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Stéphane Menant
@stephmenant
Photographer based in France
I discovered the world of photography four years ago. My first camera was a Nikon d7200 and taught myself how to use it by watching videos and reading books and magazines. It quickly developed into a passion while shooting outdoors in nature, the streets of my city and the animals in nearby green spaces.
I was born in France and I now live in Saint Rémy de Provence in the South of France, a sunny spot packed with tourists in the summer. We have the sea nearby and the lesser known Camargue area. It is western Europe’s largest delta where lots of wildlife and over 400 bird species can be spotted (sometimes with flamingos and other migratory birds), and where you can find rice paddy fields, salt flats, remote beaches and on top of that, it is rich in cultural heritage.
Being equipped with a camera, skills and knowledge were gathered over the years and I specialized in landscape photography. I traveled to Algarve in Portugal, Sicilia in Italy, the French Alps and the north of Spain… And was able to visualize my memories of all the beauty that I discovered on these trips.
I’ve been influenced by great creators such as @jonathanberthin, @ghislain_fave and @gettyphotography, who share their passion through social media and who transmitted it to me. Now, sharing my own passion for photography with a community is a huge drive for me, and doing the same through printed art in a physical gallery is one of my biggest dreams. I shoot with a Nikon d850 nowadays, which yields great results also when printing.
"Making the world accessible to everyone through my photography just feels incredibly satisfying, which is also why I am aiming to pursue photography, with the ultimate goal of making a living of visual creation."
I want to believe that, one day, this day will arrive. To get there I am making sure to surround myself with people that lift me up and encourage me, help me learn, as well as I can contribute to the development of others that share the same passion. Being as active as possible and collaborating with platforms such as Nomadict, I hope to get my name out there, which in turn facilitates the process of reaching my goals.
For now photography is a freelance and part-time occupation for me. I work in a bank as a corporate affair officer and as a result of being dedicated to photography aside from that, I have obtained a new and richer vision of daily life. My eyes are unceasingly in search of images and that’s why I carry my camera with me all the time.
I wouldn’t want to miss any opportunity, and photography simply soothes me – it provides me with intense moments of freedom even during the hustle and bustle of weekdays. Freedom is priceless, and the feeling of it is indescribable. Landscape photography allows me to manifest this freedom and express it.
What inspires me are the vast spaces such as mountains and lakes, and I love giving my own touch to the scenes as how I experienced them when editing, adding my signature. By doing that, I give meaning to the scene that is objective by itself. But I also want to stay close to reality, which is why my post processing mainly consists of adjustments in light and shadow. For example, I desaturate, add some grain from time to time. I love a little “dirt” in my photos. When editing photos, digital or print, I want the result to be impressive but calm, and of high quality, always hoping that the reader can imagine himself at the place of the photo taken.
"I also have the tendency toward minimalist photos and to frame my subjects geometrically."
Pure fulfillment for the eye and my camera! In August 2020 I did a six-hour hike with two friends to camp at Lac du Malriff (Ubaye, French Alps). I was able to see the sunset from over 2500m, and a sunrise in the mist! It was an unforgettable getaway; it was extremely cold, but the landscape was gorgeous with soft lights and a peaceful atmosphere. All the elements were gathered for beautiful shots and still today, my favorite photo was taken on that trip, showcasing Lake Malriff. It’s the colors of the scene, the effort required (the drive, the difficult weather conditions, and the 10kg camping bag), and the emotions attached to it that makes it a favorite.
Recently I started with film photography, which gives a new dimension to the process of visual creation and a unique touch to the landscapes that I photographed. I’m still learning but adore the rendering already! I think I can summarize “my style” by saying that I am a passionate photographer; I don’t try to create the most beautiful image. I try to communicate my feelings through my photographs and share my appreciation of the world with others.
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