Member Feature: Alexandre Hua
This month, we're pleased to feature Alexandre Hua, a photographer who describes his practice as a way to escape and see the world differently. Based in Paris, Alexandre brings a curious and attentive eye to the streets, using photography as a way to stay present while also drifting into his own creative space.
When he's out with his camera, Alexandre is focused but still tuned in to what’s going on around him. He captures simple, everyday moments on the streets and things that might be easy to miss if you’re not really looking. His photos reflect the way he sees the world: curious, calm, and quietly observant.
© Alexandre Hua
VS: How did you first get into photography, and what drew you to street photography specifically?
AH: It's hard to give an exact date, but I think I can trace it back to my first camera in 2018 when I wanted to have better photos of my vacations. It was a Lumix G7, very versatile and perfect for beginners. While looking into camera settings and basic composition rules, I came across several videos about street photography (Apprendre.Photo channel on YouTube). I was immediately interested! I've always loved documentary and photojournalism, but I didn't know at the time that documentary photography had gradually evolved into street photography. That's when it increased my curiosity. I wanted to put myself in the shoes of a photojournalist, but reporting for everyday life and spontaneity.
VS: How has your work evolved over time? Are there things you used to focus on that you no longer do or vice versa?
AH: Back then, photographing strangers scared me. I was shy and not very aware of the laws governing street photography in France. My aesthetic naturally turned to black and white photo styles, heavily inspired by photographers such as Allan Schaller or Mark Fearnley. I mainly focused on architecture and the play of light and shadows, always with a human presence in the form of a silhouette. Anonymity in a big city was my favourite subject; I would spend 1 or 2 hours each week trying to capture one or two of those photos that I found beautiful.
During COVID, I started seriously reading manuals and books on street photography. Think Like a Street Photographer by Matt Stuart completely changed my view of street photography. I began to timidly change my approach to focus on spontaneous moments happening on the street. I also gradually switched to colour. It was only last year that I took the plunge, focusing more on storytelling than aesthetics. I feel like I'm rediscovering street photography, as if I had only started photography a year ago!
© Alexandre Hua
VS: What camera and lens do you usually shoot with — and why that setup?
AH: I photographed a lot with my Fujifilm X100V. But today, I shoot with a Fujifilm X-Pro3 and a Voigtlander 18mm f2.8 lens (equivalent to 28mm in full frame). I realized that to perfect my storytelling style, I needed to be closer to people and also have the ability to capture more things by playing with different planes. A wide angle seemed suitable. And the X-Pro3 is also cheaper than a Leica!
VS: Your Hot Dogs series presents a unique and fun perspective. What inspired this project?
AH: How can I not mention Elliott Erwitt? In fact, this project was born from a 2-week photographic trip to New York in 2023. I didn't have any subjects in mind before soaking in the city. Do you know when you go to a city you sometimes wonder if it's a city for dogs or a city for cats? New York is definitely a city for dogs. And my first series in New York was completely dedicated to the moods of dogs, between joy, anger, or sadness. I wanted to represent all the emotions I could see.
© Alexandre Hua
VS: In the Etincelles collection, there's a noticeable play with light and shadow. Can you share your approach to lighting in this series and how it influences the mood of your photographs?
AH: In this series, I mainly play with multiple exposures. Always taking place in New York, this series is the second part of my photo project. If the Hot Dogs series takes place during the day, here it's more about night photos where I try to capture New York anonymity amidst the neon lights and advertisements.
VS: How do you keep your creativity flowing when you’re in a rut or feel uninspired?
AH: I like to watch videos that make me want to go out and take photos, see different perspectives, or even new photographic techniques. But lately, I've been more interested in photo books, and I try to read a new one every month.
© Alexandre Hua
VS: Who or what inspires your work — photographers, art, film, music...?
AH: I really like Joel Meyerowitz, Elliot Erwitt, Martin Parr, Matt Stuart, etc. Humor in street photography has always attracted me, even though I have a lot of trouble applying it.
VS: Do you have a favourite city or location to shoot in? Why?
AH: For now, Paris remains my favourite city, just because it is very easily accessible for me. Every week, I do the same loop between the Marais district, the Louvre, the Sainte-Anne district, and Notre-Dame. But recently I discovered Tokyo, and it didn't leave me indifferent!
Alexandre’s favourite photo
© Alexandre Hua
VS: What’s your favourite photograph that you’ve taken? What’s the story behind it? Why does it stand out for you personally?
AH: Very difficult to answer! I think this photo of a woman with an umbrella passing in front of a huge billboard resembling a big cloud is one of my favorites. Initially, the billboard represents cherry blossoms, but I found the juxtaposition amusing with the umbrella and the idea of a cloud ready to rain. The woman's gaze and her lemon-decorated umbrella add a touch of surprise. I really like this photo because it's one of the first that marks my photographic rebirth since last year. So it's rather a sentimental photo for me.
VS: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in street photography?
AH: Read a lot of photo books in all styles. It will allow you to know what you like, what you like less, and to define your photographic style as soon as possible, in addition to having very good references in mind.
© Alexandre Hua
