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Radio Rotondes, in collaboration with Radio ARA #7 Observing & Sharing
“What matters is to be there, to be part of it, to observe, to get closer and to bear witness.”
In this episode we talk to Sven Becker, an independent photographer who works, among others, for the Lëtzebuerger Land. For Sven, being creative means being human, living life fully. It’s about taking the plunge, daring, seizing the opportunities that are available to us and being authentically ourselves. But it is also being curious, attentive, open and present to the world around us. During the show, Sven shares how he became a photographer, by following his passion and his instincts. He also explains what matters to him when he is taking a photo, when he has to capture a moment, an experience or a human. Finally, he shares stories that take our breath away. They reveal someone humble and deeply passionate about what he does.
We also share creative places that you can visit here in Luxembourg if you want to learn more about photography: the Centre National d’Audiovisuel (CNA), which offers exhibitions and various activities around photography, and the Fotoclub Diddeleng, a meeting place for the photography enthusiasts.
We close the show with a creative prompt around photography.
Our guest: Sven Becker
Sven Becker is a freelance photographer and works for the Lëtzebuerger Land, among other outlets. Before becoming a photographer, he was a graphic designer and worked in communication agencies. He then ran his own communication agency but after a while, he realized that communication and advertising weren’t for him. Photography became a bigger part of his life in 2007 when Luxembourg was the European Capital of Culture. He started with concerts and then gradually, as he was always everywhere and always shared his photos, he made a job out of his passion.
In 2013 he took a year off to find out if he wanted to become a full-time photographer. And it was, among other things, a trip and a story he made on Occupy Gezi that prompted him to take the plunge. He has been a freelance photographer ever since. But this is only part of his journey, his story. If you want to know more, check out his bio on his website. (photos: Sven Becker)
2:11 — 54:43 to listen to the interview. The interview is in French.
Learn more about Sven Becker
Featured creative spaces
Centre National de l’Audiovisuel (CNA)
The main mission of the Centre National de l’Audiovisuel (CNA) is the conservation of Luxembourg’s audiovisual heritage. Alongside its archiving and conversation activities, the CNA also promotes this heritage through exhibitions, book creations, screenings and events. They also offer workshops, usually given by professional photographers. The ones for children are either introductory or related to a current exhibition. The ones for adults, be they amateurs or professionals, aim to support them in their projects or to improve their technique. The CNA also promotes photography creation through grants, commissions and artist residencies.
We invite you to visit their recent exhibition at the Konschthal in Esch-sur-Alzette. It features two Luxembourgish artists, Lisa Kohl and Daniel Reuter, who were also exhibited during the Rencontres de la photographie d’Arles.
Finally, you should visit their permanent exhibition at the Château de Clervaux, Family of Man. Presented for the first time in 1955, the exhibition was conceived as a manifesto for peace and the fundamental equality of mankind, expressed through the humanist photography of the post-war years. (photos: Romain Girtgen)
54:47 — 1:09:36 to listen to the interview. This interview was given in French.
Learn more about the Centre National de l’Audiovisuel
Fotoclub Diddeleng
The Fotoclub Diddeleng was founded in 1904, making it Luxembourg’s oldest photography club. Its purpose is to bring together people who are passionate about photography, be they amateurs or professionals. People who don’t live in Dudelange are also welcome to join the club. The club regularly organises “Fototalks” during which members can show their pictures and receive feedback. The idea is to learn from each other and to apply the “learn by doing” philosophy. Club members are invited to submit pictures for exhibitions organised by the Fotoclub, like the recent exhibition about Dudelange’s Italian district. The club is taking part in a construction project with the DKollektiv to set up a new creative space in the Neischmelz district in Dudelange called DKollage. The club will have its own darkroom in this space so members can come and develop their film photography. (photo: Fotoclub Diddeleng)
1:09:39 — 1:19:34 to listen to the interview. This interview was given in French.
Learn more about the Fotoclub Diddeleng
Creative prompt
How to start taking pictures
Sven tells us to just get started. To start in our home. Start small. Start where you are comfortable. Then go outside, go in nature, go to concerts. Step by step, discover new things. Learn new things and discover what you like or don’t like.
He also reminds us to let go of the pictures we couldn’t take. In the end, there is no perfect picture.
Below you will find my pictures. I took them during an exhibition in Esch-sur-Alzette. I would love to see yours! You can send them in per email at email hidden; JavaScript is required
1:19:40 – 1:22:46 to listen to the creative prompt. The creative prompt is given in French.
Featured in this episode
- Photo of the old man, from his balcony in Esch-sur-Alzette. It was the Land’s cover photo on March 19, 2020
- Photos of the women’s strike of March 8, 2021 in Luxembourg
- Photos of the climate march in Luxembourg in 2019
- Photos of COVID patients in intensive care taken on April 23, 2020
- Photos of Occupy Gezi in Istanbul, Turkey, taken in May 2013
- Book: Kribbeln im Kopf by Mario Pricken. It is a book that shares the thinking strategies of advertisers, designers and marketers.
- Galerie Nei Liicht: First gallery dedicated to photography in Luxembourg, which was created by the Fotoclub Diddeleng. Today, it is managed by the City of Dudelange and is dedicated to all forms of contemporary art.