The 1984 project in Marseille, where Patrick Zachmann taught photography to dropout children from immigrant backgrounds, marked a turning point in his career. It shifted his approach from merely taking photos to giving back to the community. By acting as a teacher rather than a transient photographer, he gained access to closed and sometimes dangerous communities, fundamentally changing his perspective on photography as both a medium of expression and a tool for connection.
Patrick Zachmann believed that being confined by a single style limits a photographer's ability to adapt and express diverse narratives. He practiced this by constantly evolving his techniques and approaches across different projects, such as his work in Naples and Marseille. This philosophy allowed him to explore various communities and stories without being restricted by a fixed visual identity, making his work more dynamic and responsive to the subjects he photographed.
Patrick Zachmann's approach to photography, which emphasized community engagement and the avoidance of a fixed style, deeply influenced his students and peers. He encouraged them to use photography as a medium for personal expression and to engage deeply with their subjects. His method of revisiting communities and maintaining long-term relationships with them also inspired others to consider the ethical dimensions of photography and the importance of giving back to the communities they document.
Patrick Zachmann stressed the importance of technical skills in photography, a somewhat rare emphasis among contemporary photographers who often focus more on conceptual aspects. He believed that mastering technical elements like composition and exposure is crucial for effectively communicating through images. This approach ensures that the technical quality of the photograph supports its narrative, making the story more compelling and accessible to the viewer.
Patrick Zachmann views his photography as a 'personal diary,' a visual record that fills gaps in his memory and captures his interactions with various communities. This concept reflects his deep engagement with the subjects he photographs, treating each project as a chapter in his life that documents not just the external realities but also his personal experiences and emotional responses to the environments and people he encounters.
***本期「小方片」来自 -- Patrick Zachmann ******(帕特里克·扎克曼)***)
1984年,我29岁时,我收到一个委托任务 — 我需要为马赛当地一些辍学儿童提供摄影教育。这些孩子几乎都是移民背景的青少年,正在遭受着家庭或社会困难,很多人都涉及毒品和帮派问题。按照委派任务,我需要为他们提供一些小型的袖珍相机,并向他们介绍摄影,这倒不是为了他们成为摄影师,而是为了让他们能够将摄影作为一种媒介来表达自己。
“这段令人着迷的经历持续了约六个月,在这段时间中,我选择让他们专注于探索自己的身份、他们所处的街区、他们的家庭以及朋友。而在他们拍照的过程中,我决定也跟随他们每一个人,记录他们的日常生活,并拍摄我自己的摄影作品。多亏了这项文化性的任务,我发现,只要让被拍摄者明白我并不是一个只是路过、拍几张照片就走的记者,而是一个“老师”,我就能够进入那些非常封闭、有时甚至危险的社区。这一切改变了我!在摄影中,我不只再是‘索取’什么,我也在给予一些东西。”
-- 翻译:Pan
- 主播 Roban 的收藏展现场(2017年)
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