sardine It's been long since I am attracted by the photos "at sea". Recreational activity, not my thing. But the work at sea, the roughness of the fishermen, their thick hands, the slickers covered with scales in taste the smell of oil ... Raahhhh ! Say no more here I am all excited.
During the last month I spent some time admiring the photos of Michael Thersiquel drawn by Jean-Jacques Verlet-Banide (photographer based in Locronan) for the book A Britain deep. For me a story at sea is more beautiful in black and white, preferably at night and there must have "substance".
I had already talked about the series " Trawler " performed by Cyril Rabiller. I admire this series, besides I bought him a draw in September, but I did not want to do the same thing. Just to see that he had done led me to do it too.
There was a combination of circumstances. I met with Robert and Nicole Yann. A meal, the opportunity arises to ask to be introduced ... and here I am a few days later on the quay of St. Guénolé. That night, Robert spun me a pack of beers that do not arrive empty-handed. I ship to 22H and the boat leaves the harbor.
The operator had warned his fellow quietly: had not fished for a week, it might be pushed to the island of Sein. I try to disconnect my brain to my stomach. The sea is calm, but rather the fear that makes me a knot in the stomach. But once you have exceeded the tags, the boat goes faster and spray me cool. I am happy to be here, happy not to go and crawl under the duvet tonight.
Say like this, it looks simple: in the Bay Audierne boat spotted a shoal of sardines. He warns other vessels, which turn up. The boats are divided area. Night has fallen, but I see the lights of other vessels not so far.
I interrupt my discussion in the cab with the great Bruno about Daniel Pennac (he reads Fairy rifle, I dare not tell him I've never read ). And the maneuver begins in the dark.
The boat moves slowly unwinds and ring net at full speed in the sea I do not not realize but I am told that is a circle. The great Bruno in the back shouted toward the cabin "quarter" ... half! ... Three quarters! "
So the net is closing at the bottom and trap the fish in a bag of 340 meters by 70. And the great Bruno and his comrades are beginning to trace the hand, drawing on the buoys and folding it all as it must for the next haul.
It wriggles on the back of the boat, but I did not realize. The guys already know that fishing is good. The net is tightening on the flank of the ship to port. Hordes of seagulls panic, I would not even think we could see at night. That's where the lights are lit and I panic in my lap.
Then everything goes very quickly, at least for me. At first thread of sardines which appears above the hold, I refine my development ... and the time I press the shutter button, 200Kg of fish come from falling into the hole. I'm stung and I put a kick in the butt to get close and trigger faster.
Two sweeps, five tons of sardines. The holds are not only fourteen when the latter is paid from the bridge. Once the maneuver is complete, trace the boat to the port. The waterline at the bow is awfully high. When the sea is so calm, you can not fill the boat like that. The guys on board to relax, smoke a cigarette. The atmosphere is cheerful, I am asked if I intend to return within a week.
It is only half the night and we will be the first to return. Another boat broke down his net, crew members will spend the rest of the night to repair the dock and they will not pay.
It's all quite a mess. But I am dying to return there.
Zeiss Ikon + Canon 35 / 1.5 LTM
Ilford HP5 + exposed at 1600ISO & Ilford LC29 ILFOTEC
more photos here or there