The Poetry
of the World
Deserves Witnesses
Photographer Michael Erimo has a strong attachment to his native city of Paris, particularly to his home in the 14th and 15th arrondissements.
These areas have profoundly influenced his perspective. For Michael, this background is an endless stage for a curious bystander eager to capture unique views of the seemingly familiar.
Michael's connection to his contemporaries is evident in his photographs, which often feature spontaneous portraits emphasising expressions, looks, and everyday situations. He focuses on unknown neighbours with great characters, whether charismatic or expressive, reflecting their genuine personalities. Through his lens, Parisians are portrayed as their true selves, showcasing the rich diversity of human nature.
When not wandering Paris with his camera, Michael formerly worked as an engineer for Cisco Systems, where he valued logical simplicity in the presence of raw data. His passion for photography grew so significantly he decided to leave his job at Cisco Systems to become a professional photographer. His mission, which he holds dear, is to document cultural traditions and activities that are inclined to disappear.
Michael's journey had been anything but overnight. He understands that photography cannot be improvised and that continuous learning is crucial. He emphasizes learning from admired photographers and values photographic culture, often turning to books as his primary resource.
As a Leica M user, both digital and analog, Michael is an active member of the LFI community. His involvement has earned him the honour of having some of his photos published in the LFI Magazine, featured in LFI Galleries such as Picture of the Week and Mastershot, and he has exhibited at various photo events.
Where/when did you take the shot, and what equipment did you use ?
Location : Pont de Bercy, Paris, France
Date : 5th of May, 2023
Equipment : Leica M10 Monochrom and Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH.
Do you have a title for the image and can you share the story behind it?
Title: Damsel with the ankle socks
The most ordinary and unnoticeable garments are the main subject of this photo: the socks worn by a young Parisian woman. They refer to Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which is a beautiful book.
How did you get into the scene, and does this image hold a special meaning for you?
Le Petit Prince is a foundational poetic and philosophical tale for me.
In the context of this photo, I can't help but think about a quote from the author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." In my opinion, this quote can also be applied to photography. Henri Cartier-Bresson beautifully articulated this: “To photograph: it is to put on the same line of sight the head, the eye, and the heart.”
For this image, my approach consisted of modifying the perspective to focus on a detail to communicate a message while maintaining an aesthetic and meaningful background. Overall, I hope to prompt the viewer to dive into his or her own imaginary world.
Michael Erimo
I was once asked to define Leica Camera in a single word, and the word that resonated the most for me was “essence.” Leica cameras are designed with the essential in mind: the subject. They focus on the true essence of photography, allowing us to get very close to the subject in every aspect. I believe “essence” encapsulates this approach, which is crucial for making strong photos.
There are also key technical characteristics, and if I had to select just one, it would be the exceptional lens quality. Leica lenses are so well engineered that the resulting images have a unique style recognizable among thousands; they possess a crisp, lifelike charm combined with a timeless finish.
The Leica cameras I use the most are the Leica M9, M9 Monochrom (CCD sensor), and the M10 Monochrom. The lens I use the most is the Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH., about 80% of the time. This lens aligns precisely with my approach to street photography. I also sometimes use the Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH., around 20% of the time.
Michael Erimo
How did you get into Street Photography?
I’ve always practiced photography for the personal pleasure of sharing the beauty of the world with my relatives and friends. It has given me the opportunity to capture the beauty of places that are not normally seen. However, I experienced a huge change when I started street photography; the subject itself became the focus, compared to my earlier approach where the activity was the topic that could eventually be documented via a photograph.
My goal became to show Paris in a way we are not used to perceiving it. My love of Paris could not be reproduced on film from a distance, simply by showing views and vistas. I realised proximity was lacking. I had to go down into the streets, get closer to the subjects, and increase the tempo of the highlights. I needed to work with less passivity and more action. This significant change led to a surge in my passion for photography.
What is your link with Leica or Leica cameras?
As a Leica M user, both digital and analog, I’m an active member of the LFI community. This allowed me the honour of having some works published in the LFI Magazine, as well as highlighted in the LFI.Gallery.
The Poetry of the World Deserves Witnesses
LFI.Gallery – see, experience, share.
For over a century, Leica cameras have allowed people to tell their stories. The LFI.Gallery is a melting pot of all these active witnesses who see and experience rather than just observe.
