What Camera Gear do they use?

  Here’s a structured profile of Elliott Erwitt —focusing on his photographic vision, iconic work, and the cameras that helped him document life with wit and humanity: Elliott Erwitt: Master of Life’s Subtle Ironies — and the Cameras He Trusted Elliott Erwitt (1928–2023) was a legendary Magnum photographer celebrated for capturing candid moments full of humor, compassion, and uncanny visual wit. His images—whether of dogs, famous personalities, or everyday urban vignettes—convey candid truth through simplicity and timing. Visual Style & Biography Born in Paris to Russian émigrés and raised in Italy and the U.S., Erwitt developed an early sensitivity to cultural nuance and irony. After studying photography and filmmaking, he joined Magnum Photos in 1953 and went on to produce iconic images of children, dogs, world leaders, celebrities, and intrusions of absurdity into daily life . His signature lies in the surprising conjunction: a pair of boots beside a tiny dog, a couple ki...

  Man Ray (1890–1976), the legendary avant-garde artist, was best known for his experimental photographic techniques rather than for being associated with specific camera gear.  However, here’s what we know about the equipment he used: Cameras Man Ray Used Large-format view cameras (plate cameras) Man Ray primarily worked with large-format cameras that used glass plates or sheet film, common in the early 20th century. These cameras allowed precise control over focus and exposure, essential for his portrait and fashion work in Paris. Specific brands/models are not well-documented, but likely candidates include: Voigtländer , Zeiss , or Contessa-Nettel plate cameras Possibly Graflex or similar American studio cameras during his early career Rolleiflex TLR (later years) In his later career, when technology advanced, he is reported to have occasionally used a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex for more portable work. Rolleiflex TLR More important than the camera: his te...

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...

  Brassaï (born Gyula Halász, 1899–1984), the famed photographer of Paris by night, used relatively simple but effective camera gear suited to his distinctive low-light, nocturnal photography. Cameras Brassaï used Voigtländer Bergheil 6.5×9 cm folding plate camera → This was Brassaï’s primary camera, equipped with a Voigtländer Heliar f/4.5 lens . → It used glass plates , offering large negatives (6.5×9 cm) that could produce high-quality prints with rich detail. Voigtlander Bergheil 6.5 x 9 Occasionally: Rolleiflex TLR (Twin-Lens Reflex) in later years Rolleiflex TLR Some sources mention he experimented with Leica for certain reportage-style work, but the Voigtländer was his iconic tool. Why the Voigtländer Bergheil? It was compact (for a plate camera), foldable, and portable enough for night walks in Paris. The Heliar lens provided a distinctive rendering, with beautiful tonal gradation and subtle softness in highlights—perfect for the atmospheric, moo...