In the heart of the river’s currents, where light meets liquid, lies the workshop of an artist who doesn’t just take pictures—he waits for grace. Fresh from his recent international success with the exhibition “Reflections of Infinity” in Hanoi, Vietnam (October–November 2025), we sat down with him to discuss his unique creative process.

TiA: Your work has recently gained significant international attention, notably with your exhibition “Reflections of Infinity” in Hanoi this past autumn. How was your poetic vision of water received in such a different cultural landscape?

ESM: It was a profound experience. Whether in the French countryside or the vibrant atmosphere of Vietnam, water remains a universal language. “Reflections of Infinity” was about that very idea—that a single ripple or a trickling stream can contain something eternal. The reception in Hanoi was moving; it confirmed that when an image speaks directly to the soul, it transcends borders.

TiA: That sense of “infinity” seems to come from your intense focus. You often spend days on a single subject. Why is that level of repetition necessary for you?

ESM: It is a quest for artistic perfection. To be truly satisfied with the result, you must devote immense time to it. This persistence allows the work to reach a “collection” status. For example, my project “Water Projection” used photos to illustrate piano pieces by Philippe Hersant. The goal was total harmony—a perfect immersion where the visual and the auditory become one.

TiA: Walk us through your creative process. Is it planned or spontaneous?

ESM: A season usually begins with a day of observation to set a framework. But beyond that, the process is entirely intuitive. First, there is the scouting—finding the angle and understanding the dynamics of the water’s surface. But the real secret is concentration. You must focus intensely without “tensing” your gaze. Water moves so fast that you can only capture it if you let it overwhelm you, without trying to “see” it in a literal way.

TiA: You’ve described this as a moment where you “cease to exist.” Could you elaborate on that?

ESM: It is a meditative state. You become totally receptive. You enter a “second reading” where the image reveals itself. At that moment, you no longer exist; there is only the image you have merged with. The freezing water, the discomfort of standing on jagged rocks—it all fades away. You are simply waiting for that unique instant of grace where everything concurs to perfection.

TiA: Your images look like dreams, yet you insist they are “scrupulously authentic.” How do you achieve this?

ESM: I produce images that are faithful to reality, but I choose to highlight the dreamlike qualities of that reality. I prefer to photograph the sketch of a movement rather than the movement itself. I also leave a large place for shadows, “writing” in them with just a touch of light. By leaving areas of mystery and indecision, I allow the viewers to complete the painting in their own way.

TiA: Finally, you define photography as the alliance of meditation and poetry. What does that mean to you?

ESM: Meditation is about “Being” totally—being alert and open to intuition. Poetry is about evoking emotions and inviting the soul to escape. My goal is to sublimate that peak of harmony where nature is at its most majestic, ignoring the rational mind to speak directly to the heart.

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TiA is a Paris-based hybrid artist agency specialized in art management and talent development. We promote local and international artists who align with our values and share our agency’s visionary spirit. Together, we shape a world where creativity has no limits and commit to sustainable, ethic, humanist values.