Cristian Percu on finding his voice in street photography
Welcome to the first interview in Underexposed Profiles, a series of conversations with photographers from the Underexposed community.
Let’s start with a short introduction of you
My name is Cristian Percu. I am a street and documentary photographer based in Bucharest, Romania.
By day, I work as a programmer in the digital marketing field.
What made you pick up photography and for how long have you been taking photographs?
I’ve always had a passion for photography, but I only truly embraced it in November 2025. I bought a Fujifilm X-T50 and made a promise to take it everywhere I go, whether I’m commuting, traveling, or just grocery shopping.
To keep myself accountable, I started a 365-day challenge to post one photo every day. I’ve now passed the 60-day mark, exploring high-contrast black and white as I develop my visual voice.
Are you a full-time photographer? When did photography stop being casual for you and start feeling serious?
Not yet. My current professional status could be described as: "Currently upgrading from Guy with a camera to Photographer." It stopped feeling casual the moment I held my first proper camera.
Since then, I’ve dived deep into education, completing courses like the Underexposed masterclass and Alec Soth’s Photographic Storytelling from Magnum Photos.
Which part of your process matters most to you: idea, shooting, or editing?
Right now, it’s the photo walk and the selection process. I love the hunt. Editing is still an area where I’m learning; I sometimes feel I rush through it, so I’m currently trying to slow down and be more deliberate with my post-processing.
How would you describe your photography to someone who has never seen your work?
High-contrast black and white, capturing candid moments of daily life. My work often leans towards themes of solitude and the quiet, sometimes invisible struggles of people in the city.
What subjects or themes do you keep returning to, even unintentionally?
I find myself constantly returning to solitary figures. My compositions almost always feature a single person isolated within a specific environment rather than crowds. Recently, I’ve been using a lot of negative space and high contrast to highlight that sense of solitude.
Is there a photograph you’ve taken that feels like a turning point? Why?
Yes, the image I’ve titled 'Beneath the Giants'. It captures an elderly woman sitting in front of a massive advertisement for a famous pretzel shop, which features two "perfect," happy elderly characters. In reality, she is feeding pigeons with pretzels she received from passersby.
Cristian Percu - Beneath the Giants
The contrast between the idealized commercial image and her reality struck me hard. It was the first photograph where I truly felt the emotion of the scene, rather than just seeing a composition.
What are you currently trying to improve or unlearn in your work?
I am actively trying to improve my editing workflow. I’m also in the process of refining my personal style - trying to move from just capturing what I see to interpreting how I feel.
Who is an inspiration for you as a photographer, and why?
In the contemporary scene, Frederik Trovatten and Alan Schaller are huge inspirations for their high-contrast monochrome work.
I also learn a lot from the street photography interviews on Paulie B’s YouTube channel - hearing how other photographers think helps me shape my own perspective.
Realistically, where do you want your photography to be in two years?
I might be aiming high, but I want to publish a photo book.
I’ve recently invested in a photo printer and started learning the art of printing. I currently curate and print small booklets of my street photos to share with my friends, and I want to scale that up into a cohesive body of work.
Who is your dream client as a photographer?
Realistically, I am my own dream client right now as I build my portfolio. However, I do fantasize about shooting a street-style advertising campaign for a beer brand. It would combine two of my great passions: photography and beer!
Is there anything else you’d like to add, or a specific project you are currently working on that we should know about?
I just want to thank the Underexposed community for the support. If you’d like to follow my 365-day challenge, you can find me on Instagram @cristipercu or check out my website at percu.ro.