For several days, the artist Fakele has settled down for five days in the Bleymard in order to photograph the walkers on the way to Stevenson. But not with any camera.
Since the beginning of the week, Kevin – Fakele of his artist name – intrigues passers -by with his funny camera. An old -fashioned bellows machine, in a box, covered with a canvas, which makes both device and photo lab. “”This type of device has never been produced in series. We called those who used it the street photographersexplains Fakele. It was a small street job that existed around 1900, and they were often devices made by own photographers.”
Argentic clichés (almost) instantaneous
The device allows you to obtain a “only” shot about ten minutes. A time which may seem long in the era of smartphones, but which is extremely rapid compared to the time when this process was invented. Developing a film takes between 1 a.m. and 1 hour 30 minutes. But Fakele uses another process: “The specificity is that we use silver paper instead of the film. Normally, this paper is really made to make exposure prints. But we use it as a way of shooting, to obtain the negative. “To get the final shot, Fakele must therefore”take a picture of the photo“And thus obtains a negative of the negative. The result? A superb snapshot in black and white.
But Fakele does not take a picture of it. After going to Stevenson alone last year, he decided this year to immortalize the hikers who cross him. “” I created a lot of links with people on this path. At first, my photos were very centered on the landscape. And gradually, I really went to portrait. That’s why I came back to continue this project.”
“For me, what is expected is more appreciated”
After spending four days in Haute-Loire, where he took a dozen shots a day, Fakele therefore continues his way in the Blymard, until Friday August 8, 2025. He will then go to Saint-Jean-du-Gard, where the walkers he photographed can get their portrait. “”For me, what is expected is more appreciated, smiles the artist. The goal is really to wait and go to these values of walking, which are to take the time, to come back to something simpler“Haute-Loire hikers that he finds in the Blymard can therefore recover the shooting carried out a few days before. A unique memory.
“HAS Through his photographic work, the artist chooses to capture the essence of simple things, the reality of a path and especially the personal motivations that emanate from each walker he meetsunderlines Lucie Guillot, in charge of press relations at the Departmental Tourism Committee. We have chosen to support it, because it encourages such an approach, it is also to defend the authenticity and richness of our territory.”
With the material harvested, be it photos or testimonies, Fakele hopes to go further by offering an exhibition or a book. “”I am also looking for people who want to support this project, who are interested in this photographic background and that we imagine together the rest.”
