AN INTERVIEW WITH DIDIER VANDERPERRE

Didier Vanderperre won 1st Prize in our recent Open Call competition with an image judge Helen Healy praised for “capturing a rich slice of daily life” in Bangladesh.

We put some questions to Didier, keen to know more about the image and the ‘Home Sweet Home’ series from which it’s taken, as well as his route into photography, his life as a French immigrant in New York, and the advice that he’d pass onto his younger self…

Dear Didier, congratulations on winning our Open Call competition. What did you make of the judges’ comments?

I totally agree with Helen’s comments when she mentions the juxtaposition of bright colours against the drabness of the building. This is exactly what attracted me when taking this picture. The repetition of the patterns and the geometry made the scene very interesting to me as well. If the viewer looks closely, they will notice people at their windows on each floor, which adds life to the picture.

Can you tell us a little more about the image itself and the circumstances behind it?

It was late afternoon when people started coming home from work or school, so it was a lively scene. Thanks to my fixer, I was able to gain access to the colony and to the building itself, which is normally closed off to the public. The picture was taken from inside an identical building directly opposite the one I photographed. Being able to gain access to the upper floors allowed me to take a non-distorted picture. As usual in Bangladesh, we were welcomed with open arms by the residents. Despite the incredibly difficult life conditions dictated by their work, the sweepers were incredibly friendly and even invited me into their small, though very well-kept living quarters.

It’s from a body of work called “Home Sweet Home” – tell us a little bit more about this series, and why you were drawn to the subject of home?

We don’t always appreciate how fortunate we are to have a roof over our heads and to enjoy all the modern conveniences of Western life. When traveling extensively, you realize that most people live under very precarious conditions, yet manage to maintain strong family ties with multiple generations living under the same roof, and a very close sense of community which is mostly lost in Western cultures. As a photographer, I am frequently welcomed and invited into a stranger’s home, something that has never happened to me in the U.S. In this project, I am trying to convey that feeling of belonging to a community and the social bonds that unite people together despite their modest living conditions.

What was your route into photography, and when did you know it would become a central part of your life?

I have been interested in photography ever since my grandfather gave me my first camera at age 11. In my twenties I even considered making photography a full-time profession. Life led me in a different direction, and it was not until the advent of digital photography 15 to 20 years ago that I really got serious about it again. I am fortunate to be able to dedicate most of my time to travel and photography, which for me go hand in hand.

You say that “Photography pushes us towards the unknown, bridging a connection with strangers whose culture and circumstances we may otherwise have never explored.” How were your experiences shooting in Bangladesh, and what did that experience teach you with respect to human connection?

My travel experience to Bangladesh was not very different from my other traveling experiences. Photography allows you to go towards people you would have never interacted with otherwise. Through photography I have discovered that regardless of where you are in the world, people are almost always friendly, welcoming and as curious to learn about you as you are to learn about them. I believe all these unique encounters, put together, help you understand the world better.

You’re a French native who has lived in New York for many years. What took you there? And as a travel photographer, do you think this experience of living in a foreign land benefits your perspective when traveling to new places?

I was transferred to New York for two years by my employer when I was 23 and never moved back to France. At the time, I was already eager to travel and discover the world, so I immediately seized the opportunity that was given to me. I suppose that a willingness to live abroad is already a sign of open mindedness and curiosity, so it was natural for me to keep expanding my horizons by wanting to do more extensive travel to more off the beaten track destinations.

Can you tell us about another one or two shots you’re particularly proud of?

If I had to pick one picture in particular, it would probably be another shot taken in Bangladesh of a group of men unloading bricks by the Dhaka river. I think the image tells a good story and is photo-graphically and technically very strong. This being said, I try not to look at my pictures individually. I believe someone’s work should be looked at as whole to be truly appreciated. My focus is on developing a cohesive body of work.

What’s the best piece of advice you’d pass on to your younger self if you could?

The best advice to a younger photographer would be that wherever you are, keep shooting. Pictures are everywhere, and to become a better photographer you constantly need to be out there and taking pictures. Like any other craft, photography, especially street photography, needs a lot of practice. Another piece of advice would be to follow your path, shoot for yourself and avoid copying others.

And finally, what are your plans for the rest of 2023 and beyond?

I am planning another trip to Bangladesh for early next year, my first trip there was an unforgettable experience and I definitely want to get a deeper knowledge of this fascinating country and its people. The entire Indian subcontinent including India and Pakistan where I will be in November 2023 is very interesting to me. Surprisingly, traveling to distant locales has also reinforced my interest in shooting at home. Since the pandemic I have started a more in-depth project in New York City. Taking pictures locally has allowed me to be more focused on my photography, dig deeper into a project and have more time to produce better images that tell a more complete story. Ultimately, my goal is to publish a book either on my travel or my New York photography.