Pause photographique

Geschichte zum Bild

A Photographic Pause

Pausa fotográfica 2

A second instalment of the series that gives voice to photographers. This time, French portrait photographer Olivier Roller recounts his photo shoots with famous names of cinema, politics and literature. He describes the steps of his creative process to get to the perfect image.

Season 2 with Olivier Roller

Olivier Roller met cinema icon Jeanne Moreau, a pivotal moment in his photographic career. Roller’s approach is to destabilise his models, leading them outside of their comfort zone in order to create singular images.

A Photographic Pause - Olivier Roller

Olivier Roller met cinema icon Jeanne Moreau, a pivotal moment in his photographic career.

1. Jeanne Moreau

Olivier Roller was having a catastrophic shoot with writer, activist and holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel until he managed to find a cunning way to a great photograph. Roller’s approach is to destabilise his models and to lead them outside of their comfort zone in order to create singular images.

Olivier Roller had a catastrophic photo shoot with writer Elie Wiesel until he found a cunning way to a great photo.

2. Elie Wiesel

After waiting for over 10 years, finally Olivier Roller felt the time was right to photograph the philosopher Bernard-Henry Levy. Roller’s approach is to destabilise his models, to lead them outside of their comfort zone in order to create singular images.

After waiting for over 10 years, Olivier Roller felt the time was right to photograph Bernard-Henry Levy. 

3. Bernard-Henri Lévy

Olivier Roller is not interested in Fashion. He views the runway show as like any other photo shoot, trying to catch the models off guard. Roller’s approach is to destabilise his subjects, to lead them outside of their comfort zone in order to create singular images.

A Pause Photographic

Olivier Roller is not interested in Fashion and views the runway show like any other photo opportunity.

4. Fashion

Olivier Roller chooses two photos from his shoot with actress Dominique Blanc. He thinks they are wonderful, Blanc has other ideas. Roller’s approach is to destabilise his subjects, to lead them outside of their comfort zone in order to create singular images.

Olivier Roller chooses two photos from his shoot with actress Dominique Blanc. He thinks they are wonderful, Blanc has other ideas.

5. Dominique Blanc

Olivier Roller speaks about the struggle between photographer and subject. His approach is to destabilise his models, to take them outside of their comfort zone to create the images he wants.

Olivier Roller speaks about the struggle between photographer and subject with three examples.

6. The Duel

Olivier Roller is interested in the bankers, who he sees as the most powerful players in our society today. His approach is to destabilise his models, to take them outside of their comfort zone to create singular images.

Olivier Roller is interested in the bankers, who he sees as the most powerful players in our society today.

7. The Financiers

Lawyers and surgeons wear uniforms which show their status within society. What happens when they are taken off? 
Olivier Roller's approach is to destabilise his models, to take them outside of their comfort zone to create singular images.

Lawyers and surgeons wear uniforms which show their status within society. What happens when they wear normal clothes?

8. Lawyers and Surgeons

Olivier Roller regularly takes photographs of “the mute”, his nickname for his taciturn mother. His approach is to destabilise his models, to take them outside of their comfort zone to create the images he wants.

Olivier Roller regularly takes photographs of “the mute”, his nickname for his taciturn mother.

9. The Mute

At the end of his photo shoots, Olivier Roller always takes a photo of himself and his subject together, without telling them. His approach is to destabilise his subjects, to take them outside of their comfort zone to create singular images.

At the end of his photo shoots, Olivier Roller always takes a photo of himself and his subject together.