MADE WITH LOVE

I had such a good time creating the image for the new Channel 4 series "True Love." The concept of the show, which revolves around friends taking their destiny into their own hands out of love for each other, provided a rich and inspiring backdrop for the photoshoot.
The series, aptly subtitled "You would kill for friends like these," allowed for a freely interpreted visual narrative that captured the essence of this gripping storytelling. The photo we created reflects the deep bonds, intense emotions, and gripping drama that audiences can expect from "True Love."
Working on this project was a true pleasure, and I'm thrilled to have been a part of bringing this compelling story to life visually through my lens.

HOW IT WAS MADE

The seamless fusion of two distinct locations, Belgian fields and a London photo studio, brought to life a captivating visual narrative. The tranquil beauty of the Belgian countryside served as the backdrop, with gravestones carefully integrated from a nearby graveyard. Meanwhile, the characters were captured in the controlled environment of a London photo studio. The ingenuity of the real turf set, elevated to create a foreground grave, added depth and poignancy to the composition.
In post-production, these disparate elements were expertly stitched together, resulting in a visual masterpiece that seamlessly merged the tranquility of nature with the urban sophistication of the studio. The collaborative efforts of a talented team and cast elevated the project, infusing it with emotion and resonance.
The entire process was a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration, culminating in a real love story from its conceptualization to its stunning realization.

After Dark: Transcending Time and Exploring the Mysterious

Google Streetview image, transforming day into night.

The allure of Google Street View lies in its ability to provide informative daytime images of various locations across the globe. However, as a photographer, I am intrigued by capturing the aesthetic side of these images, where artistry intertwines with exploration.
Like a spy plane, I scan the Google Earth map, seeking out captivating areas to delve into. With each virtual journey, I transport myself to places I have never physically been before. Through endless walks along these virtual streets, I unravel the aesthetics embedded within the images, driven by the desire to lose myself and discover the unseen.

Transforming the sun into the moon makes sure the direction of light is respected.

As I navigate through this digital realm, I exercise my artistic eye, selecting and framing scenes much like I would in reality. Some may argue that the photographer's skill is not required in this context, yet the experience evokes a similar sentiment.
Google Street View, unlike the real world, never sleeps. The sun never sets, and the lights of a city after dark remain unseen. This continuous wakefulness creates a delirium of sleeplessness. To counter this perpetual daylight, I have chosen Hong Kong, a city that never sleeps, as the subject of my exploration.
In order to infuse this adventurous tool with a sense of tranquility, I transform the images captured on my computer screen into nighttime scenes. I search for desolate streets, where I can flick on streetlights and evoke the mysterious ambience that the night so graciously brings. In a sense, I manipulate time.
Just as the Google Street View car freezes a moment in time, so do photographs. However, photographs inherently possess the power to witness the evolution of landscapes over time, patiently awaiting the next passing of a Google car.

Empty streets are hard to find in Hong Kong. It helps to create mystery.

Through this venture, I aim to redefine the boundaries of exploration and artistic expression. By transcending time and reimagining the familiar, I strive to breathe new life into these images, casting a nocturnal enchantment upon the ubiquitous daylight.

Empty Rooms: Portraits of Sleepwalkers in Nature

The "Empty Rooms" series is a surreal collection of portraits capturing sleepwalkers as they meet in nature at night. Shot without additional light, these images have a dreamlike and ethereal quality that draws viewers into an intimate and otherworldly realm.

I used long exposures of up to 20 seconds to create these haunting and otherworldly portraits. This effectively blurs the line between dream and reality, capturing the sleepwalkers in a state between consciousness and unconsciousness.

I asked the models to open their eyes for ten seconds and close them for ten seconds, creating a translucent and almost ghostly effect. The result adds a layer of depth and complexity to each photograph.

As viewers gaze into the sleepwalker's eyes, they are drawn into a world beyond their imagination. The combination of the long exposure and translucent eyes creates an intensely personal and striking image that is both mysterious and captivating.

A juxtaposition of nature and unconsciousness creates a world that is both intimate and otherworldly, drawing viewers into a dreamlike realm.

OH MAE GOD !

Album cover art for Mae Muller

With the AI debate in full swing, I challenged the tool to write my next post. Here it is.

I recently had the pleasure of being commissioned to shoot the artwork for Mae Muller's debut album. As a talented up-and-coming artist, it was an honor to be able to help bring her vision to life. The shoot took place at a studio located in the heart of London.

We spent the morning preparing for the shoot, carefully selecting the wardrobe and accessories that would best convey Mae's unique style and personality. We experimented with different lighting techniques and backdrops until we had created the perfect atmosphere for the shoot.

Once everything was ready, Mae stepped into the spotlight and began performing for the camera. Her energy and passion were contagious. Mae switched characters 14 times in one day for this shoot. I was able to capture some truly stunning shots, showing off Mae's natural beauty and incredible talent.

After the shoot wrapped, we reviewed the images together and chose the perfect shots to use for the album artwork. Seeing the finished product, I was filled with a sense of pride and professionalism that comes with a job well done.

Working with Mae Muller on her debut album was an unforgettable experience. It was a joy to collaborate with such a talented artist and to be a part of the journey towards creating something special.

Mae Muller switched characters 14 times in one day for this shoot.

Ghosts don't have shadows

As Brussels today is a “ghost town”, I drew inspiration by the Indonesian myth of Pocong, the shred ghost representing a soul trapped in its white sheets. This character is currently used in Indonesia to scare people in order to increase their awareness of COVID-19 danger.

I have a strong connection with Java because of previous projects on the island: to me, it always conveyed a mysterious atmosphere.

In this new project the personal adaptation of the myth of Pocong is a metaphor for the ghost city Brussels has become because of the COVID-19 restrictions. The muted streets as a big theatre - the only one allowed these days... - playing the invisible side by side walk of Life and Death. The few spectators are lonely and by themselves, showing the defection of disappearance: like outlaw ghosts drifting around the city, without neither direction nor substance, they are suspended in time and space. Not even the wrapping shreds of Pocong ghosts for them: in their transparent presence there’s the memory of what they were and the possibility of what they could be.

Finally, they don’t have shadows, because ghosts don’t have shadows.

HOLY GIN FOR ALL

This period allows us to think and rethink, the way we work, the way we live.

I had the idea to support a local brand. I asked them for a bottle (that soon will be opened) and created this image.

What better time to make a still live study for the lovely people of Holy Water Gin.

KITCH AT HOME

These days are strange, but also special.

We stay home to protect the vulnerable ones, while we take time to get inspired, slow down and create work from home.

Hope this situation ends soon and that the outcome of all this will be positive. Take good care & create amazing stuff!

MIST teas delight

It has been a privilege to shoot this print campaign for MIST

Great team, lovely people, most demanding client ever (it’s my own brand) ;-) Taiwanese specialty teas! mistteas.com

Clarity of thought

In this project I investigate the search of and the creation (if this would be even possible) of a moment “ the clarity of thought”. A sensation we all try to achieve. In a later stage of life or during our most turbulent years in life. Overwelmed by these .. mostly brief.. moments we try to hang on to them. Imagine if we could create this experience in a physical or alchemic way. It happens in our subconciousness and in complete balance with ourselves. Uncontrolled total peace and clear vision.

We can consider that Clarity of thought is developed via a moment- by- moment process in the midst of thinking. The mystery of the human brain. Some dark force as a substitute for self controle. It is not rocket science...It's more compicated than that. The question is posed to the mind thus evoking a response; causing one to observe ones own thinking processes while taking the time to think and gather information via reflection, upon reflection a visual thought is generated which allows additional thought to come forth compounding on what has been spoken prior; thus each compounded thought brings additional clarity.

As if we are guided by unknown hands by a gathering through a mysterious happening.

Hand-carved frames from Java. Open 2m10 - closed 1m05

First exhibited in Galerie Goutal - Aix En Provence

Like a painting...

Belgian surrealism

I created this cover image for the 2018-2019 program of the cultural houses De MUZE (Meise) and De Zandloper (Wemmel). The image had to represent the spectators experience in a theater. Inspired by Edward Hopper and Magritte, I created a surreal image that stands for the Belgian surreal character.

Brussels Finest

I am working on a series that started through an invitation by BRUZZ weekly magazine. The section in the magazine is called Framed, where they ask a Brussels based photographer to share his/her vision on Brussels.

I chose to photograph Brussels and its influencers, representing a city that has shortness of sunlight. In a typical Brussels landscape or location. The subjects, persons in the picture choose the next person to be photographed. For Bruzz I will make 4 images, 1 image a week, during one month. 

I decided to continue the series till I have a minimum of 20 images. So curious where this will lead me to. From Marc Didden, a director and writer, till.....

MARC DIDDEN, director and writer

DORIEN SELLESLAGH, barista and tea sommelier at OR coffee roasters Brussels.

Steven Desair, Eatmosphere founder and zero waste entrepreneur.

Eva De Roo, Studio Brussel radio host, sets radio on fire for a living.