the essential
Member of Studio le Carré in the Saint-Cyprien district, Etienne Régis will exhibit two street photos taken in Toulouse at the Venice Photo Lab festival, from October 12 to 20, as part of the Art Biennale.
Spotted thanks to his Instagram account Toulouse Street Photography, Etienne Régis was surprised to be contacted by the Venice Photo Lab Festival which will take place from October 12 to 20 at the Arte Spazio Tempo gallery, during the 60th edition of the Biennale de the art of Venice. “They asked me if I wanted to exhibit two of my street photos taken in Toulouse, which I readily accepted,” says the Toulouse photographer. “It’s the first time this has happened to me. Besides, I’m going to go to Venice.”
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However, art photography is not the main activity of Etienne Régis who works as a professional photographer in events within Studio le Carré, located on rue Arzac, in the Saint-Cyprien district in Toulouse. “It’s difficult to make a living from art so I devote 80% of my time to the Studio,” explains the photographer. “However, I have been attracted to this field since I launched an activity of digitizing works of art. I also love going out with a small Fuji Film street photography.
Humans in the city
A passion that makes him wander the streets of Toulouse in search of images. The one that will sometimes push him to follow a person to find the right gesture, the right angle and the right light. “What I like above all about street photography is showing people in the city,” explains Etienne Régis. “As soon as I know what I want to do, I may have to wait 20 minutes for the right person to come to the right place. Sometimes it’s more spontaneous and the photo is taken on the spot. The challenge with photography of street is to overcome the fear of going to meet people while remaining discreet.
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It is also on Instagram that he sometimes found ideas and inspiration, notably by consulting the account of the American Adam Miller. “He takes his photos in New York, playing on shapes, solids and voids,” describes the Toulouse native. “I try to work in the same way in Toulouse even if the city is less minimalist than New York.” He therefore plays with shadows to tell stories. Without any particular message. Preoccupied with capturing details. Often in chiaroscuro or Chinese shadows without ever revealing the identity of the person.
Self-taught journey
Although he has been taking photos for pleasure since he was 18, nothing predestined Etienne Régis to make it his profession or to exhibit in the most prestigious galleries. “I am a chemist by training which led me to work in industrial laboratories in Lyon until the day I left everything because I didn’t like the atmosphere, it didn’t suit me.” It was at that time, in 2014, that he returned to Toulouse to work at Fnac. “I was led to sell cameras so in order not to seem like an impostor, I became interested in image technology and wanted to explore it further.” Trained by the Studio le Carré team in Lyon, after this experience, he then returned to Toulouse to open a branch in Toulouse in which three photographers, including a videographer, now work.
In Venice, Etienne Régis brings a little of Toulouse and Saint-Cyprien in his suitcases.
