Ecarteur Artisanal

Wall Expression

" While wealthy people kills time, time kills poor people"

Central Park Underneath a Tree

I took this picture while the sunset.

We can notice the reflection of the tree on the water and also the amazing colors of the leafs which go to the yellow till red.

I wanted to show a peace environment, a place where we can find calm in comparison with the city which is always in movement.

N' E/Aitre Esclave 2Rien/Tout

For people who don't speak French , the text means " To Be/To Be Born Slave of Nothing/of All".

I did a juxtaposition between this squirrel which was behind a wire fence and the quote (stencil on a wall) which speaks about slavery: not the past slavery but the current one. Indeed, we have to follow rules and we don't have time to be free.

This squirrel and its background could represent the society in which we are imprisoned. The quotation places emphasis it. We don't see the wire fence in our real life but we know that they exist...

Rie

Rie is a Japanese girl who is so cool. I met her in the US.
This picture was taken in a club.

I like the light effect on the top of her head. She looks like an angel ;) and her face is highlighted.

The blur effect on her clothes is emphasized by the light. It shows a girl who is always in movement (for real!!).

A Gaze

When I saw this man in front of the wall, with a shy face, I decided to immortalize this moment.

In the picture he looks hurt. Indeed, his face has a strong meaning. You can see his eyes, which seem filled with sadness, his tight lips, his hand which are joined, a bandage on his thumb, ...

I captured his faces...it was so strong !!! His gaze is difficult to bear. I feel something really heavy in my heart when I see this photograph...

Couple II

Next Saturday, I went to Central Park. When I arrived there, there was a free festival/concert. And I succeeded in the arena, which made me really glad.
However, it was on the afternoon... so it was raining a lot... thanks god I'm not (yet) sick !!!


There were a lot of people who were dancing, enjoying the present moment. It was a good ambiance.


After the rain passed, I saw a beautiful couple who was holding one another: the guy had his hand on the back of the girl and she had her head on his shoulder... I love to capture such a romantic instant like that !!

Band

Last Saturday, before leaving for Central Park, I decided to visit Astor Place (thanks Kerry ;) ) and its area.
It was so amazing: Kerry told me it was like San Fransisco ... If San Fransisco looks like that, I will take my bag and settle there !!!
There is a lot of different people: some "hippies", "punks", "grunges" ... I love it.


There is also a Park (sorry I don't remember its name). It is where I took this picture.
A band was playing a kind of old-fashioned music ... so cool ! That is why I put this vintage effect.


In my opinion, this picture reflects NYC: you can always meet new people, with new look, new(or old) music... and they have a lot to teach you.

NYC is definitely unpredictable !!!

Untitled

I like taking pictures of people in the street because they represent our society, our culture. However, this hobby is really difficult : a lot of them don't like to be photographed and I can understand.
So, I was so glad when I asked this guy if I could take a picture of him. Really cool he told me "yeah sure".
Just for the anecdote, after him, I asked a woman if I could photograph her and she answered : "how much do you pay me?" and I said " hum nothing ... " and she began to yell and insult me... some people are so weird !!!


This guitar guy is good looking and his face is really beautiful. I like his hat... he looks like an artist.
He was alone on a bench , starting to play guitar (good player). His eyes are fixing the top of his instrument and his lips are a little bit pursed which show a man who is concentrated by what he is doing. I like his posture, relaxed and artistic.


The lights are on him... as a star. The background reflects it: a good warm atmosphere.

Old-Fashion

I was walking in Long Island and I saw this television where it was written, on the top " Old - But it works !". This quotation attracted my attention. So just to try, I decided to take a picture of my camera and myself on the center of this TV.


I like the style of the photograph with the black&white contrast and the flashy colors. I was lucky this day because I wore some flashy orange shoes and scarf. Also, the girl at the left (... a certain Sophie without naming her :D ) was wearing a red cardigan so I could create a contrast. The old TV with our new colors.


The aspect inside the TV gives a round effect. Indeed, we can see the grids, the side-walk, the buildings rounder. According to me, it looks like the 80's ...

Couple

On Tuesday, there was a free concert in front of my building so I decided to go. It was crowded : children, teenagers, adults, seniors and they were all dancing. A great ambiance.


There was this couple who was watching the concert. I thought they were so romantic so I decided to take their picture. They didn't know about it, so they didn't actually pose, they are just natural.
I like the Asian man with his long black hair and the girl with short hair and black nails. They are in the center of the photo so when we look at it, we just see them, as if they were alone in the park.


Their looks are really scrupulous : in comparison with other people in the background, they are just enjoy the music without talking. The relax attitude of this couple, the contrast with the grass and the sky give a glamorous aspect : we can feel their love.

Laundry

Untilted

I think this picture is kind of ironic. We can see a poster which specifies that "Prices may be higher in Manhattan", in the same time, "No Solicitation" and, a smiling Ronald McDonald.
I put the background in black and white in order to emphasize the absurdity of this picture... or rather, the absurdity of the situation, of what people can see and what a big company can do.


I want to underline the 'Higher Price' and 'No Solicitation' while you have a Ronald McDonald who's here to welcome you. You can't bring your pet with you, you can't enter if you don't have shoes, you can't smoke.


You CAN'T do what you want but you CAN, you have the right, to pay more than the regular price... such a good advertising ...... And the question that we can ask is : "Is this Ronald McDonald there to quickly remove those posters ?" ...

Untitled

Untitled

On the first photograph, I like the power of the lights in this dark room. On the other one, I like those girls, who are alone, in front of the mirror... there is a game of mirror/reflection.


We can see, through those pictures, that the light has a strong meaning. It's used for light up but also it can be used for an aesthetic Art. Usually "seeing light"means solving a problem, or it can also symbolize hope. Similarly, photographers use light to make a picture more beautiful, more aesthetic.

Memorial Day

This year, during Memorial Day, I decided to go to Washington DC. When I arrived there, I was chocked by the numbers of "bickers". Indeed, it was the first time that I saw real American Bickers !


The day after, I was more exited : there was a parade of bickers. So, as a professional ( hum ... yes ... ) I took my camera I decided to click away at them. It was amazing because they all wear the same clothes, they are all so proud of their country and also want to keep in mind the Vietnam War.


That is why, on those images, I emphasize the color of their "badges" they put on their leather jackets. I want to show their devotion for their country and to the war they fought.

Old Paris II

Last year, I have decided to take pictures of all the different aspects of Paris. Actually, I'm more into the "old-fashion" effect.


This is a butcher's store. However, we can see that it is abandoned. The grating which recover the facade and the posters emphasize it.


I'm touched when I see this image because it reminds me a time that I've never known ... Or more a time that I would like to know but it is impossible because it's the past and we have to move on.


Though this picture, I want to "stag" the pervert aspect of the capitalism.
Indeed, because of mass consumption, the smalls shopkeepers can't survive faced with huge wholesales.

Old Paris I

Montmartre

This picture "comes from" Montmartre. I was walking in those old cobblestones street, (actually it is the only area where there still are some paving stones in Paris). Furthermore, I was intrigued by this small street and its architecture.


This photographs is surrounded by a lot of walls and "buildings" (in a French style). I think the Black and White aspect communicates an atmosphere of the old Paris. We can see far off some people who seem tiny in comparison with this narrow passage.


The light on the top and the dark on the bottom emphasize the lines contrast: we have some horizontal lines which guide us towards the end and vertical lines which show us that there is always a way out.

Man

I put an orange filter to this picture and an acid frame in order to give it an old aspect. Indeed, I was walking in the Meat Packing District and I saw this guy, wearing some old clothes. Suddenly, I imagined what I wanted to do "with him".


The huge poster on the left attracts our attention. A woman who wears a veil; she is here to deliver a message. Above, we can also see the "ying and yang" sign and graffiti. It makes the image even more realistic.


After, we have this guy, who is sitting on a step and looking out somewhere. We have an interesting contrast between the woman who is looking at us and the guy who seems to be out. So that woman tries to get all the attention on her, in reducing this guy on the back.

Untilted

I was in Brooklyn, at the festival of photography (DUMBO) and I saw this girl, sitting down on a bench, and watching what was happening (maybe) outside.


She has a cool attitude; she does not seem to care about what is happening around her. She is just watching out of the window, without any special feature of frustration or happiness. Her posture shows a relax person, who seems to be overcome by her mind, by her dreams. She breathes peace and well-being.

In comparison to the room, she seems small. With these tall windows, long brick walls, those benches which follow one another. She is, one the photograph, the only living object. Like if nobody was alive, but just her. Nobody near her. She has created her own space: an empty place where she can meditate, without any disturbing noise. And when we look at her, we envy this feeling because she represents, according to me, the distance that we want to take with life.

Struggle - First Amendment -

This is Reverend Billy (I hope you know who he is) at Union Square. He was there in order to give a message : The safeguard of Union Square; filled of History.
For people who don't know, a "wealthy" owner would like to destruct a part of Union Square to create a restaurant. So, destruct a part of the story of America in the name of benefit.


Those three images try to build the face of Reverend Billy: A man who defends his ideas (e.g. "Stop Shopping) in front of the public, A man who takes risks (going onto the restaurant in construction to hoist a "flag" : Not For Sale), A man who listens to young and elder generations who struggle for the same goal. There are revolted against a society which doesn't want to think about the wellbeing of human but just about money.


In a certain way, he is the voice of the voiceless and we can feel it throughout those images.

Children Joy

In my point of view, this picture is a good, and at the same time fake, version of Harlem. Here are my reasons.
When I was in Harlem, I felt like an embarrassment between my camera and people. Each time I was trying to take a picture, they were avoiding me. I was worried because some of those people was wearing some incredible clothes, or had beautiful feature BUT I couldn't catch them.
However, when I passed by basket ground, I saw some children who were singing. As I moved closer, they started singing louder and dancing. I thought it was THE time...


I really enjoy all of the joy which emerges of the photograph. All of these smiles, these looks, the feature on their faces...

We can see in the middle of the picture that there is a "hole" where a child or maybe a teenager looks at me with a smile, certainly because she enjoys this moment. An other one, in the left of the middle is singing and dancing.

In comparison with the adult world, those children seem to take advantage of their youth. They don't judge you or directly say "no" or "yes, 5 dollars" when we ask to take a picture of them. It is maybe a kind of carefree attitude but it is what we miss.

Indeed, we are always afraid by what this person will be thinking about us if we do, say, act in a certain way. In growing up we become more paranoid towards the others and less joyful than when we were a child...

If it's what growing up means, I prefer to stay a child and enjoy my life as much as I can.

L'Imagination est l'Amie de l'Avenir

"L'Imagination est l'Amie de l'Avenir"... in other words, 'Imagination is the Future's Best Friend'. It is such a beautiful quotation.
I took this picture in Paris, far away from mass consumption.



The wooden steps stuck in the rocks reveal nature's beauty, even though those elements were in a metropolis, in the capital of France.

The steps show the future that we don't know and the blur aspect, the sensation of a dream. We all have no idea about what we will do. Sure, we can make plans but... will we really give them shape?

The curve in the left lets imagine a turn in our life. A means to find a better life for ourselves. The little white space on the top allow us to believe in it. Where there is the light, there is the life...

However, we are in the bottom of those steps. The question to ask is : " Do we have the courage to climb them? Or do we fear our future?

This photograph brings up a contrast : the stairs and the rocks (difficulties) against the light (knowledge/future).

Montmartre in Winter

During the end of winter time, I enjoy walking in the streets of Paris looking for new shapes and structures.
Here, those three pictures represent, from my perspective, Montmartre. Its heights, its stairs, its old construction, its mysterious side ...



On the left, we can see stairs from the top and, at the center of this picture, a handrail which separates a demarcate. Its black color emphasizes it. On one side we can see some white walls and, on the other, some flowery walls.

At the center, we can admire an old monument which possesses, at its top, a Christian cross. The clouds give a mysterious aspect. The shapes too. There is a mix between oval, round and straight lines.

On the right, we see stairs from the bottom (in contradiction with the left one). Those straight lines take us away, attract us towards the unknown monument. It offers a mystical atmosphere, reinforced by those leafless trees.

All of those images transport us towards an unknown universe; a new part of the latter. The dark color of the sepia allows this aspect.

Ethni in the City

When I arrived last August in the city of New York, I was pleasantly surprised by the real melting pot. All these people who live together in spite of the cultural differences.
This picture was taken during the 2007 Korean festival. Most of the Koreans had left their "occidental clothes" and put on their traditional costumes.



I enjoy watching this image because the look of the girl disrupts me. She is looking in my direction and knows that I'm taking her picture. However, she doesn't try to impress me, she is just staring at me. Her screw up eyes allow to give an intensity to the face. Furthermore, the red of her "Hankok" (Korean traditional dress) emphasizes her milky skin.

I put her in the foreground because she is the central element. On the background, we can catch sight of two other people. One who seems to be old and the other one, on the right, who should have the same age as my principal character.

Her youthful face, and her hand near her mouth make us think that she is pure and candid. She doesn't look afraid of my objective, she just stays herself.

The acid effect is here to give an old-fashion perspective to the image. Nowadays, with the globalization, it becomes difficult to find those kind of clothes. It is the reverse effect which appears : we are all looking for the new fashion product who distort our own culture.

Street Asian Shoe Repairer

Below a noisy bridge, I saw a man who was waiting for clients in order to meet his needs. I went passed him several times and noticed nobody seemed interested by his services. He was just looking at people walking in front of him.
Moreover, I was one of these people but for an other reason. I really wanted to take a picture of him because his expression was so "real" but I was afraid he would refuse. However, after a long time of reflection, I decided to pluck up courage.
Then, I asked him and with a huge smile he simply answered "yes". I was so surprised (because of my fear of rejection) and really glad.
I noticed his upbringing by taking off his hat (without me asking him to). I took it as a sign of respect, integrity and a desire to please me.



This photograph shows a Man during his work as shoe repairer in the street. We see his materials, which could look old-fashion but always in usage; ready for our shoes to be taken care of. His position suggests a shy personality. His hands are grouped together around his left leg. It points a certain discomfort by the position to adopt.

However, when we look at his face, we can feel a pleasant sensation. He is staring at the objective with a deep emotion. He wants to give us a message who just him knows the secret and thanks to that, he throws us into his world. Which one? Let's wander.

This Man represents a real person in a real world who has to survive in our society but keeps his smile. He doesn't inspire the mercy but he breathes the joie de vivre and the Black and White aspect places emphasis on it.

Frogs in a Bag

I was walking in the streets of Chinatown, expecting a unforeseen situation and I wasn't disappointed... First, I saw an old Asian man staring at a bucket. So, I moved near him because I was intrigued.
Suddenly I saw, leaving from the bucket, his hand bringing a living frog and putting it in a plastic bag.
Then, I asked what those frog were for and he told me "to eat".
I was a little bewildered but I shouldn't be...in my country it is totally natural to eat some frog legs...

I entitled this photograph "Frogs in the Bag". Indeed, I tried to stay in a neutral position in comparison to the chock that I had felt when I heard "to eat".

Furthermore, seeing those frogs pile up in a transparent bag, without being aware (does a frog possess a conscious?) of their destination.

It raises a question in my mind : can we have the right to have the use of their living conditions in our consumption societies? Just treating an animal like a stupid object.

The look of the frog at the top of this "pyramid" invites me to question myself, my human condition. I am under the impression that she (I want to give her a status) is glaring at me, as if I did something wrong. Or maybe is she waiting for my help?

We can notice the pyramidal effect as well as the closed bag. Those frogs are living their last instant. The closure of the bag on top of the image, shows us an end... their last breath; their last life.