Interview with City Life photographer Cyrille Druart | MONOVISIONS

MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2025

1. How and when did you become interested in photography?

I got into Photography in 2001, at my Design school (ESAG-Penninghen in Paris), where i had access to a darkroom. My father then gave me a Nikon FM2, film camera, and I fell in love with making images.

2. Is there any artist/photographer who inspired your art?

When you start any craft, you look at what people have done before you. So you get a artistic culture, some knowledge, and it might give a direction to your work. Naturally i checked the great classic and modern, such as Stieglitz, Kertész, HCB, Eggleston, Leiter, Avedon, Moriyama, Araki. All very diferent from each other, all mastering their craft. I like to stay tuned and look at what’s going on around the world. It is very important i think not to get stuck in a comfort zone. I always feel the need to try different things in order to get satisfied.

3. What has been your favourite photo location?

So far it has been Tokyo. A very interesting and exciting place. Very graphic too.

4. Why do you work in black and white rather than colour?

I chose b&w from the beginning, mostly for its timeless look. Being attracted to contrasted and dramatic images, i find it to work better for me, than playing with colors. The limit to abstraction can be very narrow too, that’s very interesting.

5. How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph/series of photographs?

For me, the excitement is when taking the picture, but the real making, is when working on it, on my computer. I used to use an enlarger at the beginning, but switched to Photoshop as it suits my way of working better.

When I travel I wake up early on the morning, and start walking around in the city. I naturally look at things, and sometimes stop and take a picture. I also spend days without taking a single one. I really want to feel the moment. It is a passionate process.

6. What future plans do you have? What projects would you like to accomplish?

I plan on travelling more, go back to Japan and Los Angeles. I am meeting up with publishers also, to discuss a project…

Website: www.cyrilledruart.com/photography