Artist Interview: Axel Corjon
Get to Know Artist Axel Corjon!
Axel Corjon (@axel_corjon) is a photographer based in Paris, France. He's a designer and entrepreneur by day, and spends his nights exploring cities. His main focus his exploring artificial lights and how places look totally different at night. Axel’s signature work focuses on alternative color-grading and complex (but discreet) editing.
What kind of messages or emotions are you trying to convey with your work?
I love shooting late at night. It's always a special moment, it's off time. People are mostly sleeping, making the night hours somehow unreal. Most people are letting these hours vanish, I embrace them.
It's also very disturbing discovering streets at nights. The light and colors are always changing due to artificial lights sources (cars, reflection, traffic lights, etc...) and make even the most known places look different. Also, you cannot see very far, therefore you create this scary feeling where you never know what's near you. It triggers something primal that forces you to be more aware of your surroundings.
I like to get this feeling when everything (the sleep deprivation, the global mood, etc) is telling me to quit and go to sleep, but you fight it and keep exploring - trying to make another great photo to share with everyone.
Explain your workflow and how you know when you’re done editing an image.
My workflow starts when I'm shooting. Choosing how many exposures and focus steps I’ll need. Then I’ll import my shots to capture one and adjust symmetry, highlights, shadows. I’ll then fire up Photoshop and work, I usually start « large » and then work my way up. First blending (exposure and focus). Then cleaning stuff if needed. Then color grading and boosting micro contrast. I then go back and forth on these different steps to try to find the best compromise. I don’t really know when I’m done. I usually stop at some point, and check the day after.
What are things you look for when composing your shot?
I usually look first for lights and darkness, it’s usually what’s trigger me to take a shot. I like symmetry. It’s a really simple way of composing a shot, but it can be very powerful as well.
What’s your favorite lens? Why?
Right now, it’s my Nikon 24-70 f4 S. I got a Nikon Z a few months ago (i love it) and this lens is really incredible. It lacks speed, but otherwise, it’s awesome!
Who inspires you to create; where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from many places. but the thing that really inspires me to go outside is this feeling when staying up late at night, visiting empty places (alone or with a friend) when everybody asleep. it reminds me when I was younger and staying up all night with my friends.
Are you self-taught or classically trained, or a little bit of both?
I’m self-taught. My father gave me my first camera (film one, an old OM-2). He told me the basics and then I learned the rest by myself.
What was your first camera?
A film camera, an Olympus OM2. But I started to get serious about photography with the Nikon D200.
What motivates you to continue taking pictures economically, politically, intellectually, emotionally, or artistically?
It’s a weird relief to go out at night exploring new places, focusing on how to shoot what I feel. Every time it’s a fight, sometimes i can create something I’m proud of, sometimes not… but I always want to try more.
When you are out shooting—how much of it is instinctual versus planned?
I spend a lot of time scouting places (mostly online). But as I’m shooting at night, sometimes places reveal themselves - and sometimes it’s a total failure. But anyway, I always try to find something cool to do.
In your opinion, has social media been helpful or hurtful to modern artists?
I think both. Anyone could get exposure, and that’s an awesome thing. However pursuing likes, followers, comments, etc… can become time-consuming (for some people depressing) and take you away for your art, which should be your main goal.
Do you take photos more for yourself—or for others?
Both I take pictures of others… but that makes me happy when other people like my photos… so I guess I take photos for me too.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done (or would like to do someday) to get the shot?
A long time ago, some friends and I broke into the Piscine Militor (which was an awesome abandoned place at that time). I was working hard and did not sleep more than 3 hours the night before.. and I ended up climbing 3 floors without any protection… but it was so worth it!
Focal Collective: Artist Interview Series
Focal Collective would like to thank our contributing artists! This recurring propensity to create and growing community continues to inspire us. Are you interested in sharing your story? Feel free to apply to our Artist Interview Series with your portfolio, IG, and a brief introduction via our contact page. We'll look out for your message!
Focal Points: Adventure, Tutorial, Gear
If you enjoy our artist interview series, feel free to check out Focal Collective’s other adventure, tutorial, and gear review sections from our blog section Focal Points! We also have free adventure and tutorial content on our YouTube channel!
