Pascal Maitre : Stories in Images
Pascal Maitre is a distinguished photojournalist known for his profound and evocative imagery that captures the essence of human experience across the globe. With a career spanning over four decades, Maitre’s work has taken him to some of the most remote and tumultuous regions of the world, from the deserts of the Sahel to the bustling streets of Kinshasa. His keen eye for detail and unwavering commitment to storytelling have earned him international acclaim, including features in prestigious publications such as National Geographic, GEO, and Paris Match.
Born with an innate curiosity and an early passion for photography, Pascal Maitre’s journey began with a Kodak Instamatic in his family’s garden. His work is deeply influenced by legendary figures like Henri Cartier-Bresson, and his images often reflect the poignant, sometimes stark realities of life. Whether capturing the resilience of people in war-torn areas or the subtle beauty of everyday moments, his photographs resonate with emotional depth and narrative power.
Through this Questionnaire, we delve into the mind of the photographer, exploring the inspirations behind his most iconic images, the challenges he faces in his field, and his thoughts on the evolving landscape of photography. A way to uncover the stories behind the.
Instagram : maitre.pascal
Website : www.pascal-maitre.com
Canon Ambassador : www.canon.fr
Your first photographic revelation?
Pascal Maitre: Flowers in our garden with a Kodak Instamatic.
The man or woman in photography who has inspired you?
Pascal Maitre: Henri Cartier-Bresson.
The image you haven’t yet captured and would like to?
Pascal Maitre: Kabul in winter.
The one that moved you the most?
Pascal Maitre: A photo in Biafra by Donald McCullin, of a mother giving her completely withered breast to her child.
The one that made you angry?
Pascal Maitre: “The Napalm Girl” by Nick Ut.
A key image in your personal pantheon?
Pascal Maitre: The massacre at the Lebanese quarantine by Françoise De Mulder.
A photographic memory from your childhood?
Pascal Maitre: Black and white landscape photos in the Pyrenees I took during a summer camp.
The image that haunts you?
Pascal Maitre: Larry Burrows’ photo in Vietnam of a wounded American soldier going towards his injured friend.
What is the last photo you took?
Pascal Maitre: Cobalt mines in Kolwezi in the DRC.
How do you choose your projects?
Pascal Maitre: During travels, I discover new subjects, talk to locals, and at some point, the relevance of the new project becomes evident.
Which photo changed the world?
Pascal Maitre: “The Napalm Girl” by Nick Ut.
And which photo changed your world?
Pascal Maitre: The photo of the first man on the Moon.
What’s the last thing you did for the first time?
Pascal Maitre: Taking photos with a drone.
What makes a successful photo?
Pascal Maitre: It’s a photo that combines emotion, special lighting, strong composition, rich colors, and a unique moment.
What interests you most in an image?
Pascal Maitre: The emotion and tension it conveys.
With no budget limit, what artwork would you dream of acquiring?
Pascal Maitre: “The Farmers and His Sons Advancing Against a Dust Storm” by Arthur Rothstein.
In your opinion, what quality is necessary to be a good photographer?
Pascal Maitre: Being curious, having energy, and never giving up.
The secret to the perfect image, if it exists?
Pascal Maitre: A surprising photo.
The person you would like to photograph if you had the opportunity?
Pascal Maitre: The writer Conrad.
The photographer you’d like to be photographed by?
Pascal Maitre: Paolo Roversi.
An indispensable photo book?
Pascal Maitre: “Gypsies” by Koudelka.
The camera from your childhood?
Pascal Maitre: Kodak Instamatic 104LL.
The one you use today?
Pascal Maitre: Canon R3.
Your favorite drug?
Pascal Maitre: Cinema.
The best way for you to disconnect?
Pascal Maitre: Watching a rugby match.
What’s your relationship with the image?
Pascal Maitre: Images, like paintings, move me.
What do you see when you look at your reflection in a mirror?
Pascal Maitre: A silhouette that doesn’t seem to be me.
Your greatest quality?
Pascal Maitre: Never giving up.
An image to illustrate a new banknote?
Pascal Maitre: Baobabs.
Your biggest professional extravagance?
Pascal Maitre: Shooting 1,300 Kodachrome films for a report on the Sahel.
The differences between photography and art photography?
Pascal Maitre: The boundary is not always visible between the two.
The city, country, or culture you dream of discovering?
Pascal Maitre: Central Asia.
The place you never tire of?
Pascal Maitre: Afghanistan.
Your biggest regret?
Pascal Maitre: Not being a better rugby player to play for France.
In terms of social media, are you more Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter?
Pascal Maitre: Instagram and Facebook.
Color or black & white?
Pascal Maitre: What a question? Color, of course.
Daylight or artificial light?
Pascal Maitre: Both.
Which city do you think is the most photogenic?
Pascal Maitre: Kinshasa.
If God existed, would you ask him to pose for you, or would you opt for a selfie with him?
Pascal Maitre: No selfie, but a portrait of him to see if he really exists!
If I could organize your ideal dinner, who would be at the table?
Pascal Maitre: My father, my mother, my sons.
The image that represents the current state of the world to you?
Pascal Maitre: Migrant boats in the Mediterranean.
What is missing in today’s world?
Pascal Maitre: Bringing worlds closer together, between countries and within countries.
If you had to start all over again?
Pascal Maitre: I would be content with what I was lucky to have.
Final word?
Pascal Maitre: Life is always stronger than everything!
