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Showing posts with the label UP Photographers

Blake Andrews

  Blake Andrews – Observing Life’s Quiet, Strange Poetry Blake Andrews (b. 1968) is a prolific American street photographer and blogger based in Eugene, Oregon. A member of the In-Public collective, he built a reputation through subtle, quirky black-and-white images that balance the everyday with a sharp, visual wit. His work challenges expectations of street photography—he's less about decisive moments and more about lingering on the oddly poetic or quietly absurd. Camera Gear Andrews favors unassuming, practical tools that let him stay alert, nimble, and fully engaged with his surroundings: Black-and-white film (Kentmere, Arista) – "I’m a cheapskate," he admits, using whatever’s affordable—and embracing imperfection in the negative as part of his aesthetic. 35 mm rangefinder bodies (e.g. vintage Leicas, though he doesn’t fixate on a specific make), favored for discreet, responsive shooting. Blake Andrew's vintage Leica iPhone – used intermittently, esp...

Hiroshi Tabata

Hiroshi Tabata: A Quiet Eye on Movement, Light & Everyday Humanity Born in Japan and now based in Brighton, UK, Hiroshi Tabata is celebrated for his contemplative black‑and‑white street photography. His visual sensibility is rooted in simplicity, observation, and the quiet poetry of human movement. Vision & Philosophy Tabata returned to photography around 2015 after a hiatus, rekindling his passion through candid street work—first in London, now in Brighton. His interest lies in “people on the move”—the fleeting gestures, crowds, and delicate rhythms of daily life. He creates what he calls “photography of presence”: moments captured at particular times and places, now part of his personal visual diary. Camera Gear & Workflow Though few photographers openly disclose all their gear, Tabata’s setup reflects his minimalist, mindful approach. Leica Film Rangefinder (M-series) Tabata began shooting around 2010 with a Leica M6 , drawn to its quiet shutter and reliabil...

Alison McCauley

  Alison McCauley , based in Cannes and Geneva, is a photographer exploring identity, belonging, and memory through non-linear, highly atmospheric images. Her projects—ranging from Anywhere But Here to Another Cannes and Shimmers —blend abstraction, emotion, and geographical dislocation to evoke a moody state of mind more than a place. She's part of the UP Photographers collective. Artistic Vision & Visual Approach McCauley’s imagery often registers as dreamlike and elusive rather than documentary. She seeks to express a feeling of perpetual transition—physical and emotional—through blurred references, obscured details, and layered symbolism: Anywhere But Here (2008–present) emerged from a nomadic life, expressing dislocation and restlessness through intentionally blurred, hazy visuals. Another Cannes (2013–2018) offers an offbeat portrayal of the Cannes Film Festival—documenting the unseen through surreal, everyday moments in contrast with red-carpet glamour. Shi...

Maciej Dakowicz

  Maciej Dakowicz is a dedicated Fujifilm X‑Photographer , and his transition from DSLRs to Fujifilm mirrorless marked a pivotal moment in his gear evolution . Here’s a detailed look at the equipment he uses: Digital Mirrorless: Fujifilm X Series Fujifilm X‑H2 His main camera as of 2023–24, chosen for its traditional control layout, user‑programmable PASM dial, and fast handling in varied light. Fujifilm X-H2 Fujifilm X‑T3 His reliable backup body since 2018, after upgrading from the X‑T2. Fujifilm X-T3 Fujifilm X‑T2 The model that sparked his love for mirrorless during a 2017 workshop in Myanmar, thanks to its tilting screen and faster autofocus. Fujifilm X-T2 Consistent with street and travel photography, he uses a simple yet effective setup: 23 mm f/2 prime 18–55 mm kit zoom Here's a quick view of some of his settings on his X-H2: Maciej Dakowicz settings on his X-H2 with 23mm Shooting mode: M (Manual) Iso : 400 Aperture Auto : A (here the camera is at f/10 g...

Suresh Naganathan

  Suresh Naganathan, a renowned street photographer based in Mumbai, keeps his gear refreshingly minimal to stay focused on capturing candid moments: Primary Camera & Lens Fujifilm X100 series (initially the X100S, later replacing it with the X100F when the first broke down) He’s used this fixed-lens compact camera decked with a 23 mm f/2 equivalent (~35 mm full-frame perspective). “Having a fixed lens and a single camera makes the technical part automatic. I only need to focus on the composition and the moment.” fujifilm X100S Fujifilm X100F Why He Chooses This Setup Simplicity & stealth : A single camera/lens reduces distractions and lets him operate quickly on the streets. Compositional focus : Fixed focal length improves visual consistency and hones his instinct for framing. Portability : Small and discreet, ideal for candid street conditions. Other Tools & Technique Minimal additional gear —typically just the camera and maybe a light bag; he p...

Melissa O'Shaughnessy

  Melissa O’Shaughnessy is a late-blooming street photographer based in New York City who captures fleeting, humorous, and human-centered moments with a delicate visual sensibility. Her work brings compassion and poise to the urban chaos of Manhattan and beyond—framing moments with clarity and humanity. Background & Vision O’Shaughnessy didn’t pursue photography until her 40s. After building a darkroom in her home and developing black-and-white film landscapes, she discovered street photography under the guidance of Joel Meyerowitz during a workshop in her early 50s. His insights resonated with her, clarifying that street photography was a way to express the essence of photography through real human moments . Over time, she overcame her shyness and began embracing street shooting—the result: images with a strong current of humanism , narrative, and empathy. Her influences include legends such as Helen Levitt, Garry Winogrand, Diane Arbus, Robert Frank , and Sergio Larrain. ...

Maude Bardet

  Maude Bardet is a French street photographer currently living in the Netherlands who discovered street photography in 2017.  She's guided by light and textures and likes to use strong colors to emphasize compositional elements in her pictures. From her pictures on Flickr we get some information about the gear she used and is using now. DSLR Gear (Older Work) Canon EOS‑1Ds Mark III — seen in a 2011 shot Canon Eos 1Ds Mark III Canon EOS 5D Mark III — also used frequently, with an EF 100–400 mm f/4.5–5.6 L IS II lens  or  a EF 24–70 mm f/2.8 L USM. Canon Eos 5D Mark III Mirrorless Phase (Recent Work) Newer uploads (late 2023–2025) show c amera as Fujifilm  X-T5  with an XF23mm F2 X WR lens. Fujifilm X-T5 and XF23mm lens

Shin Noguchi

Shin Noguchi primarily shoots street and documentary photography using Leica film cameras and digital Leica gear: Analog film gear Leica M6 and Leica MP for his personal projects—classic mechanical M bodies that offer a tactile, deliberate shooting experience . Leica M6 Leica MP He favors Kodak Portra 400 film for its tonal richness and atmospheric quality, saying film captures an “atmosphere” or mood that's hard to replicate digitally Digital kit Leica M9-P : Shin uses the digital M9-P for assignments, combining M-series handling with film-like aesthetics in a digital workflow. Leica M9-P Other cameras Previously shot with Nikon D700 , appreciating its responsiveness and versatility . Nikon D700 Currently sometimes uses a Fuji X100 —chosen for its compact form, quiet shutter, and low presence in public settings Fuji X100F Why this gear combo works for him: Film gear (M6/MP + Portra) : Lets him slow down, immerse in tonal subtleties, and evoke a sense of atmos...

Matt Stuart

  Matt Stuart, a renowned British street photographer, is known for his minimalist approach to gear, favoring simplicity and discretion to capture candid moments. Here's an overview of the camera equipment he uses: Film Photography Camera : Leica MP Lens : 35mm f/1.4 Leica Summilux Film : Fuji Superia 200 and 400 Stuart prefers the Leica MP for its compactness and quiet operation, making it ideal for unobtrusive street photography. He appreciates the anticipation involved in shooting film, stating, "I like film as I am still in love with the process of waiting to see what you may or may not have got." Leica MP Digital Photography Primary Digital Camera : Leica M10-P with a 35mm f/1.4 Leica Summilux lens Additional Digital Camera : Leica SL For Commercial Work : Canon 5D Mark III Matt Stuart and his Leica Leica M10 While Stuart uses digital cameras for commercial assignments, he maintains a preference for film in his personal street photography pr...

Joel Meyerowitz

  Joel Meyerowitz, a pioneering figure in street and color photography, has utilized a diverse range of camera gear throughout his career, adapting his equipment to suit his evolving artistic vision. Early Career: 35mm Street Photography Leica M Series : Meyerowitz began his photographic journey with Leica M rangefinders, often carrying two simultaneously—one loaded with black-and-white film, the other with color. He favored wide-angle lenses, particularly 35mm and 28mm, for their ability to capture the immediacy of street life. Joel Meyerowtiz and his Leica Pentax with 50mm Lens : Initially, he used a Pentax camera with a 50mm lens but soon found it limiting. He transitioned to a Zeiss Flektogon 35mm lens, which he described as transformative for his work. Transition to Large Format 8×10 Deardorff View Camera : In the 1970s, seeking greater detail and tonal range, Meyerowitz adopted a vintage 8×10 Deardorff camera equipped with 10" or 12" Commercial Ektar lenses. Th...