Peter Albu
Late Night Shot
My name is Peter Albu and I am a black and white street photographer. Growing up in a Romanian household surrounded by the diverse neighborhoods of Chicago, I've been exposed to many different cultures throughout my upbringing. I got my first camera for my 14th birthday from my uncle who is a professional photographer. Throughout high school I took photos for the school newspaper and the yearbook, earning two superior awards in the 2023 IHJA competition for my works. At the same time I was working professionally as a photographer for my uncle's company, photographing events ranging from weddings and baptisms, to corporate events, and headshots.
It wasn't until my first year of college, when I decided to study abroad in Panama, that I discovered my passion for street photography. I had no clue as to what Panama had to offer culturally, since it was a country that I had never even thought of going to. With the photos I have taken, I want to open people's eyes to new things that will broaden their cultural horizons. There is so much history to share, and not enough being done to share it all. If I hadn't gone on a whim, I might've never experienced the beautiful and welcoming country that is Panama. I don't want anyone else to make that mistake.
I use photography as a way of storytelling through my own lens. My candid photos showcase the cultural differences of people in their authentic, day-to-day lives. Most of my works were taken when I lived abroad in countries like Panama and Colombia. Shooting candidly makes the photos feel more raw and present in the moment, without having to rely on the pressures of everyday life to paint a picture that aligns with a certain agenda. My photos capture exactly that. The photo I have showcased for you today is one I took last year while visiting a bar in Panama, titled Late Night Shot. In the photo, you see the subject standing up over the counter, enjoying a drink late into the night. I choose to shoot my photos primarily in black and white, as I see that color disrupts the true meaning of what is trying to be captured. When my photos are in this state, it's as if I've stripped everything else away to get to the core. There's nothing left to see but the story.
Throughout my work, I also introduce various elements of contrast, shadow work, space, and silhouettes to convey emotion. In some photos I choose to have the subject shown in full detail, while in others they are a mere shadow. Space and contrast go hand in hand in my works, which really allows for the darks and whites to pop out of the photo, really emphasizing that coming-to-life aspect.
There is no one style to my work.
This is Peter Albu Photography.