AN INTERVIEW WITH THIBAULT GERBALDI

Thibault Gerbaldi won 1st Prize in our recent Black & White competition with an image judge Valerie Blair praised for being “technically masterful… a beautiful and profound portrait of a young woman that cuts across art history”.

Keen to learn more, we put some questions to Thibault, and his answers – covering the story behind that image, his family lineage of travellers, and his dream destinations – are well worth a read…

Dear Thibault, congratulations on winning our Black & White competition! What did you make of the judges’ comments?

Valerie Blair’s comment struck a chord with me, as I have a keen sensitivity to 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings. I viewed it as a tremendous compliment. Additionally, I valued the Life Framer team’s recognition of the human aspect in my work, aligning perfectly with my intention to depict the life of these communities in my story-telling.

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

My wife and I traveled to Ethiopia in the winter of 2019, concluding our journey on the hills surrounding the town of Jinka, where I captured this photo. Early in the morning, we shared breakfast with a local family. I was captivated by how the light entering the hut through a distinctive opening to the outside world illuminated the face of this beautiful Ethiopian woman.

As I pressed the shutter, I vividly recall wondering what thoughts occupied her mind as she gazed toward the light. It struck me as a profoundly poetic moment.

I understand that it’s form a broader series about Ethiopia, which you have also self-published as a photobook. Is that correct, and can you tell us a little more about that body of work?

In early 2019, I joined the board of directors for The Forgotten International, a non-profit organization. My aim was to utilize photography not only as a means to educate people about different cultures but also to raise funds for those in need. When my wife and I decided to travel to Ethiopia, our objective was to create a book that could be used to support projects or express gratitude to donors during fundraising events, which we eventually held on Zoom a year later during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resulting book, titled “Crossroads,” deals with the ongoing struggle between traditions and modernity, the resilience of the youth, the wisdom of the elders, and the juxtapositions of peace and war. These crossroads made our journey in Ethiopia very meaningful. The country’s diversity of cultures fascinated us, and the experience centered around its people. That essence is what I aimed to capture and convey through this body of work.

THIBAULT’S WINNING BLACK & WHITE IMAGE FROM CROSSROADS, DOCUMENTING HIS TIME IN ETHIOPIA

What was your route into photography, and what role does it play in your life now? Is it a full-time occupation for you?

Two individuals have played a pivotal role in inspiring my passion for travel. In our family, it’s a running joke that my grandmother had explored nearly every country in the world. I vividly remember her tales, whether recounting the buzkashi of the last King of Afghanistan or observing polar bears in northern Canada. The second person is my father, an enthusiastic traveler who documented his journeys to places like Yemen, where few westerners had ventured before. Immersed in their travel experiences as a child, I dreamt of following in their footsteps and sharing my adventures.

With a growing interest in art, photography naturally became my chosen medium. I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to travel extensively, documenting encounters and discoveries along the way. As a teenager, I found inspiration in Steve McCurry’s photograph titled “Taj and Train,” a compelling invitation to travel and capture moments. That very image now hangs on the wall in front of me as I type this interview.
Photography serves not only as an artistic outlet for me but also aligns with my ultimate goal of using it to contribute to the foundation I work with. It has evolved into an essential pillar in my life, complementing family and work. Providing a sensibility and artistic aspect that my daily work doesn’t fulfil, photography, while not a full-time occupation, demands significant time for post-processing and book editing, making it a continually growing pursuit.

As an avid travel photographer, how do you find your locations and stories?

I maintain a list of countries or regions that have always intrigued me, and while I’ve had the opportunity to visit some, the list remains extensive. Not all destinations are easily accessible or safe due to political uncertainties. Fortunately, my photography interests span various genres, including portraits, landscapes, and street photography, which expands the possibilities for travel destinations.
Before embarking on a journey, I invest time in thorough research. I delve into the country’s background, culture, and people, aiming to form an initial understanding of what I can convey through my photography.

What I find most gratifying though is that the final outcome is always unique, shaped predominantly by chance encounters or unexpected situations. That’s the aspect of travel that I cherish the most.

What would be your dream destination, or subject matter to shoot?

I would love to capture the lives of Sudanese cattle keepers or the vibrant scenes of the floating market on Dal Lake in Kashmir.

You live in Miami. What took you out there? Do you think this perspective, of being an expatriate yourself, brings something to your travel photography?

In 2008, I left my home country, France, to pursue studies in the US, and for the next 12 years, I called New York City home. While the city offered me a lot, the onset of COVID-19 prompted a desire for change, leading me to explore new horizons. Miami emerged as a natural choice—a crossroads between the North and the South. I’m drawn to the Latin American vibe of the city, and its proximity makes it easier to travel to South American countries.

My early travels cultivated a sensitivity to diverse cultures and their people, grounded in a profound respect that I believe is essential for documenting journeys and, more important-ly, people. Establishing a trustful and respectful relationship with the subjects I photograph is crucial to me, as it’s the only way to truly capture the essence of the individuals I encounter.

Aside from your winning image, can you tell us about a shot you’re particularly proud of?

I take immense pride in a panoramic photo captured in Namibia, taken from a low-flying vantage point over the sand dunes [below]. In the frame, an oryx sprints gracefully, its escape artistically framed by the dramatic shadows cast by nearby sand dunes bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.
In the midst of its run, the sand kicked up by its swift pace forms a golden cloud in its wake, evoking the image of the desert exhaling a breath of precious amber.

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

I wish I had started taking pictures earlier. Having traveled extensively at a young age, I feel a tinge of regret for not capturing those moments through photography. If I could advise little Thibault, I would say, “Don’t wait long before pressing the shutter.”

And finally, what are your plans for 2024?

I’m very excited about a couple of possibilities for 2024: capturing jaguars in the Pantanal in Brazil and exploring Mongolia in the summer, with a potential trip to Japan in the fall. I find joy in dreaming about upcoming destinations and projects. It’s this anticipation that keeps me constantly looking ahead.

FROM THIBAULT’S TIME IN MIAMI