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 ...

  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...

  André Kertész: The Quiet Architect of Modern Photography Introduction André Kertész (1894–1985) is one of the most quietly influential figures in the history of photography. Although often overshadowed during his lifetime by louder or more commercially successful contemporaries, Kertész laid the visual foundations for modern photographic seeing. His work shaped the language of street photography, photojournalism, and poetic documentary long before those terms were widely used. Born in Hungary, Kertész began photographing in the 1910s, guided by instinct rather than formal training. His images — intimate, lyrical, and deeply personal — introduced a new way of seeing the everyday world. Whether photographing Parisian streets, New York rooftops, still lifes, or distorted reflections, Kertész consistently revealed emotion through composition, geometry, and quiet observation. Photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Brassaï, and Saul Leiter all acknowledged Ker...

  Walker Evans: The Architect of American Documentary Photography Introduction Walker Evans (1903–1975) stands as one of the most influential documentary photographers in American history. His work defined the visual language of the Great Depression and shaped the principles of modern photographic storytelling. Working for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) in the 1930s, Evans produced some of the most iconic images of rural America ever made — portraits of tenant farmers, weathered buildings, and the stark realities of poverty. These photographs became visual cornerstones of American cultural memory. Beyond his Depression-era work, Evans explored signage, architecture, city streets, and everyday objects, creating photographs that were straightforward yet profound. His commitment to clarity, honesty, and form influenced generations of photographers, from Robert Frank to Stephen Shore and countless contemporary artists. Camera Gear Used by Walker Evans Evans was intent...

George Rodger: The Magnum Pioneer Who Captured Humanity’s Triumph and Tragedy Introduction George Rodger (1908–1995) was not only a co-founder of Magnum Photos but also one of the first true global photojournalists — a man who used his camera to explore both the horrors and beauty of the human condition. From the devastation of World War II to the cultural richness of Africa and the Middle East , Rodger’s images transcended documentation — they became reflections on dignity, survival, and shared humanity. His career evolved from war correspondent to humanist explorer , leaving behind a visual legacy that still defines narrative photojournalism today. While many photographers of his era relied on bulky, complex setups, Rodger’s genius lay in his ability to use simple, rugged gear — cameras that could endure deserts, jungles, and war zones — all while remaining invisible behind his lens. Camera Gear George Rodger’s career spanned from the 1930s to the 1970s, a period of rapid photogr...

  Patrick Zachmann: The Leica Storyteller Who Captured Memory and Identity Introduction Patrick Zachmann, a long-standing member of Magnum Photos , has spent over four decades documenting identity, memory, and cultural dislocation through a deeply humanistic lens. Born in France in 1955, Zachmann’s work traverses continents and generations — from exploring the Jewish diaspora to capturing the lives of Chinese youth during China’s rapid modernization. Zachmann’s photographs carry a rare intimacy — quiet, contemplative, and profoundly emotional. His stories are not told with spectacle but with subtlety. Every frame reflects patience, empathy, and meticulous technical precision, making his oeuvre a cornerstone of contemporary documentary photography. At the heart of this mastery lies his consistent choice of simple, enduring tools: Leica cameras , legendary for their reliability and unobtrusive design — perfect companions for a photographer devoted to truth and nuance. Camera Gear Pat...