Skip to main content

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.


Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Saul Leiter

  Saul Leiter: The Poet of Color and Reflection Saul Leiter (1923–2013) was one of the quiet geniuses of 20th-century photography, a painter-turned-photographer whose work transformed the way we see color in the urban landscape. Long before color photography was widely accepted as art, Leiter embraced its painterly qualities, using reflections, rain, fog, and fragments of the city to create lyrical images of New York. His photographs blur the line between documentation and abstraction, infusing everyday street scenes with mystery and poetry. 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 repe...
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

Alex Webb

Alex Webb, renowned for his vibrant and intricately layered street photography, has consistently favored compact, unobtrusive gear that allows him to blend seamlessly into his environment and capture spontaneous moments. Primary Camera Gear Leica M Rangefinder Cameras : Webb has predominantly used Leica M-series rangefinder cameras throughout his career. Notably, he employed the Leica M6 during his film photography days and transitioned to the digital Leica M (Typ 240) following the discontinuation of Kodachrome film. Leica M6 see it on Amazon Leica M240 35mm Lens : His lens of choice is typically a 35mm, which he considers the ideal balance between wide-angle and standard perspectives. This focal length complements his style of capturing complex, multi-layered scenes. Kodachrome Film : For over three decades, Webb exclusively used Kodachrome color slide film, celebrated for its rich color rendition and fine grain. The film's discontinuation in 2009 prompted his shift to di...
Read more