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Daniel Arnold

 


Daniel Arnold is best known for his stealthy, cinematic street photography, and his gear reflects that:

Smartphones & Film: The Unexpected Duo

  • iPhone 5 / 5S
    Early in his career, Arnold shot extensively with these phones—using the volume button as a hidden shutter—though he now critiques their inconsistent image quality.

iPhone 5S

  • Yashica T4
    A compact 35 mm point-and-shoot that gave him occasional film backup, valued for its simplicity and portability.

Yashica T4

Contax G2 + Flash (His Signature Setup)

  • Contax G2 rangefinder
    The camera most closely associated with Arnold’s iconic gritty digitial film style.

  • 28 mm Carl Zeiss Biogon lens
    Known for sharpness and contrast—ideal for run-and-gun shooting.

  • Hot shoe-mounted external flash
    Used off-camera, handheld, to create dramatic lighting and freeze spontaneous moments—Arnold often shoots without looking through the viewfinder.

Contax G2

Film Stocks

  • Kodak Portra 400 and 800
    His preferred color film stocks for their dynamic range and tonal richness.

Why This Kit Works for Him

  • True candidness: Film with flash and quick shutters means no second chances—perfect for raw, unrehearsed moments.

  • Portability & stealth: Compact camera, small flash, concealed phone camera—ideal for blending into the crowd.

  • Visual consistency: Contax + Portra + flash gives a distinctive moody, high‑contrast look that defines his work.


Daniel Arnold's darker, cinematic aesthetic comes from combining film’s unpredictability, harsh flash, and tight framing.

Books by Daniel Arnold

Pickpocket : see it on Amazon


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