Masis Usenmez, EFIAP, GPU CROWN 2, SSS/B, is a renowned photographer based in Rennes, France. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1979 and of Armenian origin, Masis rediscovered his passion for photography in his early 30s. He pursued this passion academically, earning a degree in Photography from Anadolu University in 2013 and a Master of Photography from Marmara University in 2019.
Masis has participated in numerous competitions, winning over 300 acceptances and medals. His passion lies in street and documentary photography, where he expertly plays with light and shadow to create a surreal ambiance in his black-and-white images. His work has been exhibited in Turkey, Europe, and the USA, earning him accolades such as the Collectif du Hérisson Grand Prix and the Photofolie Prix "Noir et Blanc" in 2020. Since 2008, Masis has traveled the world documenting life and culture, capturing rare moments of people in the streets.
He prefers shooting with a rangefinder or mirrorless camera equipped with a 35mm or 50mm lens. His distinctive style involves converting images to high-contrast, grainy black and white, which he believes strips away the distraction of color and emphasizes textures, shapes, and patterns, giving his images a timeless quality.
