Behind the Scenes: New York

New York can be overwhelming on many levels. Photographer Phil Penman is well aware of this, yet the native Brit loves the city with every fibre of his body. In our interview, he reveals his favourite time for photographic outings, speaks about the equipment he uses, and discusses the role of emotions in street photography.

LFI: Your pictures show New York from a rather calm side. How do you manage to capture these unique moments in such a hectic city? Is there anything like a “best time to take pictures” in NYC?
Phil Penman: I usually wake up at 4-5am and hit the streets. A friend and photographer named Ami Vitale once said to me, that people at this time tend to have more purpose. I could not agree more. People are generally a lot quieter in their movements as they go about their way, headed to work. The streets at this time can be eerily quiet, especially if you stay away from the typical locations most tourists gravitate towards. I have grown to love this time. On my travels around the world for work I have taken to doing this. You get to see another side of the city that most do not get to see.

What role do emotions and personal connections play in the scenes you photograph?
It's everything. A photograph you take doesn’t get much more personal. You're putting yourself out there for everyone to see. What’s the point if you are just copying what someone else has already done? It’s good to learn from others but you have to create your own style and present who you are to the world. We're surrounded by millions of images these days. So how do you stand out? Simple: be true to yourself and don’t be afraid to fail. No guarantees on personal success, but you'll be able to live with yourself knowing that you didn't compromise. A lot of my personal connections have actually led me to not taking someone’s picture but rather just listening to them. I’ve always said, “The experience of taking the images are more important than the image itself.” It's also the pictures that you choose not to take that helps define you as well.

What significance do Leica cameras have for your work? Are there specific characteristics that you favour?
I started with Leica back in 2004. It was my escape from work. Sure most camera companies all have nice cameras, but Leica was just simplicity of use and the look I could get from the lenses. There's no other company I know where I can say, “I want to switch up my look, maybe I should go try a Noctilux 75/1.25.” I remember buying that lens and everyone asking me how I got that look with my images. You don’t have to spend a fortune however to get specific aesthetics, as I've invested in many R lenses that give me beautiful photos as well. Each lens has its own set of characteristics. And camera wise? I shoot with the M11 Monochrom. It’s my baby.