yinjispace

PEOPLE
Zissou
PHOTOGRAPHY
Zissou
EDITOR
Bingyi
Collection

"We all have our own idea of paradise. My paradise began when I was a child, flipping through National Geographic. As I opened a full-page spread of a jungle scene, I imagined myself climbing through the trees, enveloped in gentle mist, admiring the variety of plants and animals, and experiencing the vastness of the landscape. More than twenty years later, I finally found that scene in the jungle, and at that moment, I felt an indescribable inner emotion." Zissou described his personal paradise to us.

Fifteen years ago, Zissou decided to leave the city and move to the tropical jungles of Indonesia. What was once his longed-for "paradise" has now become his daily life and the source of inspiration for his lens. "The closer I am to the abundance of nature, the calmer I feel," he says. He has fully immersed himself in the landscapes of Bali and the local culture, focusing on capturing people, nature, and Eutierria (the harmonious relationship between humans and nature).This migration not only transformed his creative process but also changed his worldview. Zissou's life and work have become a narrative unfolding in the tropical forests, where he uses images to replace words. With a gentle, calm, and non-intrusive approach, he captures the unspoiled poetry of the world.

"I once used my camera as an auxiliary tool, to create a visual diary, provide references for my paintings, and capture moments with friends and important life events. At that time, I took the camera for granted. It wasn't until I arrived in Indonesia and truly lived alongside nature that I realized I needed to take photography more seriously and learn the craft properly, so I could give proper attention to the things around me that deserve it," Zissou recalled.

Although born into a family of photographers—his father a renowned war photojournalist and his uncle a well-known sports photographer—Zissou initially deliberately avoided the family tradition. He once resisted photography becoming his main profession, seeking to find his own creative path.He explored various fields, including painting, web design, graphic design, even 3D art and product design. However, it was during a trip that was originally planned to last two weeks, amidst the contrast between the jungle’s allure and the touch of local culture, that he found himself inevitably standing behind the lens. This serendipitous moment set the course for the next decade of his life.

In his first month in the tropical jungle, Zissou coincidentally met John Hardy, the founder of Green School, and collaborated on the first video for his TED talk. It was from that moment that Zissou was inspired by a challenge. Determined not to let this time in the jungle slip by, he began experimenting with a completely new way of life: using all the technical, emotional, and creative skills he had accumulated over the years to design a "suitable life.".

Zissou’s first major decision was to choose to live in the trees rather than in concrete, so he built Bonzu—a home nestled between the trees, open to nature. Bonzu has basic amenities like hot and cold water and electricity, but the structure itself lacks walls, doors, and windows. This decision was made possible only because of the trust within the village community surrounding him.This was also Zissou’s first major modification to his former lifestyle, and the most exciting one, because the only way to achieve this while ensuring safety was by removing “things” from daily life—no paintings, no decorations, no extraneous or purposeless items. Zissou explains, “My life has no 'excess things,' but it has given me a true sense of freedom.”

Zissou’s work is infused with a gentle humanistic perspective. He focuses on the subtle interactions between people, nature, and villages, capturing the humor and absurdity of those naturally occurring, unrepeatable moments, while also reflecting a deep empathy."For many years, I've experimented with various ways of shooting, but what satisfies me the most is capturing those genuine, unposed moments," Zissou shares with us. He uses his feet and hands to find the best angle, swiftly freezing the moment. Every instant and lighting condition deserves careful consideration. He doesn’t believe he has found an "all-encompassing" style yet, leaving the answer for the audience to judge.Through his lens, Zissou offers a unique window into a world where authenticity reigns, and where the beauty of life is captured in the unscripted, raw moments that connect us all.

"I stay focused on observing throughout the day," Zissou tells us. If he spots an interesting moment, he first considers whether taking the shot might offend anyone or disrupt the current atmosphere. Then, he thinks about the direction and projection of light, followed by camera settings, composition, and locking in the first person or object that catches his attention. Next, he checks the background (a good background can make a photo, while a bad one can ruin it). After capturing the first shot, Zissou quickly tries other compositions to ensure he has more options later.

"I decided early on that once I committed to photography, I would focus on my ambitions, rather than the equally harsh realities of life. What are my ambitions? The connections between people, the symbiosis between humans and nature, and all the strange phenomena," Zissou tells us. These strange moments in life have given him endless inspiration, especially when he captures them through his lens. If the fruits of his creations can spark even the slightest positive emotion toward nature and others, he will feel fulfilled.

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The stories captured through Zissou’s lens reflect his sensitivity to emotions, a sensitivity deeply rooted in his cultural background. He was born into a loving family and comes from a country that grants him the privilege of visa-free travel to many places, without the need to wait in long queues or face the threat of imprisonment. Aware of the many unfair advantages he has, Zissou reminds himself daily not to squander them. Instead, he strives to do everything he can to help those around him—whether through a joke, a word of encouragement, or by showcasing the beauty of the world through his lens, no matter the background of the viewer.

In this era of information overload and image saturation, Zissou's work offers us a different perspective: beauty doesn’t always reside in grand compositions; it can also be found in the shadows of a bamboo grove, in the fleeting glance of a moment, or in a beam of morning light. Through his work, he tells the stories that are meaningful to him, revealing that in those "small everyday moments," there lies another possibility for understanding the world.

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