Axel Berger, a young photographer from Domérat, travels throughout Europe to capture and showcase his unique vision of abandoned places through his camera lens. Currently displaying his photographic works at the local media library, he takes visitors on a journey through unusual locations devoid of life, where his aesthetic eye for old mansions and vintage objects brings forgotten heritage back into the spotlight.
Berger specializes in photographing places that were once full of life - locations where former owners worked, played, held celebrations, laughed, slept, and cried in what were certainly magnificent settings. "Where I point my camera, there was once a time when people lived full lives, probably in castles," he explains. Today, he carefully visits dilapidated mansions, defunct factories, and large houses abandoned to the ravages of time.
The photographer approaches these explorations cautiously, walking stealthily without hiding his presence. "I look and imagine the life that came before," explains the young man who grew up in Domérat. He views his photographs as "a kind of safeguarding measure for forgotten heritage," even though he doesn't know the specific history of these places. "It doesn't matter. Imagination does the rest," he says.
Berger's journey into abandoned place photography began with simple smartphone pictures, despite feeling apprehensive and experiencing chills during his early explorations. "I always had the desire to go further without necessarily measuring the risks of bad encounters or a floor collapsing," he admits. His passion often led him to take risks, driven by curiosity about what lay beyond the next room or building.
Now more experienced and safety-conscious, Berger has upgraded his approach significantly. "Today, I don't go alone and I'm equipped with professional equipment," the young photographer reveals. His ambition is to enhance and valorize these forgotten locations through his artistic vision.
What sets Berger's work apart is his ability to transform scenes that might appear merely sad to the untrained eye. "Often photos rendered to the layperson's eye as they are evoke sadness. But I stage the space, I give it life again, colors," he explains. His process involves actively engaging with the environment - moving broken furniture, repositioning a couch, blowing dust off surfaces to catch sunlight rays, opening old cabinets or doors of vintage cars buried in brambles, and arranging statues to face each other.
Rather than feeling fear, Berger experiences an adrenaline rush when photographing these forgotten objects one last time - whether it's a rusted wood stove or a neglected garden that no longer resembles its former self. This excitement drives him to continue exploring and documenting these disappearing pieces of history.
The creative process extends well beyond the initial photography session. Back home, Berger dedicates significant time to post-processing his images using digital editing techniques. With what he calls "pixels of petulance and lots of fantasy," he retouches his photos to restore their former glory. "I put lights back on old chandeliers. I give them light. I feel peaceful, happy, I feel good," he describes, indicating that this restoration process brings him personal satisfaction and fulfillment.
The exhibition offers visitors a chance to experience Berger's unique perspective on abandoned heritage sites across Europe. His work serves as both artistic expression and historical preservation, capturing the essence of places that might otherwise be completely forgotten. Through his lens, these abandoned locations regain a sense of dignity and beauty that transcends their current state of decay.
The photography exhibition remains open to the public until Saturday, October 11th, during the media library's regular operating hours. For more information about viewing times and the exhibition, interested visitors can contact the media library at 04.70.09.10.00.
