As a self-taugh photographer, I often look to online tutorials for lessons on the ins and outs of digital photography. But once you learn to use the camera, it comes down to sheer talent and vision. My friend Kyle often has friends tell him, "Your camera takes awesome photos!" To which he replies, "Yeah? Your guitar plays awesome music, too." He has a point. A camera can only do part of the work, while the beauty of photos is created by the person behind it.
Edouard Boubat was a self-taught photographer, but with every photo of his that I see, he teaches me more about photography than I ever could have imagined existed. The composition of a photo is important, and each of his is executed quite masterfully, but a photograph is more than its visual content. Wouldn't you agree that these images convey a deeper meaning of love, beauty, humor, and sentiment?
Boubat captured simple, every day moments and experiences, and elevated them to something that deeply moves a viewer. Mannequins in a window? They're dancing in their underwear, and one might even wonder if they might come alive when the store windows are darkened and the outside streets are empty. The lack of a human element almost gives these figures their own quality of life. What a fun way to view a mannequin!
"Because I know war… because I know the horror, I don’t want to add to it.… After the war, we felt the need to celebrate life, and for me photography was the means to achieve this."
-Edouard Boubat
Looking through Boubat's photographs offers an experience of escapism. Had a rough day? Weighed down by current events? Sometimes photography can bring you closer to the feeling of impending doom, but Boubat's photos remind us of the beautiful things in life that are always there if you look for them.
photos via Everyday I Show (warning: nudity) | information via Duncan Miller Gallery
That last one is stunning. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Kara Haupt | June 24, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Thanks for sharing such lovely inspiration! I'm absolutely captivated! <3
Posted by: Ashlee | June 24, 2011 at 02:33 PM
Photography is one of the best things to get lost in.
Posted by: Mallory G | June 24, 2011 at 04:23 PM
Great photos. Thnak you for sharing I totally just blogged about this too. I always get comments like that. I wonder if people really think it's the camera that does all the work? Great post!
Posted by: zelina | June 24, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Love the picture with the dog! That's priceless! Great photos, thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: Vanessa, Take only Memories | June 24, 2011 at 06:26 PM
Really wonderful photography. Thanks for sharing it with us!
XOXO
Posted by: AnnaBananaCupcake | June 25, 2011 at 01:51 AM
its great when you have the kind of camera or what you need to enhance your vision, everything you posted for someodd reason makes me think of a French movie called the Little Thief,starring charlotte gainsbourg, its all in French with subtitles but I think you would enjoy it.
Robin
http://overimaginated.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Robin | June 25, 2011 at 02:32 AM
Great post! Thank you! I have my list of favourite photographers and can't believe this is the first time i have heard of Edouard Boubat *rushes off to research more* I think it was Cartier- Bresson who called photography "The Decisive Moment" that's what it is for me, doesn't matter how good your camera or equipment is, you need to "see" the moment and capture it to make a good photograph a great one :) Thanks for sharing! Jules xx
Posted by: Jules | June 25, 2011 at 08:36 AM
What a great post. His images really are quite amazing.
Your blog is just lovely by the way, love movie monday x
Posted by: Abby | June 25, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I love being introduced to another photographer. Thank you!
Posted by: Rachell | June 26, 2011 at 03:19 AM
Such an amazing post, he is new to me thanks for sharing. I feel like I've seen the mannequin photo before but was unaware of who the photographer was. Thanks for sharing...very inspiring.
Posted by: moniqueviard@gmail.com | June 26, 2011 at 06:15 PM
love this! do you have any online tutorials that you recommend? from one self taught photographer to another :) (although i am nowhere near as educated as you!!)
Posted by: thehautehousewife | June 27, 2011 at 01:52 PM
i had never though of that comment "your camera takes great pictures" that way, but it so so true! thank you for your post on this beautiful photographer. his photos are truly lovely!
sofia
Posted by: sofia campbell | June 27, 2011 at 02:41 PM