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Luc Vangindertael describes his work as a triple A mix: Architecture / Abstract / Art. His images are totally in line with that description. Luc nearly abandoned photography at the end of the analogue period, but rediscovered a new world with digital photography where he fully can master ideas from the start to the finish and express his photographic vision and his feelings. Thanks to Yvette Depaepe for conducting the interview.
Luc, briefly tell us about yourself, your hobbies and other jobs.
I am a retired economist. I worked my whole career for an oil company in very different positions, from PR to logistics manager, from shipping charterer to plastics salesman and business analyst. My last one was training coordinators for the European refineries. I loved that job.
I live with my wife just outside the university town of Leuven. We both studied there in the sixties and as so many others decided it was a nice place to settle. So did our daughter and three grandchildren. In 2009 we moved from our big town house to a smaller, modern, new built home, with a lovely garden, a small greenhouse and chickens. Growing my own vegetables is the main reason why I am not always photographing.
Up to a couple of years ago I was playing guitar and singing in a blues band. But then our drummer left and that had been the end of the band. Approaching the magical age of 70 years, I felt it had been enough, so there was time for something else. I rediscovered photography.
What first attracted you to photography? How has your history and life experiences affected your photography?
Flashback to the fifties and sixties. My father and uncle where both Leica-men. Fine analog black and white, darkroom work in my uncle’s attic … all very attractive. I bought my first SLR in 1967, a Nikkormat with 3 primes, 28, 50 and 135 mm. I learned by doing, never had any formal training.
In 1970 I was on a 6 months assignment in Japan during the Osaka World exhibition. That period was one of intense photo shooting. Architecture and people were obviously prime subjects. Probably my interest in these subjects started there.
During the seventies, eighties and nineties photographing had become secondary, really limited to family and holiday pictures. By the end of the nineties my beloved Nikkormat had become outdated and too heavy for travel. So I switched to analog APS - a big mistake - and later to a point and shoot digital camera. After a few years and some interesting architecture and art trips, I realized that my photos were not up to my expectations. In 2014 I finally made the big step and acquired a system camera, the Olympus EM5 and some lens glass.
I had done my homework on the internet, and doing so I discovered photo sites where I could share experiences and pictures. This opened a whole new world for me, I jumped in with enthusiasm and the determination to improve my photography.
Why are you so drawn by architecture / abstract and street photography?
Architecture was my first passion. I wanted to become an architect, but was not really encouraged at home, and probably they were right. It’s a hard job. Our daughter realized my dream but she does not practice. Contemporary art is a passion which I share with my wife Myriam. It’s only a small step from architecture to architectural abstraction to pure abstract creative work, when you havethat mindset.
My interest for people photography came later. I am not the greatest street hero, but I felt some of my work was a bit sterile without the human presence. I don’t see myself as a real street photographer, rather as an observer of the humans in an urban environment.
Which are your most important experiences that have influenced your art?
Two things: first the discovery of Lightroom and Photoshop to take full control of my work. It makes such a difference in the kind of photography I produce.
The second and most important is the confrontation with work of other photographers. Soon after I got my Olympus I started posting on photo sites. I discovered the abstract work of Gilbert Claes and Harry Verschelden. Real eye openers! I knew right away this was the kind of photography I wanted to make. A few months later I met Gilbert and he showed me the way to 1X. I am still grateful for his hint, 1X has brought me in contact with many, many great photographers in all disciplines.
What is more important to you, the mood/story behind your images or the technical perfection?
The visual impact of an image! Whether it’s the mood or the technical perfection, I need to be touched by the image. My work is rather simple and direct, with much emphasis on composition and very often minimalist.
Do you prepare carefully the locations where you are intending to photograph?
Yes I do. Internet is a valuable tool to discover places, to see what other photographers have made of it, with the firm intention to shoot it in a different way. I take notes of locations and places, sometimes documented with a few photos. I also read magazines and newspapers and keep notes of everything potentially interesting.
On some occasions, mostly on Sunday morning, I will go out to industrial sites without any preparation, just looking around for interesting motifs, shapes, colors.
What gear do you use?
A couple of months ago I switched to a full frame Sony A7II with a Sony-Zeiss 24-70 f/4, a Sony 70-200 f/4 and a Voigtländer prime 10 mm f/5,6. A fine little set, hardly over 3kg, which I carry around in a Lowepro sling-bag. Weight is important,
I keep my Olympus EM5 (micro 4/3) with a couple of prime lenses for street work. It’s a handy little devil. The only limitation is low light performance, less important in street than in architecture.
Other equipment is limited to a ND filter set, a Sirui lightweight tripod, cable release, spare batteries, chargers and cleaning equipment. No flash, I always work with available light.
The full set fits in a Lowepro backpack. On longer trips I will also carry a Macbook Pro and USB sticks for storage.
What software do you use to process your images?
Lightroom and Photoshop CC and the Nik filters suite, mainly Silver Efex Pro for black and white conversion and Viveza for selective enhancement of color photos.
Can you tell us something more about your work flow?
I start uploading the raw files in Lightroom and converting to dng file format. First comes lens correction, next tone, presence and contrast. Sometimes it can stop there. Next I decide whether or not I convert to black and white. In the case of doubt I will make more than one version.
Most of the time the fun work starts when I import to Photoshop. No rules here. It can go from simple additional perspective correction to full creative edit depending on the inspiration of the moment. I am not a PS specialist, four or five layers is about the maximum I can manage. Export to Lightroom in TIFF format and fine tuning are the last steps.
An example of abstracts created in several steps are these 3 photos made from the same basic photo.
What is your most important advice to a beginner in architecture / abstract and street photography and how do you get started?
As for any other type of photography you need to be passionate about the subject, the deeper you dig the better you will be able to express your vision.
Shoot, look, shoot, look and so on and on and on. The first 1000 photos are probably for the dustbin, your last photo will always be the best. Get inspired by photographers you like, how they use composition, light, color. Invest time in learning to develop and fine tune your images. Always shoot raw, it gives you much more flexibility to shape the end product.
Gradually you will develop your own "handwriting”. Be patient and assiduous. After 2 years of intense shooting I am not at a point where I can describe my style. I am still searching.
Who are your favorite photographers and more importantly, how has your appreciation of their work affected how you approach your own photography?
As I said before, Gilbert Claes showed me the way to 1X. I love his work for the way he brings poetry into abstraction. I follow the whole architecture/abstract community here and I am impressed by the diversity and high standards. No names, the list would be very long, with one exception, the geometric perfection of Stefan Krebs. Also I am impressed by the light of Jose Lobato, the subtle creativity of Huib Limberg, the melancholic still lives of Delphine Devos, the surrealism of Ben Goossens, the motion shots of Carla DLM and Sol Marrades, and many, many more.
I follow the work of Carl De Keyzer (Cuba La Lucha is his latest project) and the portraits of Stefan Vanfleeteren. I have great admiration for the systematic and assiduous work of Bernd and Hilda Becher.
Joel Meyerowitz is one of my favorites in street for his amazing New-York street work.
Are there any specific directions that you would like to take your photography in the future or any specific goals that you wish to achieve?
Apart from taking more photos (we have planned trips to Spain and Germany) I have to start cataloging and printing. Up to now most of my work is pure digital, it’s time to change that. Participating in contests is also on the agenda. All rather modest goals ….
Describe your favorite photograph taken by you and why it is special to you?
The first photo published is one you never forget. "Pink and green” is a detail from a house in Burano.
It’s a creative edit with a shot of tongue in cheek humor. The basic museum photo was in fact a try out for my new camera, never intended to present this. But then I discovered the lady with the shopping bags in a series of street shots I made earlier and a weird idea was born. I enjoyed making this and apparently a lot of people like it.
Is there anything else you wish to add and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?
1X has played an important role in my development as a photographer. It is the best place to meet great talents and to exchange experience. I like the idea of a curated site, it is so different from all other sites where the number of followers play a bigger role than the quality of your work. Some months ago I was asked to join the moderator team, which I accepted with gratitude. It is great to contribute to this community.
