When it comes to visual storytelling, few mediums offer the immediacy and intimacy of photography. For many artists, the journey into this realm begins unexpectedly, fueled by a mix of curiosity and passion. Alberto Tandoi‘s path was no different, transitioning from a graffiti artist to a design student discovering the transformative power of the lens. During an Erasmus exchange in Germany, the convergence of creativity and technical skill sparked an ongoing devotion to capturing the human experience through the camera. In an exclusive interview for DSCENE Magazine, our Editor, Pavle Banovic goes into the origins of Alberto’s photographic journey, the inspirations behind his compelling street portraits, and the stories incorporated into his latest self-published book, “400km.”
INTERVIEWS
Through the lens of his camera, Alberto has explored diverse landscapes and met fascinating individuals. In this conversation, he shares the profound impact of his university years, the process behind street photography, and the human connections that fuel his artistry. From documenting the vibrant fashion expressions on the streets of London to the magical moments of reconnecting with past subjects, his stories highlight the relationship between a photographer and the subject.
When did you get interested in photography? Did you always envision yourself as an artist?
I have always been a creative person in one way or another. When I was a teenager, I was a graffiti artist and really loved the culture in all its forms. At university, I studied Design, and it was during my Erasmus exchange in Germany that I discovered my passion for photography.
I really loved that experience. All the courses I attended were centered around art. In particular, I loved calligraphy (which I still practice occasionally), painting, graphics, and photography (the course was reportage-based).
We were given an assignment to develop over 2-3 weeks and then present it to the class, with both the teacher and students commenting on the work. I spent all my time taking pictures, developing films, and countless hours in the darkroom printing the photos. What I really loved, and still do, about photography is that it acts as a green pass to situations and places that would otherwise be out of reach. It allows me to spend time with a variety of people from different backgrounds and in different settings.
For example, one of the projects I did in Germany was about a group of punks/junkies, and another was in a kindergarten. I think curiosity plays a massive part in why I love photography.
Why did you choose street portraits as a format for the “400km” book?
I have always been fascinated by how, in London, so many people freely express themselves through their style. They create their own personal fashion and use it as a means of self-expression.
Taking portraits on the street, especially with a clunky camera like the one I used (Mamiya RB67), which requires a tripod and some time to set up, allowed me to take the time to really “look” at the people who sparked a visual interest in me. This process, including the time spent chatting, helped them get comfortable with the idea of me, a total stranger, taking their picture.
What about people do you find most inspiring?
I have always been pleasantly surprised by how generous people can be, even in a busy city like London. People are willing to stop on their way and give you the gift of their time, allowing me to spend some time with them, take their picture, and maybe even accommodate requests like, “Would you mind if we go down there because the light is better?”
In some cases, because we started talking and had interesting conversations, some of the people I photographed walked me around for a bit to show me a place they liked or something else. One guy wanted me to see a market where he thought I could take some good pictures and walked me there, which was a 45-minute walk (disclaimer: no good pictures were taken in the market 🙂 ).
You can find really amazing people around.
What is an interesting experience you had going up to people on the street and asking to take their picture?
It’s always interesting to bump into people I’ve previously photographed, especially after some time has passed. It has happened so often that I’ve started to think it’s not a coincidence anymore, haha.
Once, I recognized a guy I had taken a picture of a while before. Usually, I try to get an IG account or an email from the people I photograph so I can send them a copy, but in this case, I didn’t or I lost it—I don’t remember. I went up to say hi to him, and he didn’t recognize me at first. Randomly, that day, I had a few copies of my freshly printed book that I was taking to a bookshop (this kind of thing has happened already two times, which is why I’m starting to think it isn’t a coincidence).
So, it happened that he didn’t even know I had printed a book with his portrait in it. Out of the blue, he got a copy, and now, it could be my imagination, but I think he got a bit emotional about it.
Where does the name of the book come from?
Every time I went out to take pictures, I kept a log of where I went, how many pictures I took, and where. At home, I put up a map of the city on the wall and placed pins on it in the locations where I took the pictures. This map eventually became the inside sleeves of the book. After some time, I calculated that I had walked a total of 400 kilometers during my photo-taking journeys. That’s how the title came to be.
What is something that keeps inspiring you over the years?
I think that as it was and always will be, curiosity plays a huge role, and fortunately or unfortunately, I am an extremely curious person. I have learned to live with it, haha.
What’s next for you? What have you been thinking about and researching lately?
I want to continue shooting as much as possible, exploring the medium, meeting new people, and embarking on more adventures. I just finished a project that took me to new, unexplored territories (I mean photographically; it was all shot in the studio). I am also pushing to finish a project I am doing in Milan, the city where I am from. I really want to carry on with it as it focuses on a specific part of the city that is a bit inaccessible if you don’t have the right contacts. And guess what? I maybe have them.
Follow Alberto on his website albertotandoi.co.uk
