Henry Arias: Montreal Essence

My name is Henry Arias, although people know me better by my nickname Peruexplorer or @peruexplorex on Instagram. I am an amateur photographer based in the city of Montreal.

In this photographic work, I aim to show another face of the city—the one that Montreal’s citizens see as part of their daily routine. This side might appear banal to some and perhaps not so interesting to others, but it is an integral part of my life and captures the true essence of Canada’s most European city.

After several years of living in this city, I have learned to appreciate it, love it, and understand its inhabitants. This was a long and sometimes difficult process. The photos in this series are not just views through my camera lens; they represent moments that have caught my attention and are a part of my life as an observer of unique instances.

The choice of black and white for this project is intentional, as it adds more drama and deepens engagement with the story depicted in each photo.

Finally, I would like to thank my father Juan for his unconditional support, my photography teacher and mentor David Salcedo @_david_salcedo_ for his infinite patience, my friend Ivan for pushing me to go above and beyond and helping me understand the human mind, and my longtime friends Sarah and Gabriel for their invaluable feedback and enthusiasm.I hope you enjoy this photographic work.

I hope you enjoy this photographic work.