Interview With Alex Pansier From Netherlands
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Interview With The 2021 New York Photography Awards Winner – Alex Pansier
1Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
My name is Alex Pansier, 47 years old and living in Oss, The Netherlands.
As an internet entrepreneur in an ever-changing world, I find it very pleasant to move into nature. A nice counterpart to unwind and capture all the beauty around us. I prefer to do that in a setting that is as natural as possible where simplicity is central, heavily inspired by the darker and moody days.
2Where did you study photography?
I am a self-taught photographer and learned everything through blogs and YouTube. And by trying and experimenting a lot, making mistakes and learning from them.
3Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
I took my first photo in our garden 5 years ago. I remember well when I tried to capture some bees in a bush.
4What equipment do you use?
I use Sony gear, Godox flashlights and some tools to build a scene.
5What do you hope to achieve?
I am already proud of what I have achieved. In a few years I became a Sony ambassador and won several photo awards. I hope that one day as a tour guide, I can help people during photo trips.
6What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
That people see the emotion in a photo. It is not difficult to photograph an animal, but it is difficult to touch people with it. That's what I try to achieve over and over again.
7What inspires your unique storytelling?
I get inspired by everything around me. That can be a structure, an animal or, for example, a color. Then I go into nature based on that and try to capture these things in my photos.
8What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Moody & Minimalistic Photography
9Congratulations! As the winner of the New York Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
It is always nice to receive recognition for your work. Especially in such a big photo contest like the New York Photography Awards.
10Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2021 New York Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Autumn is my favorite season in The Netherlands – everything is so intense and changeable. The rich, warm tones of this leaf appealed to me, and the sight of this happy red ant peering through the gap really made me smile. The image was taken in a dark forest last autumn and that, coupled with the fast movement of the ant, meant a burst of flash was required.
11How has winning an award developed your career?
Every time you win an award, your name is in the media again. All this contributes to more awareness, so that you can further spread your story.
12Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Rob Blanken, Stefan Gerrits and Marsel van Oosten
13What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
Focus, focus and focus!
14What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Just start! Read about nature and hit the road. Only then will you learn it. Make mistakes and improve yourself. Time after time.
15What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
"Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better" a quote from Samuel Beckett.
16How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
That's in my character. I stay curious and try new things. Just by watching YouTube videos and doing workshops. You are never too old to learn.
Winning Entry
Hello World! | 2021
This image shows the happy life of a Red Ant, looking down to us. The photo was taken in a dark forrest nearby in The Netherlands… (Read more at New York Photography Awards)
Alex Pansier
Alex Pansier takes moody photographs from a minimalistic perspective where he integrates with nature as a whole.
View this interview with Raffaele Canepa, from the 2021 New York Photography Awards.