What Camera Gear do they use?

  Françoise Huguier – A Traveling Eye and Cinematic Gaze Françoise Huguier (b. 1942) is a French photographer whose career spans fashion, documentary reportage, and deeply personal travel narratives. Growing up in Indochina and later documenting life in Africa, Siberia, and Russia, she weaves cinematic storytelling with empathetic intimacy.  Huguier’s celebrated books—such as Sur les traces de l’Afrique fantôme and Kommounalki — showcase her profound ability to blend cultural observation with emotional resonance. Camera Gear Françoise Huguier’s gear choices are less documented than her imagery, yet clear from her approach—favoring tools that move quietly with her and allow for deep immersion: No fixed signature camera —she adapts her equipment to the context of each assignment, from intimate portraits to expansive landscapes. Zenit : in her early years, she used an old Zenit camera.  Zenit Nikon : Françoise Huguier has indicated in a video for Nikon that she alway...

  Vivian Maier – The Mysterious Maestro of Street Imagery Vivian Dorothy Maier (1926–2009) was an American photographer whose astounding body of street photography remained undiscovered during her lifetime.  Working quietly as a nanny in Chicago, she captured over 100,000 images—mostly in black and white—of city life, and layered them with humanity, wit, and emotional resonance.  Her work only emerged after being discovered in a storage auction in 2007, compelling the world to recognize her visual genius posthumously. Camera Gear Vivian Maier favored tools that allowed candid observation and compositional focus: Rolleiflex Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) : Her principal tool. Models included the 3.5T, 3.5F, 2.8C, and Automat versions—used for their waist-level viewfinder, medium-format quality, and discrete operation. Rolleiflex TLR Kodak Brownie Box Camera : Her first camera, simple and basic—used during her early years in France. Vivian Maier's Kodak Brownie 35 mm Ran...

  Blake Andrews – Observing Life’s Quiet, Strange Poetry Blake Andrews (b. 1968) is a prolific American street photographer and blogger based in Eugene, Oregon. A member of the In-Public collective, he built a reputation through subtle, quirky black-and-white images that balance the everyday with a sharp, visual wit. His work challenges expectations of street photography—he's less about decisive moments and more about lingering on the oddly poetic or quietly absurd. Camera Gear Andrews favors unassuming, practical tools that let him stay alert, nimble, and fully engaged with his surroundings: Black-and-white film (Kentmere, Arista) – "I’m a cheapskate," he admits, using whatever’s affordable—and embracing imperfection in the negative as part of his aesthetic. 35 mm rangefinder bodies (e.g. vintage Leicas, though he doesn’t fixate on a specific make), favored for discreet, responsive shooting. Blake Andrew's vintage Leica iPhone – used intermittently, esp...

  Dante Sisofo – Street Photography as Visual Diary Dante Sisofo is a Philadelphia-born street photographer whose lens is trained on everyday human moments, light, and rhythm. A graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art, Sisofo’s work spans from city streets to international scenes in Jerusalem, Zambia, and Mumbai—infusing his images with empathy, awareness, and quiet energy. His practice is deeply personal, rooted in spontaneity, grounded in presence, and guided by the belief that photography is an act of exploration, connection, and storytelling. Camera Gear Sisofo’s minimalist toolkit supports his fast-moving, intuitive style—never getting in the way between him and his subjects: Ricoh GR III & GR IIIx – compact, fixed-lens compacts perfect for spontaneous street shooting and capturing light and emotion quickly Ricoh GR IIIx HDF see it on Amazon GoPro Mini – used occasionally for immersive or experimental perspectives GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini see it on Amazon In...

  Robert Capa – The Fearless Eye of War Robert Capa (1913–1954), born Endre Friedmann in Hungary, was one of the greatest war photographers of the 20th century. Renowned for his motto “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough,” Capa documented five major wars, from the Spanish Civil War to the First Indochina War where he tragically lost his life. His raw, immersive images captured not just the chaos of battle but the human spirit enduring within it. He remains a towering figure in the history of photojournalism and a co-founder of the Magnum Photos agency. Camera Gear Capa was known for using lightweight, reliable gear that allowed him to stay agile in dangerous war zones: Leica III rangefinder cameras – his primary tool during the Spanish Civil War and World War II, loaded with 35mm film for fast shooting. Leica III Contax II rangefinder – another favorite, valued for its Zeiss lenses and rugged build. Nikon rangefinders (later years) – for grea...

Richard Avedon – Redefining Fashion and Portrait Photography Richard Avedon (1923–2004) was an American photographer whose work reshaped the worlds of fashion and portraiture. Known for his crisp, minimalist style and ability to reveal the essence of his subjects, Avedon created some of the most iconic images of the 20th century. From glamorous Vogue spreads to raw portraits of working-class Americans, his photography blurred the line between commercial art and profound social commentary. Camera Gear Richard Avedon was meticulous about his equipment, choosing tools that matched his bold artistic vision: Rolleiflex Twin-Lens Reflex – his early work in fashion and reportage was often shot with this medium-format classic. Avedon and Rolleiflex Nikon 35mm cameras – used during assignments that required speed, mobility, and spontaneity. Deardorff 8×10 large format view camera – his signature tool for portraiture, producing razor-sharp, monumental images. Deardorff 8x10 Stud...

Barry Talis – Capturing the Raw Pulse of the Street Barry Talis is an Israeli street photographer whose work is known for its vibrant energy, unfiltered emotion, and raw honesty. Shooting mostly in Tel Aviv and beyond, he immerses himself in the unpredictability of the street, finding fleeting moments of humor, chaos, and humanity.  His photographs often carry a surreal intensity, where people, gestures, and urban life collide in ways that feel both spontaneous and theatrical. Camera Gear Barry Talis favors compact, reliable gear that allows him to react quickly and get close to his subjects without disrupting the natural flow of the scene: Ricoh GR series – a discreet fixed-lens compact, perfect for close, candid street shooting. Ricoh GR Fujifilm X100 series – known for its quiet shutter and 35mm equivalent field of view, ideal for documentary-style moments. Fujifilm X100 Occasional use of flash – to add drama and highlight chaotic details in crowded environments. ...

  Philip-Lorca diCorcia – Blurring Reality and Fiction Philip-Lorca diCorcia (b. 1951) is an American photographer celebrated for his staged yet lifelike imagery that sits between documentary and constructed photography. His pictures often resemble film stills, blending the mundane with the theatrical. By carefully controlling light, setting, and sometimes even his subjects, diCorcia challenges viewers to question where reality ends and fiction begins. His work has been shown in major museums worldwide and remains influential in both fine art and editorial contexts. Camera Gear DiCorcia adapts his gear to suit his carefully crafted photographic vision, favoring equipment that provides sharpness, control, and cinematic presence: Mamiya RZ67 – used extensively in his staged portraits and constructed scenes for its medium format detail. Mamiya RZ67 Canon EOS 5D series – for flexibility in editorial and commercial projects. Canon Eos 5D see it on Amazon Leica M6 – occasio...

  Peter Turnley – Witness to the Human Condition Peter Turnley (b. 1955) is an American photojournalist and documentary photographer whose work has taken him across more than 90 countries. Known for his deeply humanistic approach, Turnley has covered many of the most significant world events of the past four decades, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to conflicts in the Middle East. His photography, often in striking black and white, balances historical documentation with a poetic sensitivity to everyday life. Camera Gear Turnley has long favored cameras that allow for intimacy, discretion, and immediacy — essential tools for a photojournalist capturing unfolding history: Leica M Rangefinders – his signature choice, particularly the Leica M6 and Leica M9 , for their unobtrusiveness and precision. Leica 35mm and 50mm lenses – classic focal lengths that let him work close to his subjects while keeping compositions natural. Nikon DSLRs – used in some of his later color w...

  Peter Lindbergh – The Poet of Fashion Photography Peter Lindbergh (1944–2019) was one of the most influential fashion photographers of the late 20th and early 21st century. Best known for his cinematic, black-and-white imagery, Lindbergh transformed the way fashion was represented, shifting it from glossy perfection toward something more raw, authentic, and timeless.  His work helped define the era of the supermodel in the 1990s, and his photographs are celebrated for their emotional depth and narrative power. Camera Gear Lindbergh worked with a variety of film and digital systems, always prioritizing tools that helped him achieve depth, texture, and timelessness in his imagery: Nikon F Series – 35mm SLRs he often used for versatility and reliability. Leica Rangefinders – prized for precision and character in intimate portraiture. Mamiya RZ67 – medium format workhorse for fashion shoots, offering rich tonal depth. Mamiya RZ67 Pentax 67 – another medium form...