Markus Andersen
Street | Last Updated: April 4, 2024
My name is Markus Andersen, I am a Sydney based professional freelance photographer concentrating on bodies of work for exhibition and books. I am a globally exhibited documentary, street and conceptual photographer and the majority of my street work on is shot on 35mm black & white film (usually Kodak Tri-X or ILford FP4+).
I like to take street images that examine the unusual or unsettling in our daily lives. Using multiple elements within a frame I hope to convey a foreboding presence within the image.
The equipment I like to shoot with on the street is varied yet simple. I do not like any technical barriers between myself and the image, wanting the camera and lens to act as a mechanical extension of my eye.
My primary cameras are a black Leica MP .72 and a chrome Leica M4 (about a 1968 model). The Leica MP is a sleek, industrial looking mechanical film camera that is designed to last forever. Without any “Leica” logo it is a discerning choice for the street photography – mine has a Gordy leather strap attached. The Leica M4 is a pure image making machine, no meter, no batteries – just shutter, film winder and rewind crank and that is it – simplicity. It has a Leica strap attached.
On the Leica MP I use a Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 Pre-ASPH (3rd version I think) lens because it is super sharp, has decent moderate contrast and I really like the flare produced (I don’t use a hood). The lens has a B+W UV filter attached. On my Leica M4 I use a Leica 35mm f/2.0 Summicron M Aspherical as it is small, tack sharp and has extraordinary contrast. It also has a B+W UV filter attached.
My back up cameras for my Leicas are two Olympus XA compact cameras. These are a super small rangefinder cameras with a fixed F-Zuiko 35mm f/2.8 lens and a 85cm to infinity rangefinder focus. I like the lens quality, the quiet shutter, the size and the ultra sensitive exposure button.
Finally, I am currently using Lomo 35mm LCA cameras for a specific documentary project. I love the simplicity of the LCA, the zone focus system (0.8, 1.5, 3 meters and infinity)) and the lo-fi quality of the lenses that produce unpredictable, organic effects on the exposed film.
A simple kit, as it does not distract me from the process of observing life, feeling the rhythm of a scene and then taking the frame.
Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.
Includes limited-time discounts.
