Cedric Viollet: Ten Years Behind The Lens

01.03.10

The last two years have stoked a real passion for action photography within me and when finding out about Cedric it was simply a matter of time before he would have to grace our pages. My favourite shots have always been those that capture a natural, unprompted moment, full of emotion, unsung description, and realism. His work reaches out and strikes cords in memory whilst creating real desire and envy. Cedric takes time out for Breaksof10 after a little time away on the board, between exhibiting his work, and as he prepares to show his latest collection with RVCA depicting his last ten years of Skateboarding. A choice selection of his work is below accompanied by a few insights.

So where does the bike and board connection come from? Is it still a big part of your life?

Yes of course, I started skateboarding in 1988; I’ve been involved in that world since without really noticing it. Even the people I take pictures of riding bikes comes from my skate connections, because those people I know who are riding bikes are actually skateboarders as well.

Do you sometimes shoot purely for publications?

Most of the time yes. It is either for ads or exhibitions. Sometimes, the only aim of shooting is publication and sometimes I will do it without any goal and eventually it will be use for something else such as an article or for my portfolio.

What equipment are you partial to using?

I refuse to mention the name of one camera’s brand, but my photo’s bags are filled with a jumble of analogical stuff such as medium format 6×6, a fish eye, a long lens to shoot actions, another medium format 6×7 with an 90mm lens, a range finder with an 35mm , panoramic camera, a folding Ebony large format, SX70 Polaroid to shoot portraits and ambiances, and when I have a commission with a quick deadline, I have a 20 megapixel reflex. As for the light, I have 3 independent studio flashes, Pocket wizard transmitter.

Where has your photography taken you?

You don’t need to go far away to have a good shot, but some companies are ready to send you far away to be sure to have exotic pictures. Thanks to that, I have the chance to go in South East Asia, USA, morocco, Tunisia, Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria, Poland, and Czech Republic etc…

Can you tell me about the three commissions of which I have chosen photos from?

Most of those actions pictures were taken with professionals who were also friends. So when I walked around and found a good spot I just had to ring them up and wait for the good light and timing. Except the riders and me there is no staging. In actions pics, the best you can do is use what you have at the time of shooting, playing with what is surrounding you. For all ambiances pics and portraits, even if it is commissioned, I let the people free to do how they feel, even if I have to spend a bit more time with them, just enough for them to forget that I’m there.

Do you have a favourite?

My favorite pics are from others. Even if I had one, it would be because of the moments I lived when the pic was taken it is not especially the one that could affect other people.

What is next for you?

Right now, I’m in the middle of all my archives from 2000 to now, selecting pictures for a future exhibition (Thanks to RVCA Europe) about my last 10 years of skateboarding. In April, I am participating to a European exhibition about the history of bikes, which takes place in Lille. As a side project, I am organizing reportage about Burma with the help of a journalist for the end of the year.

Thanks man, absolute pleasure