Bernard Plossu

sasah zib · Dec 7, 2022

b. 1945

Bernard Plossu is a French photographer who has travelled the world photographing its landscapes and people. Plossu has photographed extensively in Mexico, Spain, India, Africa, and the American West. He has been called “The most American of French photographers” by Lewis Baltz.

Plossu works in both black and white and color. His color work is printed exclusively by the Atelier Fresson. Bernard wrote for Lensculture, “The Fresson process is a rare and unique way to print color: it can be called “charcoal printing” as well. The grandfather, Theodore Henri, invented the process in 1899 and his son Pierre followed up. Later Michel and now Jean François—four generations, in all—carry on the tradition. What’s special is that it produces a particular mood, with a kind of grain that gives the land and the skies a matte sensation. It makes my pictures somehow peaceful and not at all tape à l’ oeil [flashy]. There is nothing glossy here, nothing spectacular, just the opposite, which is what I am looking for.”

“I have been working with the Fressons since 1967, with Pierre, Michel, and now Jean-François: I like the matt side of their charcoal prints, which allows me to put my black and white photos with the colors in the same atmosphere. ” – Bernard Plossu

Atelier Fresson : le procédé fresson

Bernard Plossu - Works

Works by Bernard Plossu: La Ciotat, 2014 , Saint Pierreville, Ardeche, 2012 , La Ciotat, 2011 , La Maison de Monet, Giverny, 2011 , Goleta, California, 1974 (Printed 1982) , Mexico, 1966 (Printed 1982) , Agades, Niger: The Musicians of The Sultan, 1975 (Printed 1982) , Big Sur, CA, 1970...

www.peterfetterman.com

MattKing · Dec 7, 2022

Thankyou for this reference - both to the photographer's work, and the Fresson process.
It is always interesting when we encounter a photographer whose vision seems so well suited to a process.
Although the result is quite different, the information on the Fresson process made me think of a seminar I enjoyed with Tod Gangler and his 4 colour carbon work.
Seeing this work leads me to muse even more about the current discussion in another Photrio thread about the meaning of "tonality".

Dali · Dec 7, 2022

IMO, Bernard Plossu is an underrated photographer, a quiet man, not at all the "in your face" we see too often these days. Even if I am not thrilled by the Fresson process, I think it suits well Plossu's images.

warden · Dec 7, 2022

Thanks for sharing this. I was unfamiliar with either the photographer or this process. Both very nice.

Daniela · Dec 8, 2022

Thanks for sharing.
I didn't know about the Fresson process and I really like its effect in the interior/still life photographs.

sasah zib · Dec 8, 2022

MattKing said:
...
Although the result is quite different, the information on the Fresson process made me think of a seminar I enjoyed with Tod Gangler and his 4 colour carbon work.
...

assembly processes share much of the same potentials . they also must overcome the analysis portions. taking the world apart color or tone at a time means the choices for assembly are increased. Each step means possible misstep.

Sarah Moon https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/sarah-moon.170622/#post-2476472

Sirius Glass · Dec 8, 2022

Thank you

Bernard Plossu

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b. 1945​

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b. 1945