IJM Photography — Blog & ProjectsBlog

Four decades behind the lens. Six years of sharing the journey.

Welcome

“Photography, for me, is not about gear or trends — it’s about presence. It’s about standing still in a rushing world and saying: this moment matters.”

Welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

With over 40 years of capturing light, shadow, and soul — from the cobbled streets of Nantes to the misty peaks of the Pyrenees — this blog is my open journal. Here, you’ll find black and white film archives, vibrant digital travelogues, personal essays, and quiet reflections on why we press the shutter at all.

Every image is edited by my hand. Every word, chosen with care. No algorithms. No agencies. Just decades of seeing — and sharing.

Featured Projects

  1. The UK Chronicles
    Light, minimalism, and preparation.
    Shot entirely on the Fujifilm X100F during a recent solo journey through Britain — a deliberate exercise in traveling light, seeing deeply, and preparing for the sensory overload of China.
  2. The Film Archives
    Memory in monochrome.
    A vault unlocked: black and white film photographs from Nantes, Clisson, and beyond — captured long before this blog existed. Grain, patience, and timeless moments.
  3. Photography Philosophy
    Why do we do this?
    Not a tutorial. Not a gear guide. A quiet exploration of purpose — the “why” behind the viewfinder. For those who photograph not to post, but to feel.
  4. The Orchestra Visit to China
    Culture, chaos, and concert halls.
    A visual symphony from the road with the orchestra — temples, trains, backstage glances, and the electric silence before the first note.

Latest from the Field

  • Through the Lens of Love: Reframing Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18

    Through the Lens of Love: Reframing Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18

    Can a sonnet written 400 years ago still speak to us today? In this reflective piece, I explore Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 through the lens of photography, love, and memory — weaving personal experience with poetic interpretation. This isn’t just about words on a page; it’s about what lingers when light fades. Read more

  • China: The Final Frame – Reflections on a Journey

    China: The Final Frame – Reflections on a Journey

    The tour is over. The bags are unpacked, and things are settling back into their usual rhythm at home. But even though I’m back, part of me is still in China—still thinking about the streets of Shao Xing, the energy of Shenzhen, or the moments shared with the orchestra. The journey may have ended, but… Read more

  • Becoming an Uncle – Respect and Community in China

    Becoming an Uncle – Respect and Community in China

    In China, becoming an “uncle” isn’t just about family—it’s about respect, community, and tradition. This article explores the cultural differences in how age and wisdom are valued, reflecting on personal experiences of unexpected reverence, the selfie phenomenon, and the contrast between collectivist and individualist societies. Read more

  • China – How a Journey Transforms a Man…

    China – How a Journey Transforms a Man…

    This reflective travelogue explores cultural contrasts and personal transformation during an orchestra tour in China. Blending photography, storytelling, and travel insights, it captures behind-the-scenes moments, the rhythm of daily life, and the evolving perspectives of a seasoned traveler. A journey through music, cultural exchange, and self-discovery unfolds in vivid detail. Read more

  • Balancing Film and Digital: A Photographer’s Journey

    Balancing Film and Digital: A Photographer’s Journey

    Balancing film and digital photography is a challenge many photographers face. In this piece, I explore my dilemma before the China Orchestra Tour: should I shoot film or go digital? Weighing nostalgia, practicality, and travel restrictions, I ultimately chose the Fujifilm X100F. Here’s why it was the perfect choice. Read more

  • China Homeward Bound – XianJu to Shanghai, Shanghai to Beijing, Beijing to Roissy, Roissy to Nantes, Nantes to St Hilaire.

    China Homeward Bound – XianJu to Shanghai, Shanghai to Beijing, Beijing to Roissy, Roissy to Nantes, Nantes to St Hilaire.

    Join me on a journey from XianJu to Shanghai, Beijing, Roissy, and back to Nantes. From long waits at airports to unexpected meals in China, this article recounts the adventures, challenges, and small moments of respite during an unforgettable trip. A personal travel narrative filled with experiences and reflections. Read more

About the Photographer

I am not an influencer. I am not a brand.
I am a photographer — stubborn, analogue at heart, digital when needed, and fiercely independent. I’ve been developing my own film since the 1980s. I built this blog in 2019, not for followers, but for focus.

I do not outsource my editing. I do not chase trends. I shoot what moves me — and I hope, sometimes, it moves you too.

“Commercial editing offers and unsolicited partnerships will not be published or replied to. This space is sacred — for art, not advertising.”

A Note from a Reader

“j’adore… il y a des jours avec, et les jours sans….”
— A kind visitor, September 2025

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