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Trent Parke

 

Trent Parke, the acclaimed Australian photographer and Magnum member, is known for his powerful use of film and carefully chosen gear that complements his poetic, light-chasing aesthetic. 

Here's a breakdown of what he uses:

Classic Black & White: Leica M6 + 28 mm Elmarit‑M

  • Camera: Leica M6 rangefinder — Parke has built much of his early career around its precision and reliability.

Leica M6

  • Lens: Elmarit‑M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH — his go-to lens for its wide-angle perspective and expertise in capturing expansive light and shadow.

  • Film: Ilford FP4 — a high-quality black-and-white film, frequently used by Parke for its tonal depth.

Canon DSLR + Telephoto Lenses

In addition to his Leica and Mamiya film setups, Parke has used:

  • Canon EOS 5D (various versions) – A full-frame DSLR ideal for high-resolution color work.


Canon Eos 5D

  • Telephoto lenses, notably:

    • Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS – A fast, sharp lens that allows for compressed perspectives and isolation of subjects.

    • Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L (occasionally) – For even more extreme compression and to capture subjects from a distance.

Medium‑Format Color: Mamiya 7

  • For his later, saturated color work, Parke shoots with a Mamiya 7 medium-format film camera, allowing him to maintain control over quality and light while expanding into rich, cinematic color imagery.

Mamiya 7

Digital & Other Tools

  • Although largely analog, Parke occasionally uses digital cameras, including Leica CL or Fuji X100F, when immediate processing is needed. But he consistently returns to film for its tactile and emotional qualities.

Leica CL

Fuji X100F

His Approach

  • Parke’s gear choices underscore his belief in simplicity, discretion, and intentionality, letting light and moment take center stage.

  • A careful craftsman, he often revisits a location daily, adjusting settings for perfect light and composition — sometimes shooting hundreds of rolls to capture that one definitive frame.

Why Telephoto?

  • Compression and abstraction: Parke uses long lenses to flatten space and abstract everyday scenes into graphical, layered compositions.

  • Surreal light play: The telephoto helps him "paint with light," especially during harsh or directional sunlight conditions — a signature of his color work.

  • Distance and detachment: These lenses let him shoot from afar, turning crowds, streets, or landscapes into poetic, almost dreamlike images.


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