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Showing posts with the label Photojournalists/Documentary

David Ingraham

  David Ingraham has embraced the iPhone as his primary photographic tool , using it to craft moody, cinematic street photography with remarkable agility and subtlety. Primary Camera: iPhone (since ~2012) He has been shooting exclusively with an iPhone for around six to twelve years , crediting it for giving him the invisibility needed to capture natural, unguarded moments on the street. Early on, he used an iPhone 4 , then an iPhone 8, and currently shoots with a later iPhone model (likely iPhone 12 Pro or newer) . iPhone 12 Pro see it on Amazon He typically uses the stock camera app , sometimes with Apple's built-in Noir filter, favoring spontaneity and ease. Post‑Processing: Apps & Style His black-and-white conversions are done using Snapseed , and occasionally older apps like Hipstamatic and BlurFX for grainy or motion effects. In his early iPhoneography days, he experimented with multiple apps, but has since simplified to just a few, focusing on tonal con...

S Paul

  S Paul—born Sharampal “S” Paul—was a legendary Indian photojournalist, and his gear reflected both the depth and breadth of his passion: Early & Medium Format Gear Zeiss Ikon 6×6 medium-format (e.g., Nettar): his first professional camera, used during his early development in Shimla in the 1950s . Zeiss Ikon Nettar First paying camera: Rolleiflex : a pivotal medium-format twin-lens reflex that helped launch his career. Renowned “Gear Collector” Owned over 100 cameras , spanning multiple brands and formats, always eager to explore new tools . Later Gear (Visual Evidence & Interviews): Sony Alpha 7 / A7 series He was often photographed with it in his hands during photo walks and interviews. Lightweight and mirrorless, the Sony A7 likely appealed to him because of: Full-frame sensor with high dynamic range Compact body (compared to DSLRs) Compatibility with classic lenses via adapters — important for someone with a vast camera collection. ...

Sam Abell

Sam Abell, renowned for his poetic storytelling in National Geographic, embraces a minimalist yet potent approach to photography gear: Minimalist Philosophy Abell prefers “ less gear ,” typically carrying just one or two camera bodies with different prime lenses to stay fully “in the moment” Classic Minimalism: Leica & Olympus (Film Years) He carried two Leica rangefinder bodies (M-series primarily, with some use of R-series SLRs) . His go‑to “walk-around” lenses were a 28 mm wide-angle and a 90 mm for more focused shots. Occasionally used Olympus bodies (notably models with spot-metering, like the OM‑4T) with the same lens pair . Abell avoided flash and heavy gear, preferring available light and micro composition to create “short‑story” images Sam Abell with Leica R4 Transition to Digital: Canon Setup Currently, when he collaborates with Canon, his gear includes: A Canon EOS 5D Mark III body with battery pack and charger youtube.com usa.canon.com . ...

Stephen Shore

Stephen Shore is known for his pioneering work in color photography and for elevating everyday American scenes into art, particularly in the 1970s. His gear evolved significantly over time, depending on the phase of his work.  Here’s a breakdown of what cameras he has used: Early Work (1960s) 35mm Leica M3 Used during his teenage years while documenting Andy Warhol’s Factory Equipped with standard Leica lenses Leica M3 1970s: Iconic Color Work (e.g., Uncommon Places , American Surfaces ) 🔹 American Surfaces (1972–1973) Rollei 35 (compact 35mm camera) Very small and portable Allowed him to shoot casually and frequently in color Shot on Kodak color negative film Rollei 35 🔹 Uncommon Places (mid-1970s onward) Linhof Technika IV 4x5 Large format camera Used with color 4x5" sheet film (Kodak) Shifted to more deliberate compositions, with extreme detail and clarity Often mounted on a tripod Linhof Technika IV 4x5 Deardorff 8x10 View Ca...

Danny Lyon

  Danny Lyon Danny Lyon, whose career spans the civil rights movement, outlaw biker subculture, and prison reportage, has favored a diverse range of gear across decades—suitable for documentary immersion and cinematic storytelling. Early Equipment Exa 35 mm SLR Bought in Munich during his Europe travels before joining the University of Chicago; his first photographic tool around 1959–1960 . Exa 35mm Leica M-series Used early alongside his Exa; small, quiet, ideal for the high-stakes environments of 1960s civil rights protests . Nikon Reflex (early Nikon F) Became his “real workhorse” during his Bikeriders years—loaded with Tri‑X and mounted with a 105 mm lens for dynamic street shots . Danny Lyon and his Nikon F Rolleiflex Carried during Bikeriders era, often paired with his Nikon and motorcycle kit. Large-Format & Field Cameras Calumet view camera Purchased in Manhattan post-1967 for architectural and demolition photography—cheap but effective for lower ...

Larry Clark

Larry Clark is best known for his gritty, handheld film photography, and the gear he favored reflects that intimate, documentary style. Film Cameras Rolleiflex TLR : He frequently carried a twin-lens Rolleiflex, often with a strobe in his car—his go‑to in street environments. Rolleiflex TLR Leica (likely M4) : Known to have used a Leica M4 paired with a 35mm lens for projects like Tulsa and Teenage Lust—combining portrait-like composition with decisive framing. Leica M4 Clark’s early work (1960s–70s) was shot on 35 mm black-and-white film, possibly Kodak Tri‑X or Plus‑X, underexposing highlights to preserve shadows and achieve his signature high-contrast aesthetic. Analog, Always on Hand He was notorious for " always having a camera ": the Rolleiflex and flash were permanent fixtures in his car—his friends expected him to document whatever unfolded. Cinematic Shift By the '90s, Clark evolved into filmmaking. On movies such as Kids , Wassup Rockers , and others...

David Alan Harvey

  David Alan Harvey has used a variety of camera gear throughout his career, often favoring a minimalist approach with a "one-camera, one-lens" philosophy.  Here's a summary of the equipment he's known to have used: Cameras   Leica Rangefinders : He started with a Leica IIIF when he was 14 and later used an M6 for 25 years. He has also mentioned using a Leica Monochrom and Leica M series cameras more recently. Leica IIIf Fujifilm: He often uses Fujifilm cameras, including the X-T1, X-Pro1, X-Pro2, and X100. He takes the X-T1 when a smaller size is useful. Fujifilm X-T1 Fujifilm X-Pro 2 Nikon: He has used Nikon cameras, including the D800 and previously a D100. Nikon D800 Canon: At one point, he used a Canon EOS 1D X. Canon 1Dx Medium Format: He has experience with medium format cameras, specifically mentioning the Fuji 6x9 and Mamiya 7. Fuji 6x9 Mamiya 7 Other: He has also mentioned using a Panasonic GF1 and even an iPhone. David Alan Harvey and an iPhone Epson: He us...

Alec Soth

  Alec Soth, renowned for his evocative large-format photography, has employed a diverse range of camera equipment throughout his career, adapting his tools to suit the narrative and aesthetic demands of each project.   Here's an overview of the gear he's used: Primary Camera Gear R.H. Phillips & Sons 8×10 Compact View Camera : Soth's signature camera, notably used in projects like Sleeping by the Mississippi and Niagara . He often pairs it with a 300mm Nikon lens, appreciating the unique rendering and depth it provides. R.H. Phillip & Sons 8 x 10 Compact K.B. Canham 8×10 : Another large-format camera Soth has utilized, offering portability and precision. K.B. Canham 8 x 10 Lenses : Nikon 300mm : A standard lens for 8×10 format, providing a natural perspective. Nikon 800mm (convertible to 1200mm) : Used for capturing distant subjects with compression. Schneider 210mm Super-Angulon : A wide-angle lens suitable for expansive scenes. Mamiya 6 ...

Eduardo Ortiz

Eduardo Ortiz, a Chilean-born street and documentary photographer, is renowned for his dynamic and layered compositions that capture the essence of urban life across the globe. Embracing a nomadic lifestyle since 2016, Ortiz has traversed cities from Istanbul to Kolkata, always accompanied by his dependable camera gear. Primary Camera Gear Camera : Fujifilm X-Pro2 Ortiz's mainstay for street photography, the X-Pro2 is celebrated for its compact design and hybrid viewfinder, making it ideal for candid shooting. Notably, his X-Pro2 has even endured a dip in the Ganges River, underscoring its resilience. Fuji X-Pro 2 Lenses : Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 R : This lens offers a 35mm equivalent focal length, providing a natural field of view that aligns with Ortiz's preference for capturing authentic street scenes. Additional Equipment While Ortiz primarily relies on his Fujifilm setup, he has also mentioned using an old Olympus point-and-shoot camera and a Skina SK-102 film c...

Martin Parr

  Martin Parr, the renowned British documentary photographer, has utilized a diverse array of camera gear throughout his career, adapting his equipment to suit various projects and evolving photographic styles. Here's an overview of the gear he's employed: Cameras and Lenses Film Cameras: Leica M3 with 35mm lens : Used during the 1970s for his early black-and-white work. Leica M3 Plaubel Makina 67 with 80mm f/2.8 Nikon lens : Employed in the 1980s, notably for The Last Resort series. Plaubel Makina 67 Mamiya 7 : A medium format rangefinder camera favored by Parr for its portability and image quality. Mamiya 7 Digital Cameras: Canon EOS 5D Series : Transitioned to digital with the Canon 5D in 2007, later upgrading to the 5D Mark IV, which he describes as intuitive and well-suited for documentary work. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EOS 5DS R : Utilized for advertising shoots requiring high-resolution images. Canon EOS 5Dsr Lenses: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II...

Abbas

  Abbas Attar, known professionally as Abbas, was a renowned Iranian photojournalist celebrated for his profound documentation of political and religious conflicts across the globe.   Throughout his extensive career, Abbas employed a variety of camera gear that complemented his commitment to capturing the essence of human experiences. Camera Equipment Used by Abbas Leica M3 and M4 Rangefinders In the earlier stages of his career, Abbas frequently utilized Leica M3 and M4 rangefinder cameras. These cameras were esteemed for their durability and the exceptional quality of Leica lenses. Their compact size and quiet shutter mechanisms made them ideal for the spontaneous and unobtrusive shooting style that Abbas favored in high-stress environments. Leica M3 Leica M4 Nikon FM2 Abbas also employed the Nikon FM2, a fully mechanical 35mm SLR known for its robustness and reliability. Its all-metal construction and dependable performance rendered it suitable for the demanding conditio...