[b 1941] Belgian - Magnum member
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In front of a black-and-white photo you try more to understand what is happening between the persons, whereas with color you should immediately be affected by the different tones which express a situation. So (...) the object and its color are one and the same thing, which by the way is one of the principles of the theory of perception. Form and color are inseparable.
..to be just where you need to be at the right time, with the right light ... the movements of people, which make the image strong. And when things get into place, all of a sudden... WOW, it's a very physical pleasure ... It's like an orgasm ... Boom! That's it!
For me, photography is a vital need.
It's a very important thing in my photos in general, to be present in the frame, to better understand things, but being less vulnerable. Not thinking of yourself. Throwing yourself completely into what you see.
If I don't take photos for a while, I don't feel too well. It's a vital need.
In any case, I work for myself, I don't work for someone else. I don't work for an audience. If they appreciate what I do, I'm happy. But I first of all work for myself.
There is something magical about photography. It's about attraction. I am attracted by things and things attract me.
I work completely intuitively. I do not have a concept.
I find that with black and white I go straight to the person. In colour, I am more worried about the light, the clothes, the setting, etc. It is more complex. In black and white, it's the person who is important.
The most difficult thing is to make photos where you live. Because you start to find things normal.
I wouldn't know how to live without photography. I don't know what my life would be like without photography, a black hole probably.
Be yourself. Don't copy anybody.
What advice would you give young photographers?
