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Garry Winogrand

 

Garry Winogrand, one of the most influential American street photographers of the 20th century, is known for his energetic, spontaneous style that captured the chaos and beauty of everyday life. 

His gear choices reflected his fast-paced, instinctive shooting approach.

Primary Camera Gear

  • Leica M4
    Winogrand used the Leica M4 extensively during his early career. Its compact size, quiet shutter, and high-quality lenses made it ideal for unobtrusive street photography.

Leica M4 - Garry Winogrand

  • 28mm Lens
    He favored a 28mm wide-angle lens, which allowed him to get close to his subjects while still including a broad view of the scene — contributing to the dynamic, often off-kilter compositions he’s known for.

  • Tri-X 400 Film (Kodak)
    Winogrand almost exclusively shot with Kodak Tri-X 400 black-and-white film. It offered high-speed flexibility and a gritty aesthetic well-suited to his fast, intuitive shooting.

Kodak Tri-X 400 film

Later Years: Transition to SLRs

  • Leicaflex and Nikon SLRs
    Later in his career, Winogrand moved to Leicaflex and Nikon F SLR cameras, particularly when working on assignments or shooting in different formats. The SLRs allowed for more precise framing through the lens, which was useful in controlled or slower-paced projects.

Leicaflex


Winogrand’s setup was simple but effective — optimized for speed, intuition, and capturing fleeting moments in public spaces. His legacy demonstrates how minimal gear, when mastered, can yield powerful visual storytelling.


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