Exploring Personal Growth Through Leica Photography: Reflections on a Year-Long Project

This blog post marks a significant reflection on my experience completing Year One of a photography project centered on the French Republican Calendar. Concluding in mid-September during the month of Fructidor, I invite readers to chronicle my journey and progress here. If you haven’t explored it yet, I encourage you to check it out.

The Challenge of Commitment

Completing this project was more demanding than I anticipated; it wasn't solely about the consistent capture of images every week—an enjoyable task for me—but the extensive editing and writing that accompanied each month, all while juggling a busy professional life, proved quite taxing. Time management became a central issue; balancing my passion for photography with obligations often led to rushed decisions and missed opportunities. The constant cycle of capturing, editing, and then writing about the experience became a routine that, while fulfilling, was also deeply exhausting.

Many photographers struggle with similar challenges when committing to long-term projects. It often turns out that the act of creation—capturing images—is only the beginning. It’s the post-capture work that can overwhelm even the most devoted enthusiasts, as time slips away faster than expected. The commitment to a structured project not only requires creative vision but also stamina and resilience in the face of everyday life pressures.

Breaking Free from Routine

After reflecting on the efforts over the year, I decided against extending the project into Year Two. However, breaking the routine was not easy. For the initial weeks beyond the first year, I found myself perpetuating the habit of switching cameras every ten days—a duration aligned with the structure of the French Republican calendar’s three-week cycles. This habitual approach to photography had become ingrained in my practice; it felt like a departure from what I had come to know.

During this transitional phase, I captured a series of photos exclusively with various Leica cameras. The shooting was initially done with film cameras—the Leica MP and Leica M6—before transitioning to the digital realm, utilizing the Leica M10-R—one of my preferred digital cameras. Switching between film and digital reiterated the nuances of each medium, emphasizing their respective strengths in different contexts, and providing a fresh perspective that informed my understanding of photography as a whole.

Creative Exploration

My experimentation captured not only scenes in Weybridge but also some moments during a trip to Ramsgate, retrieving Italian wine from friends. Each frame was an exercise in discovery and creative expression. The photographic act itself became a dialogue between the camera and the subject; with each image, I sought to communicate emotions and stories that would resonate with viewers.

The tactile feel of the M10-R, alongside its digital features, brings a pleasurable similarity to the use of film cameras. The manual focusing and aperture adjustments slow my shooting pace, allowing an opportunity for contemplation on each scene and its composition. This slower approach encourages deeper engagement with the environment. Here’s the thing: Thoughtful photography often results in more meaningful outcomes. The deliberate nature of setting focus and aperture fosters a connection to the moment, enhancing the storytelling dimension of each image.

Street Photography Insights

From Ramsgate, a spontaneous trip to nearby Margate highlighted the versatility of my M-series cameras. This excursion reaffirmed my preference for manual exposure settings—particularly for street photography. The Leica M's agility allows for quick capturing when needed, especially by setting to zone focus, with an adjustable ISO and wide aperture. This multifunctionality makes it ideal for capturing the essence of urban environments.

Street photography thrives on decisiveness; moments unfold rapidly, and the ability to respond with speed and accuracy is paramount. There’s often an elusive quality to candid shots; they can slip away just as quickly as they appear. My experience with the Leica M-series taught me to navigate these spontaneous situations effectively, honing my ability to seize the moment. The results can be unpredictable yet exhilarating, showcasing raw human experiences.

New Beginnings with Instant Photography

Late in the second intended month of Year Two, I ventured into the realm of instant photography, finding a new creative outlet that would monopolize my time for the remainder of the year. Immersing myself in this fresh perspective led to a liberating choice: to abandon the structured project template in favor of spontaneous photographic exploration. Instant photography, with its unpredictable nature and immediate results, altered the way I approached capturing moments.

I found great satisfaction in the newfound freedom to pursue photography without strict timelines or deadlines, enabling a more fluid approach to creativity. This liberation fostered a diverse array of projects, allowing me to focus on daily photography with no prescribed format and a relaxed editing timeline. (and this is the part most people overlook) It’s about allowing yourself the space to breathe and create without the constraints of a rigid structure.

The Gear Shift: Evolution in Equipment

As I continued my journey, the Leica M10—with its superb build quality—initially captured my interest but eventually led me to trade it for the Fuji GFX 50Sii. While the M10 enriched my experience, I ultimately decided to invest in equipment that would complement my evolving practice. This decision didn’t come lightly; I considered how each camera shape the future of my photographic journey and, more importantly, how it could expand my creative opportunities.

Looking Ahead

The future looks bright, filled with diverse projects from my instant photography endeavors to exploring medium-format cameras. I look forward to documenting the progress of these projects and sharing insights in future blog posts. Highlights include the Cambodian black-and-white series from 2007, a review of various medium-format options, and additional explorations involving point-and-shoot cameras. What this means for you, the reader, is a richer narrative waiting in the wings, filled with the potential for learning and inspiration.

For those interested, a collection of my photographs from this period can be found in my Flickr album here.