International Spotlight: exploring Boris Untereiner’s double exposures

To keep you in the know with what photographers are exploring around the world, D-Photo brings you the first in its International Spotlight series. In this instalment, we talk to France’s Boris Untereiner about his discovery of the photographic world, and showcase his ongoing double-exposure series that he has been working on since 2013.

D-Photo: Can you please give us a rundown of your history with photography?

I began photography in 2007. I’m a self-taught photographer and ‘Photoshopper’. At first, I headed toward architecture photography — I’ve done exhibitions with some of this work. I then wanted to give more life to my pictures, so I began to take portraits. I immediately wanted to know how to use flash, because the possibilities were increased tenfold. I could freeze motion, create atmosphere, etc., I had the opportunity to photograph concerts and learn to focus in order to capture beautiful moments in difficult lighting conditions. From the beginning I have always worked with Lightroom and Photoshop. This software can enhance, optimize photos, and give them more visual impact. They can also help to distort reality, which allowed me to start making photomanipulations. I’ve never set limits …

Can you explain a bit about yourself? Where are you located, are you a full-time photographer?

I’m based between Metz (north east of France) and Luxembourg and I’m a 36-year-old, French, happy dad. Photography is not my main job, I’m a chemist in the domain of nutrition in a research centre.

What sparked your interest in the photography realm?

My dad liked to take photos; I held my first camera in my younger days. [Being able to] freeze great moments, or distort reality with editing software like Photoshop, were maybe the things that attracted me to photography.

How would you describe your style of photography?

I would like to say cinematographic or visual . What I love in photography is the blend of beautiful lights, moments, movements, expressions, and post-processing. This is not really definable, it is a feeling. This is why I don’t think that I have one style of photography. I can find that feeling in any photographic style.

Can you outline what is in your equipment kit at the moment, and what gear you are enjoying using?

Currently, I’m using a Canon 7D, Canon 400D (old camera for ‘dangerous’ shooting), GoPro, a 17–70mm lens, a 50mm lens, a 10–20mm lens, a Manfrotto tripod, Elinchrom flashes, and a Metz on-camera flash. Sometimes a friend lends me his canon 70–200mm f/2.8 lens — I love this lens.

What projects have you got on the go at the moment? What will you be working on in the future?

I’m working on this double-exposure series from 2013, as I would like to add new works.
I will continue to make my homemade blockbusters —  I like the idea of making movies but only with pictures. Playing with reality is enjoyable [and I will be on the lookout for] new photo challenges.

If people want to see more of your work, where would you suggest they visit?

My works are viewable on a lot of websites, for example:
borisuntereiner.com, Instagram, 500px, flickr, and Facebook.