Photographers'blog

Welcome to the blog of the Argia photography collective. This space is for anyone interested in photography, visual creation and contemporary artistic practice. Through articles, first-hand accounts and reflections on images, the blog shares perspectives, practices and inspiration.

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Hendaye photography festival: the birth of the Three Crowns Festival

Discover the Three Crowns Festival, an event dedicated to contemporary photography in the heart of the Basque Country. First edition in 2027.

Published on 22 April 2026

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Looking back at Regards Croisés #2: Raconter le monde | Argia

Photojournalism and humanist photography in Hendaye: the Argia collective looks back on Regards Croisés #2, four weeks of exhibition at Mendi Zolan, a screening, and a lecture.

Published on 27 October 2026

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What is photojournalism? Definition and history

Photojournalism: definition, history, major agencies (Magnum, VII, Reuters) and photographers who left their mark on the world. A fragile profession, more useful than ever.

Published on 4 October 2026

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Why France loves photography so much: a French passion

From Arles to Perpignan, from museums to collectives: why France is a country of photography, and how this passion is still lived today, all the way to Hendaye.

Published on 24 September 2026

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Black and white film printing: baths, contrast and toning

How does film printing work? Baths, timings, multigrade contrast, dodge and burn, selenium toning: a guide to the darkroom, with a printable memo sheet.

Published on 23 September 2026

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First session in a film lab: the image takes its time

A member of the Argia collective discovers film printing in the middle of the night, under the red light: the story of a first lab session, between waiting and wonder.

Published on 19 September 2026

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Durst M800: the medium format enlarger that refuses to die

History of the Durst M800, a medium format enlarger up to 6×9, its place in the Durst range and a comparison of compatible lenses (Componon, Rodagon, EL-Nikkor).

Published on 19 September 2026

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Isabelle Besson: time suspended in Kerala | Argia

With "Time suspended", Isabelle Besson takes us on a train journey across Kerala, between waiting and contemplation. Her series is on show in Hendaye from 16 Sept to 10 Oct.

Published on 25 August 2026

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Mathieu Ménard: women of the sea in pictures | Argia

Voltaire Prize winner Mathieu Ménard photographs women working in seafaring trades. His series « Women of the sea » is on show in Hendaye from 16 Sept to 10 Oct.

Published on 22 August 2026

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BIOGRAPHY

Marc Paygnard, the wonder-struck: humanist patron of Argia's Three Crowns Festival | Argia

From the Lorraine press to the Rapho agency, alongside Doisneau and Ronis: a portrait of Marc Paygnard, humanist photographer and patron of Crossed Perspectives #2 in Hendaye.

Published on 20 August 2026

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Guillaume Fauveau: the press portrait as an encounter | Argia

Between documentary and cinematic writing, Guillaume Fauveau photographs public figures from the Basque Country. His press portraits are on show in Hendaye.

Published on 20 August 2026

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Nahia Garat: « Islada », five summers at camp | Argia

With « Islada », Basque for reflection, Nahia Garat follows a travelling summer camp over five summers. Her series is on show in Hendaye from 16 Sept to 10 Oct.

Published on 20 August 2026

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19 August: World Photography Day and its history

On 19 August 1839, Daguerre and Arago unveiled the daguerreotype in Paris. The story behind World Photography Day, from Niépce to digital.

Published on 19 August 2026

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What is humanist photography? Definition

Humanist photography is not a style but a way of seeing: putting ordinary people at the heart of the image. Definition, history and great photographers.

Published on 7 August 2026

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Looking back on Crossed Perspectives #1, Sound and Vision

Photography and music in Hendaye: the Argia collective looks back on Crossed Perspectives #1, Sound and Vision, three days of exhibitions, concerts and vinyl (31 July - 2 August).

Published on 3 August 2026

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Ana Del Amor & Vintage Vinyl: the sound of Sound and Vision

DJ and record dealer Ana Del Amor and Patrice Rolle (Vintage Vinyl) let you hear what Sound and Vision lets you see, on 1 and 2 August in Hendaye. Two portraits.

Published on 22 July 2026

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Album covers: 5 songs to get ready for Sound and Vision

From Elvis to the Ramones, five iconic album covers tell thirty years of music and society. Diego Gil's playlist to get ready for Sound and Vision, in Hendaye from 31 July to 2 August.

Published on 21 July 2026

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The Pentax 645 system: a medium format benchmark

From the film Pentax 645 (1984) to the digital 645Z: bodies, A/FA/D FA lens series, strengths and weaknesses. The complete guide to an accessible medium format.

Published on 18 July 2026

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Zenzanon PS lenses: the 12 lenses of the Bronica SQ system

From the 35mm fisheye to the 500mm catadioptric: the complete guide to the twelve Zenzanon PS lenses for the Bronica SQ, focal length by focal length, with 6×6 equivalents and verdicts.

Published on 15 July 2026

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Moonage Daydream: Bowie, when the image makes the icon

Brett Morgen's Moonage Daydream sheds light on the dialogue between photography and music, opening Sound and Vision on 31 July in Hendaye.

Published on 7 July 2026

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The Zone System: mastering exposure

Ansel Adams' Zone System explained: the 11 zones from black to white, 18% middle grey, exposing for the shadows, and adapting it to digital (ETTR, histogram).

Published on 28 June 2026

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Digital or film: do you really have to choose?

Film grain versus the flexibility of the sensor, and the question of format (135, medium format, full frame): understanding film and digital without setting them against each other.

Published on 26 June 2026

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120 film: from the Kodak Brownie to the Bronica SQ, a century of history

More than a century after Kodak invented it in 1901, 120 film still feeds medium format cameras: its story.

Published on 22 June 2026

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Diego Gil, when music is something you see

Author of Les 12 vies de Bowie and music columnist, Diego Gil explores the link between sound and image. A portrait of Argia's musical voice, ahead of Sound and Vision.

Published on 20 June 2026

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The bicentenary of photography in 2027: what exactly are we celebrating?

In 1827, Nicéphore Niépce captured the first image in history. Two centuries later, France celebrates this major anniversary. A look back at an invention that changed everything.

Published on 13 May 2026

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Simon Arcache, the photographer who listens to the blues

Photographer and musician Simon Arcache captures the intimacy of the blues on film. On show in Hendaye from 31 July to 2 August.

Published on 5 January 2026 (Updated on 26 October 2026)

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Why join a photography collective in 2026?

Joining a photography collective in 2026: creation, projects and local roots. Discover the Argia collective's approach.

Published on 5 January 2026

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