Ethan Deneault
Pran Sathiy CONTRIBUTOR
Photo: Ethan Deneault / @eth.nd (Instagram).
The rise of social media outlets and expression has had (and continues) to have a profound impact on student life and culture in the city of Toronto. Digital photography (and a revival in film photography) has been a large benefactor in riding the wave of new media. Second-year neuroscience student at St. Mike’s and lifestyle photographer Ethan Deneault has been on a consistent rise. Using Instagram as his primary outlet to showcase his craft, Ethan has managed to capture our vibrant city through his vision and a different looking glass.
Q: How did you pick up photography as a hobby?
Ethan: I picked up photography mostly because my father was in the film industry and introduced me to a camera at a very young age. I still have prints of photos I took when I was 5 years old.
Q: Where does the inspiration stem from for your work?
Ethan: My inspiration has come from a lot of different places; old film photos my dad took when he was younger, as well as films like James Bond’s Spectre, really influence parts of my work. Newer trends such as streetwear and hip hop influence my work as well. I try to take my favourite aspects of analog and modern photography to create something that is my own.
Q: Any advice for budding young photographers?
Ethan: The best advice I can give for budding photographers is to “think before you shoot.” Think about how you can make your photo unique from everything else out there. Eventually you will find a trend in the photos you like to take and that will become your style. My personal main goal is to take photos where people will say, “Ethan took that,” just by looking at the photo. As I’ve been told before, “Learn the rules, so you can break them.”
Q: How has photography contributed and helped your personal and academic lives?
Ethan: The best thing about this hobby is that it is stress free. I can pull out my camera on a Friday afternoon and just kick back. The reality of midterms/exams takes a back seat for a second while I’m focused on shooting. There’s no pressure to capture an insane photograph just to enjoy what I do.
Ethan Deneault is also an active member of the St. Mike’s community — he was an orientation leader as well as a contributing photographer during the week’s festivities. He’s also took Issue 3’s sleek cover photo, which you can see below! Have a peek through Ethan’s lens and check out his Instagram @eth.nd.
