Inspiracles Interview: Eric Bettens aka Focus
In today’s interview, we’re talking to Eric Bettens, aka Focus. He’s a music composer and a photographer and his landscape photos are incredible. He has been a part of some amazing travel expeditions and has a story to tell. Read on!
Please introduce yourself in a few sentences
I’m Eric Bettens, a Music Composer, but I’ve always been attracted to photography. As I do a lot of music with images, my pictorial vision of sound plays a big part in my compositions.
When did you take your first photo and what was it?
I was a teenager, and sometimes I borrowed the family camera for fun. But as I traveled, I noticed an attraction for landscape photography. In those days of film photography, you had to wait for the development to realize your mistakes. I used to write down a lot of things in a little notebook (my settings, places, times of shooting, …. the ancestor of EXIFS on paper 😉
Where do you get your inspiration for new photos or photo projects?
I try to tell a story, a situation. I always try, even with a banal subject, to enhance it as much as possible. This is of course one of the basics of photography, but sometimes we forget this essential aspect.
How important is technology for you when it comes to photography?
In photography (as in music), technology must serve us, and be forgotten.
Above all, this technology should not be a constraint or an obstacle to creativity.
Which of your images or series moves you? And why? Show us
I was lucky enough to take part in two polar expeditions, one to Antarctica and the other to the Arctic. During these expeditions, I worked with world-renowned photographers from National Geographic, and I learned a lot in their company.
Breathtaking landscapes, a feeling of being “alone in the world”… this kind of photography transports me.
That’s why I love Iceland, a real land of contrasts.
Can you learn (photographic) creativity?
I don’t know if you can learn creativity, but you can certainly nurture it.
I think that creativity is unique to each individual and that by feeding on what surrounds us, we will be able to express and share.
When someone asks you how he or she can take “better” pictures, what is your advice?
Understand the basic concepts (light, exposure, speed, aperture, ….)
Go out often and try to get out of your comfort zone each time
Photograph with a fixed focal length – it forces you to move to find the best angle
“You have a great camera! Will you bring it to our wedding?” Your answer?
Why not, it may depend on the situation
One Word – One Thought
Social Media – superficial
Megapixel – /
Inspiration – always
HDR Рr̩ality ( or unreality)
Photoshop – I don’t use it
Analog – Alchimy, intuition
Thank you!
Thank you for your time and the interview
*All photos by Eric Bettens (Focus)
Mehr:
Inspiracles Interview: On the abandoned road with Peter Herrmann
Recent Comments