JONATHAN GUILLOT – WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER IN GENEVA
WIN A SIGNED COPY OF JONATHAN’S FAB COFFEE TABLE BOOK ‘SEYMAZ’
by Vivian Holding
Jonathan Guillot is a wildlife photographer living in Thônex in the Canton of Geneva. His exhibition of photos from his soon to be published book ‘Seymaz’ takes place in four different locations in Geneva and runs from 25th May – 20th September 2018.
We have a signed copy of Jonathan’s book to give away (see below for further info).
Running past the end of his garden in Thônex and flowing into the Arve, the Seymaz is the only river to run its course entirely through the Canton of Geneva. Originally a beautiful river, in past years it has sadly been channeled, concreted and badly polluted – until a recent decision to return it back to its natural state. By softening the riverbanks, widening the riverbed and re-creating a wetland area, this river has returned to its former glory.
Jonathan explains why he is so captivated by the river and the many birds that live and pass by it.
WHAT IS HIS APPROACH TO PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE SEYMAZ PROJECT?
All photos of his book were taken on the banks of the Seymaz. Whether on a walk or in a hide, he seizes every opportunity to admire the beautiful birds passing by or living by the river. Never growing tired of his subject, his respect and admiration for what he calls ‘sublime being’ is infinite and he strives to share this simple beauty and to never lose sight of the importance of small things – because it’s the little things that are the most important.
The Seymaz passes at the end of my garden. Every day I am captivated by its singular beauty. No need to go to the end of the world to see natural wonders. Everything is already there.
Photographing birds for him is a meditation, a paradox of contemplation and intense stimulation. A harmony between reflection and intuition. His images are done with the most total respect of the animal and its habitat. Without bait. Without calls. Without staging. The same respect is also reflected in the processing of his images that he keeps to a minimum, without any manipulation of content.
If we run along the Seymaz, eyes to the ground, we will not see much, it’s true, probably believing that nothing happens. Sit by its side for an hour or two, and a whole new world is revealed to you.
You just need to look. Just open your eyes and give yourself time to start seeing.
JONATHAN’S BACKGROUND
Jonathan Guillot is a wildlife photographer living in Thônex in the Canton of Geneva.
His interest in photography started when he was a teenager. Self-taught, he has since specialised in nature photography, with a special passion for birds.
His work has a strong ethical dimension, deeply respecting the animals he photographs and their habitat.
For him, photography is a breath. A tasty paradox of serene contemplation and intense stimulation.
WHY A BOOK?
By publishing this book, he hopes that someone may be inspired to stop along the Seymaz with the idea of contemplating its beauty.
WHEN/WHERE DO THE EXHIBITIONS TAKE PLACE?
25th-27th May 2018 – Association C-FAL during the Fête de la Nature, 20 rue des Voisins, 1205 Genève.
7th-10th June 2018 – Espace du Nouveau Vallon, 8 route du Vallon, 1224 Chêne-Bougeries.
14th June-1st July 2018 – Galerie Le Coin du Centre, 41 route de Gy, 1252 Meinier.
4th July-20th September 2018 – Centre Nature Pro Natura du Vallon de l’Allondon, 150 route de l’Allondon, 1283 Dardagny.
COMPETITION
To stand a chance of winning a signed copy of Jonathan’s book, all you have to do is answer this simple question:
Which river does the Seymaz flow in to?
Send your answer to us at info@thingstodoingeneva.ch before Wednesday 23rd May 2018. Winners will be notified by email and published on our social media channels.
