Nature and the imagination in photography lie at the heart of the questions that shape my perspective. A tree, a landscape or a light can become a space of poetry and wonder. This page shares my sensitivity to the living world; my professional background is presented on the ‘About’ page and my method in my artistic approach.
The landscape as an encounter
My Imaginary Planets begin with a shot of the real world. A solitary tree, a patch of light in a wood or a shape in the landscape catches my eye. I am not always looking for a spectacular image: a familiar detail can be enough to spark a creative idea. You can see this focus on reality in my photographs of trees and my reimagined landscapes.
Shifting the gaze without erasing the place
Digital transformation allows me to bend perspectives, bring lines closer together and redistribute balances. The landscape loses its usual points of reference, yet retains a part of its memory. It is this transition between recognition and surprise that I love to explore.
The joy of creating and the freedom to experiment
An image can lead me in an unexpected direction. I experiment, revisit a composition and sometimes set a photograph aside before returning to it. The pleasure of creating also lies in these detours and in what the image ultimately reveals.
A sensitivity to the living
Nature permeates my work through its forms, textures, seasons and fragility. A tree can become a focal point, a field a movement, a sky a substance. I wish to leave room for contemplation and for the question: what do we see when our points of reference shift? You can follow this perspective in the galleries dedicated to flowers, the sea and the coastline, and the underwater world.
This sensitivity stems from my perspective as an artist. It does not constitute an environmental certification of the print media. The choice of finish depends on the image, its presentation and the technical possibilities.
Leave room for your own interpretation
I do not wish to confine each photograph to a single interpretation. You may recognise a landscape in it, imagine another world, or simply let yourself be carried away by its rhythm and colour. This freedom of interpretation is part of the experience of encountering the work.
From a Glance to an Encounter
The image continues its journey when it becomes a print and meets the public. Conversations during an exhibition reveal interpretations to me that I had not previously considered. Some creations also extend into three-dimensional form or augmented reality, depending on the works.
Explore other aspects of my work
To understand the stages of creation, please see my artistic approach. For my professional background, please see About Paul Marnef. These pages complement this reflection on my artistic sensibility.