Welcome to our twenty-eighth Bergen County Camera Customer Spotlight. This monthly posting features a customer who’s made an impression on us. They might have grown in their understanding of photography, gained a mastery of the craft and / or have become a strong advocate of our way of doing business in the world of photography. During the next month you will see this customer’s images displayed on our digital signs in store, in our emails, blog posts and social media.
Filip De Vis is our customer spotlight for the month of October. We hope you both enjoy and are inspired by this new addition to In Focus and look forward to your comments and suggestions. Below you will find a word from Filip, followed by some of his images in the gallery below.
A Belgian guy currently living in New Jersey. After traveling most of the world in Europe, Africa and Asia I made the decision to cross the Atlantic Ocean and explore this continent.
I started developing a passion for photography at the age of 8 when I started to travel with my family. First was using dad’s Yashica Minister – D for slides. At the age of 12, I got my first camera Afgamatic. I later switched to Canon for the academy, Canon AE1 Program – 50mm 1.8. I still have this one- with a 80’s funky jeans strap on it. (Pic on my Instagram)
When I became the house photographer for a theater in Belgium for 5 years I purchased “the Tank “ Canon T90. I also used this Canon T90 for my photojournalism work and concerts, it never let me down. Most of my work for theater and newspapers was in B&W in the darkroom.
Later I switched to Fuji upon a tryout from a Fuji ambassador. Why? I love the film simulation in these cameras.
6 years ago I made another switch to Leica. With the Leica M7, and Leica Q2 for 80% of my work and the Leica SL2 , I think I got the bases covered.
Still shooting mostly in B&W, I guess from my darkroom and theater years.
Some photographers that inspired me over time :
Ansel Adams, Anton Corbijn, Mary Ellen Mark, Vivian Maier and Belgian Marc Lagrange.
I learned a lot about concert photography from Belgian Jazz photographer Jos Knaepen who made amazing photos from Toots Thielemans. (Music for Midnight Cowboy)
When I moved here I looked for a camera store nearby. And that is how I discovered BCC. When I walked in on a Saturday morning I was surprised how many people where here and I immediately loved the concept, the store, and most of all the community and the people (not to forget the coffee and donuts and cookies).
That’s all for now folks.
See you down the road or in BCC
You can see some of my work on Instagram : @fotovisinsta
View Filip’s Photos Below:
Intriguing images; particularly liked the portrait.