Continuing with our AD Photographers section, we now present you Stéphane Chalmeau, who have shown some very interesting architects and their projects, mainly coming from France.
1. When and How did you start photographing architecture?
I started photographing architecture and cities when I was very young, I have been passionate about photography since I was 12, but I did not think it could be a full-time job. It was for me something unaccessible and only opened to a few famous artists.
2. Are you an architect? (if yes, where did you study)
Photography taught me to look at the city life and architecture, that is when my passion for photography began and why I started studying architecture. I am a DPLG architect and I studied at the school of architecture in Nantes, France.
During my studies I used to work in some architect’s offices and from time to time I would take picture for them, just for the fun of it.
Then when I was looking for a job as an architect, I received a project from a very important architect’s office so I had to find a professional status and settle down. I have been an architect photographer for ten years now and I think I would have never settled down without this first project.
3. Why do you like to photograph architecture?
I like architecture and above all the strictness and the approach of the architectural photography. Working with a digital equipment and tiftshift
The photography of architecture is very structured and well-thought, it is not a random thing. You need a lot of patience to obtain the right light and the right moment. What I like the most is to discover new projects every time and to try to give it a meaning in a few pictures.
4. Favorite architect?
Sanaa, Herzog & de Meuron, Jean Nouvel
5. Favorite building?
The German Pavillon from Mies van der Rohe.
6. How do you work? (independent, with magazines, directly with the offices…)
I am independent and I mainly work directly with architects, and I also work for many French architecture magazines.
7. What kind of equipment do you use, and what kind of software do you use for post production?
My eye is my main equipment, now I only use perspective control lenses with a digital box. I use Aperture, Photoshop and Capture One.
