The perfect companions for documentaries that connect with people and the world.

I started photography thanks to my grandfather, who was passionate about cameras and camcorders. He gave me my first film camera for Christmas when I was around 6 or 7 years old, and I was immediately fascinated by the idea of capturing moments and memories. On the first day, I used at least three rolls of film!

Photography started out as a simple hobby for me. I enjoyed taking photos of local events for pleasure. One day, a music festival organizer noticed me and offered to collaborate with them. This first experience was positive, and I continued to work with them every year. Later on I started collaborating with the municipal newspaper of my town, as well as with other local media, and gradually developed my photography skills until it became my profession.

My philosophy of photography is that it is a tool to connect with people and the world around us.

It allows me to be curious, to travel, and to explore new subjects. I am always looking for new sources of inspiration, whether in novels, articles, movies, music videos, paintings, or photographs.

By the way, when it comes to photographers, I particularly admire the work of Raymond Depardon. I decided to begin documentary photography after reading “La solitude heureuse du voyageur” by Raymond Depardon. I was fascinated by the beauty of his images and his ability to capture the essence of people, places, and the simple things in life. But what touched me the most were his words. The way he saw his work, his sincerity, and the way he spoke about his doubts immediately resonated with me, and I knew that this was what I wanted to do.

SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, Nikon Z50, ISO 100, F4, 1/160s

In documentary photography, it is essential that the subject speaks to me on an emotional level. Without a personal connection to the subject, I cannot take good photos.

One of the challenges I encounter in documentary photography is to stay creative because it is easy to fall into a routine and take the same types of images over and over again, so I try to push myself to experiment with new approaches. For example, using only one focal length for a story, which forces you to change your way of thinking to find interesting angles while adapting to the environment and the subject.

SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary,
Nikon Z50, ISO 100, F5, 1/1000s

To follow my ideas and requirements from assignments, up-to-date equipment is crucial as well. When it comes to technological improvements, I think that advances in camera and lens technology have given me new perspectives for shooting. ISO performance is no longer a problem, so I no longer have to worry about noise, even in difficult lighting conditions. The same goes for the AF, as autofocus has become fast and precise. This allows me to fully focus on the subject.

* The images without photograph data have been created with lenses other than SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary and SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary for Nikon Z mount.

I like to photograph with fixed focal lengths for documentary photography because they offer excellent image quality, versatility, and portability. This gives you more control over your images and allows you to create a specific look and atmosphere.

The SIGMA 16mm, 30mm, 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary are perfect for my needs in documentary photography. I appreciate the freedom that this trio of SIGMA lenses for Nikon Z mount offer. The image quality is exceptional even at their full aperture of F1.4. Autofocus is fast and precise. Their size and weight make them easy to carry. The build quality is careful and robust…All these are the decisive factors in great lenses for documentary photography.

SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, Nikon Z50, ISO 100, F1.4, 1/500s

For this essay, I had the opportunity to visit the SIGMA Aizu factory located in Fukushima prefecture in Japan. I am drawn to the story of the people who work there and the craftsmanship that goes into their products. I wanted to show the human side of manufacturing and highlight the skills and dedication of the workers.

The trip to the SIGMA Aizu factory was an excellent opportunity for me to document the process of making handmade products and connect with the people who work there. In my behind-the-scenes video, I try to offer a glimpse of the shoot and give people an idea of what it’s like to be on location for a documentary project.

My advice for people interested in documentary photography is to choose a subject that they are really passionate about, and approach it with curiosity and respect.