Biography – Philippe Schneider (b. 1967)
Email: schneiderphil@yahoo.fr
Tel: 07337553219 – 0438826139
I first became interested in Photography at the age of 23yrs. I was working as a waiter and between two seasons, I decided to expand my global education and travel for 6 weeks to India and Nepal. All my senses were heightened and I wanted to capture every moment. I returned to France with a newfound passion. I was encouraged to continue taking photographs and found this medium an avenue to get “closer” to the people.
I then studied Art, Communication and Language at the Université de Lettres in Nice.
In March and April 1998, 3 years after the end of the Yugoslavia war, I had many questions unanswered by the media. I was motivated to take my camera and document the impact of the conflict on the people. I was becoming very much interested in the external world. My interest in people led me to change totally my professional career.
At 30 years of age, in November 1998 I went to Iraq to work as Humanitarian with a French Non Governmental Organization called “Premiere Urgence”. Confronting a new culture developed more my sense of belonging to the world. A world that I saw was very different from my previous comfortable existence in France. I realized how much people can be physically different but inherently so similar.
The photographs I took in Croatia, Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon during and/or after war document the human impact of those people most affected by recent conflicts: The civilians who the media have forgotten immediately after ceasefire. I would like to witness, document and share the lingering impact of any armed conflict on a human being.
As a “humanist” I am particularly concerned and fascinated by people, like it is shown in the photography taken in Portugal, Laos and Vietnam.
Photographic documentaries
• Iraq – A democracy at what price? (1999 & 2000 – 36mm)
• Croatia – After war (1998 – 36mm)
• Portugal – Saudade (Lisbon 1998 – 120mm)
• Laos – La vie des Moines (the Monk’s life) (1997 – 36mm)
• Vietnam – Street life (1997 – 36mm),
• Lebanon – Palestinian women refugee (2004 – 120mm).
• Australia – Bowls club of Darra (2007)
Exhibitions
1993 India & Nepal photogaphs – Université de Lettres – Nice – France
1997 Vietnam & Laos – Entre progrès et traditions – FNAC Monaco
1998 Croatia – Voix Off d’Arles – France
2000 Iraq – Retour – Premiere Urgence website (www.premiere-urgence.org)
2007 Origin – Palestinian Women refugee in Lebanon – Queensland Centre for Photography – Brisbane – Australia
