Dominique Brion
‘I think you - even subconsciously - get inspired and influenced by literally everything around you’
It’s a great pleasure to feature an interview with Dominique Brion.
I discovered his work in Noice Magazine and I was impressed by the way he manages so well to focus on one person that his street photos looks like portraits.
For Travelling Light Club, he is sharing his photographic journey, what inspires him and the favourite photos in his portfolio.
Vincent Dupont-Blackshaw: How did you get into photography?
Dominique Brion: I recently discovered (and remembered) that I used to play around with cameras when I was a kid. Whenever we went on a trip I'd be in charge of the pictures. Always was a fan of the medium but never got actually involved or invested in it. Fast forward to 2017 when I finally decided to buy an analogue camera (a Rollei XF35) with which I started playing around. A friend of mine convinced me to adopt his old digital Fujifilm cam after a while - which I did - and have been holding on to Fujifilm since then.
I think the actual turning point for me was the first year of Covid and the first lockdown. At a certain point I forced myself to take my camera with me whenever I set a foot outside. I feel this made me grow immensely because I really understood and felt my camera. Anyway, short answer: I always loved the medium for as far as I can remember.
V.D.B.: In a world where everyone is taking pictures all the time, do you remember the first time you felt like a photographer?
D.B.: I still have a hard time calling myself a photographer. Imposter syndrome alert - I guess. I think eventually when I started getting a couple of paid assignments.... But it's just something I have to force on myself. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, ... etc. I think not actually studying photography is one of the main reasons I carry that feeling with me.
Dominique Brion © All Rights Reserved.
V.D.B.: Is there a photographer whose work you particularly appreciate?
D.B.: There are loads... Old and new, with us and passed away, ... But for now, definitely Christopher Anderson.. To me he combines commercial work with street and abstract flawlessly.
V.D.B.: Is there a photo of this particular photographer that you wish you had taken yourself?
D.B.: Tons! But this one takes the cake.
V.D.B.: Is your work influenced by other artworks or artists?
D.B.: I'd call anyone who says differently about themselves a liar... I think you - even subconsciously - get inspired and influenced by literally everything around you. I've always loved to watch movies, so I feel a lot of the things I 'see' are inspired by that. Besides that, definitely other photographers, artists, ... For example: when I go to exhibits or museums, I always come outside with a couple of new ideas to shoot a certain scene. Fondacion Miro in Barcelona and the Roger Raveel exhibit in BOZAR Brussels were the most recent that had an actual impact.
V.D.B.: How do you define your work?
D.B.: Difficult to say... Maybe honest? Impulsive? Intuitive?
V.D.B.: What do you want viewers to take away from your work?
D.B.: Have fun with it :)
V.D.B.: What equipment do you use?
D.B.: My go to at this moment is a Fujifilm X-T3. I started out with cheap manual focus lenses and loved the outcome, so I just keep buying/using analog lenses. Favourite at the moment is a 55mm 1.8. I never do hard interventions on pictures, so no Photoshop or anything like that... Lightroom to push and pull some details (contrast, exposure, ...).
V.D.B.: What are your three favourite photos in your portfolio?
D.B.: Hmmm... I take a lot of pictures wherever I go so it's a bit hard to actually pinpoint 3.
But if I have to take a swing at it...here are the three.
V.D.B.: Are you a frequent traveller?
D.B.: Whenever I can, I will. I love to travel and explore. Sometimes I'll even go to a certain city only because I know I'll be able to get a couple of nice shots there.
V.D.B.: Does travel play a role in your photographic practice?
D.B.: Definitely!
V.D.B.: What is your favourite place in the world?
D.B. At the moment? New York... Love that city.
V.D.B.: Any idea of your next trip?
D.B.: Going to Istanbul for the first time in a couple of weeks, which I'm looking forward to (especially for the pictures).
V.D.B.: What are you working on at the moment? What is your next project?
D.B.: I've never really worked project based. BUT... Funny you ask, because I am working on a few right now. More about that soon.
V.D.B.: What else do you do besides photography?
D.B.: I'm a producer at a Brussels communication agency (www.indiandribble.com).
V.D.B.: Do you have a book, a film, a series, a music album, a work of art to recommend?
D.B.: Again, loads, ... But off the top of my head...
-Book: John Berger - Ways of seeing
-Film: I just love Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals... It's not the best around, nor my favourite, but the shots and the colours are insane! Also some decent acting in there.
-Series: If you haven't seen it yet: True Detective S1!!
-Music album: at the moment A Tribe Called Quest's The Love Movement is playing in the background
-Work of art: Rene Magritte - L'Empire des lumières