RAYMON DEPARDON – GENIUS PHOTOGRAPHER AND DIRECTOR
The French photographer, also known in the film industry, Raymond Depardon, is known for a considerable creative heritage. He tested himself in different genres, but gained fame as a photographer and landscape painter. At the beginning of his career, Raymond was engaged in photographing the villages and outskirts of the cities of his native country. At the end of his creative activity, after covering conflicts and working with celebrities (Brigitte Bardot, Francois Hollande), he again returned to shooting landscapes.
Photo by Raymond Depardon
The photographer himself believes that it is better to spend time working with loved ones and relatives, but thousands of his fans love the landscape shots of the author. The photographer said that he would exchange his most famous photographs for a good picture of his father. And such a statement opens the soul of Depardon as well as possible, for which world recognition has never been important. He was fascinated by the search for a successful shot.
Raymond Depardon’s creative journey
Photographer Raymond Depardon
Raymond was born in the family of a farmer on July 6, 1942. As a child, he realized that he did not want to work in the field of agriculture. He was fascinated by photography. Depardon was interested in working with the camera and took very good pictures. The first frames were shot at 12 years old. Parents encouraged the boy’s interest in photography. First, he studied with a local photographer, after which he was sent to study in Villefranche-sur-Saone (Paris). He applied the acquired knowledge in practice, forming his individual style.
In 1958, the young man takes the first steps in his professional career. He is recruited as an assistant to Louis Foucheron. He was at that time already quite a famous photojournalist. Instead of the usual landscapes, Raymond begins to cover the events in Paris. At that time he was 16 years old. Despite his young age, the work managed to convey the essence of what is happening, the emotions and feelings of people who fell into the camera lens. Raymond did not refuse any tasks, daily honed his skills.
In 1960, the photographer began working with the agency L’Agence Dalmas. Later he went to military service, and the army did not part with the camera. As an army photojournalist, Raymond covered the Algerian War. It was at this time that he decided to finally become a photojournalist.
Photographer Raymond Depardon
In 1966, Raymond, together with Gilles Carne, opened his own agency called Gamma and continued to cover events in the world. Very quickly, Gamma becomes one of the largest photo agencies in the international arena. An information and news publishing house covers various events, including conflicts in the world. During one such photo shoot, a number of photographers, including the founders of the Gamma agency, are arrested in Chad (1970). In early April, they are released, after which Raymond’s partner J. Karn disappears without a trace. In light ofthese eve nts, the photographer decides to leave photojournalism briefly.
In 1974, Depardon, together with his colleagues, covered events in Chile. For his work, he received a gold medal to them. R. Kapy. This is one of the most prestigious awards in photojournalism. From 1975 to 1977 Raymond covers the events taking place in Chad. For the photographs taken during this period, the photographer was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. In 1978, Raymond resigned from the Gamma photo studio he founded and began working with the renowned Magnum Photos agency. A year later, became a member of it, and in 1980 – vice-president of the European branch.
Photographer Raymond Depardon
Raymond Depardon in the cinema
In addition to photography, Raymond was interested in cinema. In 1969, he released the first short film. After his comrade-in-arms J. Karn went missing, he devotes more time to cinema than to photography. His work appealed to the public, and Depardon began to develop in this direction. Today, the world saw several dozen short and 18 full-length films. Raymond Depardon prefers shooting documentaries.
It is difficult to say in which area Raymond Depardon was realized more. His photographs, like films, touch upon important issues and sensitive topics. Each shot is a story, and sometimes a whole life fits in one shot. As a war correspondent, Depardon did not have the opportunity to build the composition for a long time. In a matter of moments he managed to make shots that completely conveyed the essence of what was happening around.
During his career as a photojournalist, he managed to visit North America, Europe and Asia, on the African continent. Raymond tried himself as a photojournalist, portrait painter, and military journalist. He never liked to work on a given topic. This fettered the photographer and prevented him from concentrating on finding a successful shot.
Photographer Raymond Depardon
Raymond Depardon has published 47 books. He took part in many exhibitions and repeatedly received various awards for his work. Today, Depardon continues to shoot.