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Electric Relaxation
Electric Relaxation
Jean-Flavien Piquemal
March 21, 2025
LFI: What does Electric Relaxation mean for you and the series?
Jean-Flavien Piquemal: Electric Relaxation is the title of a hip-hop song from the nineties, by the band A Tribe Called Quest. When I'm out on the street taking pictures, I feel exactly the same way that I feel when I hear that song. It makes me feel perfectly aligned with my perception of the street. Electric Relaxation describes the energy and movement that I observe, and try to convey in my pictures. It's a series that is never meant to end. If people know or have heard the song before they see my series, it can help them to immerse themselves in my world, and understand my way of seeing and my photographic work.
What does your photographic work look like?
As you can see in my photos, I look for places that have both light and shadows, with a very high density and the obligatory presence of colours. The most important thing is the presence of people, so that the picture works perfectly as a whole. Getting all these elements together doesn't happen so often. That's why it's important to me to photograph in other places, rather than just in my home town of Nice in France, so that I can find the elements needed for my photographic work. Let's say, I'm more of a fisherman than a hunter, as it's sometimes referred to in street photography.
How suitable is your camera for the street photography process?
Even though it's not the camera that makes the photographer, my camera is irreplaceable for my approach on the street, and for my photographic work. I used to have a Leica Q2, and recently acquired a Leica Q3, because I was lucky enough to win the last Leica Street Photography Contest.
There are three criteria that I consider essential and necessary for street photography, and these are met with the Leica Q3: the aperture ring and the help of Focus Peaking allow me to find the hyperfocus immediately; so that I know exactly what distance I need to be at to get the greatest depth of field. The camera gives me the chance to take hand-held photos in low light conditions. And it has an unequalled picture quality – I went from 47 million to 60 million pixels. As far as I'm concerned, this camera is made for street photography; it's, quite simply, extraordinary!
How important is composition in your images?
Composition is extremely important to me. I wouldn't be able to photograph people, if I didn't have a fore or background, or if the 'décor' around them wasn't nice. I have to shoot them perfectly, and I have very high requirements. My compositions are rarely the result of chance. I take time to construct them; and there are times when I'm lucky enough to find exactly what I'm looking for - namely, the person or persons who fit perfectly.
Katja HübnerJean-Flavien Piquemal: Electric Relaxation is the title of a hip-hop song from the nineties, by the band A Tribe Called Quest. When I'm out on the street taking pictures, I feel exactly the same way that I feel when I hear that song. It makes me feel perfectly aligned with my perception of the street. Electric Relaxation describes the energy and movement that I observe, and try to convey in my pictures. It's a series that is never meant to end. If people know or have heard the song before they see my series, it can help them to immerse themselves in my world, and understand my way of seeing and my photographic work.
What does your photographic work look like?
As you can see in my photos, I look for places that have both light and shadows, with a very high density and the obligatory presence of colours. The most important thing is the presence of people, so that the picture works perfectly as a whole. Getting all these elements together doesn't happen so often. That's why it's important to me to photograph in other places, rather than just in my home town of Nice in France, so that I can find the elements needed for my photographic work. Let's say, I'm more of a fisherman than a hunter, as it's sometimes referred to in street photography.
How suitable is your camera for the street photography process?
Even though it's not the camera that makes the photographer, my camera is irreplaceable for my approach on the street, and for my photographic work. I used to have a Leica Q2, and recently acquired a Leica Q3, because I was lucky enough to win the last Leica Street Photography Contest.
There are three criteria that I consider essential and necessary for street photography, and these are met with the Leica Q3: the aperture ring and the help of Focus Peaking allow me to find the hyperfocus immediately; so that I know exactly what distance I need to be at to get the greatest depth of field. The camera gives me the chance to take hand-held photos in low light conditions. And it has an unequalled picture quality – I went from 47 million to 60 million pixels. As far as I'm concerned, this camera is made for street photography; it's, quite simply, extraordinary!
How important is composition in your images?
Composition is extremely important to me. I wouldn't be able to photograph people, if I didn't have a fore or background, or if the 'décor' around them wasn't nice. I have to shoot them perfectly, and I have very high requirements. My compositions are rarely the result of chance. I take time to construct them; and there are times when I'm lucky enough to find exactly what I'm looking for - namely, the person or persons who fit perfectly.
ALL IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: © Jean-Flavien Piquemal
EQUIPMENT: Leica Q2 and Leica Q3 with Summilux 28 f/1.7 Asph
Jean-Flavien Piquemal+-
Since his childhood, which he spent in Nice, France, the photographer has felt powerfully drawn to light, colours and encounters. With its vibes and abrupt rhythms, its colourful and hectic people, its saturated colours and deep shadows - it is the street that interests him the most. He was recently awarded the Grand Prize at the Leica Street Photography Contest 2024. More
