This is how one graphic designer captures dream-like landscape shots

Scrolling through Adobe Behance, I found a series of projects that seemed like photos from my dreams. Scenes without any background and colors that remind me of film. It was later my surprise to find out that the photographer who achieved this look, Thomas Tourral, has done so with graphic design skills, out of all things.

DIYP: I noticed that many of your photos have a certain “vintage”, “dream-like” look. This look is present in the colors, values, and sometimes even the composition itself. What’s your process for achieving this look?

For color editing, I work in Lightroom, and I have many presets for Lightroom that I have created over the years. I see if one of these presets fits the mood, and I modify it a little so that it adapts to the atmosphere of the place. I always try to keep the rendering close to reality, even if I add a certain atmosphere. The idea is that people can tell themselves that this is what I had in front of me without remaining on a raw photo.

For the composition, I use my skills as a graphic designer, and I try to frame and “place” the elements as I would on a poster or a website. I look at the colors, shapes, and textures, and I try to put them together with more or less success! Brittany offers minimalist and contrasting landscapes which also allow this style of photography.’

DIYP: Your landscape photography takes you to quite beautiful places, but how do you find and choose where to shoot?

I always use Google Maps and the Street View function. I look at the relief, the places, and the 360° photos taken there. For road trips, I then use Google My Maps to establish a route with annotations. Even if I don’t always follow the route and I let myself be carried away by my desires along the way, it gives me points of interest that I can draw on according to my desires.

DIYP: Lastly, what gear do you use and why?

For several years, I shot with the Fujifilm X-T20 and then the X-S10. For the most part, I used only one lens, the Fujifilm 16-80 f/4, which is a marvel for travel and landscapes. Recently, I have lost motivation for photography. I sold all my equipment, and while waiting for the desire to come back, I have a Sony compact that comes with me from time to time.