Renowned photographer David Ledoux says you don’t need to take so many holiday snaps - just good ones will do

SINGAPORE — Unlike most of us who can’t stop snapping photos while on vacation, portrait photographer David Ledoux feels there’s actually no need to do so. “You don’t need to take many (photos) — you need to take good ones,” he explained. “Portrait and people are my speciality so you need just the right moment. Spontaneity, little accidents make good pictures.”

The Frenchman will be in Singapore to present selected pieces from his series, Tropical Uncanny (interestingly inspired by vacation photos) — first at Super 0 Openair, happening at the old SIA Sports Club, before he exhibits all 15 works at Tippling Club. “I am very excited to come to Singapore. I’ve never been here, so it is always thrilling to be somewhere you don’t know. There’ll be preparation for the two shows and I’d be meeting new people. It’s always good to be introduced to a place by meeting people.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about travelling for work?

A: When it is for a photo assignment, there is always some kind of adrenaline involved and the level of it depends on the location. When I was doing more photojournalism work, there were often tense moments. But when you’re a traveller, people are pretty nice in general and happy to help if necessary. When you get to a new country, your eyes are very stimulated, it seems like there is a photo opportunity everywhere — it’s very exciting with the colours and the variations of the light. I like being a visitor: It is a great excuse to engage in discussion with people and learn about their every day life and culture.

Q: You’ve been to quite a few African countries — South Africa, Namibia and Uganda. What draws you to Africa?

A: I really like Africa in general from the north to south. While it’s a region with different cultures and history, there’s a common generosity and spontaneity. I enjoy hanging out at a street corner and watching the chaos. It’s messy but it works — it’s hard to explain. When I’m in Africa, I feel more alive. It‘s very intense, from the colours to the lifestyle. There’s violence — death is closer, but life is bigger with smiles and kindness, often in very poor areas. It’s just such a good example to see.

Q: Tell us about your best and worst vacations.

A: I don’t remember my worst vacation: There’s always a way to make things better. But if I had to give one, I was quite disappointed by (a trip to) Hawaii — I just didn’t get into the vibe. It felt quite unfriendly. For the best, there was this trip to Namibia where a friend of my wife lives. He took us for two weeks across this wild country in his old Range Rover ... We slept in volcano craters, drove through the most diverse rock formations, saw giraffes, rhinos, elephants and lions. We felt like the only humans on earth every night when we camped.

Q: That sounds wonderful. Finally, what are your favourite places in Paris?

A: I’m not very aware of the latest things around, I’m afraid! (Laughs) I love hanging out at home where we can cook with local produce from the great markets around. I like a few places such as Le Loir dans la Theiere for its lovely location and cakes, La Fidelite at 12 Rue de la Fidelite, which is a cool restaurant to hang out and dance, as well as this great bar called L\Inconnu.

Super 0 Openair will take place on Saturday. Visit http://www.super0.sg for details.