When Parisian photography comes to mind, one would usually envision images of the Eiffel Tower and pretty landscapes of the River Seine. This is why the work of the photographer Yedihael Canat, is a must see. Raw and unapologetic, Canat’s focus on human life and youth paints a picture of a lifestyle which does not just apply to the city in which he lives but is universally relatable. His portfolio of work collated into the Zine ‘TalkShit’, provides a fresh and far more realistic outlook on youth culture. We spoke to Yedihael in order to discover more about his individual approach to creative practice, his relationship with the city of Paris and to learn more about his future in the creative industry.

“‘When I was a teenager I was only taking pictures of my friends in parties, or just doing shit. When I am looking back at all my work I think it’s the pictures that I love the most. Since then my work has evolved but I am Always searching for that level of spontaneity freedom and youthness.’ ”

How does the creative process of photography and image making take shape for you?
I always have a compact camera with me and I try to shoot as simply and quickly as possible. Even though I went to a photography school I almost only use small automatic compact cameras that allow me to make settings. I hate having to go out of the moment I'm living to take a picture. I've always been into film but recently I bought a digital compact camera from a friend and I'm using it more and more.

How do you go about selecting the subject of your image ?
When I am not working on a particular project I just carry my camera with me all the time and I take my friends and what surrounds me in pictures. Apart from skateboarding, the people I take pictures of are usually people I grew up with and have known for years. It’s weird because when I was a teenager I was only taking pictures of my friends in parties, or just doing shit. When I am looking back at all my work I think it’s the pictures that I love the most. Since then my work has evolved but I am Always searching for that level of spontaneity freedom and youthness.

Other than being a photographer and an artist, skating is a large part of your life. The photographs you take capture this lifestyle from an empathetic viewpoint, what first influenced you to capture these images and how do they reflect the lifestyle of you and your friends?
I skate since I was twelve, but in my work, I am drawn by the lifestyle around it, more than skate itself. Although I've been skating since I was a child, I've gone years without taking skate pictures. I really started documenting this world when I arrived in Paris five years ago. I rarely if never take pictures of tricks because it doesn’t attract me, I think in general I'm not interested in photography if it's not about people.

Your photographs provide a very different perspective of Paris than people are generally accustomed to. How does the city of Paris inspire your artistry and photography?
I don't know if the city of Paris inspires me, it's more the way people live the city and how they practice it.

Your Zine ‘TalkShit’ has an aesthetic which is both individualistic and contemporary. How much did your photography influence the layout of the Zine?
Honestly, I don’t know how my photography influenced the layout of talk shit... I am not a graphic designer so the main idea behind the layout was to be raw and yet qualitative. It’s a balance that is omnipresent in my work.

What are the upcoming plans for ‘TalkShit’?
I don't have any particular project for Talkshit for the moment and it's been a while since I've published an issue, but what's for sure is that I will continue to publish zines, whether it's under the name Talkshit or under another name.

Could you tell us more about your experience collaborating with Vice?
Younger, it was really a mag that made me laugh and above all it was the only mainstream magazine that talked about skateboarding without saying too much shit. So, I'm happy to be able to do stuff with them today.

Last of all, we’d love to know your plans for the future. Can you provide us with details on projects your currently working on?
I am currently working on a book that brings the whole of my work. I wanted to do something better than a zine and I especially wanted to stop splitting my different works and make a book that simply talks about youthness. The book will be released in the coming months and should be accompanied by an event in Paris. This last year I've done a lot of photos on the road with a band. I hope we'll release an edition this year. I also have several video projects in progress.