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Joel Meyerowitz

 

Joel Meyerowitz, a pioneering figure in street and color photography, has utilized a diverse range of camera gear throughout his career, adapting his equipment to suit his evolving artistic vision.

Early Career: 35mm Street Photography

  • Leica M Series: Meyerowitz began his photographic journey with Leica M rangefinders, often carrying two simultaneously—one loaded with black-and-white film, the other with color. He favored wide-angle lenses, particularly 35mm and 28mm, for their ability to capture the immediacy of street life.

Joel Meyerowtiz and his Leica

  • Pentax with 50mm Lens: Initially, he used a Pentax camera with a 50mm lens but soon found it limiting. He transitioned to a Zeiss Flektogon 35mm lens, which he described as transformative for his work.

Transition to Large Format

  • 8×10 Deardorff View Camera: In the 1970s, seeking greater detail and tonal range, Meyerowitz adopted a vintage 8×10 Deardorff camera equipped with 10" or 12" Commercial Ektar lenses. This setup was instrumental in projects like "Cape Light."

Deardorf 8x10

Meyerowitz and his Deardorff

  • 4×5 View Camera: During the documentation of Ground Zero post-9/11, he switched to a 4×5 camera for increased mobility, allowing him to carry more film sheets and navigate the site more efficiently.

Medium Format and Digital Evolution

  • Leica S2: Embracing digital technology, Meyerowitz utilized the medium format Leica S2, appreciating its image quality comparable to his 8×10 negatives.

Leica S2

  • Leica M Digital Series: He also adopted digital Leica M models, such as the M240 and M10, for their compactness and discretion, aligning with his street photography ethos.

Leica M240
Leica M10

Other Notable Equipment

  • Rolleiflex 2.8F: Meyerowitz employed this twin-lens reflex camera for its distinctive perspective and as a conversational bridge with subjects.

Rolleiflex 2.8F

  • Fuji X100F: In later years, he used the Fuji X100F, a compact digital camera with a fixed 35mm equivalent lens, echoing his earlier 35mm setups.

Fuji X100F

Throughout his career, Meyerowitz emphasized that while equipment is essential, the photographer's vision and adaptability are paramount. 

His gear choices reflect a commitment to capturing the world authentically, whether through the spontaneity of street scenes or the contemplative nature of large-format landscapes.

Books by Joel Meyerowitz

How I Make Photographs : see it on Amazon

Where I Find Myself : see it on Amazon



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