For Philip Plisson, the storm is black and white. No colour in the reflection of the waves, no nuance in the foam. It's all in the gray. Yet this photographer, who made a name for himself by immortalizing the sea on days of high wind, was able to deliver us beautiful corners of bright blue sky in front of a big dark and threatening cumulus.
But in his 85 e work (85 !), he decided to remove the color. Except to deal with SNSM. They are the only ones who have the right to see the orange (color of security) that remains original in the middle of the grey sea. Funny choice - not really aesthetic - that this dozen photos thus retired at the end of the book !
For the rest, Plisson delivers what he knows best. Pictures selected from his library after 40 years of working as a"photographer sailor" as he likes to call himself. Lovers of photography will recognize some very famous clichés as that of the bow of the Bourbon Bee splitting a wave or the lighthouse of the Poulains in Belle Ile. Other rarer clichés also came out here for the pleasure of the eyes.
Without being really visible, without brand or counting, the book is organized into thematic chapters. Each game start opens on a grey page with a sailor thumbnail. Among the chapters, are treated the magical places to feel the wind, ports and dwellings, then comes a long chapter on lighthouses, before stopping on the damage once the heavy weather has passed, shipwrecks, sailors at work, yachting and finally rescue at sea.
It is a good thing not to limit this book to beautiful images of sea, waves and spray crashing on the rocks. The part about the damage that the sea can cause, about the SNSM sailors and their investment to make it safer is a real plus of this book. We also like the large pages that unfold into three sections sending the reader like a big iodized slap.
- Edition of the Martinière
- 30.8 x 32.6 cm
- 270 pages
- 35,00 €
