Member Moment: Alex Cantor

Alex Cantor is a Film Club Member whose work caught our attention on Instagram. Many of his photos use the compositional technique of Leading Lines which really draw you into his images. This week we decided to interview him to get to know him more and share his photos with the community. Scroll down to see it all!

PL: What got you interested in film photography?

AC: Growing up my mother launched her photography business which introduced me to the art. Disposable cameras were also being thrown around at parties and trips with my friends. The blend of my exposure to photography and my fascination with the use of chemistry and mechanics to capture a moment sealed the deal for me.

PL: What type of camera do you shoot with and what kind of film do you usually use?

AC: I’ve been shooting with a Nikon EM and my prized Nikon F that was passed down from my grandma, to my father,  and finally down to me.

Ilford 3200 has been my go to film stock because of its versatility in most environments and vintage feel.

PL: All of your photos are taken in black and white. What are some qualities that you like about black and white film?

AC: Nowadays, our world is saturated with color and screens that pry at our eyes. I’ve enjoyed exploring black and white because it allows me to capture the essence of a space or a subject without the use of color. I’m in love with the way photos, art, and music from the early 20th century make me feel. I want to keep that feeling and form of art alive in this new age of technology we live in.

PL: Your photos have a strong composition and some of them even use composition techniques such as leading lines. When photographing, what are you thinking before you click the shutter?

AC: I like finding symmetry and organization through the chaos of complex structures. Walking around a space and finding the sweet spot of light and the patterns the design creates is what I love to do. I have also been gravitating towards walking around city streets and finding what grabs people’s attention.

PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?

AC: I enjoy wandering and exploring alone to let my curiosity drive me. Feeling the atmosphere and energy that an intricate design or a massive  structure creates is what pushes me to press the shutter button. Photography also allows me to  appreciate spontaneous moments where I am summoned to pullover on the side of the road to grab a picture of a gas station in ruins. In those moments, a higher power takes over and it can’t be described.

PL: Out of all of these photos, which one is your favorite and why?

AC: I’m in love with the photo of the roof guard rail design that has 3 diamonds overlapping each other and the background of the Om Hahm hotel and surrounding rice paddies in Ubud, Indonesia. The morning sunrises accompanied by sounds of the surrounding insects, chickens, and birds filled me with equanimity. The design of the shapes has acted as a symbol of that feeling which I will never forget.