Skip to main content

Sebastiao Salgado

 

Sebastião Salgado, the renowned Brazilian photographer who passed away in May 2025 at the age of 81, was celebrated for his powerful black-and-white images documenting human suffering, labor, migration, and the natural world. 

Throughout his extensive career, Salgado utilized a variety of camera gear, adapting his equipment to suit the demands of each project.

Early Career: 35mm Film Cameras

  • Leica M Rangefinders: In his early work, Salgado employed Leica M series cameras, appreciating their compactness and reliability. He typically used a minimal setup with two cameras and three lenses: 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm focal lengths. 

Salgado with Leica M

  • Leica R6 SLR: For projects requiring more versatility, such as his coverage of the 1991 Kuwaiti oil fires, Salgado used the fully mechanical Leica R6 SLR. Its durability and independence from batteries made it ideal for harsh environments.

Leica R6

Transition to Medium Format

  • Pentax 645: Seeking larger negatives for higher-quality prints, Salgado transitioned to the medium format Pentax 645 camera. This move was particularly significant during his "Genesis" project, where he aimed to produce large-scale images of pristine environments.

Pentax 645

  • Pentax 645D: Later, Salgado adopted the digital version, the Pentax 645D, combining the benefits of medium format with digital convenience. Despite the digital capture, he maintained a film-like workflow by producing contact sheets for image selection.

Pentax 645D

Digital Era: Canon DSLRs

  • Canon EOS-1Ds and EOS-1D X: To address challenges with film transportation and processing, especially post-9/11, Salgado transitioned to digital photography using Canon's professional DSLRs. He praised the EOS-1D X for its robustness and image quality, particularly during his extensive work in the Amazon.

Canon EOS-1D X

  • Canon EOS 5D Mark III: For projects requiring a lighter setup, Salgado also utilized the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, benefiting from its full-frame sensor and portability.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Film and Aesthetic Preferences

  • Kodak Tri-X and T-Max P3200: Salgado predominantly used these black-and-white films, favoring their tonal range and grain structure. Even after transitioning to digital, he processed his images to emulate the look of these classic films.

  • Traditional Printing Techniques: Maintaining his commitment to the tactile nature of photography, Salgado often converted digital files into negatives for traditional darkroom printing, preserving the depth and texture characteristic of his earlier work.

Salgado's deliberate choice of equipment—ranging from mechanical film cameras to advanced digital systems—reflected his dedication to capturing the human condition and the environment with authenticity and depth. His adaptability ensured that his tools served the narrative, allowing him to produce compelling imagery that resonates across generations.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Saul Leiter

  Saul Leiter, renowned for his pioneering work in color street photography, utilized a diverse array of camera gear throughout his career, adapting his equipment choices to his evolving artistic vision.   Here's an overview of the cameras and lenses he employed: Film Cameras Leica M4 : During the 1970s and beyond, Leiter frequently used the Leica M4 for his commercial and fashion photography assignments. Leica M4 Leica CL : For street photography, he often opted for the compact Leica CL, appreciating its portability and discreet profile. Leica CL Canon A-1 and AE-1 : Leiter incorporated these Canon models into his street photography repertoire, valuing their versatility and the availability of quality FD lenses. Canon A1 Canon AE-1 Minox 35 EL : Known for its ultra-compact design, the Minox 35 EL was another camera Leiter used, aligning with his preference for unobtrusive equipment. Minix 35 EL Rolleiflex 6x6 : In his early career, particularly during the 1950s, L...
Read more

Matt Black

Matt Black, a renowned Magnum photographer, is celebrated for his stark black-and-white imagery that delves into themes of poverty, migration, and environmental issues, particularly in California's Central Valley.   His approach to photography is characterized by a minimalist setup, allowing him to focus on storytelling without the distraction of extensive gear. Camera Equipment Olympus Digital Camera : During his extensive travels for the American Geography project, Black utilized an Olympus digital camera (Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II). This choice provided him with a lightweight and reliable tool suitable for long journeys and varied shooting conditions.  Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II Find it on Amazon Sony RX100 II : for some of his work including his "Geography of Poverty" series and for images posted on Instagram, Black used a Sony RX100 II.  Sony RX100 II Find it on Amazon Hasselblad XPan (Panoramic Film Camera) : Complementing his digital work, Black employed a Hasselblad ...
Read more

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henri Cartier-Bresson, often called the father of modern photojournalism, is most famously associated with Leica rangefinder cameras and a philosophy centered around the "decisive moment." His gear was intentionally minimalist, allowing him to be discreet, fast, and focused on composition and timing. Camera Bodies Leica Rangefinder Cameras: Cartier-Bresson almost exclusively used Leica 35mm rangefinder cameras throughout his career. He began with the Leica II and Leica III models, both equipped with collapsible 50mm Elmar lenses. After World War II, he transitioned to the Leica M3, which became his main camera for much of his later work. Henri Cartier-Bresson's first Leica Leica M3 Henri Cartier-Bresson's Leica camera Other Formats: On rare occasions, he also used medium format cameras such as the Rolleiflex and Hasselblad, but these were exceptions rather than the rule. Lenses 50mm Lens: His signature lens was the 50mm, most often the collapsible Leica 50mm Summ...
Read more