Joomeo :
Hello Arnaud. Tell us a little about yourself! How did you come to photography?
Arnaud Bertrande :
I am above all a traveller and a self-taught photographer from the Aquitaine region. First of all, I would describe myself as someone curious, attentive, alert and learning by tracing my own path.
My passion for photography came to me quite late, around 2007. I knew I had something to express but I couldn’t find through which medium. One day, I had a revelation: digital photography turned out to be a quick, accessible means of expression.
I do not speak much, but I realised that I could speak through images. What I felt through scents, sensations and emotions, my eye perceived and could capture.
Joomeo :
What motivates you in your photography practice?
Arnaud Bertrande :
I am above all seeking to push the limits of the imagination, to stage my dreams and my emotions. That is in fact the beauty of digital photography: to broaden and enrich the possibilities of expression, opening up additional horizons of creation.
I am always in search of images that will transport me and take the viewer by the hand to lead them into my stories.
Joomeo :
You have a speciality, and for you photography is not necessarily about snapshots or freezing a moment in time. Tell us a little more…
Arnaud Bertrande :
I mainly practise the technique of long exposure. This technique perfectly matches my imagination and allows me to escape reality. I like my camera to take me on a journey to explore and interpret the environment. In fact, it is a way of stepping over reality to move into another world.
Long exposure requires equipment, a little technique, and a lot of patience…
Arnaud Bertrande
It is a technique that may intimidate some people but is fascinating for its visual effect. Long exposure requires equipment, a little technique, and a lot of patience…
As with any photo, I think you must first find your subject. The one that “speaks to you”, that manages to stir something different in you, that makes you want to go beyond what you see at first glance. That kind of subject which can then give way to imagination to better express what you feel.
It is not compulsory if you want a “classic” photo, but if you want to create something deeper and more personal then you need to be able to feel and to let your mind wander.
Joomeo :
What advice would you give to guide a beginner who wants to get started with long exposure?
Arnaud Bertrande :
If you want to take your first steps with this technique, it is important to understand that you can practise it by day or by night. The difference is that for daytime photography you will need certain equipment.
Put simply, long exposure means extending the exposure time of a photo by adjusting the aperture and shutter speed.
Arnaud Bertrande
By leaving the sensor exposed to light for several seconds or minutes, the camera will record everything that moves and create a sense of motion. In general, this technique is used for water, starry skies, or urban scenes with car light trails. But in fact, you can use it however you wish. You just need a creative idea!
To offset the intensity of the light entering the camera for several seconds in broad daylight, you will need to use neutral density filters. These filters can be square or circular. They may be entirely opaque or graduated. Beyond the filters, you will also need a tripod to avoid camera shake and blurring of the entire image. For exposures longer than 30 seconds, you will also need a remote control.
The shot must be taken in manual mode and you will need to play with the aperture and shutter speed.
There are smartphone apps and charts available to help you calculate exposure times depending on the filters and aperture you use.
Joomeo :
Very pragmatic advice for approaching a technique that allows you to create highly dreamlike images! It is clear that you developed your art through a very empirical approach.
Arnaud Bertrande :
At the beginning you fumble, but with experience you gradually master this technique and go further in exploring its possibilities.
The technique of long exposure allows you to reveal hidden aspects of landscapes and to further emphasise their darker side.
That is what I wanted to convey in my series “Mystery”.
I played with strong contrasts that plunge us into a mysterious, sometimes unsettling world.
Arnaud Bertrande
It is a black and white series on the theme of landscapes.
I played with strong contrasts that plunge us into a mysterious, sometimes unsettling world.
From imagining being near a haunted castle to a raging sea, it is but a step… you can almost touch the magic of childhood tales and legends.
I like to think that the landscapes I discover have a touch of mystery and a darker side!
Joomeo :
It is hard to say whether the landscapes you captured really have these characteristics in reality, but your photos certainly give them those qualities!
Proof of this can be found in the slideshow you created for us.
Thank you Arnaud for this wonderful exchange and see you soon.
You can follow our photographer here:
his website: Arnaud Bertrande – Author | Photographer
his Facebook page: Arnaud Bertrande – Facebook
his X (ex Twitter) account: Arnaud Bertrande – X (ex Twitter)
