Earlier this week, I was able to visit the “Visa pour l’image”, the 36th International Festival of Photojournalism in Perpignan, France. It had exhibits across 11 different venues by a couple of dozen selected photographers. One of the first exhibits that I visited was the work of Gaël Turine (https://www.gaelturine.com/) on the Ravages of Tranq Dope. Of course, I was struck by the story that I was completely unaware of previously. But I was also struck by the luminous quality of the images themselves. Many were effectively candid street photographs, yet they had a luminosity that I very rarely see or create myself. I wanted to know more about his technique.
This is a criticism of the Festival. While the stories told were diverse – ranging from the war zones of Gaza and Ukraine to the farthest most northerly human habitation in the Arctic, the accounts focused exclusively on the story and never mentioned the technique or style of the photographer. This seems bizarre. The festival was clearly attracting many visitors – but were they there to see close up images and accompanying stories that that they could easily see in colour supplements, or were they photographers seeking to improve their own work? From the number of cameras on view, I’d say that this was probably a 50/50 split. So why not include an ‘artist’s statement’ if nothing else?
In photography, ‘personal style’ refers to the distinctive way a photographer approaches their work, marked by consistent choices in composition, subject matter, lighting, colour, and mood. It reflects the photographer’s unique perspective, emotional response, and creative decisions, setting their work apart from others.
A photographer’s personal style may develop consciously or unconsciously over time and is often influenced by their interests, experiences, and the themes they find most compelling. For example, some photographers might favour minimalist compositions, while others might focus on rich textures and layers. Similarly, a photographer might consistently work with a particular kind of light, such as soft natural light or dramatic high-contrast lighting, to evoke certain emotions.
Personal style can also be shaped by technical choices, such as the use of specific lenses, cameras, or post-processing techniques. Over time, as photographers explore their preferences, patterns emerge in their work, creating a signature look that can make their photos immediately recognisable.
In essence, personal style is the visual fingerprint of the photographer, shaped by both creative intuition and technical choices. The pursuit of a personal style is, in some ways, the holy grail of photographers.
Who is Gaël Turine? What is their personal style in photography?
Gaël Turine is a Belgian documentary photographer known for his focus on social issues, human rights, and marginalised communities. His work has often explored themes such as migration, poverty, and religious practices, and he has photographed extensively across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Turine has been widely recognised for his in-depth, long-term projects that reflect his commitment to telling the stories of those living in difficult and often overlooked circumstances.
Personal Style in Photography
Turine’s personal style is marked by a blend of documentary realism and strong emotional engagement with his subjects. His photographs often carry a stark, raw quality, capturing human vulnerability in complex socio-political environments. His black-and-white imagery is a hallmark, adding a timeless and universal feel to the themes he explores. Here are key elements of his personal style:
- Human-Centred Storytelling: Turine places a strong emphasis on people, particularly those whose stories are often untold. His work goes beyond merely documenting; it seeks to evoke empathy and understanding by focusing on the emotional and human aspect of broader societal issues.
- Intimate, Immersive Approach: Turine often spends extended periods with the communities he photographs, which allows him to build trust and capture intimate, nuanced images. His long-term engagement with his subjects provides depth and context to his work, offering more than surface-level documentation.
- Monochromatic Aesthetic: Many of his well-known works, such as The Wall, a project about the India-Bangladesh border fence, feature stark black-and-white photography. This choice enhances the dramatic contrast and mood, often reinforcing the gravity of the themes he explores.
- Minimalism and Simplicity: Despite dealing with complex subjects, Turine often employs a minimalist visual style. His compositions are clean, direct, and focused on the essentials, allowing the viewer to engage deeply with the subject without distraction.
- Ethical Representation: Turine’s work reflects an ethical approach to documentary photography. He avoids sensationalism or exploitation, instead offering a respectful, dignified portrayal of his subjects, no matter how challenging the circumstances they face.
Gaël Turine’s photography is not only an artistic expression but also a form of social engagement, aiming to bring awareness to critical global issues while preserving the humanity of his subjects.
Gaël Turine’s colour images “The Ravages of Tranq” have a luminous quality. How does he achieve this?
Gaël Turine’s colour images from The Ravages of Tranq, a series documenting the impact of the drug Xylazine (also known as Tranq) on communities, possess a luminous quality that enhances their emotional and visual impact. Several key factors contribute to this luminous effect in his work:
1. Natural and Available Light:
Turine often works with available light, which can give his images a natural and organic feel. In The Ravages of Tranq, he may use soft, diffused daylight or ambient artificial light from streetlamps and interiors to create a gentle glow. This approach softens harsh contrasts and bathes his subjects in a warm, radiant light, enhancing the luminous quality.
2. Careful Control of Exposure:
Turine is known for his mastery of light and shadow, and careful exposure plays a critical role in his luminous images. By underexposing slightly or ensuring that highlights remain bright without being blown out, he creates images with a balanced glow. This technique allows the light areas to stand out while still retaining detail, giving a sense of depth and dimension.
3. Colour Palette:
Turine’s choice of a muted, warm colour palette contributes to the luminous quality of his images. The subtle tones of yellow, orange, and warm browns help create a sense of warmth and light, even in scenes that might otherwise appear bleak or difficult. The colours seem to reflect and emanate light, enhancing the overall glow of the image.
4. Post-Processing Techniques:
In post-processing, Turine likely fine-tunes the light balance and contrast to heighten the luminous effect. By carefully adjusting highlights, midtones, and shadows, he can draw out the light in specific areas of the image, emphasising the glow on skin tones, backgrounds, or textures, while maintaining overall detail. This approach ensures that the images retain their realistic documentary quality while also appearing more luminous.
5. Focus on Texture and Detail:
The texture in Turine’s images, particularly in The Ravages of Tranq, plays a crucial role in how the light interacts with the subjects and environment. By capturing the fine details of skin, clothing, and urban surroundings, he allows light to reflect off surfaces in a way that enhances their brightness and tactile quality. This adds to the sense of luminosity, making the subjects seem more alive and present in their environment.
In combining these techniques, Turine creates a visual language where light plays an active role in conveying emotion, tension, and humanity, even within the challenging subject matter of drug addiction and its ravages. His luminous images evoke both hope and despair, using light to highlight the human stories at the core of the issue.
