Valérie Jardin and Gina Williams – Fusion of Street Photography and Fiction
03/15/24 • 36 min
1 Listener
In Street Photography Magazine, we publish many personal projects and discuss them with photographers on the podcast. In this episode, I had an opportunity to speak with street photographer Valérie and writer (and photographer) Gina Williams about their collaboration on one of the most creative projects I’ve seen in a long time.
Gina, a very talented writer, photographer, and artist, attended one of Valérie’s Paris workshops several years ago where they became friends. Several times over the years, they discussed a collaboration where Gina would create fictional vignettes inspired by subjects in a selection of Valérie’s street photos.
Last year, they made it a reality. Valérie gave Gina access to her archive to choose photos that resonated with her. That in and of itself was a challenge because Valérie has a huge archive of very powerful street images. Some stories came to her instantly while others marinated in the back of her mind, only to be revealed while she was gardening or taking a walk.
The result is an ebook titled Street Stories. It’s a collection of about 50 of Valérie’s street photos. Each photo with its vignette is depicted in a short chapter. The chapter opens with a title, assigned by Gina, on its own page followed by the photo on another with the page on the next page. This format can get very expensive in a printed book but works well in an ebook.
We’ve reproduced one of my favorite stories from the book in the show notes of this episode to give you an example of what Gina and Valérie created. The title is Resistance.
This type of book is best consumed a few chapters at a time rather than in long sittings. I imported my copy of the book into the Kindle app on my iPad. It gives me the ability to move between pages by sliding the screen right to left just like any book on the app. That way, I can glide through the images and titles and stop on whatever catches my attention. Each time, I’ve come away with new inspiration.
Valérie’s strong images combined with Gina’s imagination and mastery of the language is a magical combination.
Street Stories costs only $12.00, and Valérie has offered our listeners a $2.00 discount (so it’s only 10 bucks) by using the code SPM on checkout.
In the meantime, give the podcast a listen. I know you’ll be inspired by their story.
Here’s a sample chapter from Street Stories
RESISTANCE
I can hear their voices and feel their spirits in the wind when I visit this place. The horror. Fear. Desperation. Determination. Bravery.
My father was on this beach in the summer of 1944. A resistance fighter, he guided the Americans to a river crossing, then helped stand guard over German prisoners as they cleared the beach of obstacles and brutal tangles of barbed wire.
He didn’t talk much about it after the war—none of them did. But I can feel their presence here. Every gust of wind feels like youth leaving the body and I want to push it back like a rescue breath, return to them what they lost.
Places like this hold memories forever.
Now, the message of peace is peace itself. Lovers strolling arm-in-arm. Tourists sipping cocktails. Children splashing about and making castles in the once dangerous sand.
No matter the weather, I let it chill me. I never cover my head or button my coat. I want to feel the cold air in my bones until it hurts.
I scoop up a bit of soft sand and let it fall through my fingers, each grain a reminder of someone who sacrificed everything for the freedom I now enjoy.
And then I look to the horizon, watch the storm clouds swirl in the distance, and offer a humble prayer of gratitude and remembrance.
Links from the show
In Street Photography Magazine, we publish many personal projects and discuss them with photographers on the podcast. In this episode, I had an opportunity to speak with street photographer Valérie and writer (and photographer) Gina Williams about their collaboration on one of the most creative projects I’ve seen in a long time.
Gina, a very talented writer, photographer, and artist, attended one of Valérie’s Paris workshops several years ago where they became friends. Several times over the years, they discussed a collaboration where Gina would create fictional vignettes inspired by subjects in a selection of Valérie’s street photos.
Last year, they made it a reality. Valérie gave Gina access to her archive to choose photos that resonated with her. That in and of itself was a challenge because Valérie has a huge archive of very powerful street images. Some stories came to her instantly while others marinated in the back of her mind, only to be revealed while she was gardening or taking a walk.
The result is an ebook titled Street Stories. It’s a collection of about 50 of Valérie’s street photos. Each photo with its vignette is depicted in a short chapter. The chapter opens with a title, assigned by Gina, on its own page followed by the photo on another with the page on the next page. This format can get very expensive in a printed book but works well in an ebook.
We’ve reproduced one of my favorite stories from the book in the show notes of this episode to give you an example of what Gina and Valérie created. The title is Resistance.
This type of book is best consumed a few chapters at a time rather than in long sittings. I imported my copy of the book into the Kindle app on my iPad. It gives me the ability to move between pages by sliding the screen right to left just like any book on the app. That way, I can glide through the images and titles and stop on whatever catches my attention. Each time, I’ve come away with new inspiration.
Valérie’s strong images combined with Gina’s imagination and mastery of the language is a magical combination.
Street Stories costs only $12.00, and Valérie has offered our listeners a $2.00 discount (so it’s only 10 bucks) by using the code SPM on checkout.
In the meantime, give the podcast a listen. I know you’ll be inspired by their story.
Here’s a sample chapter from Street Stories
RESISTANCE
I can hear their voices and feel their spirits in the wind when I visit this place. The horror. Fear. Desperation. Determination. Bravery.
My father was on this beach in the summer of 1944. A resistance fighter, he guided the Americans to a river crossing, then helped stand guard over German prisoners as they cleared the beach of obstacles and brutal tangles of barbed wire.
He didn’t talk much about it after the war—none of them did. But I can feel their presence here. Every gust of wind feels like youth leaving the body and I want to push it back like a rescue breath, return to them what they lost.
Places like this hold memories forever.
Now, the message of peace is peace itself. Lovers strolling arm-in-arm. Tourists sipping cocktails. Children splashing about and making castles in the once dangerous sand.
No matter the weather, I let it chill me. I never cover my head or button my coat. I want to feel the cold air in my bones until it hurts.
I scoop up a bit of soft sand and let it fall through my fingers, each grain a reminder of someone who sacrificed everything for the freedom I now enjoy.
And then I look to the horizon, watch the storm clouds swirl in the distance, and offer a humble prayer of gratitude and remembrance.
Links from the show
Previous Episode
Mister Geez Discusses the power of childlike wonder in street photography
Gerald Marie-Nelly, affectionately known as Mister Geez, is the featured photographer in the March 2024 issue of Street Photography Magazine. During our conversation in this episode he invites us into his world of visual storytelling.
Mister Geez’s photographic journey is a combination of personal growth and artistic discovery. His transition from the sun-kissed shores of Martinique to the bustling streets of London is a story that resonates with anyone who has ever dared to dream beyond their horizon. Gerard opens up about finding solace in photography after the loss of his mother. It is a reminder of the healing power of art.
His book “Inner Child Playground” is more than just a collection of images; it’s an invitation to view London through the fresh eyes of a child. Street Photography Magazine subscribers can an excerpt of his book in the December 2023 issue.
What sets Mister Geez apart is not just his exceptional eye for detail but his commitment to community. He shares his craft by teaching photography to the homeless, helping them find their own voice through the language of imagery.
Gerard also pays homage to the greats who have shaped his vision. He expresses admiration for documentary photography icons like Sebastião Salgado and Eugene Smith, whose works have influenced his approach to capturing reality.
He dives deep into the meticulous process of curating a body of work for publication. Selecting and sequencing photos is a delicate dance that can make or break a narrative. During our conversation Gerard discusses his technique of using inexpensive prints to sort, compare and sequence photos for publication.
Our conversation underscores the tangible joy of physical prints, the intricacies of layout design, and the struggle with technical dilemmas like color casts in printing. Gerard’s story is a reminder of the tactile relationship between photographer and photograph, in an age dominated by digital.
Links from the show
Next Episode
Daring to Look: The unique street photography of Penelope James
In today’s episode, Dallas-based fundraiser and street photographer Penny James shared the story of her creative evolution since she first picked up a camera in 2016. With a passion for capturing the spontaneous ballet of urban life, she has become a unique voice in the world of street photography.
Her photographic journey began with a personal connection to her camera and a desire to document the world around her. The turning point came during expeditions to the streets of London and Paris, where she honed her skills and developed her own visual language.
Penny’s work goes beyond mere observation; it’s an extension of her emotional landscape. She revealed the deep emotional investment she pours into her website, a curated digital gallery of her innermost expressions. The authenticity of her work is not just a philosophy; it’s the cornerstone of her approach to art.
In a surprising twist of fate, her interest in clouds inspired a unique self-portrait project during the pandemic. This project resulted in a fusion of surrealistic cloud photographs with evocative self-portraits. Penny’s work during this period reflects a dreamlike atmosphere that has resonated with her audience.
Navigating the ambiguities of the creative process, James spoke candidly about the exhilaration and hurdles she has encountered. From the painful process of self-editing to the connections made while capturing the lives of strangers, her journey has been as much about personal growth as it is about artistic expression.
Despite the challenges of curating photographs for exhibitions and her website Penny’s dedication to visual storytelling remains strong. When reviewing Penny’s website in preparation for her interview we were most impressed by the intention she put into image selection and sequencing of the photos in each gallery. She said is was a painful process that has really paid off. We review countless websites each year and Penny’s is by far one of the best we’ve seen in years. Please don’t miss it.
Penny’s story serves as an inspiration to all aspiring street photographers and a reminder of the possibilities that await around the next corner.
Chapter Summary
07:05 Travel and Street Photography Inspiration
Penny discusses her solo travel experiences to London and Paris, highlighting how being alone with her camera in new places inspired her street photography work.
11:05 Authenticity in Art and Connection
The conversation delves into Penny’s approach to art and self-expression, emphasizing the importance of being genuine in connecting with others through creative work.
17:10 Website Design and Creative Expression
Penny’s intentional and creative use of her website to showcase her photography, discussing the impact of thoughtful presentation in visual storytelling.
24:00 Pandemic-Inspired Self-Portrait Series
Discover how the pandemic sparked a burst of creativity and freedom leading to a unique self-portrait series by the artist.
41:09 Artistic Selections and Editing Process
Delve into the Penny’s process of selecting and editing photographs for her website, showcasing intentional curation and critical evaluation.
46:06 Fleeting Scenes and Insignificant Significance
Explore the artist’s perspective on capturing fleeting moments and the profound significance found in seemingly insignificant interactions with strangers.
51:14 Authenticity and Connection in Photography
Reflect on the power of authenticity and connection in photography, resonating with shared experiences and a sense of community among artists.
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