Hello dear friends.

Just a quick note before we get started properly. I link to a lot of other articles in my posts, so WordPress users please check your Spam folders in your Setting Menus and approve any links/pingbacks that you find from me to improve the visibility of your own blog posts, as well as mine, it’s a win win for us both 😉

I’ve invited a guest back to chat with us again, this time to focus more specifically on her incredible photographic work (we only touched on her poetry last time), so it gives me the greatest pleasure to give you Cendrine Marrouat and an insight into how she creates her wonderful photography.

Let’s get this thing going in a flash 🙂 and thanks for reading.

 

Hi there Cendrine, thank you for spending time with us again, with this particular session focusing on the nature of your photography, along with what motivates and influences you as a photographer.

I am excited to be back! Thank you for the opportunity.

Firstly, you have published three photography books. Please tell us more about all of them, what drove you to create them and the interpretational messages that are inherently found in these collections.

My photography books are all mixed-media collections.

When the Mind Travels: A Poetic Journey into Photography (2015) is a meditation on nature and the human condition through images from several countries, including Canada, Syria, the United States, and France. Each photo is paired with a poem.

Life’s Little Things. Les petites choses de la vie (2016) is a bilingual collection (English and French) and the first book in my Life’s Little Things series. I chose to keep the amount of text minimal, in order to focus on the visual elements and force the reader to embrace what they see.

Life’s Little Things: The Quotes (2017) leverages the power of inspirational quotes and images. The book offers a reflection on our never-ending connection to nature.

Artists have a major role to play. They must elevate the conversation, inspire people, and encourage them to question their limited views of the world.

I want my readers to stop and smell the roses, to (re-)learn the importance of self-love and self-awareness. In this day and age of increasing negativity and violence, they need to treat themselves better.

You mention your fondness for black and white images, both in your photographic research and the pictures that you take themselves. Can you tell us more about what fascinates you with this medium and why it is so important to you?

Black-and-white photography has always fascinated me. There is something inherently emotional and beautiful in them, no matter the subject. To me, it speaks to a more “virginal” way of seeing the world. Without color, you are left wondering what the scene really looked like when the photographer recorded it.

I equate a black-and-white photo to a play. There is a lot happening between the lines. If you don’t catch it, the message will remain hidden.

You also mention that you have created your own style of photography called “reminigrams”. What are they exactly and how do you go about creating them?

“Reminigrams” are my way to pay homage to the past — and the early days of photography. The word is a combination of two ideas:

• ‘reminiscence’, which stands for a memory or the act of recovering it; and
• ‘-gram’, a suffix of Greek origin meaning “something written” or “drawing”.

For a while, I tried to emulate tintypes and daguerreotypes — two of the oldest photographic processes in history. However, since they require very specific techniques that digital photography cannot render, I decided to come up with my own concept.

Each reminigram depicts a scene from a past that could have been. You can see what I have done so far here:-

http://creativeramblings.com/?s=reminigram.

I select the photos that will become reminigrams carefully. They must have an “old-fashioned feel” about then. Then, I use Nik Analog, Topaz Texture Effects, ON1, and Lightroom for to get the desired results.

Have you faced any unusual or specific challenges in taking pictures for your collections that you had to come up with creative solutions for?

Not really. I always choose the photos after the facts.

Have you always been interested in the type of photography found in your books or do you have other genre types of pictures that you have focused on over the course of your career?

I have always had a passion for nature, black-and-white and closeup images. I tried dabbling into other types, like portraits, but they are not really my cup of tea.

What kind of gear/equipment do you use to take your photographs?

I own a Nikon D750, two lenses (all-in-one and macro), a wireless shutter, and a tripod. Nothing fancy, really.

Whose photographic work has influenced you the most in your life?

Ansel Adams’ for sure! His use of light and contrast is unparalleled. I wish somebody invented software to translate his images into words. I feel that they would make poetry à la Khalil Gibran – my favorite author.

Ansel Adams – American photographer and environmentalist know for his Black & White landscape photography of the American West

Among all of your photographic works, which one is your personal favourite and why is it your favourite?

One of my favorite shots is the one I took in Palmyra, Syria, in April 2009.

http://www.cendrinemedia.com/Syria/i-w68Dz33/A

One day, my friends and I spent a couple of hours walking through the ruins of the old city. Since I was sick and could not keep up with the group’s pace, I decided to take my time and enjoy the view.

At some point, I heard voices behind me. I turned around and took the photo.

This image is dear to my heart because the arch was destroyed by ISIS a couple of years ago. Syria is the most beautiful country I have ever visited.

When and how were you originally inspired to become a photographer? Also do you have any formal training that you draw upon?

I started my artistic career as a poet. Unfortunately, I often struggled to find the words to describe what I saw around me. Photography fell in my lap and bridged the gap in that sense. It allowed me to paint pictures with silence.

I don’t have any formal training.

How do you personally educate yourself to take better pictures? What sort of research do you partake to improve your skills?

I watch videos, read articles, look at photographers’ portfolios, and practice a lot. For example, I have a list of basic tips on my phone for subjects that I consider difficult to capture (e.g. sunset, moonlight, night sky, long exposure, etc.). That way, I don’t waste too much time trying to figure things out.

The basics are important, of course. However, a photo can only become a piece of art if the photographer trusts his or her creativity and vision.

Do you use any specific editing software packages or written guides to assist you with the production of your pictures?

I use a combination of software for editing – Darkroom (RAW format), Lightroom and Topaz / ON1. But I avoid over-processing as much as possible.

YouTube is an excellent resource for tutorials.

How do you spend your free time when you are not taking pictures?

I like simple pleasures in life — reading, doing crosswords, walking, listening to music, spending time with friend, etc.

Tell us more about your upcoming projects. Are you working on anything specific or have plans in the pipeline?

I have just finished promoting my latest book. So I am taking a break.

In a few months, I will start working on my fourth photography collection. It will be another mixed-media project featuring haiku.

What are the things that you wish that you knew back when you first started taking photos? Do you have any parting words for other aspiring photographers to take to heart?

Honestly, nothing. I love learning from my mistakes and I would not be where I am today if I had not made them.

Too many people want to cut corners and get results fast. I’m not one of them.

The best photographers in the world have a unique style. They usually do not follow trends. They only “follow their bliss”.

Your gear does not define you. What does is your ability to recognize the stories around you and document them through your lens in a way that makes people stop in their tracks.

There was a time, not long ago, when I had no idea what I was doing. Some of the photos from that era, which were taken with a point-and-shoot camera, still elicit wonderful comments from people. They are simply framed in a way that speaks to them.

If you want to be taken seriously, do not seek Instagram fame. Seek to inspire and uplift by presenting to the world a vision that is both unique and inquisitive.

And that’s a wrap! Thank you for sharing with us all of your photographic experiences with us, it has been both fun and revealing 🙂 

Thank you again, David! Great questions!

Bio:-

Cendrine Marrouat is a photographer, social media blogger and trainer, French instructor, and author living in Canada. She is the founder of two blogs:-

– Social Media Slant helps photographers figure out the basics of social media.

– Cendrine Marrouat Photography displays her photographic work.

In 2015, Cendrine was recognized a Top 100 Business Blogger by BuzzHUMM. Social Media Slant also made Fit Small Business’ Best Small Business Blogs of 2015 & 2016 lists.

Cendrine has authored two social media books and has self-published five collections of poetry, along with a spoken word CD. She is also the author of three photography books.

If you would like to read Cendrine’s insights regarding her poetry then check out her previous Author Interview here:-

Author Interview – Poet & Photographer Cendrine Marrouat chats about her latest book release “Life’s Little Things: The Quotes”

You can connect with Cendrine via the following Social Media channels:-

Instagram:- ​@cendrinemedia (Instagram)
LinkedIn:- ​Cendrine Marrouat (LinkedIn)
Twitter:- ​@cendrinemedia (Twitter)
YouTube:- Cendrine Marrouat (YouTube)

You can buy her books here:-

Cendrine Marrouat’s Books

If you too would like to be interviewed on my blog at TooFullToWrite and you have a book or a series of books that you would like us to chat about then fill out the Contact Me form here with your details and we can arrange a future interview slot.

Still want more? Well, my website is all about having fun and helping to give more people creativity tips and tricks. I couldn’t do it without the help of all of my wonderful guests like Cendrine. For more articles on the theme of ‘Educate’ then check out the links below:-

1. Jeff Heggie – What’s Your Favorite Book on Persuasion, Negotiation and Influence?
2. MULIEBRAL VIEWPOINT – DARING THE DINOSAURS AND DRAGONS
3. An Important Advice. . . – Keep On Moving
4. Just a mere Coincidence !?!… – Uma’s life and thoughts
5. Musing I Can Blog – What Not To Say To Someone with Depression
6. Raising Teens – Positively Un-broken
7. Bonkers Away! – Educate and Elevate
8. Sync – Wings Of Poetry
9. “Daily Post Words”: God’s Word by Penny Chavers – The Pen Cushion
10. Daily Haiku / Senryu : Educate – Cactus Haiku
11. Educate Heart – Run and Travel
12. Bitcoin – Easy Reading
13. Not Finished Yet – The Chicken Grandma
14. This time is the last time – thereforegodamaris
15. 8 Rules of Life. . . – Keep On Moving
16. Samantha Linda – Adaptation
17. Overcoming Translating into Braille – The AAAmazing Phoenix by Alan Grace
18. Why I Write Series – The 2nd E in I.M.M.E.R.S.E. M.E. – Bonnie A. McKeegan Psychotherapist & Author
19. Tiny Fawns – you won’t
20. The Child Left Behind – How I Learned to Dance in The Rain
21. After School Detention – Sandmanjazz
22. The Consulting Writer – Bullies Are Here To Stay
23. A Diary of A Single Man: In My Bed – Harlem Cafe
24. Fall Seven Times Stand Up Eight – Harlem Cafe
25. Samantha Linda – Lived-experience
26. Paper Town – Write Away
27. United We Stand – LiveFree & LoveOnPurpose
28. Educate: First prompt – Anabeth Rose
29. Playtime – take a walk
30. Ups, Downs & Deviations – You Will Fall
31. The battle of Hogwarts… I mean uni. – SweetHandlettering!
32. panaecea – CONFOUNDED!!!
33. The Syllabub Sea – It’s Never Too Late
34. Resident Alien — Being Dutch in America – From Nationalism to Patriotism, Again
35. I DARE you to read/listen to this! – Karyn’s Domain
36. Ambrose I – Writer’s block
37. Take This Job And … – Success Strategies
38. Narutomath96 – Unshakable truth
39. KO Rural Mad As Hell Blog – into the fog
40. Daily Prompt. Educate – Rosevoc2’s Blog
41. Shifting gears – The Chaos Within
42. mylocalweb – Happy Teacher’s Day!
43. Mrickmyer’s Blog – Self Taught
44. Sara Ackerman, author – To Educate a Squirrel
45. The Wonderful World of Podcasts – purplepumpernickel
46. Thank you, Teacher – Edwin’s Journal
47. Education is a gift that none can take away…. – Mum’s the Word Blog
48. Nature Pleading – E. Denise Billups, Writer
49. Educate The Mind – Dream Desire Achieve
50. Harvey nog niet verteerd, en hier komt orkaan Irma al. En t is weer geen doetje – Groeten uit #Tienen
51. Joy Peace Harmony – The wonderful art of learning
52. Kenya’s Restitution – AnneObure
53. Tragic Life of Child Servants – Why This? Why That?
54. You’d Think I Would Learn – Leigha Robbins
55. Educated??? – wordvender
56. Daily Haiku / Senryu : Educate – Restructuring Life
57. helen meikle’s scribblefest – Daily prompt: Stupidity
58. Educate – Just Be Awesome.
59. LynDurante.com – The Waiting is Over! The Time Has Come!
60. Educate – geetadhaar
61. As we live, we learn. – Coping through writing
62. hopeforheather – Educate
63. The Hockey Mom Fit Life – Champions!!!!!!!!
64. Teacher Tales: They educate me more – Coffee With Vale
65. Alarming cholera spike in Yemen coastal region – America For Yemen
66. Musings of a Random Mind – Teacher Extraordinaire
67. Astro Marathon – Oh, border!
68. another quiet muse – Mrs. Green’s Music Class
69. Walk with God – Educated Early On
70. Educate – wordsareallihavesite
71. Mr. Johnson’s Blog – Poorly Educated
72. Living in a House of Bricks – awesomeloopy
73. School steps produce special bonding – Your Nibbled News – 2017 YNN
74. Single Guy Says – Single Guy Does Music Mondays
75. NIGHT UNLATCHED – Radical Education
76. ‘Tis the season…. – EduMomma
77. Na’ama Yehuda – Educate
78. y – when melancholy
79. When Wisdom Wins – Wind Kisses
80. logicaldreams – Short Story: “Education”
81. It’s Not Just The ABC,s – Butterflo
82. Loving Nudges – Wind Kisses
83. ~246 Of 365~ – ……….365 Days………..
84. Ouch!! My back hurts!! – Tuesday Truth – Educate Friends and Family!
85. ~Tea Walks -4~ – TALES FROM MY LENS
86. Educate – Tachispeaks
87. Who educates whom? – BraveSmartBold
88. Star Student? Or Only Student? – Kinda Sorta
89. E.D.U.C.A.T.E. – Candace A. Jones Ministries
90. La Tour Abolie – Forwardspringing Through Technicality
91. Making it write – A Losing Battle #poetry
92. Playground Laughter – Thirteen Tales – thehouseofbailey
93. Mainline_Matter – Trade Shows Educate Visitors
94. E- Education – Dream Desire Achieve
95. The Fabric of Society – Nes Felicio Photography
96. Still looking for fun in a totally not fun situation. Still positive. Maybe. – kindergartenknowledge.com
97. Ghosts of a Hit-and-Run – Wandering Worlds
98. Teaching — I Wish I Could Turn Back Time – I’m a Writer, Yes, I Am!
99. Light & life – Fully Caffeinated
100. What does it mean to educate? – CD-W, Author Flawed to Perfection
101. First day back – you’re here
102. Education and Learning – The AAAmazing Phoenix by Alan Grace
103. Life, with Clotted Cream – A Spidery Story
104. Educate – The Bag Lady
105. Educate – Covert Novelist
106. Educate – Image & Word
107. #2 Back to School. – Restless Conscience
108. One-word Prompt: Educate – Poems For Bulletin Boards
109. Scraps of Paper – I Wish I Knew
110. Notes to Women – The Presentation
111. thelonerose – Life skills
112. My Life, My Way, My Words – Daily Prompt 2017: Educate
113. Educating my brain – Piercing the Mundane
114. The Eff You T-Shirt…A Personal Statement or Poor Style Choice… – sudden thoughts & second thoughts
115. #hashtags – Haiku-a-Day #025
116. Show n Tell – The Inkwell
117. The True Bard – Writing in Any Genre
118. educate – awonderingsoulsblog
119. WordPress Weirdness – This, That, and The Other
120. The Seminary of Praying Mantis – Symbols that educate…
121. Latch-Key Kid–An Education of Resourcefulness – Shelby’s Starlit Crossing
122. the15thday – cos and tan? huh?!
123. Come Move the Moon With Me – That Which Satisfies My Soul
124. Life Requires Patience – Just Listen to Ezimen
125. Love Alchemy – Unlearning and Fitting In
126. The Wandering Poet – Educate
127. Educate – Jeremiah Abernathy’s Blog
128. Micro-Poetry: Breathless – Urban Poetry By Linda J. Wolff
129. Unmistakably Herb – 4 Steamroller Ideas to Improve One’s Productivity
130. Memos from a Retired Hippie Chick – When Ignorance is Bliss
131. Reinventing the wheel – Minxin’ It Up
132. Charmed Chaos – The Wizard
133. A Ray of Sunshine – Sketches By Nitesh
134. Explore the Opportunities for Free University Classes – Register for a MOOC – Jacki Kellum
135. Educate – Revolving Around Life
136. Curious Hart – Intellectual Honesty
137. Misifusa’s Blog – Educate Your Children For The First Day Of School
138. B*_ live – A Breath of Memory
139. Life On The Skinny Branches – Tutorial
140. PAINT + POEMS – The Last Lesson
141. Educate me – Short Prose
142. SERENDIPITY – ENDLESS PAST WITH NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT
143. Nan’s Farm-Inside Out – Put them on display
144. theempathyqueen – Depression – It’s not all in your head
145. “Educated?” – Expedition Overlanding Nomadic Adventures
146. Can You Love A Sad Girl? – Life Confusions
147. Educate? Ha ha ha ha ha ha, OMG! Ha ha! Laugh Emoticon – I’m a Writer, Yes, I Am!
148. The Watched Pot – A Unique Title For Me
149. Educate – Site Title
150. Learning as in educate – In my world
151. Relax– – Wars, and rumors of wars..
152. Food Business Management – Writing in Any Genre
153. Educate & Share – Vanita Maraj Lifestyle
154. Educate! – stoneronarollercoaster
155. Down to the Wire – memoriter
156. Myammy! Moving in together at 50… – Top 10 Trump Tragedies
157. Lifelong Education – Running Right in the Left Lane
158. Lazy Dinner Tonite #1 – Vivi Foodie Diva
159. Enlightenment or Indoctrination? – As I was saying…
160. A Bad Morning Doesn’t Have to Become a Bad Day – This Terrible Morning.
161. DIY Painting Shoes – TheSASblogger
162. Mindfulness – Every Day, Hopefully – Why Weight
163. Educate – think&thrive
164. Giggles & Tales – The Daily Prompt – Educate!
165. Algebritis – This, That, and The Other
166. Common Pursuit – Watu and The Man
167. juantetcts – Daily Post
168. Daily prompt – Serial Reader
169. Trent’s World (the Blog) – Educate vs Train
170. The prostitute and the educator… – THEGIRLVERSUSWORLD
171. The Cat Chronicles – Daily Feline Prompt: Educating Feline
172. Telling the Truth – fraught labor of love
173. GTA IV perfect game of bowling (300 pts.) – nerdhut
174. Onemillionquestions – Not enough
175. Life Is Like That – Behind the scene on education
176. DCMontreal: Blowing the Whistle on Society – The Sad Demise of the Well-Rounded Higher Education
177. Dronstad – Fun Facts For You
178. Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss – How not to teach
179. A Story In A Line – Yuvi’s Buzz
180. Science Traveler – Science in Charlottesville
181. Hot White Snow – Travel – The Elixir of Life
182. Officially Over – Hinuha
183. lifelessons – a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown – Continuing Education
184. drug education ⋆ Obsolete Childhood
185. Ups, Downs & Deviations – I Never Learn
186. Piper’s Adventures – Preparation in the Autumn
187. A Blissful Tip – Blissfully Bianca
188. Will You Listen? – This Moment
189. A Life Retired Blog – It’s our’s not yours
190. 50 By 60 – Happy Monday – it’s Weekly Weigh-In Day!
191. it never stops – Karyn’s Domain
192. Remember in September – A Daily Post for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Post #4 – My Loud Bipolar Whispers
193. The Examined Life – My Personalized Learning Experience (Week Three)
194. The Examined Life – 6 Essentials of Personalized Learning in APUSH
195. Labor Day Utopia (brain toils) – borderline crossing: curious & Undefined
196. Blogger Recognition Award – Glimmers of Silver
197. Educate our children – Success Inspirers World
198. A Writer’s Voice – Monday’s Loaf: The Universe’s Twisted Sense of Humor
199. Confusing Messages – Average is Underrated
200. You Are A Mustard Seed of Miracles – Zeckrombryan
201. Two and a half thousand years? – Don’t hold your breath
202. I went, one day – and then the cow woke up
203. Rehearsals Started for Literacy Day Celebrations – Melinda J. Irvine
204. This professor describes the future educated person – Wells Baum
205. Educate – Ellen Grace Olinger – Haiku Art Site
206. My Inner Scaramucci / Potty Mouth – A lot from Lydia
207. MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO – Bebong Thouhgts
208. It starts with me – First Day at School
209. Labourous Day – sixty, single and surviving
210. sonja benskin mesher
211. The Woman I Call Mother – andsoitisborn
212. Boston Children’s Museum – Where Everyone Goes on a Rainy Day – robin brodrick
213. Oh, IT Will Change – emotionsoflife2016
214. Cimmerian Sentiment – Too Early – (Part- 12) Climbing Ivy
215. A Day In The Life – Educate
216. Closet – This Girl’s Got Curves
217. Educate – All About Writing and more
218. Priceless Gems. – DeepikasRamblings
219. Poems and Petals – Turbulence
220. Ride Hard: Playing With Bill Again – Redux Of Rex
221. Love to Teach – Just Writing!
222. THEY WILL NEVER KNOW – Rainbow
223. Designer Sophisticate – Teachers get no respect.
224. Unification of the fallen as a preventative cure. – Individual expressions of a naive mind.
225. What is the difference between literacy & education? – Boringbug
226. Educating Daddy Yankee – Newton Style
227. Tag der Niedersachsen, 2017 – Oddities and Ends
228. Overcoming Regret pt. 1: Good Grief – Stew Rd.
229. Frank Prem – the cost of education
230. Bending genres – Wells Baum
231. Frank Prem – the public poet
232. Frank Prem – the hallway at saint joseph’s