About Claude Renault / Claude Renault  

>> Anne says:
"The first thing that struck me in the photos of Claude Renault was the magic of the colours but then i became aware that it was also the perfect harmony of composition and his manner of structuring the space to tell one or more stories.
Claude Renault has such a marked style that one can instantly recognise his recent photos as his. Portaying people he has met and emotions he has felt, Claude conveys what he has lived and seen in his own particular style, like a painter.
Thank you Claude for all the images which give both a vision of the world and which have taught me each day what photography can be."

Sailing "Footprints: Real to Reel" (Ronn ashore) says:
"Why have I waited so long to write this testimonial for Claude? I can't answer that but maybe I have been too sure he needs no testimonials, as each image is like a testimonial in itself.

Yes i prefer film to digital, and yes digital can sometimes appear as if it has less life than film, but Claude's photo-stream is a sort of proof this is not always the case. At least it is not the deciding factor.

The images breathe with life, and convey not only the evident love and attachment Claude has to his beloved India, but also convey a special feeling about India and, in particular the people, the "real" people of India, that touch the heart and mind of the viewer. At least they should, and if they don't, it is the loss of the viewer, and not any lack of ability of photographer.

There are several photographers I feel a lot of respect for and those are, perhaps above all else not technicians of photography, but photographers with a heart. That Claude is both a photographer with a heart and a good technician is evident of course.

I wish you well Claude, and may your travels bring you to what your inner self is searching for and, who knows.....has maybe already found."

Ravages says:
"Claude doesn't need dramatic lighting, crazy angles, photoshopped backgrounds, and other paraphernalia to make his photos stand out. He just sees it and takes it, and the photos come alive all of their own accord. Beautiful India, beautiful people, great moments.
And then, the person. Claude is so soft spoken and unassuming. And ever smiling.
It's been an honour knowing you Claude. Hope to meet you soon."

Rohit Markande says:
"Claude, is one of the major inspirations for me in Photography.
He has portrayed India in a simple but yet so evocative manner with
powerful compositions and lovely color, his images are not the typical extremes of India but the everyday India. To me every of his image
is a big favorite and those are the images that made me an Indian
who seldom went south of Delhi to travel to places like Benares, Pondicherry and Pushkar in a single year (for me it is a lot)just to see what he saw and to capture even 1/100th the brilliance that he has. Kudos to you Claude, keep doing the great work and showing India in a new light to the world."

rbcy1974 says:
"I first saw Claude's work at another phto website. He was one of the photographer's who has inspired me the most. There is something about his use of colour and his connection with the people he photographs which makes his work very special. Many of his scenes seem straight out of a bollywood movie."

lakshmi.prabhala says:
"This testimonial was long overdue.. I had been meaning to write one for a while but never knew where to start.

Claude's images changed my whole attitude towards photography. Apart from his superb colour sense and composition what I admire is how his pictures are so people-centric and never fail to evoke an emotion. His love for India and its people is even more inspiring.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful snapshots of my country with the rest of the world. Also thank you for your support and encouragement!"

jain 2009 says:
"dear Claude,

"
color, emotion, joy, values and culture.
inspiration
sharp clarity
breathless
the composition is an art,
an unique and magical way.

one of them
perfectly calculated light
play of colours
a declaration of love
richness of the colors

a colorist.....

"

Such lovely words are the best compliments for your work"

nevil zaveri says:
"i am lost for words."

Dilip Muralidaran says:
"Claude does not need any testimonial to tell you how fabulous his pictures of India are. Go to his stream and you would know what exactly I'm talking about. There are many photographers who work in India. I have to mention i hate all of their pictures! Why? because they usually sell stuff to create an idea this is what India is about which is not the truth. for example beggars, poverty, disease etc.,

Claude's images of India will show you color, emotion, joy, values and culture. Something being an Indian i feel is so true and so glad someone shows the real India rather than showing what is usually assumed to be pictures of India.

My admiration for Claude's work has steadily grown over the period of time and i must say I'm now a big fan!"

flowergirl.. says:
"I don't know the technicality of photography, but i feel photographs ultimately should appeal to senses. I see my nation in its true perspective, with no exaggeration .. Tears roll down from my eyes.. i don't have words ... Great work....... Clodreno!!!"

esperanzajenn says:
"your love for india is reflected in your beautifully captured moments of everyday life. from one person who loves india to another, your photos make me long for more of the country and its people...and the amazing contrast of experiences one can have there.
your images are inspiring..."

entrelec says:
"I found for the first time Clade Renault's images in another website and, among many others, I immediately felt something different.
In both ways; first because of the feeling connection established with the subjects, we are not only witnesses, we feel the empathy of the photogaph and we feel the welcoming attitude of the people for the photograph.
of course, we could speak of technical choices, framing, tilt, crop...all what makes his style, but finally, what attracks me is the way he have been influenced by painting history, and not only recent.
So many beautiful photos everywhere now, in the books for exemple, but they are often only beautiful.
If you want to find another kind of compositions and overall emotion, open the Claude's photostream, and maybe one day, we will buy a book of him; I know a lot of people who would buy it with closed eyes.So, editors, let make it!"

Shrimaitreya says:
"Claude knows it, I've told him many times and I think that this is not going to be the last one. Claude is simply my hero here on flickr!

If you go through his stream you will see the India in an unique and magical way. He is a great inspiration to me. I could watch his photographs for hours and hours... and I actually do ;)

Namaskar to this big Master of the image"

Sandip Debnath says:
"It is always inspiring to Claude's work.. I have been following his work for a long time.. There is a humanitarian touch which i find between him and his subject in each and every photograph of him..

I know him personally, he is such a nice human being and I think thats the best part to become a photographer.. He is the best."

Eileen Delhi says:
"Claude's images of India always leave me breathless. The everyday is translated into the sublime."

Milapsinh Jadeja says:
"i guess, i donot have enough words to limit claude's work in a particular boundary... almost all the words in the dictionary are over in the above testimonials... Every picture has a separate story, the colours are beautiful and the pictures are pictorially the best.. that is the beauty of claude's pictures.."

claude05 says:
""If you want to get to know India, you need 3 lives"- if this saying is true, Claude Renault must already be in his third life, as his photographs are multi-faceted, profound, and historically aware. With his camera, Claude is able to bring India close to us. He views people without any type of social romanticism and portrays them in everyday life situations, their self-confidence, pride, joy, religion, serenity, leisure, contemplation, modestry, sadness, misery, poverty... Claude doesn't approach people with his camera in an aloof and voyeuristic manner, but as one of them. His impressions are, in their perfectly calculated light and their play of colours, a declaration of love to the people of this subcontinent."

saisiv says:
"I have been to India more than once, and I would trade all those trips for just one, without hesitation, to see India thru Claude's eyes."

niklens says:
"In my mind Claude is one of the best travel photogaphers in the world! In his pictures i can see the love he feels for India!"

Devesh Uba says:
"If anyone missed the opportunity of roaming and exploring the colourful land called INDIA ... he can makeup partly for it by visiting Claude Renault's photostream ."

Feuillu says:
"A true master of lights and composition, taking us in the inner depth of India and its people. His works could be / should be / (has been ?) published in National Geographic or Geo magazines. We're lucky enough to enjoy it everyday on FlickR. Merci beaucoup Claude."

harpreet thinking says:
"Claude Renault's photos are real and artistic, its nice to see his visual expression !!!"

Evren Sahin says:
"I regard Claude Renault in my mind as one of the best travel photographers in the world.. He is a very talented artist, has a great eye and a great personality.."

**ANNE says:
"Wandering through Claude´s stream is as if paging through a luxurous coffeetable book dedicaded to India. The way he portrays this great country is marvellous! His whole body of work is an source of inspiration. There's something for everyone whether you're into portraits, street scenes, intimate details, stunning colors or soft, ethereal light.... It's ALL there!"
Claude is immensely creative and productive; his stream a collage of high quality photo's taken from a point of view that surprises by it's originality, angle and insight.
To me his stream is one of the best I´ve seen in Flickr-world! Actually, I think it´s THE best!

"Through his wonderful photos, Claude shares with us his deep love of "his" India, but just as significantly, he shares his time by encouraging and complimenting countless Flick-ites.
Thank you for all the joy and inspiration you brought me through your work!

Anne"

cactusbones says:
"So much work has gone into the presentation and maintenance of this photo stream. To begin, Claude offers us the rail road map of India to fallow along with. Then he organizes the stream into sets which represents each state in India including lengthy historic and encyclopedic entries. Then, each image is stylistically titled with place and activity. And the individual image captions add personal, experiential testimonies often with cross-reference links. A vivid, vital, intimate travel log. And far more inspiring then any Lonely Planet or Rough Guide might offer. Claude's passion for, and knowledge of India is so very precious. And we are blessed to have him share this with us all."

Perlette says:
"They already have said every word I know to say,
the only thing I can say is: Clauderenault...wonderful artist!"

earth2marsh says:
"Every day I check to see what images Claude has posted of his beloved India. His gift for portraiture and his keen eye create some of the best travel photos I have ever seen. If you were to look at my favorites, you would find Claude's work throughout. He is truly blessed with a great talent!"

babasteve says:
"I am truly stunned by the consistent high quality of clauderenault's work. Every image is a masterpiece. The richness of the colors and the sharp clarity of his subjects are amazing. I have the urge to 'fave' all of his shots!

Through his wonderful eye and the lenses of his gear, clauderenault takes us into the lives of people and places few of us are rarely able to go. Thank you for taking me there..."

margré says:
"His images are amazing, piece by piece. His compositions are fabulous and suprising, his eye for details in life, the colors and the way he catch the world in his photolens is superb! Every time I look at his photstream I think: I want to see them in an exhibition! I think Clauderenault is an excellent photographer!"