the essential
Philippe Exbrayat is an exceptional culinary photographer, he will be present for the Fleurance Photographic Meetings.
The Photo-Club de Gascogne, chaired by Gérard Bayle, organizes the Phot’Art show, the first photographic meetings in Fleurance, Saturday November 30 and Sunday November 1is December. Several professional photographers will be present, including Philippe Exbrayat.
Did you combine two passions: food photographer and home chef?
“Still life photographer since the 80s, I then worked with the biggest Parisian advertising agencies. In 1987, I created my own photography studio on the outskirts of Paris, and very quickly, being a gourmet myself, I naturally moved towards culinary photography. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time and I wrote the first book by Thierry Marx, who was a starred chef at the Château Cordeillan-Bages relay, “TerreEstuaire”, in Pauillac. I then made Thierry Marx’s recipes, but also portraits of all the wine grower owners, photos of all the sites. It’s a huge book. And, for the record, I met my wife… In 2003, I decided to come to Bordeaux. I worked on film at the start, with the camera and the black veil for the books. In 98 digital technology arrived, a total upheaval to which I embraced. It also makes it much easier to work from home.”
What are the conditions to be a culinary arts photographer?
“You have to love eating!” You have to be very observant, love the chefs to work in pairs, capture their way of cooking the products and bring your know-how to enhance the recipe, find the right angle, the right light, it’s an art.
Do you also take art photos?
“In 2012, with my triptych on the theme of the egg, I was awarded first prize in the major international culinary photography competition, chaired that year by Pierre Gagnaire. Since then, all my artistic creation work has focused on the moving culinary image…”.
Are you here to work for Bernard Gimbert?
“Bernard Gimbert focuses on the visuals and packaging of his frozen products, he called on me to bring modernity to the visuals. I must support the location of its production in Fleurance.”
