A pictorial approach
of photography
In a pictorial approach to photography, I assemble the elements at my disposal in real time to extract the graphic essence into a final image.
Each of my photographs is therefore made in a single long shot and without composing software using a technique that i entirely developed. (more details in the "about" tab)
I exhibits my work all year round in my atelier located in Marsanne in the Drôme Provençale (South of France).
Slow down time...
In this world where the image is omnipresent every second and on every network, I enjoys slowing down time, feeling and obtaining rare, constructed and graphic images.
Each shot takes place in 2 phases :
- A first phase of understanding the place and the range of materials available to me at this precise moment.
- A second phase of work with the camera : after having imagined one or more possible images i will spend a long time on site to compose with the different elements until obtaining the desired image.
... To compose
totally unique images
It should be remembered that this is a purely photographic approach and that each image is taken in situ at a given moment. The weather, the light conditions and the technique used therefore immortalize a rare, unique and technically impossible to reproduce shot.
My photographs do not freeze a split second :
it freeze a moment in its spatial and sensory whole.
FAQ!
Who is Édouard Mazaré?
I am a French artist and author, born in 1983. I am currently based in Marsanne, a wonderful village in the Drôme Provençale region, where I have my studio (see the "About" tab).
What technique does Édouard Mazaré use?
It's been 10 years now (already!) that I haven't been able to stop taking my photos in this amazing way. Ten years seems like a long time, and yet not long, because I don't feel like I've explored all its possibilities yet. Indeed, this technique, once mastered, opens up an incredible range of creative possibilities in photography. One Sunday morning in 2011 (I remember it like it was yesterday), I woke up with a start, thinking about a complex photographic technique. It turned out to be very interesting, allowing me to create compositions live, without using any editing software. Yes, all my photographs are taken in a single, long take (you could almost call it a "sequence shot"). There's no double exposure or superimposition here; everything is done during that single, blind shot (which lasts between 45 seconds and 12 minutes), resulting in a unique, highly pictorial photographic style.
How does it work in practice?
It happens in several phases.
The first phase is preparation: imagining viewpoints, planning the hike, scouting locations, understanding how sunlight affects the subjects according to the seasons...
The second phase is inspiration: once on location, I discover the "ingredients" of the moment (yes, when I explain my process, I often use the term "cooking") that I can play with and compose with. Like any landscape photographer, I'm completely dependent on the weather, the light, and the seasonal effects on the elements. I have no control over the raw material I work with: I have to go and find it on site, guess at it, imagine it.
The third phase is the execution phase: on site, once my composition is established, I begin working with my camera mounted on the tripod, moving around several times during the long, continuous shooting session. I then try to subtly and methodically "fix" the key elements together. But like in cooking, to achieve a perfect dish, you have to gauge the cooking time and the spices.
Only a few images are taken during each session, and if I'm lucky enough to get even one that meets my expectations, then it's a success.
Are the works created with artificial intelligence?
Absolutely never, of course. The works created are original.
What is the difference with double exposure?
This method goes much further in terms of rendering and control of composition. I work blind, which means that while the image is being created, I have no direct feedback on what is already "fixed" on the sensor. This significant handicap (you have to know your camera perfectly and imagine what it sees) gives me a crucial advantage: I free myself from the camera's internal light meter. As a result, I can work without any constraints on exposure time and choose which element I want to emphasize or minimize, and control my composition from start to finish.
Are the works limited editions?
Yes, always in very small editions. Currently, I mainly produce editions of three (all formats combined) or unique pieces.
Where can I buy Édouard Mazaré's works?
By purchasing directly from the artist: simply send an email to edouard.mazare@gmail.com with the names of the photographs in question. Otherwise, some works are available on Artsper, but they're more expensive :) (gallery prices, of course).
Are the works signed?
Yes, always on the print, and each work comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Can I order a large-format work?
Yes, everything is custom-made, and anything is possible. Except, of course, if the piece in question is a unique piece and has already been created. For any inquiries, simply send an email to edouard.mazare@gmail.com.
Is there a book with the best photographs?
Yes, there is: it was released in December 2025 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the series!
