Image Is More Than Perfect Composition & Light - Interview with Bieke Depoorter

There is a notion that if you want to become a good photographer, then perfect compositions and great lighting will be your best friends. And this is true. But the intention, why you are making the image, and your relationship with your subject are what make good photographers great. Belgian photographer Bieke Depoorter is one of those great (if not one of the best) photographers making use of the relationships she is able to establish. Her unconventional approach to the presentation of her projects and the way she pushes the limits of the medium are just a couple of the things about her that have fascinated me for quite some time, and I was fortunate enough to be able to talk to her about this, and much more.

Thank you for listening or watching.

Find Bieke Depoorter:
https://biekedepoorter.com
https://www.instagram.com/biekedepoorter/
https://www.facebook.com/BiekeDepoorterPhotographer/
https://twitter.com/biekedepoorter

Listen on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/36TS6kC
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Check out https://aboutphotography.blog for more stories about photography

Index:
00:00 - Who is Bieke Depoorter?
00:48 - As a documentary photographer, what are your views on creating work for yourself versus creating work that has an impact?
03:36 - Is it possible to be honest as a photographer?
09:03 - Do exhibitions influence your project?
12:12 - A short recap of the project
13:06 - How do you perceive the balance, or perhaps tension, between art and documentary?
17:12 - Impact of (negative) feedback
24:13 - Balance between art and documentary regarding Magnum photos. Can photojournalism be objective?
26:03 - How demanding are the emotional connections?
28:48 - Does it help at all if the project becomes personal (when you spend a lot of time with someone, you inevitable get closer to each other). Is it how to get beyond obvious?
32:14 - Do you get better pictures if you spend more time with your subject?
35:28 - How do you recognize that the person has the potential to be a subject for a project?
39:28 - Do people on the street like to be photographed?
40:41 - What is the idea behind the format of your books?
42:13 - The photographer has the power to choose the story.
44:38 - Telling a story and editing the work. How do you choose 50 images out of 10K?
46:34 - Can you stay objective when editing your own work?
48:41 - How can someone improve their photography?
52:48 - Is composition important?
53:26 - Should you search for your own voice/style?
55:50 - Can you make a living as a documentary photographer?
57:30 - Any advice you would give to your younger self?
58:50 - What have you learned about yourself through these projects?
01:01:00 - The end, thank you for watching!