City Lives World Tour - Lone / Hope in Megalopolis

Photographs in this series have been taken between 2005 and 2011, in London, Hong Kong, New York, and San Francisco. these are the cities we live in, along with millions others. Click on the cover to access the full catalogue (click on Download Original when in Google Documents for optimal quality PDF).

Exit Only

Exit Only © Hugo MARTIN - 2011

Camera: Leica M6

Lens: Leica Summicron 50mm f/2.0

Film: Kodak Ektar 100

Post Processing: None

Achtung! - 2010 Berlin Streetshots

All photographs have been taken in Berlin between August 31st and September 4th 2010. Click on the cover below to access the full catalogue (click on Download Original for optimal quality PDF).

Made in NY / 2011 New York Instants

All photographs in this set have been shot in New York between November 5th and November 12th 2011, using standard and panoramic 35mm film cameras. I used exclusively Kodak Ektar 100 negative color films. There is no digital post processing or retouching applied, to the exception of black & white pictures which have been desaturated. Click on the cover to access the full catalogue (click on Download Original for optimal quality PDF).

Slideshow

(Best in HD 720)

Catalogue

(Click on "Download Original" for optimal quality - PDF)

In & Out

In & Out © Hugo MARTIN - 2010

Camera: Nikon D2XS

Lens: Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX

Post Processing: B&W

Steve McCurry: Iconic Photographs

OK... I am blessed! This past weekend, my wonderful wife had the wonderful idea of booking tickets for a lecture by Steve McCurry at the National Portrait Gallery. The event was organized by Phaidon for the official launch of his new limited edition book: Iconic Photographs.

In front of a few happy ones, and during a little more than an hour, Steve went through a portfolio of about a hundred amazing vivid and speechless pictures, that he shot over the last 30 years, in Tibet, Afghanistan, India, Kashmir, Niger, and even New York.

One of the fundamentals of the Magnum Agency, is that photographs must speak by themselves. The ones we saw definitely did. Steve was sharing anecdotes, and short stories rather than defining each photograph in details. He gave us the opportunity to get our own interpretation of each picture. In the end, Steve was kind enough to go through a quick Q&A, and a book signing session. With all that said, this was indeed a privileged experience!

For those of you who would not know who Steve McCurry is, here is a short summary of his acclaimed career, which I got from the National Portrait Gallery's website: A member of Magnum photos since 1986, Steve McCurry launched his career as a photojournalist when, disguised in native garb, he crossed the Pakistan border into Afghanistan over twenty years ago. His remarkable coverage won him the Robert Capa Gold Medal, which is presented to photographers who exhibit exceptional courage and enterprise. His awards also include the National Press Photographer's Association's Magazine Photographer of the Year, the Olivier Rebbot Memorial Award (awarded twice) and won four first prizes in the same year at the World Press Photo Contest.

© Steve McCurry / PHAIDON

Good News

Just a very quick post to let you know that:

1. Apple Aperture 3 is now released with a bunch of new features (click here for more info)
2. After a very long wait, Aperture finally supports RAW images from the Panasonic LX3 (click here for more info and here for my review of the LX3)

Metro Imaging

I miss the photo labs I went to in NY. Well, I know this sounds like a posh thing to say, but seriously, I thought the only way to get photo prints in London was from Snappy Snaps, or Kodak Express labs. I thought there was no CRC, no L&I, no Duggal, in other words, no proper photo labs which offer a complete range of services, from film to digital, from giclee to hand print, from drum scanning to proofing, from mounting to framing. But I was wrong, as I just found out that there is METRO IMAGING in Clerkenwell!

You will find them at 32 Great Sutton Street. Nearest tube stations are Barbican or Farrigdon. Online, you will find them here.

Dusk in Shoreditch

Not much to say, just passing by...

Shoreditch - MGB © Hugo MARTIN - 2010

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: Cropping

Snowy Wednesday

Did you ever notice how quiet your city is on a snowy day? This was the case in New York, and this was the case this morning in London. To compensate this silence, I decided to shoot noisy pictures on my way to work by forcing the ISO on the M8...

Snowy Wednesday - Harewood Avenue © Hugo MARTIN - 2010

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: Cropping

Snowy Wednesday - Sidewalk © Hugo MARTIN - 2010

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: Cropping

Snowy Wednesday - St Mary's School © Hugo MARTIN - 2010

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: Cropping

Snowy Wesdnesday - MGB © Hugo MARTIN - 2010

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: Cropping

Quietness on Regent Street

I shot this picture from the bus as I just bought my new camera. This was supposed to be a test shot but it did turn to be a shot I like. On a totally different approach, the quietness of this lady in the middle of the busy Regent Street reminds me of the picture I did post in "Prayer on 23rd Street".

Quietness on Regent Street © Hugo MARTIN - 2009

Camera: Nikon D2XS

Lens: Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX

Post Processing: None

Robot Comedy Rock

Quick souvenir of the good laugh I had while discovering the "Robot Comedy Rock" in Notting Hill a few weeks ago. The guy is a great comedian and his show only is worth braving the crowd of the Portobello Market on a Saturday.

Robot Comedy Rock © Hugo MARTIN - 2009

Camera: Nikon D2XS

Lens: Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX

Post Processing: None

Aperture Photographic - Camera Cafe

To buy a camera in London, there are stores everybody knows about, such as Calumet, Jacobs, and Jessops. Of course, these are great stores, and you will probably find what you are looking for (and possibly more), but I personally don't find the customer experience interesting. Although they have they have good professionals and lots of stock, they miss a "touch", an "exclusivity", a detail - other than price - that makes you go to one rather than another.

But there are also other little boutiques, the ones I am delighted to discover and let you know about.

Aperture Cafe is one of these. As they seem proud to announce on their website, they are the "first Camerashop and Cafe in the world (as far as they know)". So, not only you can enjoy their wide selection of coffees, and get you a nice latte, expresso, or mochaccino; you will also enjoy their wide selection of second-hand prime cameras and lenses (Leica, Hasselblad, Contax, Canon, Nikon). Let me say that their coffee is probably fair-trade, and so is their photographic equipment! Yes, prices are good, and trade-in are definitely fair, considering they also offer a 6 months warranty on all equipment (12 months on Leica). Last but not least, the guys there are really cool, know about photography, and have good advice.

You will find them at 44 Museum Street, near the British Museum. Nearest tube station are Tottenham Court Road or Holborn. Online, you will find them by clicking here.

Long Live Aperture Photography!

Aperture Cafe © Hugo MARTIN - 2009

Hugo by Eric

Remember my very good friend Eric I told you about in my posts "On the Fifth" and "Only-In-New-York Portraits"? Well, he's into video... And here is a surprise gift he offered me, after a few days spent together before I left New York! I just could not keep it for myself! For those who don't know me, I am that guy with the hat on. Thanks Eric!

Ny FRiend © Eric Dumont - 2009

National Geographic Daily Dozen - 2

This is the third time I got a picture selected in the National Geographic Daily Dozen by NGM editor Susan Welchman! Today is for my picture "Sophie La Giraffe" that was part of my last post "In a Mood for Zoos". I now need your help to reach the final selection. So please vote for me! To do so, click here and then click on "Voting Machine". My picture will come at one point... please give it the grade you think it deserves!

In a Mood for Zoos

I am usually not at all into animal photography, but as we say in French, "une fois n'est pas coutume" (once is no habit). So yes, I am one of those guys who still go to zoos and who still get amazed to see hippos, giraffes, and zebras.

It happens once every three or four years, and usually after a tough party at night. I am sure you know what I mean, this kind of day on which you wake up with a big headache, asking to yourself: "What should I do today?". To be frank, the question yesterday was more "What am I capable of doing today?" Usually you think of laying on your couch watching something like the Tour de France on TV, a Formula 1 Grand Prix (but yesterday was Saturday, so no grand prix), or to the most, going to the movie. I must admit I did watch a bit of the Tour de France which helped me recover.

After that, don't ask me why, I felt in a mood for zoos so I went to the London Zoo in Regent's Park. The minute I arrived, rain started falling. And what do zoo owners do when it rains? They lock animals, so that you can either enjoy visiting the smelly and packed animal houses, or watch animals from outside! As my nose is a little itchy these days I chose option two, and took this quick shot of our friend "Sophie La Giraffe".

Sophie La Giraffe at the London Zoo © Hugo MARTIN - 2009

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: Cropping

Red Dot Cameras

Red Dot Cameras is the kind of store... Sorry, the kind of boutique, in which I can spend hours.

Two Saturdays ago, I was walking back from the Magnum Print Room where I went for the Werner Bischof's Reluctant Photojournalist exhibition. Something I did not know though is that the Magnum Print Room only opens Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. So I finally arrived there after an hour of all-lines-are-closed-in-London-during-weekends kind of commute, noticed it was closed, got upset, and decided to head back west, BUT... on my way back, I did find Red Dot Cameras, "the UK's only exclusively LEICA store"! Now guess what... I went in!

The 40 square meters place is like a Leica camera: sober, discreet, and full of resources. As you enter, you will find various magazines on the table next to the sofa, such as LFI, as well as some flyers for diverse exhibitions, including - how ironic - the Werner Bischof's one. The sofa itself defines the spirit: don't rush, take your time, have a look, discuss... I am sure you could even have a cup of tea there! Then, as you go deeper in the store, you will find the perfect Leica library. At last, just a little bit further, you will find them: the LEICAs! New, Used, M, R, Screw-Mount, Lenses, Bodies, and Accessories, that you will even be able to try. So how could I resist? I tried the noctilux on my M8! Ah!

At last, Ivor and Elaine, the owners are not just sales persons. They are both Leica and photography experts, and they will kindly share their passion and advice with you.

As you may have noticed, I liked the experience, and I will go back for sure!

By the way, the address is 68 Old Street, London.

For more information, click here.

Back at Night

Saturday, 2AM in NY. Some get back home after a party, and others get back home after a party, but with their cameras. You will notice the picture is slightly out of focus... First, my friend Werner made me drink, and second, f/1.2 does not forgive you! 

Back at Night © Hugo MARTIN - 2009

Camera: Canon T90

Lens: Canon FD 50mm f/1.2 @ f/1.2

Film: Kodak Ektar 100

Post Processing: None

Last Shot from NY

Back in 2005, I shot the very first picture of my NY life, with a Canon T90 camera (click here to refresh your memory), and I somehow had to shoot my very last one with the same camera.

Taking some time on the East River Walk © Hugo MARTIN - 2009

Camera: Canon T90

Lens: Canon FD 50mm f/1.2 @ f/11

Film: Kodak Ektar 100

Post Processing: None

Camera Collector

In the crowded arcades of the Portobello Market this morning, I met an inspired and inspiring camera collector.

Portobello Market Camera Collector © Hugo MARTIN - 2009

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: None

Monday Morning

Last Monday in New York! I shot that shot as I woke up this morning, souvenir of the last instants as a resident of this amazing city.

Monday Morning © Hugo Martin - 2009

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: B&W, Crop

The Hat is Back

What if the hat was in fashion again? Some do try hard to bring it back.

Man with a hat on Time Square © Hugo Martin - 2009

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Crop

Doorman at Crown Plaza

I am convinced that portrait photography can definitely be linked to street photography, so I am starting a portrait serie.

Doorman at Crown Plaza © Hugo Martin - 2009

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Crop

Close and Away

Saturday morning on Madison Avenue. Two men a few blocks away. One comes back from Citarella, the other does not.

Man on 30th Street © Hugo Martin - 2009

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Crop

Man on 34th Street © Hugo Martin - 2009

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Crop

Outside Westfield

Located at the edge of Shepherd's Bush in London, Westfield is one of the largest malls in Europe, where the professional shopper can fully enjoy the variety of stores from electronics to luxury clothing. I did not have the opportunity yet to shoot pictures inside the mall, but I shot a few outside of it, that certainly brings the consumer back to reality and concrete geometries.

Outside Westfield © Hugo Martin - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Crop

Snowy Day in NYC

Live from New York, I took this shot from my window few minutes ago.

Cab & Snow © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Crop

London Calling

I am pleased to announce that I am relocating from New York to London in now less than a month.  I actually just come back from a discovery weekend where I shot a couple pictures on the move.

City Crosswalk © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Crop

The Tube © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Crop

Brunch

How could I talk about New York without even talking about brunches? And here I am with a new idea of serie! These are two of the parties that took place at HK (39th Street and 9th Avenue) last Sunday. Great steak sandwich by the way...

Click on the pictures for better colors and contrasts.

HK Brunch ©  Martin - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4

Post Processing: Crop / Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

HK Brunch © Hugo Martin - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4

Post Processing: Crop / Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

Leica Introduction Walk

I know it's been two months since my last activity on this blog, but I had a physical condition that prevented me from moving my right arm, and as a side effect, that forbade me to shoot any picture! But it's almost fixed and I am back!

What a great day! I actually just come back from my post-brunch walk in Midtown and Chelsea, with my good friend Werner, who wanted to get introduced to film photography, and... to the Leica. He shot two films with my M6, and he won't admit it but I guess he was quite convinced. Hopefully the results will soon be posted in our new common blog (That's a scoop!).

So we decided to go to the Hells Kitchen Flea Market, on 39th Street and 9th Avenue, where he burnt his first roll in 10 minutes (yes, he's coming from digital...). At this point I got quite worried as I only brought 3 rolls for the afternoon! We got there by 2pm which was the perfect time, with strong light and high contrasts! The perfect time as well to test my new Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm lens with the M8 (for photo geeks, see the technical note "Why did I buy a 25mm lens???"). At the end, we walked down to CRC to develop the films (which was closed), and ended going to L&I, which actually provides an excellent service as well. Anyway, here are a few shots from this afternoon.

Click on the pictures for better colors and contrasts.

HK Flea Market 1 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

HK Flea Market 2 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

HK Flea Market 3 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

Penn Station Taxi 1 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

Penn Station Taxi 2 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

Penn Station Taxi 3 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0

Post Processing: Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

Technical Note: Why did I buy a 25mm lens???

As you may have noticed, my preferred focal length for street photography is 35mm. I have always paired my Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm with the M6, but when I attached it to the M8, due to the smaller size of the sensor (27mm x 18mm instead of 24mm x 36mm for a standard film), the focal length was multiplied by 1.33 (this is what we call crop factor). As a result, it almost became a 50mm, which was too narrow for me. So I decided to buy a wider lens, with two constraints: first was quality, second was budget (I heard times are tough). I read good reviews about the Color Skopar 25mm f/4.0, which happens to be 8 times cheaper than a Leica 24mm f/3.8, so I went for it. By the way, as I was not able to find this info anywere on the web, this lens does bring the 24mm framelines in the viewfinder.

Peace Walker

I know peace is here. 

If only I dared looking at it...

Peace Walker © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: Contrast, Color and Brightness Adjustments

The Bear, The Warrior and The Buddha

There is an extraordinary place at the corner of Houston & Elizabeth St. called Billy's Antiques. May you want to furnish your loft with weird and uncommon stuff, this is the right place to go. When I went there yesterday, I found diverse MTA signs, some old Coke dispensers, religious and demoniac paintings, a jet ejection seat (ejected), one deer and one bear head, etc... Even Santa was for sale! This may be a store, it feels more like a museum or a haunted place!

So I took this one quick picture that should give you a preliminary taste. It could be a still life painting, but don't trust that, this is just an illusion. Look how the bear is looking at the warrior, himself looking at the buddha... Don't you think they have some kind of secrets together? Not only that actually, look at the Dom Perignon magnum bottles behind them! C'mon it's New York! I am pretty confident that these guys do party at night!

The Bear, The Warrior and The Buddha ⓒ Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8
Lens:Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5
Post Processing: None

The View

"The View" is quite an experience. Built at the penthouse of the Marriott Marquis Hotel, 48 stories above Time Square, this restaurant is actually the only revolving one in New York. This is for sure a very touristic place, cocktails may be the most expensive ones in New York (7 dollars entry fees + 16 dollars margarita + tax + tip = 28 dollars), but I guess that's the price to pay to enjoy "The View".

At The View ⓒ Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8
Lens: Voigtlander Heliar 15mm f/4.5
Post Processing: BW, Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

Life Photo Archives

I am very excited! This is just a small post to inform you that today, Time has allowed to make all pictures published into "Life" available on Google Image. This is simply one of the greatest database available to anyone interested in photojournalism.

Passionate Drivers

As I was at 5 Pointz, in Long Island City this morning, I met a group of guys coming for a very special photo shoot. No male or female model here, but definitely some crazy cars with tuned wheels, wings, suspensions, engine, etc... I was not here for the shoot itself, but for its preparation. Let the cars shine!

Passionate Drivers 1 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Heliar 15mm f/4.5

Post Processing: Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

Passionate Drivers 2 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

Passionate Drivers 3 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

Passionate Drivers 4 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M8

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Post Processing: Contrast and Brightness Adjustments

Colombus Day Parade

October 13th, 2008. New York celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Colombus' arrival in the Americas with a 3 hours long gigantic parade on Fifth Avenue: 35,000 marchers, 100 bands, dozens of police and fire trucks, and about one million spectators. This is the "the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American culture". I won't tell more about it, but you can find plenty of information on the Colombus Citizens Foundation website.

With that said, I happened to be on the Upper East Side for administrative purposes. As I headed out of the consulate - yes, my consulate was open on this holiday -, I heard the drums, trumpets, and other musical instruments echoing on Fifth Avenue. So I walked South bound and took a few shots.

FDNY Child © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M6

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Film: Kodak Ektachrome E200

Post Processing: None

Proud to be Italian © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M6

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Film: Kodak Ektachrome E200

Post Processing: None

USA Child © Hugo MARTIN - 2008

Camera: Leica M6

Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5

Film: Kodak Ektachrome E200

Post Processing: None

Italian Rolls Royce © Hugo MARTIN - 2008 Camera: Leica M6 Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5 Film: Kodak Ektachrome E200 Post Processing: None