Our readers picks #323, Jimmy Beunardeau and Julien Mazille are both street photographers. The first captures an emblematic festival in Taiwan, and the second, the charm of the streets of Lyon.
Jimmy Beunardeau
Freelance photographer represented by the Hans Lucas agency, Jimmy Beunardeau divides his life between France and Taiwan. “Over there, I carry out several long-term assignments and commissions for the press. Every event linked to the ancestral cultures of this country is an opportunity for me to share a little bit of its fascinating history”, he says. In December 2020, he captured King Qinshan, one of the largest Taoist festivals in the territory. “An event which was not spoilt by Covid-19, as the pandemic there was dealt with in an exemplary manner”, he adds. An event dedicated to King Qinshan, a god protecting the inhabitants from plagues and disasters. “Legend has it that the King sent his generals on a night journey to inspect the place, reward good deeds, punish evil and catch the spirits that make the people suffer in order to purify them. If in the past the atmosphere of the wanderings was solemn and calm, today they are more lively – reaching their climax this year with more fireworks and firecrackers than ever before!” says the artist. An event evoking the joys of a lighter time.
© Jimmy Beunardeau / Hans Lucas
Julien Mazille
“Street photography is a good school to learn how to manipulate the medium, because it is a very demanding path. By definition, you don’t control the light nor the scenography. So, you have to learn to be one with your camera, to frame and move quickly to get the most out of a scene. And you must also develop essential qualities: patience, serendipity, compassion…”
, Julien Mazille tells us. Born in 1993 in Cameroon, this photographer now lives in Lyon, where he never stops capturing urban life. It was in 2018 that the artist fell in love with the medium, by discovering the work of Joshua K. Jackson. He quickly became interested in the “masters of colour: Saul Leiter, Harry Gruyaert, or even Ernst Haas”, and practiced tirelessly in the streets of the City of Lights. “The term ‘artless’ best describes my photographic approach: I try to be as instinctive as possible. I don’t force anything. Only emotion counts, and you can only be touched if you are absolutely available”, he explains. By playing with chiaroscuros and the unusual dimension of everyday life, the photographer skilfully captures the charm of his environment.
© Julien Mazille
Cover picture: © Julien Mazille
