Capturing the Chance Moments of Everyday Life: Interview with Julien Legrand

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Photo by Julien Legrand. Click to read more.

Eric’s Note: Julien Legrand is a street photographer based from the north of France, with a keen eye for the chance moments of everyday life. I was initially drawn to his color work– but have also been impressed by his monochromatic work. Check out his work and thoughts on street photography in this interview below.

How did you discover street photography?

JL-color (3)

When I was younger, I spent a lot of time skateboarding in the streets with my friends. We used to film and to take photos of the tricks we did. Not only that, but we also filmed and took photos of the strange events that happened around us.

Several years ago, I got more serious taking photos when I started to travel far from home. That is how my start in street photography began. Funny enough, when I started I didn’t even know the genre, “street photography”.

Much of your work has strong composition and a keen sense of geometry. How do you try to incorporate shapes and lines into your work? How much of it is deliberate vs instinctual?

JL-color (10)

I learned graphic design at school. When you communicate with graphic design, you try to lead the viewer where you want.

When I take photos, I think that I do the same thing, I spontaneously get rid of useless things in my framings in order to be as clear as possible. Apparently people often see geometry or graphics (graphic design) in my photos. I don’t know how I could do it in any other way.

Who are some photographers that have guided tour creative vision?

JL-color (6)

I didn’t have a good knowledge about street photography at the beginning. Perhaps my first inspiration came from skateboarding photographers like Mike O’Meally. Then I discovered Henri Cartier Bresson and all the pioneers.

You worked in both black and white and color, and now you seem to lean more towards color. Can you share your philosophies in working in both medium, and explain the challenges (and rewards) working in both?

JL-color (11)

I think that black and white and color reveals some aspects of my personality, as if I was bipolar. For example, color photos are my bright side while my black and white ones (often blurry) are my dark side, a bit like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Fortunately, now, I shoot more in color ;-)

Technically speaking, shooting in color seems to be more difficult to me. This is because when you are shooting in color, the light has to be good (and I can’t cheat in post-processing).

In black and white, I’m more free, my shots can be blurry, I can add strong contrast and darken some areas in the post processing.

These are just my own rules.

Why do you shoot in the streets?

JL-color (7)

The streets are inexhaustible sources of inspiration. I can shoot at any time, at any place– the only limit is me. Street photography is the best challenge.

Who are some contemporary street photographers whose work you admire, and why?

JL-color (4)

The first ones that come in my mind are Harry Gruyaert, Michael Ackerman and Gueorgui Pinkhassov. I like the mystery in their shots.

For me, a good shot is a shot that ask questions.

I also like more obvious ones like Alex Webb, Martin Parr and Garry Winogrand for what they bring new to photography.

What are some advice or tips you would give to aspiring street photographers?

JL-color (8)

Look at photos everyday (internet, books etc…). Also ask yourself why you like the images you look at. In addition, always carry a camera, and be ready to shoot.

Anything else you would like to mention or people you want to give a mention to?

JL-color (14)

I want to give a mention to my girlfriend (Cornemuse !), my family and friends (Jertroc, Reuscu, Rod Pics, Jazial, Nasco, Fletch, Soso, Isma, 12Crew, Pierre-Alex, Fred, Nyco (Etc… I can’t mention all of them) for having helped me to grow up.

I am also very happy to be part of the collective www.street-photographers.com with my colleagues Alfonso De Castro, Alison McCauley, Anastasia Rudenko, Andreas Paradise, Arindam Thokder, Artem Zhitenev, Brian Soko, Chema Hernández, Chuck Patch, Dimitri Mellos, Ed Peters, Fábio Costa, Gustavo Minas, Laurent Roch, Lukas Vasilikos, Maria Plotnikova, Martín Molinero, Shane Gray, Shin Noguchi, Stu Egan and Umberto Verdoliva.

They all have a great talent and a very nice state of mind.

Black & White Work

JL-BW (23)

JL-BW (17) JL-BW (18)  JL-BW (24) JL-BW (25) JL-BW (26) JL-BW (27)

JL-BW (15)

Bio

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Most of Julien Legrand’s pictures explore the chance moments of everyday life, with a focus on pedestrians. For him, streets and public spaces are inexhaustible sources of inspiration.

He always has a camera with him and takes pictures almost every day, anywhere, at any time. He operates spontaneously, instinctively, creating a visual record that does not seek to relate or denounce anything; he prefers to let the imagination run free.

The idea of being suffocated by a repetitive and impersonal daily life frightens him, so shooting on the street is his way of constantly keeping in touch with the world around him.

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