Looking for Something Special on the Streets of Lyon: Baptiste Hauville

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Eric’s Note: I’m not sure how I first stumbled upon Baptiste Hauville’s work, but I knew instantly that I liked his unique vision and color street photography. What I love most about his work is the layers and complexity that he adds to his photographs, with strong geometric shapes and layers. Not only that, but a lot of his photos have a punch of humor in them as well. Check out his images and thoughts on street photography below. 

Baptiste: I’m 27, and currently live in Lyon, one of the biggest cities in France. I hope to soon be a full-time working photographer. I think I first started photography thanks to my dad. I remember playing with his old camera (a black Minolta SRT101) during my childhood. He owned it for almost 30 years! And it still works. What a great piece of metal!

I got into street photography progressively. Actually, when I decided to go out with my camera for the first time, I had no idea that I was shooting street photography (well, trying to shoot street photography).

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I have always been uncomfortable with the idea of of pointing my camera at strangers. It’s not a natural gesture! I had to force myself to shoot people I didn’t know, to raise my camera in front of their face. To first get over my fear of shooting in the streets, I started by asking for permission. However as time went on, the fear of shooting on the streets quickly disappeared with practice. Over time I also found out that I was a 35mm focal length guy.

Now, I can’t live without street photography. It’s like a drug for me.

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Alex Webb is my main inspiration. For me, he’s the master (not to say my God, haha). He has an incredible sense of composition and  understanding of light. Everytime I take a look at his portfolio on Magnum’s website, I can spend an hour or two analyzing his work.

I’m also influenced by Constantine “Costa” Manos. His sense of light is excellent as well. An incredible colorist! Although it may not be  not photography, but Edward Hopper’s paintings are a great source of inspiration for the light and the atmosphere.

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When I go out to shoot the street, I’m not really looking for something special. I mean, if I have a precise theme in mind going out, I risk to miss something because I’m too concentrated on this idea.I prefer to let myself go with the moment.

When I see something that seems interesting, then my heart starts beating quickly. At this moment, I know I have to pull the trigger. It’s all about feelings.

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As I said before, I hope to be a full-time freelance photographer soon. I plan on doing mostly weddings. I know it doesn’t seem really exciting for some people, but for me there is a possible comparison with street photography. I think the skills that street photographers and wedding photographers need mesh together well (in terms of capturing the decisive moment, composing well, and being quick). The photographer needs to be aware all the time, and to anticipate moments. Sure the aesthetic is a bit different, but they have many similarities at the end of the day.

There are a lot of great street photographers out there. I could make a list with a lot of names, but here are some of them that I find inspiring and that I respect for their work (and are sometimes jealous of):

  • John Goldsmith: his work is excellent, he manages the light perfectly.
  • Gustavo Minas: for the same reason.
  • Arindam Thokder: his photography is colorful, always well composed, and again, he has a great control of light, with harsh shadows.
  • Andreas Paradise: he’s got some great photos playing with lights and shadows. I like his work.
  • Frédéric Le Mauff: because there are not a lot of great French street photographers! And because he gave me some great advice, and I thank him for that.

Again, there are so much more talented photographers than myself!

Photos by Baptiste

 

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