The Magazine for Leica M Photography
Videos from the Leica M World
See the story on the LFI Blog
Zachary Roberts – An American Family
In 2006 one of the photographer’s brothers ran amok in an Amish school in Pennsylvania. The shock for his family was no less than for everyone else, leaving behind a deep sense of perplexity. It was not until ten years later that Zachary Roberts was able to use photography to help process the trauma.
See the reportage in LFI 2/2016
Ragnar Axelsson – Icebreaker
The Icelandic photographer, Ragnar Axelsson, has been documenting the life of the Inuits for more than thirty years. His pictures tell a story of dwindling traditions and of melting ice, while focussing on the people living in the Arctic who are indivisibly bound to nature. M Monochrom (Typ 246) www.rax.is
See the essay in LFI 7/2015
Stanley Greene – LFI Artist Talk
From punk concerts to tank trenches - Stanley Greene reports on close to forty years as a photo journalist. Watch the LFI Artist Talk video here.
See the reportage in LFI 2/2015
Edouard Elias – The Foreigners
Since the end of 2013, France has sent more than 1200 soldiers to the Central African Republic – including a large number of foreign legionnaires. They come from different countries and fight for a common cause: the end of the civil war. Edouard Elias accompanied the troops. Leica M (Typ 240), Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 Asph, Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 Asph. www.edouardelias.com
See the reportage in LFI 1/2015
Andy Spyra - Out of the Dark
2015 marks the centenary of the Armenian genocide. Many Armenians survived the tragedy after being hidden by Kurdish and Turkish families. Their descendants mostly only learn about their background decades later. For many it is the beginning of a search for their own identity. A reportage about the traces of Armenian life in Turkey. Leica M (Typ 240), Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8 Asph. www.andyspyra.com
See the essay in LFI 8/2014
Danny Wilcox Frazier - Driftless (Teaser)
All change on the Western Front: small farms are disappearing, young people moving to the city, industrialisation striding ahead. Danny Wilcox Frazier draws a portrait of his homeland of Iowa – black and white, with shadows and plenty of feeling. Leica M6 TTL, Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 Asph. www.mediastorm.com
See the reportage in LFI 6/2014
Alvaro Ybarra Zavala - Legal Toxin
The use of gene-manipulated plants and increasingly aggressive chemicals transforms Argentina’s agricultural industry. Cases of cancer and deformities are rising – the local population fights against an invisible danger. Leica M6, Leica M9, Leica M Monochrom with Summicron-M 50 mm f/2, Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 Asph and Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 Asph. www.alvaroybarra.com
Please find the photo essay in LFI Magazine 3/2014
Tomás Munita & Dominic Nahr - The Green Mile
On 11 March 2011, following the worst earthquake in Japan’s history, disaster struck the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant forcing 160,000 people from their homes when the area was declared an exclusion zone. While nature has regained the upper hand, the people have relocated to emergency shelters. Two photographic perspectives. Leica M9 with Summicron-M 35mm f/2 Asph and Summilux-M 1:1.4/50mm Asph.
www.tomasmunita.com
dominicnahr.com
See the reportage in LFI Magazine 8/2013
Antonia Zennaro - Libya's Deserted Borders
Vast cracks have appeared in Libya’s southern borders: refugees and smuggled goods flood into the country – corruption is the order of the day at many checkpoints. Not so in Al Luer, where 138 young men fight for justice on their own terms. They belong to the Tubu people, a non-Arab minority determined to find peace in the wake of Gaddafi’s death. Leica M9, Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Asph. www.antoniazennaro.com
See the reportage in LFI 5/2013
Christian Werner - Minds in Chains
On the holiday island of Bali, the mentally disabled are incarcerated and often mistreated. Families are frequently overwhelmed by the situation – and put the sick in chains. Psychiatrist Luh Ketut Suryani aims to free these forgotten people. Katrin Kuntz and Christian Werner spent time with the doctor on assignment for the magazine, Der Spiegel. Leica M9, Summilux 35 mm and 50 mm f/1.4 Asph. www.root.generali-ventil.de/Christian/wordpress
See the reportage in LFI 2/2013
Marcus Reichmann - Down on the Farm
Julie, Ivo and their two daughters are a perfectly normal family – or maybe not. Some might question the decision, made 2 1/2 years ago, to pick up stakes and move to a farm in the north German state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, when they are not farmers nor society drop-outs. Marcus Reichmann has been keeping track of them since they moved. www.marcusreichmann.com
See the story on the LFI Blog
Joseph Michael Lopez – New York at its Core
Joseph Michael Lopez explored his home town for the first time using digital and in colour, for the new permanent exhibition, New York at its Core, at the Museum of the City of New York.
See the portfolio in LFI 4/2016.
Deanna Templeton – Out of the Blue
Deanna Templeton has spent years experimenting with underwater nude pictures. With patience and great sensitivity, she has managed to master this mercurial element and create poetic compositions that combine water and light with the human body.The photo-book The Swimming Pool was published by Um Yeah Arts.
See the reportage in LFI 1/2016
Fulvio Bugani – Twilight
In the far north-east of Georgia, on the border with the Caucasian republics of Dagestan and Chechnya, where the bear and the wolf roam wild, the Tusheti people have managed to carve out a piece of independence for themselves. A journey to the land of holy drinkers, archaic customs and traditions. Leica Q. www.fotoimage.it
See the reportage in LFI 7/2015
Uwe H. Martin - California Dreamin’
Almond blossoms stretch as far as the eye can see: California cultivates more produce than anywhere else in the United States. Consequently, the drought is reaching catastrophic proportions. What to do once the water has all run dry? Leica M9, Leica M (Typ 240), Summicron-M 28mm f/2 Asph, Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Asph, Summicron-M 35mm f/2 Asph, Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 Asph. www.uwehmartin.de
See the essay in LFI 4/2015
Kiên Hoàng Lê – Mini Bar
Photographer Kiên Hoàng Lê went exploring in Tokyo’s entertainment district: meeting night owls and lovers, artists and cross-dressers, outsiders and lonely people – a colourful combination in black and white, all centred in a tiny bar. Leica M9, Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 Asph, Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 Asph. www.hoangle.de
See the reportage in LFI 8/2014
Philipp Spalek - All inclusive
The Maldives are a holiday paradise where luxury resorts draw thousands of tourists to their pristine, beautiful white beaches. Yet the sun, sand and excess are a sharp contrast to the poverty, corruption and garbage that residents and immigrants encounter daily. A reportage about contrasts and extremes. Leica M9, Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 Asph. www.pspfoto.de
See the reportage in LFI 5/2014
Marco Casino - Ticket to Ride
An “extreme sport” exists in Sout Africa's townships, which often results in amputations, or even death. Known as train surfing, thrill-seeking teenage boys perform unimaginable stunts atop commuter trains – at full speed. Anger management and manhood ritual: To exhibit their bravery, the boys literally risk lives and limbs. Leica M with Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 Asph, Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 Asph, Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8 Asph and Leica X Vario.For his Staff Riding video – recorded with the Leica M and X Vario – Marco Casino won this year’s World Press Photo Multimedia Contest in the Short Features category and the PDN Photo Annual Award in the Video category. www.marcocasino.com
See the reportage in LFI 2/2014
Sven Zellner - Mongolian Disco
Mongolia – the land of Genghis Khan and nomads. In addition to tradition and simplicity, members of the upper class in Ulan Bator enjoy a luxurious life-style – though they are not at ease in front of the camera. Leica M and M9 with Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 Asph. www.sven-zellner.de
See the reportage in LFI 7/2013
Angelos Tzortzinis - Little left to lose
Greece wallows in a deep crisis. While the Greek government has begun liquidating assets, cutting salaries and increasing taxes, many people sell their bodies on the streets of Athens for just a few euros. It is the poorest of the poor who are the hardest hit by the economical downfall. In addition to poverty, a new drug has been gaining popularity – shisha. A dangerous chemical concoction, it is extremely cheap and draws people ever deeper into a cycle of sex, money and the next fix. Leica M9, Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8. www.angelos-tzortzinis.com
See the reportage in LFI 4/2013
Kai Löffelbein - World of Wire
In Hong Kong, one of the world’s wealthiest metropolises, there are around 130,000 people living in cages. While ever more luxury shops open just a few streets away, many inhabitants can no longer afford the increasing rents. To avoid living on the streets, they move into wire cages – their entire world reduced to a few square metres, a life shared with strangers. The reportage is taken with Leica M9, Elmarit 28 mm f/2.8, 21 mm f/2.8, Summilux 35 mm f/1.4 Asph.www.kailoeffelbein.de
See the reportage in LFI 1/2013
Oscar B. Castillo
On October 7, Hugo Chávez managed to get re-elected president of Venezuela for a fourth consecutive term. He can now stay in power until 2019 – but how will ‘el comandante’ manage to deal with the gaping discrepancies in society and offer the youth a future in which they choose not to turn to violence, drugs and weapons? The reportage is taken with Leica M9. www.eltestigo.net
See the reportage in LFI 7/2016.
Jens Umbach – Faces of a Country
Direct eye contact, a neutral background and perfect lighting – Jens Umbach’s approach to the situation in Afghanistan is very unusual. Using improvised studios at markets and on dirt roads, he produced a series that establishes a basis for a different understanding of crisis reporting.
See the reportage in LFI 3/2016
Maurizio Beucci – Swinging
As if yesterday were today: the Lindy Hop has once again become extremely popular, reviving the 1930s together with swing music and retro outfits. Maurizio Beucci picked up his camera and mingled with the dancers. M Monochrom, M240 www.mauriziobeucci.com
See the reportage in LFI 6/2015
Jonas Wresch - Land in Sight?
Indios from the Nasa tribe have occupied three plantations. 180 people have been injured during battles with the police. Jonas Wresch reports on the desperate battle for land, survival and tradition. M9, Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 Asph, Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 Asph. www.jonaswresch.com
See the portfolio in LFI 3/2015
Stephané Lavoué – Into the Wild
Five years ago, French photographer Stéphane Lavoué discovered a charming corner of the United States. Located in the state of Vermont, it is known as the Northeast Kingdom. This little area is characterized by the wild ruggedness of the landscape, as well as by its residents, who are the focus of the series. You are invited to take part in a special journey! Leica M (Typ 240), Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 Asph, Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 Asph, Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 Asph. www.stephanelavoue.fr
See the reportage in LFI 7/2014
Giulio Rimondi - Dream Girls
They have the feeling they were born into the wrong body, so they often choose to undergo gender change surgery. For the trans in the largest city of Turkey, Istanbul, the desire for a normal life has become like a daily revolutionary battle. Leica M with Summarit-M 35 mm f/2.5.www.giuliorimondi.com
See the reportage in LFI 4/2014
Andrea Boccalini - Living XXL-Style
A link between the city and the countryside, a home and a meeting place, and all packed into about one kilometre. Built in the seventies in the south-west of Rome, many people believed in the Corviale’s innovative living concept. Reality, however, looks somewhat different. This is a story of an unfulfilled promise, manifested in stone. Leica M9 with Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 Asph, Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 Asph, Summilux-M 24 mm f/1,4 Asph, and Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 Asph.
See the reportage in LFI 1/2014
Kosuke Okahara - No Man's Land
Officially, Transnistria does not exist. It is not recognised by any other state, yet its inhabitants are undeterred in their fight for independence from Moldova. 500,000 people live in Transnistria, whose passports and currency are worthless beyond its borders. A visit to a self-declared state between communism, hospitality and a search for identity. Leica M7, Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 Asph, Elmarit-M 24 mm f/2.8 Asph, Kodak Tri-X 400, ASA 800. www.kosukeokahara.com
See the reportage in LFI 6/2013
Uwe H. Martin - Brave New Road
The so-called Soya Highway runs for 1740 kilometres through Brazil’s Amazon region to the savannah of central Brazil. It has opened up the wilderness to work, rule of law, and big money. But there is a price to pay for progress: farmers turn increasingly to monoculture and pesticides – nature is suffering and disappearing. We take a journey along the BR-163. Leica M9, Summicron 35 mm f/1.2 Asph, Summarit 90 mm f/2.5. www.uwehmartin.de
See the reportage in LFI 3/2013
Guillem Valle - Dreaming of Utopia
The Kurds are the largest, stateless group of people in the world. After decades of suppression it is the civil war in Syria that may be offering them a chance for autonomy. The Syrian army has withdrawn from Kurdish territory – will the Kurdish dream of freedom come true at last? Taken with a Leica M9.www.guillemvalle.com