Interview with Alfonso de la Cruz
Alfonso de la Cruz is originally from Juárez, Mexico and has been living in Vancouver since 2015. His main motivation was to document things that caught his eye while commuting to work, but later realized that taking photos in the street was a pretty nice therapy to clear his mind and relax, so he tries to do it every day.
Kolton Procter: I came across you by chance one day on Instagram and was immediately enamoured by the quality of colour and whimsy in your photographs. I feel like I’m seeing these places—which are often so familiar to me—for the first time. What catches your eye when you’re out capturing images?
Alfonso de la Cruz: I think I often imagine in my head that people are acting in a movie scene, or that they're dancing, or that maybe they're doing something very emotive and unique. When in reality they're just commuting or enjoying the sunset [laughs]. But I feel attracted to colours, when people are wearing eccentric clothes or when I don't understand what they’re doing. I feel I need to take a photo of those things.
KP: How would you define your style of photography? What do you love about it?
AC: My style of photography is definitely a very relaxed, contemplative and explorative type of street photography. I go out and walk without any intentions. I don't know what I'm going to get and don't really look for anything in particular, I just surrender myself to whatever is happening and I document that. What I love the most is how I finish resolving the photo when I edit or develop film, that I leave the photos for days or weeks unseen and suddenly I see the photo for the first time and I discover more things in the background.
KP: Why did you land on “I’m an all day tourist” for the title of your contribution?
AC: Because that's my philosophy behind my photowalks, to be curious and see things and places like a tourist. Even if it’s Kits Beach—and I go there everyday—if I pay attention, I often see different things. Some people find such places "boring" but honestly there's interesting stuff happening everywhere.
KP: Who were your inspirations that first gave you the confidence to pick up a camera?
AC: I learnt basic concepts of photography doing compositing for animated films, so I had a basic idea of how light and time works, but I was really never interested in photography until I saw Fred Herzog’s photos of some streets and places of Vancouver that I actually walk by everyday. The photos were from the late 50s, beautiful colours, and it kind of made me feel something to be standing in the same place. I got very motivated to rediscover the city on my own, with a camera.
KP: Street photography is a format I admire, but it must be somewhat awkward to overcome and work up the gall to snap an image of someone in public, no? One image I’ve seen of yours is of a man urinating in public. His back is turned to the lens, but still! Do you see this as a challenge you must overcome in order to capture a moment or am I projecting? What are the challenges of street photography?
AC: [Laughs] Yeah I remember that photo. I'm very shy, I rarely talk with people while taking photos unless they talk to me first, so I rarely ask for "permission." I rely merely on good light, on a sunny day it's easier for me to be fast taking photos and be more discrete. I zone-focus a 28mm lens while shooting film or use autofocus with the digital camera. My favourite camera is a Rolleiflex, and I think it's the easiest for me to take candid photos or get close to people, it's an old camera and I'm looking down the viewfinder. ● All works courtesy of Alfonso de la Cruz.
