In this article, we delve into the journey of Mehdi, exploring his evolution from a young creative mind in Morocco to a seasoned photographer and VFX artist making strides in Canada’s diverse landscapes. From early inspirations drawn from visual arts and travels to the professional challenges and creative triumphs encountered along the way, Medhi shares insights garnered through years of dedication to his craft.
Growing up in Morocco, I always had a passion for refined visuals and was fascinated by understanding the unspoken techniques behind the creation of compelling compositions. I then used these creations as a universal vessel to get to understand stories and emotions.
Museums, movies, and history of art classes all played a role in shaping my vision and naturally directed me into picking up a camera and starting to shoot.
As per traveling, I left my native country to pursue my studies in 3D and VFX, and this allowed me to refresh my creative eye and discover more sides of my creativity.
A tipping point
Moving to Canada played a considerable role in refining my eye, being in a brand new playground full of new photographic opportunities to explore, from new city architectures to vast and pure nature wonders.
This move happened at the same time Instagram started “around 2012” and back then the app allowed us to snap pictures with our phones, quickly edit them, and share them almost instantaneously, this was a great way to create and share your work.
Photography/videography is also complementary to my regular job, as a VFX artist I’m regularly asked to design Full CG cameras, provide feedback, and refine and adjust compositions and camera moves, which makes photography a “complementary break” from the 3D world as well as a solid help for my daily job.
Four valuable lessons I have learned along the way
1) Surround yourself with creative like-minded individuals: get inspired and stay in touch with artists and travelers who inspire you to push yourself more.
2) Never stop learning: constantly search for new methods, and techniques and learn new skills to future-proof your craft.
3) Go the extra mile: professionally and personally, if the occasion presents itself, do not hesitate to push for a little bit more than where you were supposed to stop, this is where the difference gets created and sets you apart.
4) Share your knowledge and help other creatives: this allows you to reflect on your ways of processing compositions.
I planned this shoot a few months ago, me and my friend Mat hiked a few mountains surrounding Montreal and on the eclipse course during the winter, but none was high enough, and with enough clearance for the shot I envisioned, we had to drive almost 3 hours outside of the city to find a mountain allowing us a clean composition with the eclipse framing the subject, the application PhotoPills helped tons in pre-planning this shoot.
On the composition
Minimalistic photography is what I strive to achieve in my photography, and a subject in my compositions is almost crucial to convey the scale and to attach the viewer to the visual, combining these elements with a once-in-a-lifetime magnificent eclipse sounded like a dream mission to me.
On post-production
I aimed to highlight the remarkable 2.5 minutes of totality, during which the environment became significantly darker due to the compressed eclipse, achieved with a 500mm lens and x2 extender, with my friend framed within. While I tried to preserve the natural colors of the eclipse, I made slight color adjustments to enhance warmth on the bleeding side of the eclipse.
In this sense, I begin by using a preset I’ve customized and regularly refined according to my preferences. Next, I focus on removing distractions and enhancing the photo to ensure the viewer’s attention is drawn naturally to the main subject. I utilize color theories or adjust lighting for this purpose. Additionally, applying a subtle vignette and using a denoiser as a final touch helped me achieve the desired result.
Professional projects
I traveled to be on set for a few Hollywood movies to represent my company and cover the VFX aspects of the project. These projects have opened my eyes to the bigger-scale productions, their vision, and the harmony of all departments working together to produce the compelling imagery and stories we all know and love.
Working in a fast-paced environment exposed me to industry standards, which I’ve applied to my photography work. Collaborating with other talented individuals on set nurtures creativity and innovation. I’ve had the opportunity to contribute ideas, problem-solve, and witness how diverse creative inputs merge to bring a film to life.
In the medium to long term, I’ve set several objectives:
1) Keeping abreast of the ever-evolving field of photography is vital. Remaining receptive to new technologies and techniques is essential. Dedicate time to refining skills, whether through workshops, courses, or self-guided practice.
2) Developing a strong personal brand is crucial for standing out in a competitive industry. This entails not only producing compelling imagery but also cultivating a cohesive identity across my portfolio, website, social media presence, and marketing materials.
3) Thriving and innovating in the realm of VFX (Visual Effects) is a priority. Intelligence and machine learning are increasingly integral to VFX productions. These technologies streamline workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and aid artists in creating complex effects more efficiently. A solid understanding of these automations can provide both technical and creative advantages.
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