Focus on Thierry Dufour

by Editor Jane Lyons
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 9^th of October 2026

“Black day…”

As we all know, art is subjective. If ten people were asked to select their twenty favorite photographs from Thierry Dufour's extensive portfolio, the results would undoubtedly be very different. This edit is not meant to be definitive. It is simply a reading of Thierry's body of work through one set of eyes.

Thierry Dufour has been a prominent figure at 1x for over 14 years. His love of nature and reverence for some of the world's smallest creatures have revealed an astonishing world of artistic beauty. His work has inspired many 1x members, to the extent that 'fine art insects' have become a daily feature on the front page. Macro photography is not easy. It requires patience, technical skill and an understanding of light, as well as a willingness to wait for nature to cooperate. Thierry seems to possess all of these qualities in abundance. However, technique alone does not explain his photographs. He has the ability to take creatures that most of us barely notice — or occasionally swat away — and place them in a world where they become beautiful, strange, and worthy of our attention.

“Red Car On Dandelion”

“Red Striped Car”

“Dark matter storm…”

“The star guardian…”

“In pajamas…”

Thierry’s bugs are rock stars. Surrounded by vibrant colours, they strut nature’s runways with great drama and bravado. He imbues his insects with personality; they often seem to make eye contact with the camera, and in some extreme close-ups they even appear to be smiling. One grasshopper becomes an explorer, another a mountaineer and yet another the sole master on board. These photographs are humorous, but never at the expense of the subjects. Thierry treats these insects with a reverence that is infectious. He elevates them to the status of fine art — photographs that belong on gallery walls as much as they belong in the natural world from which they came. His work is imaginative and theatrical, but beneath all the colour and fantasy lies the careful observation of someone who has spent years learning to really see.

“Rising sun…”

“Sentinel…”

Grasshoppers are as international as 1x. They are found in almost every place on Earth, except for Antarctica. There are more than 11,000 known species of grasshoppers and the are older than dinosaurs. I found a YouTube video with some interesting facts about grasshoppers that you might enjoy. Thierry has certainly expanded my horizons.

Interesting facts about grasshoppers

“Stranger in the night…”

“Imminent departure…”

“Warning stinging hairs…”

“Harmony…”

“Alone…”

“A seductive look from a great charmer…”

Thierry has never told us much about himself. In an interview one year ago, he spoke instead about his love of nature and the joy of capturing on film the unsung heroes that so few of us ever see. Perhaps that tells us everything we need to know. His photographs have broadened our appreciation of the natural world and our visual vocabulary. After seeing nature through Thierry’s eyes for so many years, it is hard to look at a grasshopper, mosquito or tiny bug in quite the same way again.