Skip to main content

Posts

Pau Buscató

  Pau Buscató is a Barcelona-born street photographer now based in Oslo, Norway. Widely admired for his surreal, humorous, and often poetic compositions, Buscató has carved out a unique place in contemporary street photography by capturing fleeting moments that seem almost too perfect to be real — visual coincidences, playful alignments, and subtle absurdities that reveal themselves only to the most attentive eye. But what's most remarkable is not just what he captures — it’s how he captures it: with minimalist tools and a deep reliance on instinct, patience, and awareness. Philosophy First: Why Less Is More Pau Buscató believes in reducing distractions and allowing vision to take the lead. He emphasizes that street photography is not about chasing gear, trends, or presets—it’s about being fully present , visually alert , and open to the surprises of everyday life. “I try to go out every day to shoot. I want to keep my eye trained and sharp. Most of the time I come back with n...

Paolo Pellegrin

  Here’s what’s well-documented about Paolo Pellegrin’s camera gear —the celebrated Magnum photojournalist and Canon Ambassador: Camera Bodies & Lenses Canon EOS 5D Mark IV — Pellegrin relied on this full-frame DSLR for major conflicts and documentary assignments, often pairing it with the Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM lens at 35 mm or 70 mm depending on the story at hand . Canon Eos 5D Mark IV see it on Amazon Canon EOS R5 — In recent years (e.g. in Ukraine, volcanic expeditions, climate change projects), he transitioned to this mirrorless body for its silent shooting mode and reliability, especially under demanding field conditions. Particularly used with the RF 28–70mm f/2L USM lens—a fast zoom offering sharpness and flexibility where he shot at focal lengths like 40 mm, f/14 at 1/1000 sec, ISO 640. Canon Eos R5 see it on Amazon Shooting Style & Kit Overview Pellegrin often travels with a larger base kit (multiple cameras and lenses) plus a lighter day ba...

Jake Ricker

  Here’s what reliable sources report about Jake Ricker’s camera gear : Primary Film Camera & Film Leica M7 with a 35 mm Summicron ASPH lens , typically shot on Kodak UltraMax 400 color film. He specifically aims to use: “One location, one camera, one film” — though recent film supply issues have reduced his shooting volume . Leica M7 He’s documented the Golden Gate Bridge almost daily since 2018, shooting thousands of rolls with this M7‑35 mm setup. Alternate Film Cameras Occasionally uses Nikon N80 and Leica M4‑P , again with Kodak 35 mm film, to support other documentary work beyond the bridge project. Nikon N80 see it on Amazon Leica M4-P Older Background Gear Early in his life, Ricker received a Pentax K1000 , which sparked his love of film photography during high school classes—though that camera is no longer part of his current working kit . Pentax K1000 He also carried a Contax T3 strapped to his messenger bag in his bike messenger days, used along wi...

Edward Weston

  Edward Weston , one of the most influential American photographers of the 20th century, is best known for his large-format black-and-white work. Here’s a breakdown of the camera gear he used throughout his career: Primary Camera Gear 8×10 View Camera (Large Format) Camera Type : 8×10 inch view camera Brands : Several over time, including Century Universal and Eastman View Camera No. 2-D Purpose : Used for the vast majority of his most iconic images— nudes , still lifes , landscapes , and vegetables (e.g., his famous pepper series). Eastman View No. 2 Lenses Weston used large-format lenses compatible with his 8×10 camera: Cooke Convertible Lens (12", 13.5", and 21") Goerz Dagor lens (widely respected at the time for sharpness and contrast) Rapid Rectilinear lenses earlier in his career He focused heavily on lens quality and sharpness , choosing lenses that would give him the greatest tonal control and detail in contact prints. Film and ...

Brendan Ô Sé

  Here’s a detailed overview of Brendan Ó Sé’s camera gear and shooting style, based on credible sources: Primary Gear iPhone (started with iPhone 4 in 2012, currently using newer models, he used iPhone 7) Brendan shoots almost exclusively with his phone, valuing its discretion , portability , and the ability to work stealthily in street settings—especially in Asia and Europe. Hybrid Setup (Past & Current) Fujifilm X100T / X100V He began using the X100T for street work to benefit from its compact size and learn quicker shooting, though he still finds the iPhone more spontaneous and less intrusive . Fuji X100V see it on Amazon Nikon D7000 DSLR Used intermittently, especially before fully adopting mobile photography, offering technical backup when needed . Editing & Style Edits directly on the iPhone using apps like Snapseed , Hipstamatic , and BlurFX . Embraces creative limitations—motion blur, soft focus, and painterly effects from native phone constrai...

Jeff Mermelstein

Here’s a clear summary of the camera gear Jeff Mermelstein has used throughout his career: Film Era – Leica M-P & 35 mm Summilux Leica M‑P (rangefinder) paired with a 35 mm f/1.4 Summilux lens Loaded early work with Fujicolor Superia for vibrant color street shots . Mermelstein has said: “I have a long history with Leica beginning with my first M6 when I was in my twenties,” and continued using Leica rangefinders well into his film-based practice. Leica MP Digital Transition – iPhone iPhone camera became his exclusive tool in recent years, especially noted in his series capturing strangers’ text messages for #nyc. He describes the iPhone as "revolutionary," citing its power to reinvent street photography and allow spontaneous, unseen moments. Occasional Canon Use Mention has been made that he “has also shot with a Canon,” though details are vague—likely early or supplementary in his career. Approach & Philosophy Color-first : Mermelstein prefe...

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...

Fred Herzog

  Fred Herzog, a pioneer of color street photography in mid-20th‑century Vancouver, worked with a surprisingly modest yet powerful analog camera setup rooted in portability, intuition, and technical precision. Cameras he used Kodak Retina I His very first camera , inherited from his uncle—a folding plate format he later traded for a more manageable model . Leica Rangefinders (M3, later M2/M4) In 1957 he bought a Leica M3 , and later used the M2 and M4 models for street photography . Valued for discreteness, sharp lenses, and quick focusing—ideal for street scenes. Leica M4 Nikon F SLR Added a Nikon F to his kit later, used for flexibility and different lens choices . Nikon F Yashica 635 TLR Photographed using a Yashica 635 twin-lens reflex later in life—an example captured by a fan at CBC Vancouver . Yashica 635 Canon WP-1 Also experimented with the rugged Canon WP‑1 waterproof 35 mm camera. Canon WP-1 Film & Lenses Kodachrome color slide ...

Eric Mencher

Eric Mencher is known for using a very streamlined, pocket-sized setup—he’s left behind professional DSLRs to shoot almost exclusively with his iPhone , embracing mobility, spontaneity, and simplicity. Primary Gear: iPhone + Apps iPhone 12 Pro Max is his current main camera. He uses the native camera app, sometimes Hipstamatic, but primarily sticks with Apple's built-in interface for speed and control . iPhone 12 Pro Max see it on Amazon He refers to the iPhone as “the Leica of the poor,” comparing its intuitive handling and portability to his emotional connection with his old Leica M6 and Tri‑X setup. He sold all his cameras. Leica M6 Post-Processing: iPhone + Snapseed He edits primarily with Snapseed , calling it “fun and tactile,” akin to darkroom work, letting him apply mood, contrast, and tonality on the go. Philosophy & Practice Mencher used to shoot with professional gear (Leica M6, Tri‑X film) during his photojournalism era. In 2012, he fully transitio...

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. ...