My 10 Favourite Shots of 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, I have looked back on the trips I went on and the photographic opportunities the year provided.
These are my ten favourite photographs of the year and a bit of story behind them:
As 2024 draws to a close, I have looked back on the trips I went on and the photographic opportunities the year provided.
As milestones go, this year I shot my first engagement photographs, spent the summer shooting on film with my first medium format camera, was a guest on a street photography podcast, got featured on YouTube and Instagram a few times by my favourite street photography community “Framelines”, finally attended and loved the classic car festival “Goodwood Revival”, captured the northern lights and hit my goal of keeping this blog updated with bi-monthly posts (on average).
These are my ten favourite photographs of the year and a bit of story behind them.
In no particular order:
1 - Revival Swing Party
One of my highlights of the year was visiting Goodwood Revival. Being a big fan of classic cars and classic fashion, the whole day provided so much to see and many photo opportunities. This scene occurred at revival village during a DJ set of swing music. I was happy that I was able to capture the moment while maintaining a sharp and well composed frame.
2 - USEUM
After only being in Vienna for an hour, I noticed this nice patch of light against a fancy building. I nearly didn’t stop as we were rushing to the Leica store before closing. Took a couple of frames and moved on. Number 22 on the memory card and possibly my favourite of the whole trip. It rained torrentially for hours shortly after this.
The moral of the story - never walk away from the photo.
3 - Newmarket Chairs
I spent a couple of hours at Newmarket racecourse one afternoon in the summer. No races were on that day which meant I could peruse around the grounds and capture some still life shots. This was one I took of the afternoon light hitting the green chairs in the stands.
4 - Roy
My favourite purchase this year was a 1966 Yashica-Mat TLR that I picked up for very little money in an antique store. I was unsure whether everything would work properly so loaded some Kodak XP2 black and white film and took it down the river one weekend. While stopping for a chat with a local painter friend Roy, I took this quick portrait of him and it is still one of my favourite shots I have created with this wonderful camera. I later had this photo printed and framed and gifted it to Roy. He seemed to like it.
5 - Engagement
Two of my closest friends, Craig and Regan, got engaged last Christmas so I took them out for one afternoon in January for a laid back engagement shoot. It was a lot of fun, something I would like to do more of in the new year. I’m glad I could be part of their special moment and it feels great to see some of these photographs hanging up in their home.
6 - Maleficent
I took a trip into the city on Halloween night with hopes to capture the scenes of Londoners dressed up on October 31st. Though I was initially disappointed by the lack of celebration, I eventually found a group of people in costume in Trafalgar Square. This young lady caught my eye and graciously posed for a few street portraits lit only by the Trafalgar street lamps.
7 - Missing the Ferry
I have shot a few music gigs over the years but none with such dynamic lighting as this Luton’s Hat Factory. I was pleased to be able to capture these photos for Irish folk band Missing the Ferry. A great bunch of guys and even better musicians.
8 - Aurora borealis
I was lucky enough to see and capture the Northern Lights this year and only had to travel as far as the field behind my flat, to do it. I spent couple of hours out there with my girlfriend trying different angles and techniques while the colours changed. It was very cold and extremely dark but we came away with some great shots and memories that will last.
9 - UFO
We took a day trip to Bratislava during our Vienna trip in the spring. It was a lovely city to walk around for a few hours. Just before our return bus was due to arrive, I spotted this shot so crouched and waited for a while for the crowd to clear. I was lucky to capture this moment of a passer by pointing at the alien overlords about to exterminate us.
10 - Flaneur
I captured this last image at “Chap” magazine’s Grand Flaneur Walk in the spring. A wonderful event where people dress in their Sunday best and drink till they’re tired. It is probably my favourite photo of the year as I feel everything in the frame fits perfectly together.
Next year I would like to concentrate more on street portraits and how to take a good one, give mastering zone focusing for street another go, finally get a few of my projects printed off in a low-cost zine form and complete and publish one of the two current street photography projects I am currently working on.
Happy New Year and I hope 2025 is kind to you.
Luke
Leica SPC Podcast Episode
Earlier in the year, I was given the opportunity to be a guest on the Leica Street Photography Collective podcast, the world’s premiere street photography podcast for Leica Users.
Earlier in the year, I was given the opportunity to be a guest on the Leica Street Photography Collective podcast, the world’s premiere street photography podcast for Leica Users.
I spoke with Ricky - calling in from his home in Okinawa, Japan - about the history of street photography with Leica cameras, where to find inspiration, blending different photography genres together and the importance of personal projects.
It was a great experience, all thanks to Ricky for inviting me on.
You can listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify via the links below:
0:01 : Intro ; 02:00 : Still Life ; 11:15 : Human Subjects ; 19:00 : Relevance ; 23:00 : The Vivian Maier Effect ; 28:00 : When I started making photos ; 38:00 : Film ; 48:00 : My Process ; 57:00 : Projects ; 1:00:XX : Socials ; 1:05:XX : Solo ; 1:26:XX : My recommendations ; 1:31:XX : The Final Question.
Rolleiflex, Summilux or M3?
Just like most hobbyist photographers, I suffer from a nasty condition known as G.A.S or “Gear acquisition syndrome”. You could argue that photography is as much about the process of taking photos as it is about the finished result, so using gear that I find inspiring, is important to me.
Just like most hobbyist photographers, I suffer from a nasty condition known as G.A.S or “Gear acquisition syndrome”. You could argue that photography is as much about the process of taking photos as it is about the finished result, so using gear that I find inspiring, is important to me.
After saving up for many years I was finally able to purchase my dream camera a couple of years ago - the Leica M10. I have already created many happy memories and lovely photographs with my Leica and still relish going out shooting with it. This does not stop the thoughts of trying other camera systems out though. I am regularly tempted by a YouTube video or a nice photo I see online, to try something new and see what results I can get. There are so many cameras I would love to try but these ideas are at direct odds with my desire for a simple one camera, one lens life.
As we are now coming into summertime, I am starting to think about my big purchase for 2024 and what it could be. My thoughts and opinions often change but luckily for my wallet, I am not a very impulsive person. Over these last few months, off the top of my head, the cameras I have thought about buying are: Leica Q, Hasselblad 500C/M, Leica Sofort 2, Fuji X Pro, Sony A7 III, Leica T, Rollei 35, Leica M9, and Olympus OM1.
These camera obsessions come and go but there are three items that remain constant objects of desire for one reason or another. Two camera’s and one lens. All of them with the chance that they won’t live up to the hype and image I have built up in my head after so much research but all three that, hopefully, when I’m lucky enough to own them, I’ll create many memories with and hold onto for many years.
The only question is, which should I go for first?
Rolleiflex 3.5F
The Rolleiflex TLR. An iconic camera that many people will recognise. The huge 6x6 negative that come out of this thing, combined with the amazing Zeiss optics, produce such high-quality photographs in the right light. The shooting experience will be the biggest difference to what I’m used to - surely similar to getting used to a rangefinder after using a DSLR - and will hopefully train my creative eye in new ways. And just look at it - is this the most beautiful camera ever made? Surely a contender. I would love to own something of real quality that was made in the 1950’s or 1960’s that still works flawlessly today, I think the Rolleiflex could be it. My dream is to pick up a perfect condition 3.5F model and use it to capture classic car shows in the summer and street portraits in the winter.
Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH
The 50mm ‘Lux is a lens I have lusted after for many years. As a predominantly 50mm shooter, the combination of the world class optics, small size, fast aperture and attractive design, make the Summilux seem like the ultimate lens for me. I’ve also recently been drawn to its unique flare that can really make an image stand out when used correctly. This particular model - the aspherical version 1 - was made from 2004 until 2023 when it was replaced by the new (in my opinion inferior) version. Just vintage enough to be interesting but modern enough to stand up with any lens made today and produce better images.
When I first got my M10, I paired it with the Chinese knockoff of this lens, the TTArtisan 50mm f1.4. Though I am fond of the images I was able to capture with that lens, the size and weight always put me off carrying it and, to me, it looks so ugly on the front of such a beautiful camera. I really do love my 50mm Summicron but until I try it, I am always going to wonder if the Summilux is the perfect companion to an M for me.
Leica M3
The legendary Leica M3. One of the world’s most famous cameras. Responsible for many of history’s most famous photographs and is still renowned for its build quality, innovations it brought to the camera world and smooth and simple user experience. To own an M3 would mean owning a piece of history and to find out for myself if it really is the pinnacle of Leica rangefinders. This year marks the M3’s 70th birthday in 1954 so what better time to pick one up, while they are still being serviced and while prices still have not gone stratospheric! I’d pair it with my 50mm Summicron and roam the streets like Henri Cartier-Bresson, keeping both eyes open and composing shots through its gorgeous 0.91 rangefinder.
I really do want to add all three of these items to my camera cabinet but for now I’m thinking about what will get used the most, what will give me the biggest difference to what I shoot with currently and what I will be able to produce the nicest images with.
It might be a case of which one I come across for a good deal/good condition first.
Currently though, I’m leaning towards the Rolleifllex.
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.
My 10 Favourite Shots of 2023
2023 was another enjoyable year for my photography journey.
I shot my first music gig, attended a few photography meet ups, completed a six month “1 camera 1 lens” challenge and rebranded this website.
These are my ten favourite photographs of the year and a bit of story behind them:
2023 was another enjoyable year for my photography journey.
I shot my first music gig, attended the first “Framelines” street photography community meetups, wrote a couple of well received blog posts, completed a six month “1 camera 1 lens” challenge, expanded/rebranded this website to feature more of my work, attended a workshop from one of the masters of the genre Mark Fearnly and also met one of my biggest inspirations Alan Schaller.
These are my ten favourite photographs of the year and a bit of story behind them.
In no particular order:
1 - Keeping an Eye Out
Taken on my spring trip to Venice, I love the dapper look of this Italian waiter and the shifty look in his eye. I tried to incorporate the foreground to frame the image and create a voyeur-like effect.
2 - Upstream Colour
After unboxing my 50mm lens, I went for a brief scenic walk and captured this scene of two rowers down the river. I like the way the waves make the water look like a blue piece of creased paper.
3 - Road Runner
I had a few images in mind before departing on my trip to New York this winter and I was glad to be able to capture this one of a pedestrian running across the smoke covered and headlight-lit road. Not an easy one to capture but an image that you can only get in NYC.
4 - Entrapment
Taken at a temporary art exhibition this spring. A very busy room with a real lack of available light, I was happy to get this shot when a gentleman crouched down in the perfect spot.
5 - Walking Through Hoops
After being inspired on a photography workshop, I was playing around with framing in boring looking locations when I came across this elaborate gate and waited for the perfect subject to walk into the gap. My thigh muscles paid the price, but the final result was worth it.
6 - Brave New World
Taken at the London Science Museum, I loved the design of this room and imagined being on a futuristic space hotel looking down on the earth below.
7 - Venetian Pigeon
I was composing a high contrast shot of the top of St Mark's Basilica in Venice when this pigeon entered the frame and I was able to catch him at the perfect moment about to take flight.
8 - Coronation Boy
King Charle’s III’s coronation was a busy affair with many lining the streets brandishing their Union Jack flags. I spent the morning walking up and down The Mall capturing history and noticed this smart chap in the middle of the bustle. Thankfully, this was taken before the heavy rainfall came and turned the place into a sea of dark umbrellas.
9 - Steps and Boxes
I noticed the minimal and beautiful design of this staircase and seating area in an Apple store in the city. I usually would not like the mess of the bottom section but feel the pleasing colours and original design of these seats, adds to the overall image.
10 - Finishing Touches
For a limited time earlier this year, there was a gigantic statue of the Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama outside Harrods. I went there with the idea of getting an interesting shot of her peering into the store windows at the shoppers but ended up preferring this photo of her painting the shop front.
In 2024 I plan to intentionally shoot a bit more regularly, continue taking street portraits. limit myself to B+W only for a a period, experiment with film again, organise a few portrait shoots, create and print a new low-cost zine and get a photo or project of mine featured on a prominent photography blog.
I guess we’ll see how much of that I can pull off this time next year.
Happy New Year everyone!
Embracing one camera one lens - six months with the Leica 50mm Summicron Version 4
The greatest street photographers that I admire all tended to stick to one main focal length for most of their famous work. With a cabinet full of great lenses all fighting for a trip outdoors anytime I pick up the camera, this idea has appealed to me recently. But which camera and which lens?
The greatest street photographers that I admire all tended to stick to one main focal length for most of their famous work. They say this removes indecisiveness, keeps you more in the moment, enables you to visualize an image without looking through the camera, creates a concise body of work and kills the dreaded gear-acquisition-syndrome. With a cabinet full of great lenses all fighting for a trip outdoors anytime I pick up the camera, this idea has appealed to me recently. Less time deciding, more time shooting is the idea. But which camera and which lens?
I have long gravitated to the 50mm. I do like to experiment with a wider 35mm or 28mm and some of my most interesting pictures from last year have come from my 15mm lens. If I had to commit to one lens for half a year though, it would have to be a 50 and though I love my FE mount 55mm Zeiss, this challenge would have to be with my Leica. The TTArtisan 50mm 1.4 ASPH is such a well-built lens that produces amazing shots but there is one problem - it weighs a ton (aka 395g), so I was on the lookout for an alternative. After months of research looking for my perfect M mount 50, I saw a great deal on my dream lens that I could not pass up. Upon purchase I made one promise to myself - I will use this Leica Summicron with my Leica M10 exclusively for six months, to really put it through its paces, get to know how they perform together and concentrate more on the composition rather than which tools to use.
The first thing that struck me about the lens was the size and weight. Coming from the TTArtisan goliath, at only 195g the ‘Cron felt so small and nimble. It is so perfectly balanced on this camera, no more tipping forward to aching wrist if I carried it for more than an hour. I also love how it looks on the camera - the quintessential M camera combination with a lens coating that gives off a beautiful orange hue when shone in the right light. When I got it, I only had a 39mm filter in silver, but I really love the silver-black-silver look this combo gives off. Very vintage looking with many people asking if I am shooting on film.
The image quality should not need to be mentioned - the Leica 50mm Summicron has been a benchmark lens that all others are measured against since its inception in 1953. Though, being older than me (these were manufactured from 1979 - 1994 with my copy coming from 1984) I am still stunned how much detail there is and how vivid the colours are on my digital sensor. Sure, if I had to be picky, I would say the images from some of my modern Zeiss or Voigtlander lenses are even sharper with a bit more pop but I love shooting a lens with as much rich history as this one, in such a tight package that does not fall victim to many of the shortcomings often found in vintage glass, such as soft focus, washed out colours and excessive flare. Speaking of lens flare, the V4/V5 Summicron’s are often chastised for their shabby flare control, but I can honestly say I have only seen one or two images in these six months that were negatively affected by flare. I normally only attach the hood on very sunny days or just when I want the camera to look even more vintage, so I am glad I didn’t let all those naysayers put me off the lens for this reason alone - in my experience anyway, flaring is not an issue.
One thing I thought might be a bit more useful, would be the lens tab. I have long had this romantic notion of being able to get to know a lens so well that I can perfectly zone focus with the aperture wide open and get tack sharp shots. I am finding this more difficult than initially expected and I have realised the people I see using this method all use wider focal lengths like 35mm, 28mm or 24mm. I think 50mm is significantly harder to do this and I might have to practice a bit longer than six months to be as quick at focusing as lifelong 50mm shooter Elliot Erwitt.
I have really enjoyed this half a year taking out the camera and not wasting energy decided which glass to attach to the front. It is quite freeing and has led me to think about what's in front of me a lot more. Since I have had the M10 I have struggled a bit more than I expected with framing a scene using range-finder frame lines rather than a mirrorless EVF, but I feel like I am a bit better now at visualising what will be in my image and what I am cutting out. Occasionally I miss the separation of f1.4 and longingly check if prices for a Summilux ASPH have come down (they never do) but in reality, with the right placement and the ISO ranges of modern sensors, F2 should be enough in almost all situations.
Now that the six months is up, I feel myself being drawn to the 28mm again and giving it another chance. I am also thinking about getting my Summicron serviced to smooth out the focus throw a bit and get the mount changed for a 6-bit coded one (I’m a sucker for accurate EXIF details). If this does not cost too much and doesn’t take too long it might be nice to send it off over winter, ready to be shot again in lovely fresh condition in the spring.
For now, I love my 50mm Summicron V4, for me it is the perfect everyday street photography lens for a Leica and hope this is just the start of my journey of taking meaningful photographs with it.
Shooting my first music gigs with the Leica M10 and Sony A7
This year I got the opportunity to shoot my first music gig at my local live music venue, The Gallery. I have taken the odd candid shot of street musicians before but having the chance to photograph a whole gig was something was something that I had wanted to try out for a while.
This year I got the opportunity to shoot my first music gig at my local live music venue, The Gallery. I have taken the odd candid shot of street musicians before but having the chance to photograph a whole gig was something was something that I had wanted to try out for a while.
The act were a cockney singalong band called “Harmonica Lewinsky”. They performed a range of classic cockney knees-up tunes and Chas & Dave covers.
I used the Leica M10 with 28mm & 50mm lenses as well as the Sony A7 with an 85mm. Having the ability to freely move around the venue let me bring out all the strengths of these focal lengths and provided a nice mix of perspectives. Being a small venue however, I was always conscious of being in people’s way, so I tried to stay discrete and take as many pictures as I could from the front row seat that I had been given.
One thing I would have done differently after reviewing the images, is ask the lead singer to lose the portable fan attached to his microphone for a couple of songs. It bothered me at the time, and I know the full body shots of him would have looked a lot nicer without the fan covering his lovely guitar.
A couple of months later I brought my camera to a gig by the band “Missing the Ferry”. It was another great night at The Gallery, with the packed house signing along to Irish folk tunes. I tried to capture the jovial spirit in my informal photos, which the band were very appreciative of and ended up sharing on their social media.
I enjoyed trying my hand at music gig photography and need to find some more small venues to give it another go.