Photographer: Vincent Perraud
Now that’s a tabletop. John Garcia at La Source.
It’s about time we had a French shooter up here – so with no further ado, here’s a quality Q&A with Vincent Perraud, who calls Sens home, but shoots amazing trails photos all over the place… enjoy.
Name: Vincent Perraud Hometown: Sens in Burgundy (one hour to Paris) but I’m not often at home Years shooting BMX photos: Maybe five Where you can see my photos: Soul mag, and Superstar, BSD, Carhartt, Dig stuff sometimes Nikon or Canon or? Bronica SQ the most! But I also shoot with Canon 30D, 1D, 50 (film) Holga, Horizon 202, SX70.
Sylvain Fabre, Narbonne.
What are you doing today? What’s the plan? Today I had to find a cheap bike bag to take the train – ‘cause my car is starting to be really old… organize next shooting, find a real job and clean the mess around me… and drink some beers with friends tonight…
Okay, what are some of the trails spots you’ve shot photos at? Not a lot, but I remember these: Pipe trails (Paris), Grabel (Montpellier), San Diego CA, La Source (Toulouse), Hoppy (Toulouse), Machine trails (Sérignan), 45 trails (Orleans) Annibal trails (Brittany)…
What are your stand-out favourite trails spots? Since my own trails are dead, I have to say Toulouse. Sessions at Hoppy trails last summer were really fun! It’s a small trails where I can ride and this spot is perfect to me. And of course La Source is not too far… Toulouse is a good place for the parties too.
Hoang Tran, SD.
And are there any others you really want to take photos at, that you haven’t been to yet? Nothing in particular, I just want to continue to travel and meet good people. England looks really good for trails, even if the weather is depressing.
For you, how does shooting photos at the trails differ to shooting, say, street, indoor parks, contests, etc? No not really… it depends of the mood… sometimes it’s with flashes or not, digi or film, B&W or color… but it’s the same for anything.
Ideally… film, or digital? I like to spend all the little money I have with film! Medium format is so expensive… but we are in 2009 and digital is cool too, when you need to send photos quickly to the mags or internet… To me, a camera is a tool and I try to take advantage of them: medium format for the quality and the speed shutter at 1/500 sec, and digi for fast photos and the cost…
Tom, Toulouse…
What tips would you give to people wanting to take better trails photos? Do your own stuff and not to be afraid to try different stuff you see in mags…
What’s your favourite trails photo of all time? Cream #1… a Manu Shot for the Daniel Mini and Xavier Robleda interview… Xavier’s turndown at Grabel… I was a teen, and when I saw this picture I said “I want to ride BMX!” ten years ago. Recently the Dig trails issue was really cool too! I’m always stirred up when I see Dolecki’s work…
Do you prefer shooting trails in the woods, or out in the open? Well, I don’t have any preference…
Patrick Guimez, and a friend with beers, Montpellier. Good times guaranteed.
What about dirt jumping contests – how do you see those? It’s cool! In France the atmosphere is always nice and fun… during the last Fise I was really drunk during the Dirt contest, so I only take two or three photos, where one of my friend bringing me other beer with Patoche in the background doing a flip turndown! It’s amazing cause it was published in full page!
If you were going to, say Catty Woods or Bar End, for a photo shoot for one day with just three riders – who would you pick, and why? I’ll prefer South of France, with locals… Toulooose! I’m in love with this city! But a session with guys like Aitken, Hawk, Slattery or Yeagle could be nice. These guys are awesome.
La Source.
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