Interview with Ed MONSON, photographer, France
Our next featured photographer journey takes us next to Paris, where Ed Monson creates his remarkable photographic work.
We were fascinated by his photos which are rich in contrast and always spot on. His visually stunning photos range from street photography over to architecture and up to abstract photography.
copyright Ed Monson ©
Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography in general?
Several years ago, I shared a two-roomed flat in Paris with a photographer. At that time, he was working for model agencies and was doing some street photographies on his spare time. He was not using digital, always films with analog cameras for his personal artworks... locking himself inside the bathroom for developing his photos. I became interested in photography watching him work, going with him walking and shooting, learning from his experience... But i found the analog and film process complicated, expensive and creating sometimes a lot of frustrations... So I chose another way, the digital.
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Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious about a few aspects of your work. You have started with travel photography and changed then to street photography. How did that happened?
When I was younger, i did not have the opportunity to travel a lot. So when I had the means to do it, I started to take vacations pictures inspired by the photos i saw in travel books... In addition to that, I often had a love-hate relationship with France, having sometimes the impression of living in a sleepy museum... For a long time, I did not see the interests of taking street photos here. But now I have travelled quite a lot, I see things differently. There is no need to go far to take good pictures. Paris is a great place for street photography. So I just began doing it few months ago.
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What equipment are you using to achieve your art form and with what did you get started?
Well, I started with a Panasonic Lumix TZ8 and then Lumix GX1 which are pretty correct for my personal and hobby use... and of course my smartphone Huawei Ascend P7. I consider buying a special camera for street photography, i read a lot about it... but my choice is not done yet... Honestly, my approach of photography is absolutely not about technique. Even if technical knowledges are important, I am more interested in the way i see things right now, observing...
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You've chosen the classic square format for processing, which reminds me to the good old medium format cameras. Please tell us a little bit about your idea of formal language.
At the beginning, I've chosen the square format to recycle and save hundred of photos instead of deleting them. My computer is full of travel photos I did not keep in my final selections. One day, I decided to reframe these pictures, to turn them into black and white and post them on Instagram. As an afterthought, it's only the editing process which led me to the square format... The result was surprising because it required to keep the essential part only and to reconsider the composition. I just enjoyed doing that. It became my language.
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What is it in your subjects that makes you want to capture it?
Mainly everyday life, streetlife or cityscape...sometimes trying to catch the self-derision of the situations. Of course, I like taking pictures of people but I do pay attention not to exhibit them in a negative way. For me streetphotography is not about shooting at people only because they have a weird face or whatsoever. In my opinion, it's about how people fit with the situation, how they interact with the environment around them and how the whole setting expresses the mood of the photograph.
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Do you see your personality reflected in your work?
Well, I hope my works reflects my personality because I have nothing else to offer and I don't know anybody who could do that for me. I am still a beginner –autodidact- and I am still working on how developing my visions. Vision is not only « sight » but « insight ». So, yes, I use photography as a mirror and I am not ashamed to admit it.
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Among your works, which is your favorite and why?
I really like the photo titled « I walk until... ». I remember that day, I walked probably three or four hours without taking good pictures. I was exhausted and disappointed... On my way back home, I saw that woman wearing this striped black and white coat... She was standing there, looking tired and upset.
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Are there any photographer who took influence on your photographic work and style?
Definitely Michael Ackerman for the way he creates mysterious and pregnant visions. I like his grainy and blurred images. In a complete different style, I found the artworks of Vivian Maier two months ago. I like her photos… even more her self-portraits. Such a powerful and innate sense of elegance ! I hope it could influence my work ! Elegance in photography is the cherry on the cake.
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What are some of the most important lessons you have learned by doing street photography so far?
The most important thing I learnt by doing street photos is that I am less scared of my anxiety now. And consequently, it allows me to be less afraid of people too. I look at both, I get closer to them and sometimes I take a photo
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What would you tell a beginner or newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
Nice try Stefan ! But you won't succeed in making me expose the unique and french arrogance on this trap question. Seriously, I am not enough experienced to provide advice and I would feel out of place doing that... I would only encourage the newcommer to create a story and not only an image…. and to practice a lot. Pragmatically and as I am concerned, I try to wipe all the pressure out before going for a walk and a shooting session. I need to be relaxed to observe and capture.
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Are there any special projects you’re working on currently which you would like to introduce here?
I am working on my personal debut portfolio of photography called « The 1000 B&W squares project » which -I hope- is not a square idea. It includes street photos, architecture, travels, etc... I have already chosen and posted almost 500 daily photos... Nothing pretentious, it's just a way of presenting my work and my stories... For now and for those who are interested, the project can be seen here : www.edmonsondailyphotos.tumblr.com
copyright Ed Monson ©
Ed, thank you very much for taking your precious time and let us have your thoughts and
views about your fantastic work! Please visit Ed Monson at: Tumblr: www.edmonsondailyphotos.tumblr.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/ed_monson/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/edmonsondailyphotos Download the complete interview for FREE by
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