Robert,
Ever since I became aware of Christophe's pictures I've been impressed and intrigued by his ability and desire to change his approach, shift style and even medium to keep himself creatively 'on-edge' (if that isn't too silly a term.) As someone who seems stuck in a specific way of looking and capturing my own pictures this freedom to visually explore without fear is both immensely attractive and impressive. Each project, website album or book appears to take a new or different approach - I'm sure there are many that would see this as a negative or dilution of personality perhaps, to me it's very interesting.
Also, whilst I have no issue with street photography that deals with form, line and pattern etc etc, I do find myself drawn (in my stuff as well) to photographers who are attempting to capture something from within people. The photograph from the 'Life Below' project of the woman's suspender top poking out beneath her skirt or, from the same project, the chap who felt the need within himself to reach out and touch the dings in the metal of the subway car - these things that we do for ourselves or perhaps for others (he says with suspenders on his mind,) the need we all seem to have to reach out to others whilst often pulling away and into ourselves is always so attractive to me as a subject. With his project 'Je est un autre' he probably does a far better job of explaining what I'm stumbling around trying to voice simply by turning the camera on himself.
There is so much good photography happening, new and old, but the stuff that is so different to how I instinctively see things usually sets me thinking and challenging myself far more than some of the more obvious or usual influences.
http://christopheagou.com/
His website has a far greater, wider and more interesting set of images than the In-Public site.
I hope that made some sense
🙂
