In Focus is Archinect's series of features dedicated to profiling the photographers who help make the work of architects look that much better. What has attracted them to architecture? How do they work? What type of equipment do they use? What do they think about seeing their work in blogs?
In this feature, we talk to French photographer Franck Bohbot.
Archinect: What is your relationship with architecture? What drew you to architecture, as a photographer?
Franck Bohbot: Architecture is everywhere, in every town, from the megalopolis to the tiny villages, I shoot architecture because I'm passionate in documenting with my eyes buildings, interiors, or the soul of a district.
Photography brought me to architecture, when i started to study and shooting, the first photographs I took were of deserted streets and urban landscape, I discovered the real architecture photography with the incredible black and white pictures of Julius Shulman.
A few years ago, I discovered the work of Thomas Struth and Lynn Cohen, there is much sensitivity and questioning in their work, they are both into architecture and mostly fine art.
Describe how you work... who are your clients?
FB: For my personal work, I always develop specialized new series, documenting places, stories and cities. Those projects are very essential to me, I began to exhibit my personal work this year.
For assignment work, it's very important to have a lot of information about the project, to listen to the architect, understand their work, walking in and around the places, I usually work starting at 4/5 am in the morning all the way to midnight to get the light desired and needed.
My clients are architects, magazines, construction firms or advertising agencies.
Do you mostly work in a specific region? What is your travel schedule like?
FB: At the moment, I am based in Paris, working in France and Europe, I can take assignments in every city in the world.
I began photography when I still lived in New York City, I plan to go back to North America for a few years in the future.
What is your goal when capturing buildings in photographs?
FB: Capturing the light, the atmosphere and the soul of the building.
What are your thoughts about including people in your photos? Is it important to photograph a building in use, or by itself?
FB: I think both are interesting, for interior, my personal thought is to have nobody and to get the maximum of details and an unique point of view of the place.
For building exterior, human beings are interesting to include because of the fact that architecture should evolve with the time, and it's interesting to look at a picture of the same building in 20 years from now with different people around it.
What are your favorite pieces of equipment?
FB: I work with a large format 4x5 inch camera since 2011 (not digital) and a 24x36 digital equipment that I always carry with me.
Do you work alone?
FB: Yes, almost always.
But when it comes to big projects with lots of lighting to install, it's better to have an assistant.
How do you feel about seeing your photographs on blogs and websites?
FB: I think it's a good thing, we can share our work with people who are interested and discover new projects.
Franck Bohbot:
1980
Born in Parisian suburb, Longjumeau, France.
He first started photography as a still photographer in movie set.
Since 2008, he began documenting and photographing cities, architecture, urban landscapes and empty spaces, a work meticulously composed.
He has an unusual sense for colors and details.
Environmental portraits and life scenes are also part of his work.
Freelance, works and lives in Paris.
2 Comments
the first photo looks like a pair of buttcheeks
...agreed. Play on his name (and the form itself) no doub(u)t.
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