Interview: Photographer Ludwig Oblin (France)

Can you tell us a little about you?

Hi, my name is Ludwig Oblin also known as LYTNIM, a photographer based in Montpellier, France. I first started in languages study but then moved to cinema studies as I wanted to learn and discover about photography and cinema. Besides that, I love 80s/early 90s culture (movies, music, fashion, etc.), bold colors, neon lights and Hawaiian shirts.

How and when did you get into photography?

At first, it was when I was a kid, my mother used to have a lot of cameras such as a Polaroid and an Olympus OM-10 but she let me only use disposable camera instead because of my young age. This was my first contact with this art. But then, I truly began to learn everything about photography in 2012, when I started cinema studies.

What does photography mean to you?

A medium that can create a whole new universe in one image, it’s crazy how much you can with just a camera, a lens and light. This is one of the most beautiful way of expressing, telling a thousand word-story with a single photo.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

My style is a frenetic combination of the 80s/early 90s aesthetic with today’s modern technology along with practical effects to create bold and timeless cinematic imageries. Most of the time I do portraits in my studio.

Where do you get inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from various sources: movies, music, comic books, ads, painting, photography... These sources are mostly from the 80s/90s as, to me, this era was the most creative and bold.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Always. I draw storyboards and lighting diagrams to have a clear idea of what I want to do and how I can achieve it, it is very helpful and works as a reminder. In the end, doing a photo shoot is like directing a movie, we’re using the same way. Yet, sometimes it happens that I improvise when I find out something interesting during the shoot.

Studio, on location or both?

Studio. I love creating, shaping and coloring my own light. But I’d like to do a photo shoot on location in order to challenge myself.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I am a paid professional, working mainly with music artists and cinema crews but I always leave room for collaboration, it is always a pleasure to meet new people and discovering their universe.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

It was when I did the “NEON VISION” photo series session. I wanted to create an 80s scene only using few props (a Venetian blind and a tropical plant) along with a gorgeous model and colored gelled lights. After many tries, I’ve managed to create the scene I truly wanted directly in-camera and it felt like it was directly shot from a movie.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Canon. My favorite lens is a Canon 85mm f/1.8, this is the one I use most the time as I love its sharpness and it’s a wonderful piece of glass.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

Always believe in yourself, even in the hardest moments. When you got to listen to critiques, only listen to those that can help you to improve yourself, don’t listen to the nay-sayers. If you got a unique style or love shooting a particular thing, be completely at ease with this, this is how we recognize an artist. And last but not least: never be game over!

What do you think of our new magazine?

It is great to see an open-minded magazine that gives the opportunity to creatives to be seen, whether they are beginners or veterans, and it is also a great source of inspiration. Thank you very much to be part of it and keep up with the great work!

Website: www.lytnim.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lytnim/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lytnim/