New Yorkers

The Leica Noctilux-M 75mm $f/1.25 is probably my favorite portrait lens. It took me two years to be able to buy one, but it was absolutely worth it. I also use it a lot for my street photography, as it lends itself well to creating a unique and interesting look. It also shies away from the stupid, conventional rules photographers love to impose on themselves about only shooting with one lens! Be different and experiment.

That is a wonderful request! Your original text already has a great, enthusiastic tone. I'll expand on it by adding sensory details, reflecting deeper on the meaning of the event, and elaborating on the impact it had, while maintaining your vibrant, conversational voice.

 

I was teaching a workshop, and we were deep in the heart of Queens, soaking up the local vibe. The light was fantastic, and we were initially captivated by the geometry and reflections of some old, worn mirrors mounted right on the outside wall of a local barbershop. We were all focused, framing our shots, when the front door swung open and the shop owner stepped out. Immediately, my stomach dropped—I was certain he was going to be annoyed that we were photographing his business.

 

But instead of scolding us, he simply smiled and said, with genuine warmth, "Do you want to come inside and take pictures?"

 

In an instant, the workshop moved from a lesson in composition to an immersive experience in community. We were ushered into the warm, buzzing atmosphere of the shop. The scent of bay rum and talcum powder hung in the air, mixing with the low hum of clippers and friendly conversation. We had access to incredible, candid moments: the classic swivel chairs, the light filtering through the vintage glass, the tools of his trade. And to top it all off, he sent one of his staff out immediately to buy a round of hot tea for all of us!

 

People are truly amazing sometimes! That unexpected act of generosity turned a good day into an unforgettable one. The students definitely came away with more than they ever could have imagined—not just technically strong photos, but an incredible story and a profound memory of being welcomed into a stranger's daily life. It was a powerful, beautiful reminder of why the real classroom is out there on the streets. The joy of spontaneous human interaction and the richness it adds to our lives—and our art—will never be replaced by anything digital or sterile. It’s the heart and soul of photography.

The New York City 5th Avenue Easter Day Parade is always a highlight for most photographers. It sometimes feels like there are more photographers than participants! This past year offered up some truly amazing opportunities for great images. One particular lady caught my eye as she was completely monochromatic, providing a stunning, focused subject amidst the vibrant chaos.

 

A Photographer's Dream

 

I strongly encourage you to attend next year. It’s a fantastic venue to learn and practice people's portraits and to quickly gain confidence in engaging with strangers. The atmosphere is unique: almost everyone there is dressed up, in a festive mood, and actively wants their picture taken. They are more than happy to pose, making it an ideal, low-pressure environment for refining your approach, composition, and interpersonal skills.

If you are looking to build your portfolio with unique, character-driven images, or just want to overcome the fear of asking people for a portrait, this parade is an unmissable annual event.

See you there next year!

Every year, typically for a precious week in mid-October , a magnificent event occurs: the setting sun aligns perfectly with the eastern-facing windows of Grand Central Terminal's main concourse. This phenomenon, which I eagerly anticipate, bathes the entire hall in a dramatic, incandescent glow, transforming the vast space into a temporary, golden cathedral.

 

It offers an unparalleled opportunity for photographers to capture a truly iconic image of this architectural masterpiece. 

 

The window of opportunity is incredibly brief, often lasting only 30 minutes or less, making the event a thrilling, high-stakes challenge. The critical factor, of course, is the weather; a single overcast day means months of waiting for the sun's position to realign.

 

I was determined to make the most of this year's alignment. Here is one of my latest efforts, where I experimented with slower shutter speed techniques. The goal was to contrast the timeless, monumental granite architecture with the hurried blur of commuters, allowing the flow of human movement to become a ghost-like abstraction within the enduring golden light. I hope the results capture the ephemeral magic of that moment.

Image taken yesterday whilst trawling the streets of Manhattan. Got chatting with this gentlemen and his friends.

While doing some images around Chinatown I got chatting with this gentleman. We did a few portraits together before he completely freaked me out by showing the whites of his eyes. It made for a great image. You never know when you head out with the camera just what you are going to come home with.

I took one of my favorite recent street shots at a street parade in Queens, New York. The lady looked like she had stepped straight out of a time machine into another dimension—a parallel universe to everything else going on around me at the parade.

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York is a place I regularly visit for inspiration. I find great value in studying artists I admire, such as Piet Mondrian, Jackson Pollock, and old masters like J.M.W. Turner. Their work has consistently influenced my photography, and the museum itself is an incredible subject to capture.

 

Many of the great photographers I admire, including Elliot Erwitt, have expertly photographed museum-goers interacting with famous works of art. On this particular visit, however, the museum's architecture became my primary focus. The building's design, with its incredible shafts of light landing on the walls, created its own unique work of art.

Recently had the pleasure of seeing the exhibition "Constellation" by Diane Arbus. The image is a friend, Andreas from Leica Zurich, walking past one of Arbus's prints.

 

The show was so refreshing to see. Images that on today's social media would be completely destroyed and Diane Arbus cancelled were being enjoyed by so many people. It gave me faith and reinforced the fact that most of the images we are taking are not for today, but for 20 years from now.

 

The amazing portraits of the people she met deserve to be in our history books too.

It was a deeply emotional moment. I came across thousands of police officers lining the entire length of 5th Avenue, from St. Patrick's Cathedral to 42nd Street, to honor two fallen officers, Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora. They were shot during a domestic abuse incident in Harlem.

That morning, it was snowing. As the motorcade approached me, I had a quick idea: I lowered my camera to slow the shutter speed, hoping to capture the light trails passing by as the officers' bodies were carried past me.

For a brief second, you sometimes get stopped in your tracks. This is exactly what happened while out teaching a workshop one night. I turned around and saw a dog literally staring in a window at a toy dog. The classic phrase, 'How much is that doggie in the window?' instantly came to mind.

 

I quickly grabbed my camera and took this shot, knowing very well it would be gone in a second.

Image taken during a heavy snowstorm on 5th Avenue, New York City. This is a favorite of mine for its timeless feel. It was taken on the Leica SL with a 28-90mm Elmarit F2.8-4. I used to use this setup for snowstorms with a rain cover, but now I've opted for the S lenses.

Early morning on 9th Avenue during a snowstorm in New York City. It's that one time that I find the city is in a tranquil state, and I can tune everything out and focus purely on capturing the city that I love. I find you can capture images that have a timeless quality, and the elements often make the advertising boards and distractions in the background fall away into the distance.

An Emotional Departure

 

This image captures the naval ship US Comfort as it departed from New York in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. The photograph is part of a multi-year project documenting the profound impact of the pandemic on New York City and its residents.

Taken from Weehawken, New Jersey, the image documents a moment filled with deep emotion. The departure of the ship, which had been a symbol of hope and a critical resource during the city's struggle with the virus, resonated strongly with everyone who witnessed it. Its leaving marked a poignant turning point for a city that was just beginning to grasp the full scope of the crisis.