Wandering Around Hawaii with My Leica
Exploring new places with my Leica M11-P in hand
Where does time go? It’s been about a month since I first stepped foot in Hawaii and I feel like it was just yesterday however so much has happened in that month it will be a long write to put it all in here but in that month i’ve taken some of my favorite images to date. Before taking this trip to Hawaii I pulled the trigger on my dream camera, the Leica M11-P paired with a gem of a lens, the APO 35mm Summicron. If you know nothing about cameras, this combination is like having a Porsche 911 GT3 paired with the best, stickiest racing tires you can get. They both compliment each other beautifully and yield phenomenal results but also put the operator in full control. For the last month I have worn this camera around my neck literally everyday, capturing what I find interesting right in front of me and when I sit down to look at the results on the computer, I am truly blown away. I’ve stated before that photography makes for a great excuse to travel and well, here we are on an island in the middle of the ocean, thousands of miles away from home.
Having a nicer camera will not just automatically yield you better images but I do think having the right camera for you will aid in your journey as a photographer. I’ve shot on a few different cameras over the years from Nikon, Sony, to Fujifilm and all are capable of generating great results however I never connected with them in the sense that this camera was literally made for me. With my Leica I feel that connection and I know that has made a difference in my photography, from it just genuinely inspiring me to pick it up and go capture the world around me, to the insane satisfaction I get from nailing a shot. My Fujifilm X100VI was the gateway drug to purchasing my M11-P, the fuji connected me with the present moment my previous cameras did not, stepping up to the M11-P only accentuated that feeling. A camera at the end of the day is a tool, it makes total sense to prefer a tool that inspires you to pick it up and use it than one that doesn’t. Photography is a skill and an art, to better yourself at any skill you need to put in the reps and having a camera that you can’t keep out of your hands will help you.
I was recently told my images look like stills from a movie which left me thinking for a bit, with my photography I strive to preserve moments that unfold right before my eyes as authentically as possible. These last few weeks of my life have been riddled with so many moments that have unfolded and left me in disbelief questioning reality. Sometimes I can’t even believe it’s real and that’s where I freeze a window of time to be able to look at indefinitely. I’m in the camp of a great photos age like wine, the longer they sit, the better they become. When I ponder over photos i’ve taken some time ago I am just swarmed with so many memories, feelings, and emotions. Sometimes in this life I wish I could go back in time not to change anything but to relive certain moments again, that is what photography enables me to partly do. Also something I think about is leaving an artifact for your existence, photography is a craft I will be doing for the rest of my life. Documenting this life via photography will leave an artifact for when I am eventually gone, who knows where these images will end up in 100 years but wouldn’t it be cool to see what your grandfather was seeing/experiencing in his 20’s?
Traveling is a great passion of mine and coupling that with photography is like peanut butter and jelly, a damn good combination. Being here in Hawaii has been a dream that has come true, a side of reality that is such a blessings to be able to witness. From staring at some of the most beautiful sunsets as you spot whales breaching into the distance to hearing and smelling the molten lava from a volcano that is literally erupting right in front of you, this has been one hell of an epic adventure. These moments I have captured are literally what I live for, all the things that have happened in my life that led me to exactly this moment are all so worth it. This journey is not all just about photography but also about self discovery and coming to understand who I truly am as a person and facing my demons head on.
People will ask me “how is Hawaii” and truly words cannot describe it and as great of a photographer as I strive to be, the images will never do it justice. My answer to that question is you must come see it for yourself with your own two eyes. The Hawaiian lifestyle is one I adjusted to quickly, it’s literally just chill vibes, self love, and caring for the people and things around you. Hawaii is definitely a place I could see myself living in the future but in the meantime I will most certainly keep this place in my back pocket for when I need a quick escape or mental reset from life. I’m much more of a fan of tropical weather than harsh winter weather, Hawaii literally spoils you with the weather being 80º and sunny year round. Your environment plays a crucial role in your perception of reality, this place is just refreshing for the soul, I swear living somewhere tropical has such a calming effect on you, it’s just like everything will be ok. Obviously there is a degree of seriousness you need in life but on the flip side I feel truly not caring is the best life hack, finding a balance between the two is where the real treasure is.
These last few weeks my care for things beyond my control have hit rock bottom, truly if it’s outside of my control I am just not giving it much energy nowadays. My old self would give way too much thought and care for things beyond my control and that is where great stress would occur. I’m not saying be a recluse but missing the most current news cycle isn’t going to kill you and it is such a breath of fresh air. We humans were designed to always look for threats of danger for our survival like a tiger chasing you, since we are now living in modern times those threats rarely exist in your day to day. Now that threat of danger is channeled through constantly keeping up with the latest negative thing happening somewhere probably far away from you. It’s one of the reasons why negative news spreads far faster and further than positive news, our brains are wired that way for now.
Feeling Alive
What makes you feel most alive? It’s a question I have given some thought over time and truly I think it’s when you are so in tuned with reality and the present moment that you just become aware of everything around you. Being out here in Hawaii I have been in these moments very frequently, nervously staring at a volcano erupting will sure make you feel present. Life is risk, everyday the universe is trying to kill you and one day it succeeds. Everyday you wake up you will face many risks throughout your day, getting up close and personal with an active volcano just reminded me how precious life is and how easily it can taken away at a moments notice. It was a humbling experience and one that made me feel truly alive, those are the moments that I live for.
If you are interested in hearing more of my thoughts on the topic of using my Leica M11-P then this video is for you also I discuss Hawaii and my experience being here for 30 days. Hawaii is honestly magical and will most definitely be a place I will be revisiting in the future.
My Instagram is where I post my latest photography work and also post some behind the scenes of my day to day life if that might be of interest to you.