Photographing inaccessible patrimony

The monuments and works of arts that surround us are widely photographed when they are easily accessible, but what about when it comes to taking pictures of statues, gargoyles and architectural elements installed at great heights, most often right up in the air? Even the best zoom lenses cannot photograph those hidden details correctly!

Similarly, how do you photograph great works of underground art, in places without recoil and low or very bad lighting? Even the best flash cannot adequately illuminate the details of a tunnel!

Combining techniques of photography – digital processing, panorama shooting, HDR, macro contrasts – and climbing (graduate of acrobatic rope access); I shoot just as well when hanging from a rope in the air, as I do in the heart of confined spaces. Managing all the specifics of these environments requires an exemplary technicality:

MONUMENTS, AERIAL ACCESS

Photography using acrobatics and ropes provide access to many out-of-reach architectural elements. It is now possible to take artistic photos, (from unseen view points), photographic documentation or even site status pictures (general condition before work is carried out), to order.

In order to preserve these monuments, I refuse to use mechanical fastening systems that damage buildings (hooks, pins, broaches…). I use traditional techniques based on ropes, straps and protection, providing a greater guarantee of safety and efficacy.

My photographic work, in standard or panorama, offers “darkroom” quality prints; usable in very large format (prints in 90×60 cm, 240×80 cm for panoramas or advertising: 4×3 meters).

Zoom on… Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
Mission: On behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Communication: a photographic commission of brass statues, said to be by Viollet-le-Duc, which are positioned along the full length of the arrow, about 50 meters up in the air.
Implementation: A 60 meter zip-line was installed, secured between the upper arrow and a flying buttress. Shot in a web of ropes from the zip line. Assembled and taken down the same day.
Result: 240 detailed photos of the statues for the state and artistic photos making up this panorama:

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, view over Seine river, France

WORKS OF ART, UNDERGROUND ACCESS / CONFINED

Underground photography highlights works of art even when the conditions of access and lighting are difficult. You can order beautiful pictures of your infrastructure, suitable for communications and archives.

Trained in freestyle access and first aid, used to industrial risks; I take photographs, despite access conditions and risks inherent to the site (confined spaces, crushing, electrocution).

My photographic work, in standard or panorama, offers very realistic and purposeful photographs, even when light conditions are very unfavorable (zones with mixed scenes, both too well and badly lit at the same). With their “darkroom” quality, my shots are usable in very large format (prints in 90×60 cm, 240×80 cm for panoramas or advertising: 4×3 meters).

Zoom on… A work of art in the underground of the Opera, Paris.
Mission: A photographic commission, of gigantic size: the crossings of the RATP metro lines (3, 7 and 8 ) for the book LE METRO DE PARIS (THE PARIS METRO), published by La Vie du Rail.
Implementation: Night shooting along electrified lines, taking into account the lack of recoil and strong contrasts in light: lit stations, very dark tunnels, with portions too lit by neon lights.
Result: A dozen new photographs published, like this one: or this 360° virtual tour.