Some people who already exist photographer once said that the ability
draw a person has more or less influence on
photography skills a person. Those who have the ability to draw
good enough relatively easy to digest and develop
photographic capabilities. To confirm that opinion, we present
Bruno Mercier, a photographer who has experience working as a
illustrator and animator.

Explain to us how you get doing photography and what makes you
interest on it?
In fact my first steps with photography took place during my childhood. My father
was really addicted with photography, and he guided me in my first approaches
and tentative. But in fact during all this period I knew I preferred drawing, so, after
my architecture studies I wanted to be an illustrator or a comics book author, and
that’s why I started to work as a professional illustrator both for press and publishing
houses. It was in the mid 1980’s.

In the early 1990’s I took an interest in computer graphics and 3D art, working for
several animated cartoons published on CD-Roms. I also designed websites. And
then, I later entered a major telecom group in France as a creation director, but,
finally, in 2005, I decided to pursue an artistic career once again. My goal was to
draw again, but curiously photography took place. In 2006 I bought a DSLR and
I found in photography, and especially in B&W, all I always wanted to tell. Today
photography has become my exclusive means of artistic expression.

You study architecture, is there
anything you have learn on
architecture
subject that helps you creating
a good picture? Please explain.

Of course everything you learn in your
life brings a lot and improve your art.
Architecture is a way to understand
spaces, geometry, rhythm and construction.
As an image creator architecture
is a great inspiration, and a great
subject to shoot, of course. Architecture
has inspired some of my series like
« Versailles » « Cities »or « Les Ravalet ».

A friend once said that if a photographer
can draw, it helps him
doing photography. What do
you think about that?
What’s in the drawing capability
that really helps a photographer
creating a photo.

I agree with your friend. That’s exactly
what I used to think.

You know, I drew comics for many
years, and I think it’s a major art. I really
learned a lot in this job. The way you
have to compose a picture to tell a
story, the scene cuts, the light work,
importance of black, use of shadows,
etc. When I look at some of my photos,

I recognize this influence in the means
I use to take and develop the photograph.
If you just look an illustration or
a comic, you can easily see the means
the author used to bring you in the
action. In my opinion, it ‘s definitely the
same process.

You don’t have a photography
education background. How do
you learn it and how to still get
improved time to time?

That’s right I never learn photography
at school, but my father taught me a lot

when I was a teenager.
But when I started, in 2006, I didn’t
really know what I would do with photography,

but when I realized my first
b&w photos, I did! It was a revelation..
I subscribed to some Art communities
on the internet in September 2006 and
began to show my work. Those communities
really helped me a lot to go
further in each new pic or series. And
it’s a fact that I have really learned a lot
showing my work to others, reading
critiques or single comments. Little by
little I improved the style, listening to
what people said on my photographs,
and finally I felt the direction I want to
take.

wait our next conversation with Bruno in the next posts.