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06/21/2003 08:14:58 PM · #1 |
Wow! 8 already? How did that happen?
I have always been told that photography is essentially about light. That when you take a picture of something, you are not taking a picture of an object, you are taking a picture of light bouncing off that object. The same day I discovered DPC back a few months ago, I also discovered jjbeguin, and his photos have taught me volumes about how light can shape an object or a space, give mood to an image, and reveal stories and objects with realistic beauty and clarity.
Here is jjbeguin̢۪s profile:
//www.dpchallenge.com/profile.php?USER_ID=3585
We̢۪ll start with his own self-portrait:
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=11889
In this photo, light not only sculpts his face and that of the skull, it also adds interest and mood and reveals a little about himself and his wry sense of humor that can be found in many of his photographs.
To me, Monsieu Beguin does not seem like an idealist when it comes to communicating with photography. His photos do reveal, however, that interest and beauty are constantly all around us, if only we̢۪d see the light! What a great reminder and mentor! Whenever I̢۪m taking a photograph and I̢۪m honing in on my object, I often recall his photos to remind me that it is actually light that I̢۪m taking a picture of.
My eyes go next to another of my favorite photos of his:
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=12118
Here, Monsieur Beguin captures the light bouncing dellicately off of this river/canal, and also communicates how it is so gently interrupted by the trees̢۪ shadowy reflections. The result is a nearly perfect use of tonal range, beginning and ending with that marvelous light!
He seems to prefer duotone images, but lest you think he does no color photos, gaze at these pictures, which show how skilled he is at communicating that light can be colorful, too:
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=12435
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=21334
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=12620
I̢۪m still trying to learn how he gets people̢۪s skin to glow. Perhaps I̢۪ll never figure it out, but in this image, see how our eyes go right to the faces, which naturally glow in very flattering ways, yet with a realism that is shocking in that it does not take away from these beautiful people, or suggest that they are anything but who they are; he simply shows us their beauty by the way the light hits them--sorry I can̢۪t describe it better than that!:
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=15813
If you̢۪ve gone through his photos, I̢۪m sure you̢۪ve seen him often capture that elusive emotive quality that we̢۪d all like to so consistently capture. Summed up, which may be inappropriate in his complex body of work, he is able to communicate both living reality and sublime loveliness in his photos all at once. Perhaps it is more accurate to state that he shows us that reality and beauty can live together, and that they do--all around us.
I̢۪d be very interested to know which of his photos are your favorites! Light is also very difficult to talk about--How about your thoughts of his use of light?
Previous Profiles:
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=28556
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=27586
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=26580
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=25693
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=24573
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=22655
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=23282
(Once again, if you are wondering, I select photographers for these profiles based on whether I, usually recently, learned something from them, and whether or not I can speak of their work in a lucid way. I consider them mentors, and hope to be as skilled as they are some day!)
I've also been meaning to point out that these are my perceptions; the photographers I profile certainly have other great strengths than the ones I mention! However, I learn a great deal by looking at various photographers from a specific point of view myself.
Message edited by author 2003-06-21 20:16:52. |
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06/21/2003 08:39:50 PM · #2 |
Excellent choice! His use of light, to me, primarily brings out amazing textures that really hold the viewer's eye. One of my favorites is one that you mentioned, "After All These Years"... It's been on my favorites list ever since it was entered.
Jodie
p.s. Besides his fantastic use of light, I'm also a sucker in a big way for the way he uses intense saturated colors in his color work. Great stuff! |
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06/21/2003 09:07:04 PM · #3 |
| He's on my favorites too. Good choice. |
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06/21/2003 10:06:19 PM · #4 |
I like his photos that tell a story the best (though he is my #1 very best all time photographer). He has a picture of a ladys feet on the table. She has red polka dot high heels and she has drunk all the wine. That's my all time favorite photo on this site. I think everyone must know a version of this woman. I do. Mine's name is Pauline.
Maybe some clever person could add the link for me? |
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06/21/2003 10:31:45 PM · #5 |
Ahh Yes, great choice. I love his B&W shots! Excellent work. But just one thing though. His profile pic is very perplexing. I can't figure out whether the head blends in with the background or if it's photoshopped out.
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06/21/2003 10:36:58 PM · #6 |
I can't add much to this... When I look at my personally selected favorite photos on this site, a couple of JJ's photos are more than just 'in my list'. They are at the top of my favs...
JJ seems to have the vision that i'm trying to find. Maybe one of these days I will...
Kudos JJ :)
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06/21/2003 10:55:43 PM · #7 |
All that's been said below about jjbeguin is very true. For myself, I think that what I like most about his work is his use of rich "autumn" colours: reds, golds and browns, wonderful greens, all mixed with beautiful blues and black, for example
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=18990 and
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=11204
I also like looking at what he calls "photoshop crazy" works, such as
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=21337. These are fun pictures!
Message edited by author 2003-06-21 22:55:59. |
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06/21/2003 11:54:47 PM · #8 |
I often find myself studying Jean-Jacques' work. Thank you for providing me with another opportunity to do so David. :)
Jerry
Message edited by author 2003-06-22 02:23:48.
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06/22/2003 12:10:50 AM · #9 |
Jean-Jacques Béguin JJ Beguin has what I call an "old-soul"; he is a person that truly can calmly see the beauty in all the elements and people that surround and comprise his life. An ability not only to recognize this beauty but to freeze in time these wondorous facets of life and succinctly preserve them for the ages through his photography.
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=15813
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=13754
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=10813
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=13363
His photography captures the passion of a individual that appreciates life. I hope to one day be able to be as passionate with my photography as he is today.
Bob
Message edited by author 2003-06-22 00:15:24.
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06/22/2003 02:06:10 AM · #10 |
| As you've all (so far) pointed out, he has a real magic about this work that seems so effortless. Thanks for adding your comments. |
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06/22/2003 07:32:37 AM · #11 |
Just check out these photos - this man is a true genius
//www.usefilm.com/browse.php?mode=port&data=13656
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06/22/2003 09:59:54 AM · #12 |
| Wow! You usually have to wait till you're dead to hear such pleasing things about your work. Thanks to all of you for not waiting! |
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06/22/2003 07:42:55 PM · #13 |
| JJ, you're one of my favorites on here too. Your work is very inspiring. You gave me a 9 and a nice comments on one of my current submissions. I felt honored, proud, and unworthy. I'm glad you're not dead! |
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07/02/2003 08:47:56 AM · #14 |
Just saw that to day and I he is one of my prefered photograph on this site. I think his a pproach is different. Less DPC globally I think, more european maybe. More photojournalism in it as well in the very noble meaning of the word.
I like his work really a lot, his work with the people, with the light.
I have submitted less recently, less attracted by the shots I was doing for DPC. Not meaning they were top of the top .. but they were too much 'something on white background'. If there is one direction I would like to go , if I am able to do nice pictures like that, it would include for a great part the type of pictures that Jean Jacques is taking.
Fin de l'hommage Jean Jacques ;-)
Bonne photos àtous !!!!!
Lionel
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