Phil Penman has been using Leica cameras and lenses since 2004 and has not wavered in his choice of kit since then. He found his work was lacking soul and enjoyment, until he used a Leica for the first time. He reflects on this: ‘I was sold a Leica M7 by a friend of mine and became addicted very quickly to the quality of the glass and simplicity that the cameras gave me. I was now free again to concentrate purely on my creativity.’

‘The Street – it’s living and breathing. Millions of lives dizzyingly moving around us as we go about our daily routines…. But in a city like this, it’s all too easy to miss it if you don’t stop and look around once in a while because as they say, ‘’life moves pretty fast.’’ I’ve found this to be true in the 18 years I’ve trawled the streets of New York City as a photographer. If I was to say what I hope to achieve with my street photography, it would be to keep documenting the ever-changing streets of New York City in all its  rat-infested, garbage-mounted glory.’

Phil on using Leica cameras and lenses: ‘I’m still amazed with the quality that Leica has given my work. When someone tells you they instantly know its one of my shots on their Instagram feed, I know that the Leica Look definitely helped with that.’