Street photography relies on a quick eye to capture fleeting moments amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Over 100 years ago, the Leica I laid the foundation for just that. It was the first camera to be both compact and discreet enough to capture action as it happened, without distortion. Since then, the Leica brand has been synonymous with the art of street photography, capturing the spirit of the times.
The most memorable street shots imbue everyday moments with a special, and sometimes unique, significance. They create a sense of immediacy, appear lively, and often seem as though they were taken completely by chance. Yet these images are the result of deliberate observation. Sometimes patiently anticipated. Sometimes noticed and captured spontaneously. Both require the same skill: being truly attentive to what is happening around you. An art form in its own right. One that keeps no discovery to itself.
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© Billy Dinh
© Alan Schaller
© Alan Schaller
Although it may seem paradoxical, walking the anonymous streets of a big city with a camera and photographing strangers is a deeply personal experience. Hardly any other genre reveals your view of the world quite so clearly as street photography. Every photographer and every series brings new perspectives.
A great deal in street photography revolves around anticipation—as is the case with chess. You have to anticipate the next moves of your subject—or your opponent—while also being open to alternative scenarios. You must be able to react and be ready to take immediate action. This is precisely what fascinates street photographer Billy Dinh about New York’s chess culture: the way people reveal themselves as a community beyond the board, through gestures and glances. Always thinking about the next move. Just like him.
With the Leica Q3, he is able to get particularly close for his series without disrupting the scene. This allows the viewer themselves to become part of New York’s vibrant chess culture. At least for a few moments.
The Leica Q3
Billy switches between the Q3 and the Q3 43 for different situations—depending on whether a scene requires more depth or a closer perspective. Both feel like a natural extension of his eye, offering speed, simplicity, and discretion, and enabling him to stay present and react intuitively as a moment unfolds. Whether it’s subtle facial expressions behind the chessboard or the atmosphere of Washington Square, the Q3 helps him capture scenes with clarity, intimacy, and impact.
Behind the Shot
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 1,000
Shutter speed: 1/250
Tip: Use the Q3’s tilting screen to capture unusual angles and get closer to the scene.
About Billy Dinh
Billy Dinh lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. The photographer’s expressive, atmospheric images are characterized by their interplay of contrasts, light, and shadow. Before becoming a photographer, Billy worked as an illustrator. This eye for composition and dramatic structure is still evident in his images today. Combined with his instinct for capturing cinematic moments, his photographs often resemble film stills.
On the street, you always have to think three moves ahead. Whether you’re at the chessboard or behind the camera, it all starts with observation.”
Billy Dinh
London-based street photographer Alan Schaller has created a world of his own in black and white. In the underground tunnels and at the crossings of Tokyo, he discovers contrasts, geometry, and a subtle touch of surrealism—always with people at the center, even when they are just small figures in the frame. Some scenes demand speed, while others require patience. Alan always follows the rhythm of the street.
Using the Leica M11 Monochrom, he keeps things radically minimalist: one camera body and a few lenses with manual focus. The result is a strikingly clear and serene yet powerful visual language, even amidst Tokyo’s colorful hustle and bustle.
The Leica M11 Monochrom
Alan Schaller has consciously chosen to work with the Leica M11 Monochrom because its characteristics and high image quality align perfectly with his vision of confident black-and-white photography. The camera’s unobtrusive design allows him to capture everyday life with unique clarity, keeping him close to the moment and enabling him to focus entirely on light, contrast, and composition.
Behind the Shot
Aperture: f/1,4
ISO: 125
Shutter speed: 1/4000
Tip: Use zone focus and the depth-of-field scale—it’s quick and puts you in full control of every decision.
About Alan Schaller
Alan Schaller lives and works in London. It was not until 2015 that he entered the field of photography. Before that, he had been active in music and film. Just one year later, his images were appearing in British newspapers and magazines, and today Leica describes him as an icon of contemporary black-and-white photography. He has also been building a community around his craft for years, as co-founder of Street Photography International and founder of Irys, a platform that connects photographers beyond the social media feed.
Black and white, abstract, surrealist, humanist. That’s how I’d describe my photography.”
Alan Schaller
Jason Roman is a skilled street and portrait photographer who navigates both genres with ease. Sometimes he observes from a distance, while at other times he approaches people directly. In Tokyo, this becomes a kind of silent casting: he looks for faces, expressions, and gestures that stand out amongst the millions in this metropolis. However, sometimes it is the moment he is noticing that transforms a detached observation into a genuine encounter.
For this work, he reaches for the Leica M EV1—compact enough to remain inconspicuous, yet responsive enough to capture the decisive moment. It is in this way that small, very personal portraits emerge amidst the hustle and bustle of a foreign megacity.
The Leica M EV1
Jason Roman uses the Leica M EV1, a camera that feels direct, intuitive, and discreet. The electronic viewfinder makes composing shots immediate and natural, while the minimalist design of the M-System allows him to stay in the moment. This lets him stay present and respond instinctively as scenes evolve, capturing everyday life with clarity, simplicity, and concentration.
Behind the Shot
Aperture: f/1,4
ISO: 320
Shutter speed: 1/125
Tip: When exploring new places, try using a longer focal length to create the impression of greater distance and encourage a more thoughtful approach.
About Jason Roman
Jason Roman was born and raised in New York City. As a self-taught photographer, he has developed his own distinctive style based on keen observation, the play of light, and the power of human expression. He finds beauty in the overlooked and meaning in the everyday. His profound images have made him a highly sought-after photographer for renowned brands, such as The New Yorker, Google, HBO Max, Amazon, and Warner Bros. He doesn’t have a driver’s license to this day—preferring to travel on foot, camera in hand, staying closer to what he wants to capture.
If I had to describe my style, I’d say it’s a style of many styles. When it comes to photography, I like to be a bit like a chameleon.”
Jason Roman
They are compact, intuitive, and designed for photographers who want to observe their subjects discreetly and react instinctively. These Leica cameras are particularly well suited to The Art of Street Photography:
Leica Q
This is perfect for photographers looking for a compact full-frame camera with a fixed lens and fast, intuitive operation.
This compact full-frame camera is ideal for capturing spontaneous moments in high quality.
It delivers superb image quality for photos and videos, even in a wide range of lighting conditions.
It combines simple operation and seamless connectivity.
Leica M-System
For photographers who appreciate a discreet, intuitive and highly precise rangefinder experience.
Manual operation encourages a more mindful and focused approach to work.
It features an iconic design with distinct Leica aesthetics.
Enjoy a pure photography experience, stripped back to the essentials and free from unnecessary technical complexity.
The best way to discover which camera and lens are right for you is in a personal consultation. Our friendly Leica experts are always happy to help, whether you visit us online at the Leica Store or in person.
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