Pau Buscató is a Barcelona-born street photographer now based in Oslo, Norway. Widely admired for his surreal, humorous, and often poetic compositions, Buscató has carved out a unique place in contemporary street photography by capturing fleeting moments that seem almost too perfect to be real — visual coincidences, playful alignments, and subtle absurdities that reveal themselves only to the most attentive eye.
But what's most remarkable is not just what he captures — it’s how he captures it: with minimalist tools and a deep reliance on instinct, patience, and awareness.
Philosophy First: Why Less Is More
Pau Buscató believes in reducing distractions and allowing vision to take the lead. He emphasizes that street photography is not about chasing gear, trends, or presets—it’s about being fully present, visually alert, and open to the surprises of everyday life.
“I try to go out every day to shoot. I want to keep my eye trained and sharp. Most of the time I come back with nothing, but every once in a while, there’s that one moment...”
In interviews, he often speaks of the creative process as a meditative act — one that requires stillness of the mind and simplification of tools.
Camera Gear: The Simplicity Behind the Magic
To match his quiet, contemplative approach to photography, Pau has intentionally minimized his gear over the years. Here’s what he uses:
Leica MP + 35mm
Early in his career, Pau bought a Leica MP—a fully mechanical 35mm film camera—and paired it with a 35mm lens. He credits this setup with teaching him the fundamentals of street photography: framing, timing, and consistency.
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| Leica MP |
Ricoh GR (Digital)
His current everyday camera is the Ricoh GR (various versions), a pocket-sized digital compact camera beloved by street photographers for its snap focus mode, fixed 28mm lens, and its stealthy profile. Pau uses it precisely because it’s not flashy or intimidating — it allows him to disappear into the crowd and be ready at all times.
“I want to eliminate as many distractions as possible so I can focus entirely on seeing.”
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| Ricoh GR |
The Work: Visual Poetry in Real Life
Buscató’s images are known for their almost magical timing. They often feature:
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Uncanny visual alignments — like a hand emerging from a mural that lines up perfectly with a passerby’s gesture.
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Unexpected humor — such as a balloon dog appearing to “sniff” a real dog.
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Playful geometry and layering — creating illusions that blur the line between real and imagined.
These images feel staged — but they aren’t. That’s the magic of Buscató’s work: nothing is set up. Everything is found, seen, and captured in real time. His best-known series, shown in Street Photography Now, Invisible Photographer Asia, and numerous exhibitions, are studies in visual coincidence that border on dreamlike.
You can view his work on his website : https://www.paubuscato.com/
Key Takeaways
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Minimal gear = Maximum awareness. Pau's strict choice to use just a Leica MP and a Ricoh GR helps him stay focused and spontaneous.
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Patience and practice matter more than megapixels. His surreal, witty images are the result of thousands of hours of walking, watching, and waiting.
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Creativity isn't about equipment—it’s about how you see.
Want to Shoot Like Buscató?
If you’re inspired by Pau Buscató’s work and want to build a similar practice, here’s a great place to start:
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Use one compact camera (digital or film) with a fixed wide lens (28mm or 35mm).
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Shoot every day — even if you don’t get a photo.
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Observe the world quietly. Watch how people move. Wait for alignments. Look for layers.
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Avoid chimping — don’t constantly check the screen. Let the moment be the reward.