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“Le Champ de Blé” by Normand Métivier

I like getting up early in the morning to take pictures in the city and around the countryside. The early morning light is especially beautiful. In the morning I am also alone, people at this hour are still sleeping. It is quiet and peaceful.

This photo was taken on a small road in the country side not very far from home just before a storm. The spectator is left in a state of questioning. In this photograph your mind balances between a feeling of tranquility and one of uncertainty. Thousands of landscape photographs are taken every day around the world. I don’t want to be just a witness to the landscape. I want my images to be different and tell a story.

I have been doing photography for 50 years. When I left the Academy of Arts and all my friends had found jobs in the field, I realized that I loved photography too much to make a job of it. I could not see myself living on wedding photos and commercial contracts. Instead, I worked as a technician in a high school most of my life which allowed me to be an artist photographer and never have to compromise on my photos.

Once, to be a photographer was to work in black in white and with film. Since the advent of digital I have started to take pictures in color but my black and white photos will be the ones I will be most proud of. I have done several exhibitions and I published several photo books. Now I am publishing a magazine dedicated, just like FRAMES, to promoting printing of digital photos on paper. As a famous movie character once said: “That’s all I have to say about that”.

What do you think are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!

I like to work with light and textures. In this photo the sky is really dramatic. Alone, it tells a story. But it is the plants in the foreground that disturb. They are like invaders. They are the contrast of textures which break the regular rhythm of the photo.

If you would be able to make this photo once again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?

When I took this photo, my car windows were open and the Pink Floyd album “Animals” was playing. I told myself the album “Wish You Were Here” would be better a better match for this atmosphere! But no, I wouldn’t change anything. If I have doubts about a photo, I do not publish it until I am satisfied.

Normand Métivier shared this photograph in the FRAMES Facebook Group.

Photographer

Normand Métivier, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

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Equipment and Settings

I work with a Fujifilm X-T2 and X-H1, but I have a black tape over the brand name because the camera is just a tool.

Every year we release four quarterly printed editions of FRAMES Magazine. Each issue contains 112 pages printed on the highest quality 140g uncoated paper. You receive the magazine delivered straight to your doorstep. We feature both established and emerging photographers of different genres. We pay very close attention to new, visually striking, thought-provoking imagery, while respecting the long-lasting tradition of photography in its purest incarnation. Learn more >>>


Comments (6):

  1. Nigel Walker

    July 28, 2020 at 18:11

    Great story and shot Normand. From what you say we have much in common including Pink Floyd 😀

    Reply
    • Normand

      July 28, 2020 at 19:08

      Thanks Nigel, and let’s not forget Pink Floyd 😂

      Reply
  2. Bruno Laplante

    July 28, 2020 at 20:05

    This is great Normand ! The picture, and Pink Floyd playing while capturing this moment in time ! I do agree, Wish you were here fits perfectly with the scenery !

    Reply
  3. Darcy

    July 29, 2020 at 02:06

    I love the feeling that looking at this photo evokes in me. I’m a music when you shoot and edit type person and I think for this shot you were spot on with Pink Floyd! Beautiful work.

    Reply
  4. Colin Lines

    August 1, 2020 at 13:55

    Beautiful. A lot of ‘photographers’ would have walked this opportunity. You have the eye.

    Reply
  5. Marek Pleszczynski

    August 30, 2020 at 19:38

    I love the contrast of the stormy sky and the softly lit field, which, as you indicate, keeps the viewer in flux between serenity and worry. Beautifully seen and wonderfully framed, Normand!

    Reply

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