by Yvette Depaepe 

gNo  (Jeannot Kerfs) has a very unique style to portray people.  All his portraits are undeniable wearing his signature through his artsy processing.  To Jeannot, photography is a real passion as well as food for his soul.  
He quotes:  'I'm waking up and go to sleep with photography!'  

With this interview, I tried to discover more about Jeannot and his skilful and artistic portraits.
Let's take a walk together through his fabulous work ...

'Badlands'

What first attracted you to photography and what are your most important experiences that has influenced your art, Jeannot?
My passion for photography started in 2009 when I was looking for a hobby which didn't take to much energy from my body because I have a muscular disease since 2008.

Describe your overall photographic vision.
I have to say that photography gives me the possibility to settle things down in my mind and deal better with my health situation.  It's a kind of medication.

'Mental Colors'

'Sleep with on eye open Gripping your pillow tight'

Why are you so drawn by artsy portrait photography?
First I started with landscape photography, but here in Belgium, there is not so many to see and photograph.  I found out pretty soon that I enjoyed more photographing people.

'fire walk with me'

 
Can you tell us something more about your work flow?
My set-up's are really simple.  I use a 1000 watt Elinchrome light and a beauty dish to make the most dark pictures in my portfolio.  When we are on location, I use maximum two lights.
I work often with backgrounds to give an extra dimension to my portraits.

'Lawless'

'Don Arturo Fuente Opus Zero'

'General Lee Horn'

What software do you use to process your images?
I use Photoshop and mainly the Dodge & Burn tool (sometimes too much...).  I created also some settings in RAW and use the Alien Skin Exposure7 filter.

'C'era una volta il West'

'The Library Man'

'Deja Voodoo'

 
Describe your favourite photograph taken by you and why it is special to you?
My favourite photograph?  To be honest, I don't have one.  I'm still waiting for the best to come ;-)

How did you discover 1x?
A friend and colleague photographer told me to have a look on 1x.  I was happily surprised and subscribed immediately.  I was pleased and excited when my first image was published followed by 25 more.
Unfortunately I staid inactive for a few years due to my muscle disorder and a relationship breakdown (loosing a lot of my photographic material).

'Checkmate Daddy …...'

'Welcome To The Man Cave'

Are there any specific directions that you would like to take your photography in the future or any
specific goals that you wish to achieve?
I'm very proud of my contribution to 1x.  I met a numerous number of people, personally or via the media.  A few projects and collaborations are planned in the near future.
Next year, I will have an exhibition in Tongeren and I hope many more will follow.
Photography is my passion, I'm waking up and go sleeping with it ;-)
Since a year I'm much more active and productive and that can be seen through my images selected and published on 1x.  But I truly appreciate every 1x member knowing that they all put a lot of energy, creativity and work to share their images.

Is there anything else you wish to add and what do you think about 1X as a home base for you work?
I'm persuaded that 1x is the summon of all photography sites available on the net.
The images on our site are – piece by piece – photographic pearls, carefully selected through a fair screening. They amaze me day after day.
I like to thank a lot of people working behind the screen, leading everything in the right direction.
After all, I think 1x is the biggest and best photo forum worldwide.

'The Butcher Man'

'Spanisch Stroll'

'Tonto Says There is a Storm coming soon'