Moncef Flites: Algerian photographer using black and white to reveal the textures of landscapes and architecture

Moncef Flites is a self-taught Algerian photographer based in Algiers. Drawn to ancient stone, rugged landscapes, changing weather, and the details of everyday surroundings, his work explores the relationship between nature, architecture, and atmosphere.

His interest in visual expression began with drawing during childhood, while his appreciation for cinema has influenced his understanding of light, composition, and atmosphere. His photographic practice spans landscapes, architecture, wildlife, street scenes, and documentary subjects.

Alongside photography, Flites works professionally in plumbing and heating. Increasingly drawn to black-and-white imagery, he uses natural light, contrast, and texture to capture the character of places.

How did you get started in photography?

I started drawing when I was a child. I believe drawing trained my eye and later helped me enter photography. During my military service, I often saw scenes that looked cinematic and wished I could capture them.

On a short leave, I bought a Sony Xperia Z. The camera quality amazed me, and from that moment I started photographing everything that caught my eye, like mountains, the sea, the desert, and even insects. Years later, I bought a Canon 6D Mark I, and photography became a real passion.

How would you describe yourself?

I am an Algerian photographer, and I work professionally in plumbing and heating. I am self-taught in photography, although I have been interested in drawing since I was young. I also have a deep appreciation for cinema, which has influenced the way I look at light, composition, and atmosphere.

What are the main themes that inspire your photography?

Capturing and presenting the beauty and ugliness of places and actions in ways that feel artistic and unfamiliar to the eye.

I am drawn to nature, landscapes, architecture, and the details of everyday surroundings. I find inspiration in changing weather, dramatic light, textures, and places that carry a sense of history or solitude. I work mostly in black and white, but I also enjoy colour when it better conveys the feeling of a scene.

I photograph things that catch my attention or make me feel something. I hope that by sharing these images, others might discover something they would otherwise overlook, or experience a place, a moment, or an atmosphere from a different perspective.

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

I find it difficult to single out one particular moment. I am attached to my photographs for different reasons, and I enjoy each one for what it represents to me. Some are meaningful because of the experience behind them, others because of the places, circumstances, or moments I managed to capture.

I take pride in the process of exploring, learning, and creating. Every photograph has its own story for me, and I find that more meaningful than choosing one above the others.

What type of photography do you specialise in?

I enjoy exploring different subjects, from landscapes and nature to architecture, wildlife, street, and documentary photography.

I also enjoy documenting people and everyday situations, although some subjects and moments are more personal than others. I prefer allowing my interests and experiences to shape the way I photograph.

What is your unique technical or visual approach?

I prefer working with natural light and making the most of the conditions available to me, whether it is dramatic weather, soft sunlight, shadows, or changing atmospheres.

Visually, I am increasingly drawn to black-and-white photography, where I can explore textures, contrasts, shapes, and tonal relationships. I tend to approach each photograph differently, depending on what I am trying to capture and what initially caught my attention.

How's the photography and art scene in Algeria?

Algeria has a rich cultural and artistic heritage, and there is certainly creative talent across photography, cinema, and the visual arts.

I have not always found myself particularly connected to the dominant visual approaches or storytelling styles in the local scene. My own interests and influences tend to come from a broader international perspective.

I think there is considerable room for experimentation, diversity, and exploration of different visual languages. I would like to see more opportunities for independent photographers and filmmakers, greater exposure to different artistic approaches, and more spaces where unconventional ideas can develop.

I remain interested in seeing how the creative scene evolves, particularly as younger generations gain access to new tools, platforms, and opportunities to share their work beyond national borders.

What is one professional standard you never compromise on?

Authenticity. I value honesty in both the photograph and the way it is presented. I prefer preserving the natural character of a scene, avoiding excessive manipulation or adding and removing elements to create something that was not there.

I also believe in being honest about my work, respecting the subjects I photograph, and maintaining the integrity of the original moment.

What do you think of the 54Ruum platform?

I am glad to see a platform creating opportunities for African photographers and visual artists to connect, share their work, and reach audiences beyond their local environments.

I particularly appreciate the idea of bringing together different perspectives and visual approaches from across the continent.

I think initiatives like this can help create greater visibility for African photographers and open doors to collaborations and opportunities that might otherwise be difficult to access.