Interview With Max Lévine From France

I am self-taught. When I acquire a new camera or new lenses, I try to see how far these instruments will allow me to push my technical limits. I learned by myself after successful trials and also - more often than I would have liked! - from my failures.

Yes, I must have been 7 or 8 years old and I enjoyed my summer holidays and my first camera (a beautiful disposable camera with about 20 exposures) to immortalize my Leonberg dog who was enjoying himself in a mountain river. The framing was more than approximate but the photo virus was caught!

All of my equipment is Canon equipment in which I have full confidence in the field.

I try to make sure that each photo tells its own story and conveys as closely as possible the unique moment and atmosphere that characterized it.

Often I don't know if a photo affects me for what it is or for the moment it reminds me of. I am particularly satisfied when a person who has not experienced that moment can feel in the photo what I had in mind when I took it: that's why I do photography!

Realistic, adaptive, poetic.

Thank you for giving me such an honor! This award gives me the opportunity to make my work known at an international level and confirms me in the path to follow for the continuation of my career. In this profession where doubt is often the order of the day, it is extremely gratifying to see our work appreciated by recognized photographers.

Solastalgia, the platinum award winning photo at the Muse Photography Awards 2022 was taken in Iceland at the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón. Through this photo I wanted to show the beauty and grace of this world of ice now threatened by global warming. But also the hope because through the arch which was carved in one of the icebergs we can see the renewal and the adaptability of life with this couple of petrels who feed their young on the ice.

My sources of inspiration are multiple but if I had to mention only three: the atmosphere and the lights of Paul Nicklen's polar series, Daisy Gilardini's animal scenes as tender as they are realistic, and Craig Bill's long exposure night landscapes for their technicality and uniqueness.

Never get discouraged, and follow your own inspiration!

I think I'm still a little young in the business to share my wisdom! But for my own experience: persevere and try to surprise yourself by trying to exceed the limits of your own style.

I have only one word to say to you: thank you!