First of all thank you very much for your contribution to our project. Can you please introduce yourself for us?

I am French and have been living for a few years near Poitiers (Nouvelle-Aquitaine). I am the founding manager of a network of travel agencies. I have always jointly experienced a real dual passion for travel and photography. At the end of the 80s, I left for a world tour of almost a year, being convinced that the change of scenery exalts creativity! Since that time, I have never stopped travelling and photographing. I’ve published my images in CHASSEUR D'IMAGES (France), FINE ART PHOTO (Germany), SILVERSHOTS (Australia), MUSEUM (US), FOTOCULT (Italy), etc.

How did you start in photography?

I simply joined a Photo Club in the mid-1970s. I was around twelve years old, and I made my first silver prints in the darkroom. During the1980s I had the opportunity to move to London, where I lived and worked for about five years. This was an opportunity for me to really discover the world of photography, the artists, the publishers and the galleries, including the famous PHOTOGRAPHER’S GALLERY which was one of the first photography galleries in Europe.

I was in my twenties, with my own darkroom and made my first exhibitions and publications (including a portfolio in the BRISTISH JOURNAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY) in those years.

How do you approach street photography? Do you explore the locations beforehand or shoot on the go?

When I choose a destination, I do what any traveller usually does: I document myself, in order to be able to better understand the realities that I will be confronted with when I arrive. But once there, I am simply a very attentive observer and I trust the circumstances to offer me the “decisive moment” often quoted by Henri Cartier-Bresson.

What are some of your best anecdotes in India while making this series?

I have been to India several times. For close portraits, I systematically ask the authorization of the persons concerned. It has often happened to me in recent years that after the pose, these models take out of their pocket a smartphone, to take an image of me in return! Photography has long become a universal medium that promotes exchanges between people!

In general, what inspires your work?

I am very sensitive to the balance of a composition. Even if taking a photograph only takes a fraction of a second, I make sure that each element is “in its place”. I mean things to be placed within the invisible guidelines within the frame. This, from my point of view, ensures a kind of feeling of completion, of plenitude.

Who are your favourite photographers / artists?

There are many! Very early on, I had a great admiration for Henri Cartier-Bresson, André Kertész or Paul Strand for their mastery of composition. I also really like Philippe Melnick, Bernard Descamps and especially Ralph Gibson for their marvellous use of shadow and light! I am fascinated by the graphic and very strong portraits of Arnold Newman, and finally I am transported by the limitless poetry of the photographs of Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Graciela Iturbide and Pentti Sammallahti.

What is your favourite photo book?

I have been collecting photography books for over four decades, and I own a lot! Among my dozens of favourite books, I would mention “Artists” by Arnold Newman, “De qui s’agit-il ?” by Henri Cartier-Bresson and “Me Kaksi” by Pentti Sammallahti.

Thank you very much for your time and contribution to analog magazine.

Thank you for your invitation. My website is on: http://dpb-fineartphotography.com

All images © Dominique Bonnet