Skip to main content

Marie-Laure de Decker

 

Marie-Laure de Decker: A Life Behind the Lens

Marie-Laure de Decker (1947–2023) was a French photographer renowned for her portraits of artists, writers, and major cultural figures, as well as for her work as a war correspondent. Her images combined sensitivity and strength, revealing both the intimacy of her subjects and the harsh realities of conflict. A member of the Agence Gamma, she carved a place in the history of French photography with a singular voice, moving seamlessly between portraiture and photojournalism.

Camera Gear

Marie-Laure de Decker worked with professional gear suited for both portraiture and reportage:

  • Leica M series (film) – Favored for its compact size, discreet operation, and sharp lenses, making it ideal for intimate portraits and candid work.

  • Nikon 35mm SLRs – Reliable and versatile, essential for her assignments in conflict zones.

  • Prime lenses (35mm, 50mm, 90mm) – Classic focal lengths that allowed her to capture both environmental context and tight portraits.

  • Black-and-white film – Central to her style, often processed to achieve rich tonal depth and striking contrast.

Film & Technique

  • Preferred black-and-white photography, which she considered timeless and powerful for both portrait and war reportage.

  • Used available light whenever possible, enhancing the authenticity of her work.

  • Her portraits of Francis Bacon, Roland Barthes, and Andy Warhol stand out for their intimacy and subtlety.

  • In her war photography, her framing balanced immediacy with careful composition, elevating journalism to fine art.

Legacy

Marie-Laure de Decker’s career bridged worlds: the private studios of artists and the frontlines of war. Her portraits remain iconic records of some of the 20th century’s most important cultural figures, while her conflict photography testifies to her courage and commitment as a documentarian. In both domains, she demonstrated a profound respect for her subjects and an eye for enduring human truth.

Books Featuring Marie-Laure de Decker’s Work

  • Gamma 1966–1976 (collective, featuring de Decker’s reportage)

  • Marie-Laure de Decker: Portraits (retrospective, France)

  • Gamma: 40 ans de photojournalisme (2007, collective)

(Some of her books are rare and limited editions, often tied to exhibitions.)

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Saul Leiter

  Saul Leiter: The Poet of Color and Reflection Saul Leiter (1923–2013) was one of the quiet geniuses of 20th-century photography, a painter-turned-photographer whose work transformed the way we see color in the urban landscape. Long before color photography was widely accepted as art, Leiter embraced its painterly qualities, using reflections, rain, fog, and fragments of the city to create lyrical images of New York. His photographs blur the line between documentation and abstraction, infusing everyday street scenes with mystery and poetry. Here's an overview of the cameras and lenses he employed: Film Cameras Leica M4 : During the 1970s and beyond, Leiter frequently used the Leica M4 for his commercial and fashion photography assignments. Leica M4 Leica CL : For street photography, he often opted for the compact Leica CL, appreciating its portability and discreet profile. Leica CL Canon A-1 and AE-1 : Leiter incorporated these Canon models into his street photography repe...
Read more

Matt Black

Matt Black, a renowned Magnum photographer, is celebrated for his stark black-and-white imagery that delves into themes of poverty, migration, and environmental issues, particularly in California's Central Valley.   His approach to photography is characterized by a minimalist setup, allowing him to focus on storytelling without the distraction of extensive gear. Camera Equipment Olympus Digital Camera : During his extensive travels for the American Geography project, Black utilized an Olympus digital camera (Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II). This choice provided him with a lightweight and reliable tool suitable for long journeys and varied shooting conditions.  Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II Find it on Amazon Sony RX100 II : for some of his work including his "Geography of Poverty" series and for images posted on Instagram, Black used a Sony RX100 II.  Sony RX100 II Find it on Amazon Hasselblad XPan (Panoramic Film Camera) : Complementing his digital work, Black employed a Hasselblad ...
Read more

Alex Webb

Alex Webb, renowned for his vibrant and intricately layered street photography, has consistently favored compact, unobtrusive gear that allows him to blend seamlessly into his environment and capture spontaneous moments. Primary Camera Gear Leica M Rangefinder Cameras : Webb has predominantly used Leica M-series rangefinder cameras throughout his career. Notably, he employed the Leica M6 during his film photography days and transitioned to the digital Leica M (Typ 240) following the discontinuation of Kodachrome film. Leica M6 see it on Amazon Leica M240 35mm Lens : His lens of choice is typically a 35mm, which he considers the ideal balance between wide-angle and standard perspectives. This focal length complements his style of capturing complex, multi-layered scenes. Kodachrome Film : For over three decades, Webb exclusively used Kodachrome color slide film, celebrated for its rich color rendition and fine grain. The film's discontinuation in 2009 prompted his shift to di...
Read more