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.

Chinatown is always a go to in New York ! Never a moment goes where you don't see something interesting. This particular day was no different.

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!

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

2018 was probably one of my favorite snowstorms in recent memory in New York City which led to this image. A store clerk from the fashion brand Thom Browne came outside for a quick selfie, and I was able to take this image with my Leica SL2 with a 28-90 Elmarit lens.

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.

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.

 

 

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.

Gone but not forgotten. I will never truly understand the magnitude of how big that day was. It changed my life forever. To read a full account of my day and to see all the pictures you can read it here

 

 

 

 

The photo was taken at the Jazz Age Lawn Party, which is this super popular 1920s-themed festival on Governors Island. It's not a regular jazz festival—it's more like a time machine where everyone dresses up in flapper dresses and suits, and you can listen to a live orchestra, have a picnic, and just soak up the vintage vibes. It’s a great place for people-watching and, as it turns out, taking incredible portraits.

 

 

I took this particular shot  using the Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux. This isn't just a regular camera lens; it's a bit of a legend. Was fun to experiment with and I would say the main advantage is having the ability to do close up focus.