Hello Mathieu! We recently discovered your underwater photos and asked you to introduce us to this specialty, which is as poetic as it is technical. Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Mathieu Cornillon:

To put it simply, I am a 35-year-old photographer and diver from Toulouse. I work in a profession that has nothing to do with either of these two passions that occupy most of my free time!

Joomeo:

When looking at your images, one feels that seeing such beauty naturally inspires photography. Did diving lead you to photography, or was it the other way around?

Mathieu Cornillon:

In the end, neither! These two passions, diving and photography, came to me around the same time, nearly 14 years ago. However, it took me about five years of practice in each discipline before I said: “Perhaps it’s time to try combining the two!” 😉

Five years of separate practice were certainly not too much! It is really necessary to master each specialty properly before linking them. There are simply too many parameters to manage simultaneously in both photography and diving to learn them together.

Joomeo:

Indeed, both worlds demand a certain technical skill… Could you describe the challenges you face when photographing the marine world?

Mathieu Cornillon:

The first difficulty, in my opinion, is purely practical and relates to diving: you must know how to manage your balance perfectly! You need to be as stable as possible in the water to avoid motion blur and, at the same time, not crush the seabed or rocks by using them for support. If you are not careful, you risk simply destroying the small inhabitants living there.

Once this is under control, it is necessary to focus on breathing. The goal is to avoid making too many bubbles that could scare the fish away!

The artistic aspect comes second. You start with simple photos: if the fish is already sharp and well-framed, that’s an achievement! Then, with experience, adding one or more external flashes to the camera, you begin to work on artistic composition and the highlighting of the subject and various planes.

Remember, the camera is housed in a waterproof case, and we have a mask over our eyes, which makes previewing photos through the viewfinder not very practical! Many photos are taken by guesswork, with all the uncertainties that implies. Digital photography has brought great flexibility because taking a large number of photos is inexpensive! That was not the case before, and it greatly facilitates learning.

Joomeo:

Speaking of equipment, what are your recommendations?

Mathieu Cornillon:

To start, in 2006 I bought a second-hand expert compact camera with its housing, an Olympus C8080 with 8 MPixels. It allowed me to begin quickly and access the manual settings needed for personalised shots. Beyond the lens quality, in my opinion, it is better to have an “expert” camera to access the basic modes (A, S, M) of the camera.

I never use auto mode or underwater mode. I prefer to retain control and know what the camera is doing, choosing aperture or shutter priority, or simply using manual mode.

A little later, I acquired an external flash, which allowed me to improve my compositions and lighting. I considerably enhanced the quality of my photos thanks to this investment… and countless trials to master it!

Joomeo:

What is your favourite memory in practising this art?

Mathieu Cornillon:

You wouldn’t suspect it, but marine flora and fauna range from very large to very, very, very small. Ultimately, it is often the very, very, very small that is the most spectacular in terms of shapes and colours!

I loved diving among Mobula and Manta rays, of course! Especially since I experienced this in the Azores, where these animals span 3 to 4 metres. Nevertheless, I still enjoy diving close to home in the Mediterranean. I don’t know… the geometric, almost fractal, details of jellyfish, starfish, or sea urchins speak to me.

Several times, I have even discovered, later on my computer screen, magnificent microscopic animals! That is, I had captured them unintentionally while photographing a normal-sized fish or crustacean nearby! A delightful way to relive dives once back home in Toulouse.

Joomeo:

What advice would you give a beginner wishing to get started in this field?

Mathieu Cornillon:

My main advice: as soon as you feel comfortable with your buoyancy in the water and your diving management, GO FOR IT! Especially as very good results can be achieved with compact or expert cameras.

Do not forget to photograph the tiny details! Macro photography while diving is very rewarding, as it quickly produces beautiful and satisfying results!

I hope this article will inspire divers to take up photography… and photographers to try diving!

Joomeo:

We have no doubt, Mathieu! And if anyone still needs convincing, the slideshow you prepared should do the trick perfectly! It’s time to let the photos speak now…

You can follow our photographer here:

Joomeo space: Mathieu Cornillon’s Joomeo space
Facebook: Mathieu Cornillon – Facebook

L’article Joomeo photographers: in-depth photography with Mathieu Cornillon est apparu en premier sur Joomeo - Stockez et partagez vos photos.

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)

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