Romin Favre : translating the imaginary
With a degree in graphic design from the school Intuit Lab Paris, Romin Favre quickly moved into the world of fashion and art direction. It was at this point that he met Diesel’s management team, and went on to work for the brand as Artistic Director. This experience enabled him to create images with highly sophisticated standards. He was able to mix typography and photography, deconstruct images, work constantly on new projects and travel to the four corners of the world for over 3 years.
His experience as an art director has led him mainly to the luxury, fashion, beauty and music sectors. While he takes great pleasure in his work, Romin is above all a man of challenges, so he decided to take a new step and tackle photography more seriously. Inspired by his childhood memories, his images are usually meticulously composed, creative, artistic and very colorful, which is why he has attracted a number of brands such as Minuty, Shisheido, Chanel, YSL, etc., as well as magazines such as Les Echos, Le Point, Cosmopolitan, Madame Figaro and many others.
Over the years, Romin has continued to refine his approach, striving to simplify his photographs while retaining their inherent creativity. He has also ventured into the world of filmmaking, skilfully bringing his images to life through movement.
Website : www.shotview.com/artists/rominfavre
Instagram : rominfavre
What was your first photographic breakthrough?
Romin Favre : Helmut Newton, the Sumo book was in my mother’s house when I was a child.
Which man or woman’s image inspired you?
Romin Favre : Alphonse Mucha and Tamara de Lempicka. I’ve always found that painting lets you see beyond the image.
The image you haven’t made yet that you’d like to make?
Romin Favre : A nude. On a mountain, certainly. In full sunlight.
The one that moved you the most?
Romin Favre : Still to come.
The one that made you angry?
Romin Favre : The one I haven’t done yet?
A key image in your personal pantheon?
Romin Favre : A grain of skin?
A photographic memory from your childhood?
Romin Favre : The birth of a viaduct between France and Switzerland near my mother’s house, I had a camera given to me by my grandmother and photographed every stage from the same point of view.
The image that obsesses you?
Romin Favre : Guy Bourdin’s polaroids.
With no budget limit, what would you dream of acquiring?
Romin Favre : A piece by Jean-Michel Basquiat or Ronan Bouroullec’s “bas-reliefs”.
In your opinion, what’s the one quality needed to be a good photographer?
Romin Favre : To be alive in the exact place where you are, to vibrate with the whole world.
The secret of the perfect image, if it exists?
Romin Favre : The unexpected moment, the accident.
The person you’d most like to photograph if you had the chance?
Romin Favre : MIA.
The photographer you’d like or would like to have your portrait taken by?
Romin Favre : Nadav Kander.
An essential photo book?
Romin Favre : There is not only one ! William Eggleston’s guide, Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton, Cartier-Bresson’s scrapbook.
Your childhood camera?
Romin Favre : A Kodak Instamatic 133.
The one you use today?
Romin Favre : A Canon 5DSR digital, a Leica Minilux and a Mamiya ZE-2.
What’s your favorite drug?
Romin Favre : It’s varied over time… Today I would say adrenalin.
What’s the best way for you to unwind?
Romin Favre : The mountains, the snow, the white desert.
What is your own relationship with images?
Romin Favre : It’s everywhere.
What do you see when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror?
Romin Favre : The test of time.
Your greatest quality?
Romin Favre : My frankness, sometimes too much so.
Your latest folly?
Romin Favre : A pastel Silicone canvas.
An image to illustrate a new banknote?
Romin Favre : Simone Veil.
If you hadn’t been a photographer?
Romin Favre : Sommelier, snowboarder, restaurateur, DJ in no particular order.
Your greatest professional extravagance?
Romin Favre : Shooting while dancing.
What’s the difference between photography and art photography?
Romin Favre : The artist’s freedom: he works for himself, with himself and against himself.
The city, country or culture you’d most like to discover?
Romin Favre : Japan, without a doubt.
The place you never tire of?
Romin Favre : The forest, free and autonomous.
Your biggest regret?
Romin Favre : That human beings no longer listens to nature.
In terms of social networks, are you more into Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok or twitter, and why?
Romin Favre : Instagram, moods, fleeting moments and photos that stick… or not.
Color or B&W?
Romin Favre : Lots of color.
Daylight or artificial light?
Romin Favre : Nothing is more beautiful than sunlight.
What do you think is the most photogenic city?
Romin Favre : New York?
If God existed, would you ask him to pose for you, or would you opt for a selfie with him?
Romin Favre : I’d take a polaroid picture of him smoking a cigarette between two photos.
If I could organize your ideal dinner party, who would be at the table?
Romin Favre : My nearest and dearest, Spike Jonze, Dr. Dre, MIA, Simone Tondo, Bruno Verjus, Nicolas Winding Refn, Willem Dafoe, Mads Mikkelsen.
The image that represents the current state of the world for you?
Romin Favre : A burning match.
What’s missing in today’s world?
Romin Favre : Kindness, generosity without expectations in return. It feels good to do good.
If you had to start all over again?
Romin Favre : I’d plant more fruit trees.
Any final words?
Romin Favre : Would you like a glass of Pouilly Fuissé?
