Stéphane Obadia was born in 1972 in Lyon, France. In addition to being a photographer, he works in the fields of graphic design and music. He is currently living in France, preparing upcoming exhibitions in which he plans to combine his art-making and music practices.

Taking pictures helps me pay attention to the world around me.

FJORD: How do you feel the Internet has affected the way you work?  Have you changed the style of work you do or the way you present your work based on the way the Internet has changed how photography functions?

STÉPHANE: The internet hasn't really changed the way I take photos or the kind of photographs I take, but at first, it has in fact motivated me to share and show my work. One thing I really appreciate with the internet, is the possibilty to discover unknown and amateur photographers. I am just as well interested in artistic photography, than in found photography, images collections, and everyday snapshots. I discovered an enormous amount of talented unknowns on the net. I like the way we influence each others without having to deal with reputation.

F: How do you gain inspiration for your work?   Where do you look for ideas?

S: I collect images, I collect phrases and sometime, for example, these phrases become photographs. Photos I take also give me ideas. It work both ways. Ideas are everywhere to be found and it's important for me to look in everyday life. Photography is like a reminder of that. Photography helps me pay attention.

F: What are some of your favorite websites? 

S: I don't spend much time surfing the net these days. I also write texts and I compose music and together with photography, it takes a lot of time!

F: Do you have any suggestion to help out new and emerging photographers gain exposure? How did you first start to promote yourself and your work?

S: A few years ago, like many others, I started showing my work on Flickr, then met a few photographers around the world. I think meeting photographers you like and who have similar concerns is a good way to start.

F: Where do you see your work going in the next year and the future in general?

S: Right now I am working on a serie of 'double portraits' with my medium format camera. A series showing people, matching or not, but always carefully chosen to create something slightly narrative in the image. I've been asked to create images for record covers too. And I'm also thinking of ways to combine my photographic work with my text and with my music.