What Camera Gear do they use?

  René Burri: The Architect of Political and Cultural Photography Introduction René Burri (1933–2014) was one of the most influential photographers to emerge from Magnum Photos in the postwar period. Best known for his iconic portraits of political and cultural figures — including Che Guevara, Pablo Picasso, and Le Corbusier — Burri combined architectural precision with human insight, creating images that are both documentary records and visual essays. Born in Zurich, Burri was trained at the Kunstgewerbeschule under Hans Finsler, where he developed a strong sense of geometry, structure, and form. This background shaped his entire career. Whether photographing global politics, modern architecture, or everyday life across continents, Burri’s images reveal an analytical eye balanced by curiosity and empathy. Burri’s photography is not driven by drama or confrontation. Instead, it unfolds through observation, composition, and intellectual engagement — making him a key figure in the ...

  Bruno Barbey: The Color Humanist of Global Photojournalism Introduction Bruno Barbey (1941–2020) was one of the great humanist photojournalists of the modern era. A longtime member of Magnum Photos , Barbey built a career spanning more than five decades, documenting political change, cultural identity, and everyday life across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Unlike many photojournalists of his generation, Barbey embraced color photography early and confidently , using it not as decoration but as narrative structure. His images are rich, layered, and deeply respectful of place. Whether photographing protests in Paris, daily life in Morocco, or conflict zones across the Middle East, Barbey balanced journalistic clarity with visual poetry. His work stands out for its calm authority: present, observant, and human-centered, never sensational. Barbey showed that documentary photography could be both informative and deeply beautiful. Camera Gear Used by Bruno Barbey Barbey’s...

  Raymond Depardon: The Quiet Witness of Modern France Introduction Raymond Depardon (born 1942) is one of the most important documentary photographers and filmmakers of the postwar era. His work stands at the intersection of photojournalism, personal documentary, and cinematic observation, marked by restraint, clarity, and deep ethical awareness. Born on a farm in rural France, Depardon began photographing as a teenager before becoming a war photographer and co-founding the Gamma photo agency in the 1960s. Over time, he deliberately stepped away from conflict photography, turning his lens toward quieter subjects: institutions, rural landscapes, political power, and the subtle loneliness of modern life. Depardon’s photographs and films are defined by distance — emotional, physical, and moral. He observes without intrusion, allowing reality to unfold without commentary. This approach has made him a central figure in both photography and documentary cinema, particularly in France. C...

  Letizia Battaglia: Bearing Witness Through the Lens Letizia Battaglia (1935–2022, Italy) was one of the most courageous and influential photojournalists of the 20th century. Based in Palermo, she dedicated her life to documenting the brutal reality of Mafia violence, poverty, and the resilience of Sicilian life. Her black-and-white images are raw, poetic, and profoundly human — revealing both the horror and dignity of her city. Camera Gear Letizia Battaglia’s equipment was practical and direct — tools for truth rather than glamour. Her gear evolved over time but always reflected her commitment to immediacy and authenticity. Film Era Leica M2 & M4 – Her primary cameras during the 1970s–1990s, chosen for their reliability and discretion on the streets of Palermo. Leica M2 Leica M4 Nikon F2 & FM2 – Used for assignments requiring faster operation and interchangeable lenses. Nikon FM2 Nikon F2 Pentax K1000 - one of the cameras she was known for using Pentax K1000 Ko...

  Françoise Huguier – A Traveling Eye and Cinematic Gaze Françoise Huguier (b. 1942) is a French photographer whose career spans fashion, documentary reportage, and deeply personal travel narratives. Growing up in Indochina and later documenting life in Africa, Siberia, and Russia, she weaves cinematic storytelling with empathetic intimacy.  Huguier’s celebrated books—such as Sur les traces de l’Afrique fantôme and Kommounalki — showcase her profound ability to blend cultural observation with emotional resonance. Camera Gear Françoise Huguier’s gear choices are less documented than her imagery, yet clear from her approach—favoring tools that move quietly with her and allow for deep immersion: No fixed signature camera —she adapts her equipment to the context of each assignment, from intimate portraits to expansive landscapes. Zenit : in her early years, she used an old Zenit camera.  Zenit Nikon : Françoise Huguier has indicated in a video for Nikon that she alway...