New Photo Series: “La Bella Vita”
I have put together my latest photo series consisting of photos I took over a few years to various parts of Italy.
I have put together my latest photo series consisting of photos I took over a few years to various parts of Italy.
They consist of black & white and colour photographs that show off the beauty and elegance of the wonderful country and the people in it.
You can check it out below:
5 nights in New York City with the Leica M10
I love New York. Having been lucky enough to visit twice before, I never feel like I am there long enough and always miss it when I come back. When the oppertunity came to take a very short notice visit to the big apple at Christmas time, I began dreaming of what sort of photographs I may get this time around.
I love New York. Having been lucky enough to visit twice before, I never feel like I am there long enough and always miss it when I come back. When the opportunity came to take a very short-notice visit to the big apple at Christmas time, I began dreaming of what sort of photographs I may get this time around.
It had been seven years since my last trip in 2016. Back then, I had just started using my Sony camera system, was getting quite into portraits and just starting to dabble in this newfound genre of “street photography”. My photography style, interests and gear have changed a lot since then so I looked forward to what I may be able to capture in the few days and nights that I had to walk around the busy Brooklyn and Manhatten streets.
I even made a short shot-list of photos that I wanted to tick off before leaving, full of ideas like “Oculus interior” and “Radio City portrait/silhouette”. I am glad to say I only left a couple of these unchecked, (still didn’t get to the MoMa museum) and I am quite happy with some of the results.
For whatever reason, I was really feeling black-and-white during this trip so shot everything with that in mind. I took 15mm & 28mm Voigtlander lenses with me but ended up using my 50mm Summicron for 90% of the trip.
The highlight of the 5 days was undoubtedly the Strawberry Fields gathering that I took part in on December 8th, the anniversary of John Lennon’s death. Not many people can say they have sang along to their favourite album with 100 strangers in Central Park. It was a special night that I will never forget.
New York is always full of characters and I was glad to meet professional tightrope walker Ryan (who I shot crossing the steam covered road) and smartly dressed crooner Edward (who kindly stopped for me on the way to a gig). I also saw a man playing an ancient-looking Chinese string instrument and a dog with the most amazing but sad eyes I’ve ever seen.
On the way home, we got to stop in the TWA lounge at the JFK airport - a classy retro styled bar and seating area that is famous for welcoming the fab four at the height of Beatlemania in the 1960’s, and keeping the same elegant decor ever since. It’s a place I’d wanted to visit for some time and was, hands down, the most enjoyable time I’ve ever had waiting for a delayed flight, watching torrential rain splashing against the windows whilst listening to The Kinks.
I set off for New York in 2023 expecting it to be the final time I’d visit. As usual though, the days passed all too quickly and I wished I could stay for longer. With its world famous streets and the scale of the skyscrapers - being in New York City feels like walking through a movie full of interesting characters where anything could happen. Every New Yorker has a story to tell and they are just waiting for their chance to tell it.
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of those people and streets. The city that never sleeps, never leaves me disappointed. I only hope I can find my way back again someday.