What Camera Gear do they use?

  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...

  Harry Callahan: The Experimental Eye of American Modernism Introduction Harry Callahan (1912–1999) was one of the most influential and innovative photographers of the 20th century. Self-taught and relentlessly experimental, Callahan expanded the boundaries of photography through formal exploration, abstraction, and deep personal inquiry. While often associated with street photography and urban scenes, Callahan’s work defies easy categorization. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he photographed cities, landscapes, architecture, multiple exposures, and — most intimately — his wife Eleanor, who became one of the most photographed subjects in art history. Callahan’s importance lies not in spectacle but in exploration. He treated photography as a lifelong investigation into form, light, repetition, and perception, shaping generations of photographers through both his work and his teaching. Camera Gear Used by Harry Callahan Callahan’s equipment choices were practical, oft...

  Reuben Radding: The Relentless Observer of Urban Life Introduction Reuben Radding (born 1959) is one of the most uncompromising voices in contemporary street photography. Based in New York City, Radding has spent decades documenting urban life with intensity, persistence, and emotional honesty. His photographs confront the viewer with the raw realities of city streets — poverty, loneliness, aggression, tenderness, and fleeting moments of human connection. Unlike photographers who romanticize the street, Radding engages with it directly. His work is confrontational without being exploitative, empathetic without being sentimental. Influenced by the lineage of Walker Evans, Robert Frank, and Garry Winogrand, Radding’s photography reflects a deep belief that the street is a place of truth — uncomfortable, complex, and deeply human. Radding is also known as a dedicated educator, mentoring generations of photographers through workshops and long-term teaching, emphasizing discipline, co...

  Alfred Stieglitz: The Visionary Who Established Photography as Fine Art Introduction Alfred Stieglitz (1864–1946) is one of the most important figures in the history of photography. More than a photographer, he was a tireless advocate who fought to establish photography as a legitimate fine art alongside painting and sculpture. Through his images, exhibitions, publications, and galleries, Stieglitz reshaped how photography was perceived in America and beyond. Working across the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Stieglitz bridged pictorialism and modernism. His photographs evolved from soft, atmospheric compositions to sharply focused, emotionally charged images that emphasized clarity, form, and personal vision. As the driving force behind the Photo-Secession movement and the influential journal Camera Work , Stieglitz laid the foundation for modern photographic practice. Camera Gear Used by Alfred Stieglitz Stieglitz worked during a period of rapid technological change, and h...

  Nick Turpin: The Street Photography Visionary Behind the Urban Lens Introduction Nick Turpin stands as one of the leading figures in modern street photography. A founding member of In-Public , the pioneering collective that brought street photography into the 21st century, Turpin’s images are both playful and profound — capturing the poetry, absurdity, and rhythm of life on the streets. Born in London in 1969, Turpin began his career as a staff photographer for The Independent newspaper at age 20 before carving out his distinctive niche in street photography. His pictures often blend graphic composition, humor, and the uncanny moments of everyday life — revealing that extraordinary beauty hides in plain sight. His choice of equipment — compact, discreet, and exceptionally sharp — has always supported his philosophy: to observe without influencing, to record without interfering . Camera Gear Nick Turpin’s philosophy of “being invisible but precise” drives his selection of camera ...

  Eric Kim: Street Photography, Minimalist Kit & Rooted Practice Eric Kim is a Korean-American street photographer, educator, and influential voice in the photography community. Known for his workshops, YouTube lectures, and strong philosophy of “gear doesn’t make the photographer,” Kim merges practical instruction with an emphasis on personal vision. His work spans travel, street, portraits, film and digital—and he consistently advocates for simplicity, presence, and self-reliance in photography. Camera Gear Here are gear details for Eric Kim that are confirmed by his own statements and blog: He states his current favourite camera is the Ricoh GR III. (“My favorite camera is the Ricoh GR III”) Ricoh GR III He notes his earlier work used the Leica MP + Leica 35 mm f/2 Summicron ASPH lens (film-rangefinder) for street projects. Leica MP He mentions shooting digital (Canon point & shoot, Canon 5D) early on: “I started with a little Canon point-and-shoot… then a Rebe...

  Sean Tucker: Portraits, Street, and the Journey to Less Kit Sean Tucker is a London-based photographer, filmmaker and educator whose work spans portraiture, street photography and visual storytelling. Over time, he’s moved from heavy gear setups to minimalist, mobile kits—reflecting both his aesthetic evolution and his commitment to making photography accessible and real. Camera Gear Here are the gear items for which  direct sources can be found : Used a Canon 5D Mark II + Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for portraits and travel.  Canon 5 Mark II see it on Amazon Switched from Canon/Fuji to Sony mirrorless systems (including Sony A7 III) for portability and hybrid photo/video work. Uses a Ricoh GR III as a “pocket” street-camera setup for lightweight shooting. Ricoh GR III For lighting, his portrait kit includes the Godox AD200 flash system among other accessories. Film & Technique Tucker emphasizes natural and ambient light , especially for portraits, and mix...

  Constantine Manos: The Vibrant Eye of America Constantine Manos (b. 1934) is a Greek-American photographer whose work blends documentary precision with a painterly eye for light and color. A longtime member of Magnum Photos, Manos has spent decades chronicling American life, from the South in the 1960s to the vivid street scenes of contemporary cities. His images capture both the extraordinary and the ordinary, finding poetry in everyday gestures and fleeting moments. Camera Gear Manos’s choice of cameras has evolved over time, but always with an emphasis on tools that allow him to work quickly and remain immersed in the street. Leica M Rangefinders – A cornerstone of his practice, particularly the Leica M6 , known for its reliability and compact form. Leica M6 Leica Lenses – Typically 28mm and 35mm focal lengths, perfect for close engagement with his subjects. Kodachrome Film – Central to his richly colored work in American Color , offering unmatched tonal depth. ...