Robert Vincze

“I shoot on film mainly because I like the imperfection of it, lucky accidents happen all the time”

Intercru: Where are you from? Where do you live and work now?

Robert: I was born and grew up in Hungary but I’m currently living and working in London.

How did you get started in photography? How long have you been taking photos?

Basically, it started in my childhood. My father was passionate about wood carving and photography so I was always surrounded by analogue cameras, books, and magazines. He also had a darkroom in the basement where I loved hanging out and watching how the photograph appears on the paper. He always encouraged and helped me to take photos so when he upgraded to a new camera, I inherited his old Chinon CS4 that I’ve used for many years to capture my friends and travels.

Most importantly, this passion of photography we shared together made our father-son connection stronger. I looked up to him and he was my inspiration about the art.

What is the most important thing for taking the perfect photo?

I don’t know the answer to that, I have never taken any perfect one :)

I shoot on film mainly because I like the imperfection of it, lucky accidents happen all the time. I think that things that are important for unique photos in portraiture include good light and honest expressions. During photo sessions, I like creating a nice, calm, and relaxed atmosphere, having fun to build trust with people and models I work with. It’s a team effort so it requires good vibes and creativity from the models as well.

For street photography, the key is to have patience and motivation to get up and go out to capture that “decisive moment.”

What is the most challenging part about photography for you?

I’m not a very chatty, or extroverted person so when I shoot with models it’s always challenging to get to know them and build trust.

It’s very difficult to approach people on the street and have the courage to take the shot in certain situations. Listening to music and having a drink (or two) always helps :)

How important is social media, especially Instagram, for your work?

It’s without a doubt that Instagram is the main platform at the moment to connect with fellow photographers, or to reach out to models and agencies. It’s important to be present on social media but it’s even more important to have a website, produce prints and talk about photography offline. I prefer to spend more time taking photos and experiencing things rather than spending massive amounts of time on Instagram. It doesn’t help me improve and be more creative. Nonetheless, it’s always great to see more personal things from the artists I follow on Instagram and have a glimpse behind the scenes.

What do you do to find inspiration for your photography?

I used to go to exhibitions before the lockdown whenever I could. I also buy photo books and magazines to get inspired. I love browsing portfolios if it’s nicely curated and listening to podcasts. People with whom I work also inspire me. Traveling is always very thought-provoking, especially to places on the seaside and streets in my case.

What’s the best advice about photography you’ve received?

Buy a good pair of comfortable shoes, have a camera around your neck at all times, keep your elbows in, be patient, optimistic and don’t forget to smile. It’s from Matt Stuart.