Newcomer of the Week: etienne_despois

Etienne Despois’ first foray into film photography was made possible by a vintage Canon FTb camera he received from his father. Meet our featured community newcomer from Paris, France in this short interview.

Name: Etienne Despois
LomoHome: @etienne_despois
Location: Paris, France

Please tell us something about yourself and what you do.

Hi! My name is Etienne. I’m 35 years old and I live in Paris. I work in IT. I grew up in the suburb of Paris and now I live and work in this city. I really love music, travelling, and photography of course! I used to skate a lot back in the days so now I mainly take pictures in the street.

How did you find the Community and who/what convinced you to join?

As I was really interested in photography, I searched the internet for some information about it and found out about the existence of this community, but I didn’t join straight away. I first bought some of the Lomo cameras and I published the photos on other websites. I still discovered at that time how the camera works and it’s pretty pleasant. I decided that it’s not that late to open an account in Lomography.

As you have read the 10 Golden Rules of Lomography, what rule do you apply in your everyday life?

The first rule—Take your camera everywhere you go—would be the rule that I would like to apply in my everyday life. Unfortunately, it happens so often that I would love to take a picture of something but I can’t because I have no camera. So, I try not to forget to bring one. When it happens and I take a photo at a random moment, I feel so proud that I have my camera with me!

In this digital age, why still film?

When I decided to start taking pictures more seriously, I wanted to buy a digital camera but it was pretty expensive at that time so my father gave me his old reflex (a Canon FTb) which was as old as me! I fell in love with it. The render is so great and the fact that you take time to make a picture really pleases me. Nowadays everything has to be so fast. It’s great to take time to think of what you will do. The idea to take one picture because you think it’s worthy to do it and not to take a billion of it with the hope that one will be good is something really important to me.

Your favorite analog camera as of the moment? Why?

For travelling, it might be the Canon FTb because this camera is unbreakable but I really love the Holga as well. I had the chance to use a Leica M6 and I really like it too. Each camera has its own properties so I would love to try them all. The best one will be the next one, I think!

What is the Lomographic camera you’d want to have someday?

One camera that is tempting me at the moment is the Sprocket Rocket. I like the look of the photos taken with it.

Any song, book, or movie you live by?

I mainly like jazz music and everything that flows from it. One of the song that I really like is “Good Bait” by Nina Simone. I love tons of other genres. For example, in a total different style, I really like “Demain, c’est loin” by IAM. There are so many different types of good music that I could hardly pick one song. Right now, I’m thinking of songs by Marvin Gaye or Nightmares On Wax… But in few minutes, I could think of others that I like.

Regarding books, Malaussene Saga by Daniel Pennac leaves quite an impression to me.

For films, I do really like Life is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni.

Share your current favorite Lomograph, could be yours or a friend’s. Why?

I admire the work of @hodachrome. He’s talented and the effect he does with his pictures are awesome.

Any Community member you look up to? If so, why him or her?

As stated above, I’m following the work of @hodachrome. I’m following @arguspaul, @binoue, @ccwu, @mrpenta, @needle76, and @theblues as well. I’m still discovering people on this site but I see a bunch of talented people. Every time I browse through the site, I found new great photos. It’s a never ending story and that what is good about this community.

What are you looking forward to in our Community?

To get inspiration from other people in the community. Also, I’m looking forward to discovering new techniques and of course to find beautiful photos.

Thank you Etienne Despois for sharing your thought with us! Welcome to the community and we’re all looking forward to your future work!

2016-07-24 #newcomer #newcomer-of-the-week