Somewhere on the coast of Senegal in Western Africa, there is a town called Saint Louis that was the capital of West Africa French Colony. In Saint Louis, there is a fishermen quarter called Guest Ndar. Open on one side on the Atlantic ocean and on the other side on the Senegal river.The artist lived 5 years in Senegal and it is on a first trip to St. Louis that he discovered the enormous photographic potential offered by Saint Louis and its fishing quarter.
The street photographer draws from everyday life in St. Louis the source of his artistic creation. Mingling discreetly neighborhood life, the photographer captures a multitude of moments that will never come back and that can sometimes produce photographs of artistic value.
The exhibition of these photographs is the result of over five years of intensive work. The photographs are intended as artistic works in praise of Saint Louis and the people who live there. The photographs in the exhibition were chosen for several reasons: the colors, the light, the characters and the overall composition of these elements.
At the heart of the artistic process, the artist could not imagine a first exhibition outside of where all the photographs were taken, the fishing district Ndar Guet and Saint Louis island. The artist felt that he had to give to the people of Sant Louis what he had taken from them with his camera. The first exhibition was held in the heart of Guet Ndar and has really been a great success with people in the community. In some way, it is with the 'blessing' of people from St. Louis that the artist undertake other expositions.
To ensure the spontaneity of people, the camera is very patient and discreet. What distinguishes the work of street photographer, is the fact that he is always in motion and constantly working in extreme conditions where there is very little control on the work environment as opposed to a studio photographer for example. In this context, the quality of the camera and objectives is paramount to go capture interesting images despite conditions of light and focusing problems. It appeared very quickly to the photographer that these extreme conditions could produce the most interesting photographs. The street photographer must not only accept but use these constraints that make the characteristic of his approach.
Paul Jolicoeur is from his young age, a hand drawer and has been for twenty years passionate about his work in photography and digital graphics.
Link to a short video on my work:
youtu.be/V9t7Trrg3Cw
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