A retired butcher from the Var region of France has achieved international recognition for his nature photography, earning a gold medal and diploma from the Academy of Arts, Sciences and Letters on October 11th. Gilles Barattini, 65, found himself in the luxurious salons of a Parisian hotel alongside his wife, among hundreds of attendees and 70 delegations from around the world.
The self-taught photographer was honored by the prestigious Academy, an organization founded in 1915 that has previously recognized both anonymous individuals and renowned figures such as Marcel Pagnol and the Curie couple. "I want to thank my delegate Danièle El MRabet, whom I had the chance to meet in July 2024, who noticed and appreciated my work," said Barattini, who divides his time between the Gulf and Upper Var regions.
Barattini's journey to recognition began through a connection with Philippe Versi, a 2023 silver medalist who introduced him to artist Danièle El MRabet, known as Danygil. "She encouraged me and accompanied me throughout the preparation of my application file, which took several months, with professionalism, kindness and affection," he explained.
As a lifelong nature enthusiast who has been passionate about hiking for four decades, Barattini naturally focuses his photography on wildlife and flora. The amateur photographer shares his work on social media in reduced quality to protect his copyrights, while granting permission for certain publications, articles covering events like the Isère marathon, the Estérel massif, or the Alps, and books including the Michelin Green Guide France.
"I've been dedicating myself more seriously to photography for about fifteen years, and my photos, over time, bear witness to the evolution of nature," Barattini said. "Through these shots, I try to show its fragility and raise public awareness about protecting and respecting the environment and biodiversity."
The photographer taught himself technique through books, achieving results worthy of a professional. At the Paris ceremony, he was even ranked higher than a career reporter. He has also been part of the Plan-de-la-Tour photography club to share his knowledge and passion.
Barattini's commitment to his craft comes with significant financial investment. He avoids exhibitions where he would have to pay expenses himself. His equipment description reveals the substantial budget required for an amateur: Canon 5D MK III and 5DSR cameras, Canon 17/40 and 24/105 lenses, and Sigma 70/200 and 150/600 lenses.
"Nature photography is my main subject. It appears simple, but what's complex is reproducing nature as close to reality as possible, respecting colors, lighting, atmospheres, white balance and exposure in the camera," he explained.
The portfolio he created for the Parisian award showcases the quality and diversity of his inspiration. For animal photography, patience is key – camouflaging himself and waiting to capture the moment of encounter with a chamois or ibex. "When it's not possible to prepare the terrain with natural materials, I use a camouflage cloth that covers me entirely with openings for the camera. In all cases, you have to be in position, silent and motionless, well before daybreak," he said.
Barattini's experience allows him to masterfully create various effects. "For a sunrise or sunset, the camera is stabilized by a tripod. In certain cases, I use a graduated filter or take several exposures to capture all the light densities," he explained.
Action photography presents no challenge either. "As with any moving target – motorcycle, car, or racing boat – I observe, concentrate, analyze, anticipate, and above all react quickly. For these shots, I adjust the shutter speed according to the subjects and distance."
While he doesn't have a studio, Barattini manages to create the impression of indoor poses in portrait work. "I do them more rarely, but I enjoy working on facial expressions, highlighting certain features to bring out emotions and personality," he said.
Architecture represents another theme he explores with similar attention to detail. "I look for vanishing lines that enhance the building and shooting angles that avoid lens distortion," Barattini explained, demonstrating the technical precision that has earned him international recognition in the competitive world of photography.
