look and complete control over their appearance, a stark contrast to the variability of digital displays. The tangible nature of printed photographs offers a distinct appreciation for the artistry and presentation.
Website Management and Curated Visual Experience
The photographer's approach to maintaining his website involves strategic curation and attention to detail, limiting the number of images in each series to create a thoughtful and immersive visual narrative. He emphasizes the importance of taking time to appreciate photography, encouraging visitors to spend time exploring each image. His website reflects his minimalist aesthetic, showcasing each series in a carefully curated and engaging manner.
Photography Book Project and Future Direction
While considering a photography book project, the photographer weighs the financial implications and challenges of publishing a book. Although he values the idea of a book featuring his work, he prioritizes clarity and coherence in his artistic vision. The photographer's future direction may involve further exploration of series themes and potential collaborations for exhibitions or publications, maintaining a focus on simplicity and visual storytelling in his photography endeavors.
In today’s episode, we delve into the serene and contemplative world of fine art street photographer and architect Cyrille Druart who is the featured photographer in the January 2023 issue of Street Photography Magazine. Street Photography Magazine subscribers can read Cyrille’s story and view his photographs in our feature story about in which is scheduled to publish on Sunday, January 7.
Main Themes:
“Plein Silence” Series: Dive into the discussion about Cyrille’s powerful “Plein Silence” series, a body of work that poignantly captures the stillness and solitude of the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of a fine art photographer.
Artistic Evolution: Follow Cyrille’s artistic journey, including his affinity for minimalistic monochrome imagery and the development of his distinct graphic series that showcase his evolving style.
Methodical Approach & Self-Critique: Gain insight into Cyrille’s meticulous method of shooting and his pursuit of perfection through rigorous self-critique, a testament to his dedication to the craft.
Structured Composition & Design Methodology: Learn about the intentional structure and composition in Cyrille’s work, as well as his design-oriented methodology, which guides him in curating his photography series.
Stylistic Adaptations: Cyrille talks about the occasional stylistic changes in his work and how he adapts his style to convey different moods and messages.
Post-Processing Techniques: Uncover Cyrille’s approach to image refinement, using Adobe Lightroom for subtle tweaks and Adobe Photoshop for more substantial graphic adjustments.
Social Media Presence: Delve into Cyrille’s thoughts on social media, his preference for Instagram (@cyrilledruart) as a visual platform, and his contemplation about closing his Facebook account to maintain a thoughtful curation of content.
Closing Thoughts:
Cyrille Druart’s blend of architectural precision and photographic artistry creates a unique and introspective body of work. His advice on tool selection and the curation of social media presence offers valuable insights for both emerging and established photographers. Don’t forget to follow Cyrille on Instagram to witness his minimalistic, monochromatic world.
Episode Timestamps:
[00:01:30] – Transition from architecture to photography
[00:05:45] – Exploring “Plein Silence” and pandemic-inspired art
[00:12:20] – The evolution of artistic style and monochrome love
[00:18:15] – Behind the scenes of Cyrille’s shooting and critique process
[00:25:40] – Composition and design in photography
[00:32:10] – Discussing post-processing preferences and techniques
[00:38:55] – Cyrille’s advice on selecting photography tools
[00:45:00] – Thoughts on social media and content curation
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