X-E3: Agathe Poupeney

07.09.2017

Written by... Agathe Poupeney

Born in Paris, Agathe Poupeney first followed a scientific career. Graduated in genetics, she first worked in Communication and scientific journalism for the communication department of the CND. Simultaneously of her studies, she worked as a photojournalist for cultural magazines.

In 2006, she decided to work exclusively for photography. She worked for many cultural structures (as Opéra national de Paris, Théâtre de la Ville, Bartabas - Théâtre équestre Zingaro and the Académie du spectacle équestre de Versailles, Théâtre de Chaillot, festival Paris Quartier d'été, Dance courses in Chamarande, The Royaumont Foundation, Les Bains Numériques in Enghien-les-Bains, Staatskanzlei Festival - Westphalia, Alban Richard, Bruno Bouché, Faustin Linyekula, Lionel Hoche, Compagnie Affari-Esteri, Radhouane El Meddeb....). She covered cultural news for the national press (Le Monde, Libération, Le figaro, Télérama, l'Express,...)

Her photographs illustrate numerous books on Theater and Dance, and monographs of shows (Darshan, Calacas and La Voie de l'Ecuyer, l'Ecole de Danse de l'Opéra de Paris).

Teaching Artist in 2015 and 2016, she created artistic workshops and a photographic installation for a primary school in Caen.

His first photo exhibition - on Cathar Castles - dates back to 1999. Since 2007, she exhibited her photos of shows in many cultural venues and festivals. She installed her photographs in the “Cour d'Honneur des Invalides” in 2011 for the exhibition “Rétrospective Photosensible”.

In June 2016, she directed the costumes and set design for the performance "Cet Obscur Palais du Désir", with Bruno Bouché during "La Rumeur des Naufrages" in the public parts of the Palais Garnier. In June 2017, she realized the scenography of “UndoingWorld” - again with Bruno Bouché - on the main stage of the Opéra Palais Garnier.

As a shows photographer, I try to be as discreet as possible during my shots. Until now, I had to find "do-it-yourself" solution to reduce the noise of the shutter. With my two Fujifilm cameras, I can work quietly without disturbing the artists, and I can photograph in the middle of the audience without making any noise. The weight and size are also an important advantage for discretion when I work within the public or with children, they pay less attention to me, and I can work unnoticed!

For me, the camera is a tool; it must be efficient, discreet, and ergonomic, in terms of both noise, design, and lightweight. My previous equipment was only efficient; with Fujifilm X Series, I get finally the discretion and lightness as well as efficiency!

I usually use FUJIFILM X-T2, X-Pro2, now X-T3 cameras and, XF35mmF1.4 / FUJINON XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR / FUJINON XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens.