Interview with Wildlife photographer François Pringuet | MONOVISIONS

MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2024

I am a French professional photographer based in Normandy, France. My first trip to Africa was in Kruger National Park in 2009. I have also been to Kenya and Tanzania : Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro are some of the parks and reserves I have visited. I have decided to develop my images in black and white exclusively. This allows to focus on the essential, colors does not parasitize feelings anymore. Matter, composition, forms or even a simple regard are consequently highlighted. Images become more aesthetic and powerful to enhance natural beauty of the subjects that fascinate me since my childhood. My pictures are seen during exhibitions in France and are noticed or even awarded in national and international photography contests (ex. : 7 Honorable mentions in 2015 and 2016 at monoawards.com).

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– How and when did you become interested in photography?

I wanted to become a photographer specialized in African wildlife since I am a child. I began photography late in 2005 when I was 23 years old. Three months later, I was photographing wildlife exclusively.

– Is there any artist/photographer who inspired your art?

Nick Brandt was the first to inspire my work. Followed by Bruno Calendini and Laurent Baheux. But a lot of other photographers specialized in Africa (and working in colours) also inspired me : Michel and Christine Denis-Huot, Jonathan and Angela Scott, Nigel Denis, Martin Harvey, etc.

– Why do you work in black and white rather than colour?

To me, black and white images are more powerful, graphic and timeless than coloured ones.

– How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph/series of photographs?

There is not a lot of preparation in my work. I am only photographing wildlife as it comes.

– Could you please tell us something about your technique and creating process?

My pictures are taken with Nikon and Sigma gear in RAW then converted with Adobe Lightroom CC. I rarely use Photoshop, but sometimes i do in order to get off dust for example.

– Where is your photography going? What projects would you like to accomplish?

In the future, I will keep on photographing African wildlife in black and white. But I would like to photograph my favourite subjects in particular places and with different angles of view (aerial, cam-traps…).

Web: www.francois-pringuet.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/francois.pringuet