Leica

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 Comic Con convention is always a highlight of the year. For a few glorious days, thousands of people, expertly dressed up as everything from the living dead to characters wielding massive chainsaws, stroll the streets.

 

They walk shoulder-to-shoulder with oblivious tourists and people in business suits rushing to work. It's the ultimate, chaotic juxtaposition—a street photographer's dream and nightmare all rolled into one!

 

This year, I was fortunate enough to be teaching a class during the convention. My students got a front-row seat to this spectacular display, a truly unique eyeful of NYC that they won't soon forget. Hopefully, they captured some once-in-a-lifetime pictures that serve as a vibrant reminder of this collision between fantasy and reality.

 

The sheer spectacle of a fully costumed Stormtrooper ordering a hot dog, or a group of superheroes waiting patiently at a traffic light, offers an unparalleled opportunity to practice candid street photography and environmental portraiture. The city's daily grind suddenly becomes the ultimate, dramatic backdrop for the world's greatest cosplay.

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.

If you've ever been outside the Connaught hotel in Mayfair, London, you know the drill. For a brief second, a burst of steam kicks out of the water pool in the main courtyard where all the luxury cars park.

It makes for a great photo—a genuinely striking shot—but it lasts only a few seconds. The challenge is trying to perfectly time a person walking past in front of the rising vapor. It sounds simple, but trust me, it's not.

The steam only releases every 15 minutes, so if you miss the window, you have a long wait and a lot of hoping that a pedestrian's pace will align with the fountain's schedule. I call it great fishing practice; it certainly teaches you patience!

One of the great things about Central Park and Bethesda Fountain is that it attracts people from all over. I think if you stayed there for a week, you would see most of the tourists in New York City. It also lends itself well to photographic opportunities, not only because of the great location but also because of the people who come and perform there. This particular lady was teaching dancing outside to a small group. The shapes she was making with the flow of her body to the music were fantastic against the city skyline.

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

If I had to pick favorite shooting scenarios, it would have to be Rome in the snow and London in full fog. I did not quite get the full fog, but I did get enough to capture this atmospheric shot of Sir Winston Churchill with Big Ben in the background. The bird just happened to fly in and add that missing something to the image.

Thank you to everyone who attended this past weekend's Leica Akademie Street Photography Masterclass in New York. The experience of meeting and teaching such a talented group was deeply rewarding.

 

We spent the weekend exploring the vibrant life of NYC, and there’s no better place to practice than on 5th Avenue, where the city’s pulse is strongest. It was inspiring to see each of you approach the challenge of 'the decisive moment' with such focus and creativity.

 

The image shared here captures just a fraction of the energy we found. I hope you left the masterclass feeling energized and equipped with new tools for your photography. I wish everyone continued success and the best of luck in their photographic journeys."

Now would you buy a hot dog from this stand even on a snowy night ?

Always a head-turner seeing Batman on the beach! This particular image was shot on a recent trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Proud to be included in the "100 Years of Leica" event in Madrid. This is a huge honor and will only happen once in my lifetime. The show is currently ongoing from Sept 10th - January 10th 2026. More Information below

 

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.

Fighting Bad Guys in Berlin,' this has to be one of the best tote bags ever. This portrait was taken on one of my more recent trips to Europe. I have been visiting Berlin since about 2000, and it just never disappoints. The people, the fashion, and the energy keep me coming back.

When you’re out there, you're looking for the raw essence. Most people are trying to blend in, to get past the next corner. But then you find the others. The ones who stand out. You see them, and you know immediately: they are the picture.

 

The gentleman with the extraordinary fashion—that’s the whole point. He’s the one who decided the rules don't apply, who is visually screaming his own story without saying a word. That’s the 'Think Different' you’re talking about, right there on the pavement. That quote from Jobs wasn't about a computer; it was a hymn to the rebels and the misfits.

 

I shoot people like that because they have heart. They have courage. They make the work worth doing. You walk up, you pay them respect with the lens, and you get a glimpse behind the curtain. That moment, when they allow you into their space—that is the whole reason we leave the house.

 

It’s less about the photography, , and more about who you will meet and what you will see. The camera just makes it possible. It gives you the shot, but the street gives you the story.

 

One of my favorite images is this one, taken in Paris. I was sitting in a cafe when this gentleman walked past me, all dressed up and looking like he had just come out of a time machine. I dropped everything, ran out of the cafe, and, doing my best, asked him in French if I could take his picture. The man kindly obliged, and it's still one of my favorite portraits today.

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.

This particular image was taken on probably the best weather day I have ever seen in New York. I was teaching a class for Leica Akademie USA that day, and we all lucked out. That morning alone we had multiple competition winners. The image was taken under the FDR Drive on the lower east side of Manhattan, New York.