The photography association Etincelle is showcasing its latest project "In the Style of Great Photographers" at an exhibition running from October 13 to 25, 2025, at Club Moléon in the Leclerc Center in Langon, Gironde. The innovative exhibition features the association's reinterpretations of famous photographs by renowned masters, offering visitors a fresh perspective on classic works while making them more contemporary and locally relevant.
The project aims to help audiences rediscover great photographers through one of their iconic works by reinterpreting, updating, or relocating the original compositions. Among the featured photographers are Elliott Erwitt, Marc Riboud, and Man Ray, with each work carefully recreated to bring new meaning while honoring the original artistic vision. Visitors are invited to engage in a fun guessing game, trying to identify the local locations where Etincelle members captured their recreated shots.
The exhibition pays special tribute to Louis Ducos Du Hauron, a Langon native who pioneered color photography, highlighting the town's important contribution to photographic history. Other featured artists include Elliott Erwitt, whose Provence-inspired work is relocated to Langon; the famous Manhattan workers photograph that inspired Etincelle members to pose above Langon; and Chema Madoz, whose work inspired a piece featuring a musical saw. The exhibition also includes reinterpretations of works by Dorothea Lange, Lee Miller, and Marc Riboud that encourage reflection on contemporary life.
Additional highlights include recreations inspired by the Bechers, who help visitors rediscover the churches of South Gironde; Hannah Maynard and Erik Johansson, who demonstrate creative techniques; Saul Leiter and Alain Laboile, known for their unusual framing; and Sugimoto and Raghu Rai, masters of long exposure photography. The exhibition also features work inspired by Lee Jeffries' distinctive portraiture style and Man Ray's most expensive photograph in the world, given a fresh interpretation.
One of the standout pieces draws inspiration from Charles Clyde Ebbets' famous photograph "Lunch atop a Skyscraper." According to the association, they wanted to create a photograph that would feature all association members together and chose to recreate this iconic image with Langon as the backdrop. The association humorously explains the supposed challenges of finding a large beam and crane, convincing everyone to climb 20 meters high, and obtaining permits from the city hall, police, and fire department assistance.
In reality, the association reveals that they posed in pairs in their studio against a green screen background. The complex composition required extensive post-production work to assemble all the shots and integrate the members onto an imaginary beam with the city as a backdrop, demonstrating the technical skills and creativity of the association members.
As the new season begins, Etincelle is opening membership registration for 2025-2026. The association emphasizes that becoming a member means joining a community of photography enthusiasts, from beginners to experts. "It's the spark that allows you to ignite this passion for imagery, to nurture it through all the proposed activities, and to make it shine within the cultural life of the region," the association states. Current members and newcomers can now register or renew their membership through HelloAsso at the provided online link.
The exhibition features large-format photographs (60x80 cm) accompanied by explanatory booklets that provide brief descriptions of the original photographs and detailed explanations of Etincelle's unique vision and interpretation. For those unable to visit in person, the project and photographs are available online through a dedicated website, making the exhibition accessible to a broader audience.
The exhibition is open daily from 12 PM to 6 PM at Club Moléon in the Leclerc Center in Langon, with free admission for all visitors. Those interested in learning more about the association or the exhibition can contact them directly through their email address for additional information about activities and membership opportunities.
