• Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your approach to photography?

I am a Malagasy photographer. My work combines documentary reporting with an artistic approach, imbued with humanism. I rely primarily on my perspective and sensitivity, following my instincts and leaving room for spontaneity. I am deeply interested in people, in the simple moments of daily life, and in scenes that are sometimes subtle but tell a story with sincerity.

• How did you come to work on mangroves with the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement?

When this project with the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement was proposed to me, I didn't know much about mangroves, but I accepted out of curiosity and for the photographic side of it. To me, they evoke a strange and unsettling environment — the world of spirits that haunt my ancestors' stories. But it is also a soothing world, one that exudes a natural force and a certain poetry. All of that is very photogenic, and it's stimulating for a photographer like me.

• What did you discover while photographing mangroves?

I discovered a very rich world that I knew nothing about. There is a whole life in these forests: crabs, fish, bichiques, cocoons used to make fabric… I also discovered local traditions, beliefs, the requests for blessings from the regional king before entering the forest. It is a very particular universe, somewhere between nature and culture.

• How do you perceive mangroves through your photographer's eye?

What struck me was their majesty, but also their strangeness. These are visually very powerful landscapes, almost mysterious. Photography allows you to show this beauty, but also what lies beneath: the fragility, the cuttings, the damage. There is always that duality.

• Did you observe any changes over time?

In the early 2000s, during a first visit, the mangroves were just there — people didn't talk about them much. But when I came back in 2019 with the IRD, I felt that the conversations had shifted. There was more talk of climate change, deforestation, protection, rising sea levels, opportunities for local communities… There was a real growing awareness.

• What role do you think photography can play?

A photograph is something fixed, yet it can endure. It can be used in books, in schools, in magazines, reports, posters, exhibitions… An image can sometimes say a great deal — it can describe, but it can also be accompanied by explanations or captions. It is a medium that can reach people directly, make them think, and raise awareness.