Shoot the Breeze: Nathan Cyprys

Nathan Cyprys is a photographer working in Toronto. The editor at Vice Canada put me on to Nathan’s work when we were curating the Vice photo show ‘Kind of Wild and Sort of Free.’ His photos from a recent trip to Barbados and Eleuthera Island fit the theme perfectly – hilarious and depressing depictions of middle-aged white people struggling to let loose. Nathan’s perspective is alien-like, an outsider’s view of humans on planet earth. -CM

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1. Why do you take photos?
To remember, or because something is beautiful/funny, or because the camera allows me a certain disconnect. At other times, because it’s my job.

2. Do you carry your camera with you everywhere you go?
When I’m traveling I do, in my day-to-day life though, not often, other than my iPhone.

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3. What celebrity would you like to shoot most?
Leonard Cohen

4. What animal would you like to be, if not a human?
A large cat, maybe a panther.

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5. What is your favorite smell?
Whatever that perfume every girl at summer camp wore when I was 13. It’s kind of awful but it makes me think of warm weather and first loves.

6. Would you like to live forever?
If the 2045 Initiative worked out, I might jump on board, but otherwise no- I imagine life could get pretty boring without any sense of urgency.

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7. What do you think is the best photo you have ever taken to date?
Probably a tie between a few of the photos from ‘Neighbour State’. Maybe that’s just because of my connection with the events and journey surrounding the photographs.

8. What’s your favorite pastime?
Playing guitar and singing a tune.

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9. Do you like having your photo taken?
Yeah, I sort of do, as long as the photographer isn’t grumpy.

10. Who are your favorite photographers, currently?
Recently, I’ve been liking Henrik Purienne, Juergen Teller, Charlie Engman. There’s others, but I’m bad with names.