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In Conversation: Tori Ferenc and René Burri
In Conversation: Tori Ferenc and René Burri
November 4, 2025
© René Burri / Magnum Photos
With her Borderlands series, Polish portrait and documentary photographer Tori Ferenc links her work to that of Swiss photographer René Burri. Despite the decades that separate their works, they are united by a masterful approach to light and shadow, as well as a deep appreciation for their motifs. In an interview, the self-taught photographer spoke about her formative influences and expressed her admiration for Burri’s talent for producing immersive pieces. The pictorial dialogue is being presented at the Leica Gallery London to mark the 100th anniversary of the Leica I.
Tori Ferenc: “I didn’t go through a formal academic training in photography, so I’ve always learned by studying the works of others – really diving into their images, analysing what makes them stand out, and trying to understand the stories they tell. One photographer whose work I truly admire is Joel Meyerowitz. The way he captures colour, the warmth that seems to radiate from his images, is something I really strive for in my own work. I’ve also always been drawn to the sense of humour in Elliott Erwitt’s photography. There’s this lightness and joy in his images that I try to bring into my own work when I’m out shooting on the streets. And then there’s René Burri, whose work I find endlessly fascinating. His use of deep shadows is striking – there’s a clarity to it, almost graphic in nature, yet still so full of depth.
There’s so much of his work that I love. His photographs are so multi-layered, rich in context and immersive. I think my favourite series is Les Allemands, the project documenting post-war Germany. One of the photos I love is an image of a man carrying a small child through a foggy street – an ordinary scene, but I cannot stop going back to it. What I admire in his work is that he was so talented in capturing everyday life, without the need to show some grandiose, decisive moments – yet when you look at his images, you feel as if you were there with him.”
Tori Ferenc: “I didn’t go through a formal academic training in photography, so I’ve always learned by studying the works of others – really diving into their images, analysing what makes them stand out, and trying to understand the stories they tell. One photographer whose work I truly admire is Joel Meyerowitz. The way he captures colour, the warmth that seems to radiate from his images, is something I really strive for in my own work. I’ve also always been drawn to the sense of humour in Elliott Erwitt’s photography. There’s this lightness and joy in his images that I try to bring into my own work when I’m out shooting on the streets. And then there’s René Burri, whose work I find endlessly fascinating. His use of deep shadows is striking – there’s a clarity to it, almost graphic in nature, yet still so full of depth.
There’s so much of his work that I love. His photographs are so multi-layered, rich in context and immersive. I think my favourite series is Les Allemands, the project documenting post-war Germany. One of the photos I love is an image of a man carrying a small child through a foggy street – an ordinary scene, but I cannot stop going back to it. What I admire in his work is that he was so talented in capturing everyday life, without the need to show some grandiose, decisive moments – yet when you look at his images, you feel as if you were there with him.”
Text: © Tori Ferenc; Image: © René Burri / Magnum Photos
In Conversation+-
The exhibition will be on view in November at the Leica Gallery London.
Tori Ferenc+-
Born in Poland in 1989. In her work, the portrait and documentary photographer focuses on the themes of identity, community, and family dynamics. She is a member of Women Photograph and Equal Lens. Her images have been published and exhibited internationally. She lives in London. More
René Burri+-
Born in Switzerland in 1933, he was one of the most talented photographers and photojournalists of his generation. His work is multifaceted – he became famous for his iconic portraits of Che Guevara, Le Corbusier, and Pablo Picasso. He became a member of the Magnum photo agency in 1959. In 2013, Burri received the Leica Hall of Fame Award, one year before he passed away at the age of 81. More
© René Burri / Magnum Photos
© René Burri / Magnum Photos
© René Burri / Magnum Photos