An intervew with Florian Coëlo
Florian Coelo is a French professional photographer who works on artistic and documentary projects related to the concepts of territory and environment. At the same time, he also collaborates with players in architecture, heritage, landscape and activity spaces as well as with companies and professionals in the artistic and craft sectors.
His photographic work is an exploration of the territory and its mutations. On one hand, he questions through a documentary approach, the place of human being at the heart of his environment. He photographs evolutions of the natural and artificial spaces that surround us, whether they evoke the past or the future, enchant, intrigue or be thought-provoking.
Through his photographs, he seeks to question the notions of the wild and the built, their entanglement or their dissociation, in order to observe their evolution and act accordingly in a world in full environmental upheaval. On the other hand, he uses photography for its narrative dimension and its power of wonder to offer a little of the beauty that surrounds us.
“I am convinced that photography is a way to bear witness to the beauty of the natural world around us, as well as to our own capacity, as humain beings, to destroy it.”
What was your journey into becoming a photographer?
I seriously started photography during Covid. As a reader and writer, I am fascinated by the power of words, their capacity to create new realities and allow readers to escape, page after page, into the extraordinary realm of tale or narrative. In a way that serves as an extension of my writing, photography has enabled me to invent my own world, to tell stories about the natural world where I love wandering.
This is how I began taking photos, capturing mountains, hills, forests, clouds, animals, mist, and so on. I am convinced that photography is a way to bear witness to the beauty of the natural world around us, as well as to our own capacity, as humain beings, to destroy it.
Since 2022, I have been working freelance on artistic and documentary projects related to the concepts of territory and environment. At the same time, I also collaborate with players in architecture, heritage, landscape and activity spaces as well as with professionnals in the artistic, craft and agriculture sector.
What role does the natural world play in your work?
The natural world is, without a doubt, the central element in my work.
I consider my photographic work as an exploration of the relationship between human beings and their territory as well as a reflection on our intimate connection to climate change.
On one hand, I question through a documentary approach the place of human being at the heart of their natural environment. In this way, I photograph the evolution of the natural and artificial spaces that surround us, whether they evoke the past or the future, enchant, intrigue or be thought-provoking. Through my photos, I seek to question the notions of the wild and the built, their entanglement or their dissociation, in order to observe their evolution and act accordingly in a world in full environmental upheaval.
On the other hand, I use photography for its narrative dimension and its power of wonder to offer a little bit of the natural beauty that surrounds us.
What is your creative process?
When I work on a new photographic series, I usually start with a concept or an observation. For example, I created a series titled « Solastalgia », a philosophical concept describing the feeling of distress felt in the face of the degradation of our everyday natural environment. I can also start with a simple observation. My series « Seasons », for example, quite simply chronicles the passing of the seasons, their unique beauty and their growing fragility.
Then, I go out to take my photos, taking this concept or observation in my mind. Most of my projects require months, even years, to complete.
Finally, I enjoy editing my pictures to give them a specific atmosphere and ensure consistency across the series. Sometimes, I also combine two shots together (double exposure or diptych) to craft a new narrative, following a more artistic and conceptual approach.
Is there anything you’re currently working on or looking forward to in your work that you’d like to share more about?
My current project combines words and photographs and focuses on the recent heatwaves that have occurred in France over the last few years, as well as their consequences for the natural environment (drought, forest fires, flooding, etc.). This summer has been particularly concerning where I live and I feel the need to talk about it.
All images copyright of Florian Coëlo.
For more, follow Florian Coëlo on Instagram or visit http://floriancoelo.com
