Alberto Tandoi walked 400km across London and photographed all of the people who caught his eye

If you’ve ever been particularly proud of your step count, prepare to be usurped. Alberto Tandoi’s recent photobook, 400km, takes its name from the distance the photographer walked across London to take the portraits featured throughout its pages (not all in one go, of course). What the photographer describes as both a “chronicle of encounters” and “collection of characters”, the project simply involved him seeking people who’s style or aura caught his eye and asking if he could take their picture. “I just approached people that sparked my interest, without any plan or agenda; as they say any portrait is in reality a self portrait.”

The project finds its roots in the Italian photographer’s long-lasting fascination with London, and the freedom of stylistic expression you can find on its streets. If you had any doubts of such a claim, even just a few portraits from the series is enough to assuage them; the vast array of styles on show really is something to behold. Whether it’s a pair of particularly avant-garde glasses, an arm filled with tattoos, a shaved head spray dyed to look like leopard print, a full goth get-up, complete with white face-paint and latex – or even a live snake wrapped around one sitter’s neck – it’s interesting to note how it feels like you’ve already gauged a sense of a person, the likes and interests, from just one shot. Alberto views each image as a “silent” story, “narrated by the faces of the unconventional conventionalists”.

Growing up, Alberto describes himself as interested in culture and all its forms; as a teenager he was a keen graffiti artist and would document his experiences and work with a camera. Later going on to study design, it was at an exchange in Germany that he truly fell in love with photography, following a reportage photography course. From that point onward he dedicated all his time to taking pictures, developing film and printing in the darkroom, and went on to study the medium further. Then – finally giving in to his fascination with London – Alberto sold his Vespa and moved to the city, where he has lived and worked as a photographer since.

Alberto feels passionately about all of the portraits in the series, but one does hold a special place in his heart: that of Philip Sallon the club promoter, socialite and fashion designer, who he randomly bumped into while on his travels. “He looked amazing and kindly allowed me to photograph him,” says Alberto. “It was such a pleasure to capture such an icon.” Captured in a long velvet coat, a red French collared shirt, black leather gloves and positioned in a pose akin to a ballroom dancer, the shot perfectly encapsulates his extravagance. Alberto wants 400km to help others to see the “beauty” in self-expression, and the countless ways in which it can be expressed.