Jean-Jacques Naudet: A Life in Images
With “The Questionnaire”, I wanted to open a window into the personal world of each of the photographers and lovers of beautiful images who agreed to participate. My goal: to immortalize the very essence of contemporary Photography by offering a unique glimpse into the inner lives of artists, their inspirations, and their worldview through questions that are both personal and professional. Therefore, to celebrate the publication of my 200th Questionnaire, I chose to give the floor to a key figure in the world of Photography: Jean-Jacques Naudet, our founder and publishing director, who has dedicated his career to exploring, deciphering, and promoting Photography in all its forms.
After PHOTO, Paris Match, and American PHOTO, the adventure of what is now The Eye of Photography began in 2010. He continues to capture the essence of contemporary trends while offering a unique platform to photographers from all walks of life. His ability to spot talent even before it is recognized by the general public inspired me. Thanks to him and to Gilles Decamps, our editor-in-chief, I was able to immerse myself in this rich universe, where each exhibition, competition, or retrospective is a learning opportunity. Jean-Jacques is much more than a passionate observer of Photography; he is a cultural transmitter, who has allowed me to make my own contribution to this creative space, while broadening my perspective on the importance of Photography in our modern society, whether documenting significant events or serving as artistic expression.
It is with his humor tinged with irony, sincerity and malice that he lends himself to the exercise.
Your first photographic spark?
Jean-Jacques Naudet: The first Jeanloup Sieff exhibition in the late 1960s.
The image-maker who has inspired or continues to inspire you?
JJN: Two people: Roger Thérond and Roméo Martinez.
Roger Thérond (Arles, 1999, © Lionel Charrier, Olivier Monge, ENS Louis-Lumière)
Roméo Martinez – Courtesy MUVE, 1953
The photo you wish you had taken?
JJN: Honestly, I’ve never taken photos. I’m a terrible photographer. Even family photos, I ruined them.
The image that moved you the most?
JJN: The walk to Paradise Garden, 1946 by W.Eugene Smith.
And the one that made you angry?
JJN: The images of concentration camps byLee Miller.
Which photo, in your opinion, changed the world?
JJN: Unfortunately, none.
And which photo changed your world?
JJN: Fortunately, none.
What interests you most in an image?
JJN: The eye.
What was the last photo you took?
JJN: A photo of my sons, Jules and Gédéon, 40 years ago, and it was a failure.
A key image in your personal pantheon?
JJN: Any photo of children with their mother.
A photographic memory from your childhood?
JJN: A photo of my parents happy during the liberation of Paris.
My father died shortly after, and I recently had the picture placed on their grave.
In your view, what quality is essential to being a good photographer?
JJN: Passion.
What makes a good photo?
JJN: That it moves the viewer.
The person you would like to photograph?
JJN: I would have loved to take nude photos of Shiva, my wife, in the style of René Groebli.
An indispensable photo book?
JJN: Guy Bourdin for Charles Jourdan recently published by Rizzoli.
Your favorite vice?
JJN: It used to be Celtique and Gitanes. Today, it’s Burgundy wine or Côtes du Roussillon.
The best way for you to disconnect?
JJN: I don’t really feel the need to disconnect, but music can do that sometimes. In those moments, I listen to Otis Redding, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Der Abschied—the last piece of Mahler’s The Song of the Earth sung by Kathleen Ferrier—or even Umm Kulthum.
Your relationship with images?
JJN: Passionate.
Who would you like to be photographed by?
JJN: I hate being photographed; I don’t like my appearance.
An image to illustrate a new banknote?
JJN: I only use cards.
Your biggest professional extravagance?
JJN: Launching L’Oeil de la Photographie with no financial or technical knowledge. I’d like to take this moment to thank Alex Kummerman, Maya Hoffmann, Ericka Weidmann, and Michel Birnbaum. And especially thanks to the current team: Lucile, Sylvie, Gilles, Arthur, Laurent, and Thierry. It’s thanks to them that L’Oeil has become the number one online photography magazine in the world.
A question that could unsettle you?
JJN: “You don’t look your age.”
The last thing you did for the first time?
JJN: Cycling with Shiva in a gym in Aix-en-Provence, where regulars first looked at us like zombies, then as friendly dinosaurs.
The city, country, or culture you dream of discovering?
JJN: France, after living 25 years in the United States.
The place you never get tired of?
JJN: Bagatelle.
Your biggest regret?
JJN: All the photographers I didn’t publish.
In terms of social networks, are you more Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and why?
JJN: None, I avoid them like the plague.
Color or black and white?
JJN: I don’t care.
Daylight or artificial light?
JJN: The same.
Which city seems the most photogenic to you?
JJN: Paris.
If God existed, would you ask to take his portrait or prefer a selfie with him?
JJN: Neither. But it reminds me of François Mitterrand’s fantastic answer to the Proust questionnaire: “Now you know.”
If I could organize your dream dinner, who would be at the table?
JJN: It happened four or five times in the early 1980s. It brought together Roger Thérond, Sam Wagstaff, Philippe Garner, and me at Roméo and Jacqueline Martinez’s. It was magical.
The image that represents the current state of the world?
JJN: Any image created by AI.
If you could start all over again?
JJN: I might be a farmer with Shiva.
What do you wish people would say about you?
JJN: That through PHOTO at the start, then Match and American PHOTO later, and now L’Oeil de la Photographie, I’ve been helpful to some photographers and to photography.
The essential thing to know about you?
JJN: Absolutely nothing.
Any last words?
JJN: Goodbye.
