From Zimbabwe to Taiwan: A Journey in Photography and the Art of Leica
DOWN RANGE WITH PAUL
We are excited to feature another one of our LHC Community members and celebrate the success of our competition winners. Meet Paul Cox who won a Leica MP - Black Paint .
Where are you from and where are you currently based?
I grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa. After that, I moved to the UK and later to Hong Kong. Now, I’m based in Taiwan.
How did you first get into photography, and what led you to choose Leica cameras?
I remember asking my father at a very young age, “What makes a good photograph?” He pointed to a National Geographic magazine. I still vividly recall it – a 1979 edition with a man in sunglasses and a turban on the cover. Many years later, quite by chance, I found the same issue in a coffee shop in Istanbul. Despite more than 30 years having passed, I could still remember many of the images from that magazine, such was the impact it had on me as a young boy.
My father also bought me my first camera when I was about 12 – a film camera, of course – a cute little Konica. Over the years, I switched brands often, but about ten years ago, I transitioned from a large Canon to my first Leica rangefinder. I realized that using a big camera could sometimes create a barrier of intimacy and trust between me and my subjects. The ‘process’ of shooting with a Leica is second to none. I should add, though, that I did have to sell my little flat in London to make it happen!
What genre of photography do you enjoy the most, and how does your Leica gear enhance this experience?
I love documenting people the most. While it’s not the genre that earns me the most money (isn’t that always the case?), it truly feeds my soul. I believe people can be whoever they want to be when they're around me. Leica cameras allow me to work with subtlety and intimacy, which is essential for capturing authentic human moments.
What is your favorite Leica camera and lens combination?
It changes all the time! 😀 At the moment, I’m really into my Leicaflex SL2. It’s beautifully engineered, and that R-mount glass outshines even my M-mount lenses. Oh, and that shutter sound – I could listen to it all day! I especially love the 28mm and 60mm macro lenses. If it's good enough for Sebastião Salgado, it’s good enough for me.
I also have a 90-year-old Dallmeyer classic lens (M-mount, of course), which renders images with the beauty of a classic painting on both my film and digital Leicas. My original SL (Type 601) is another beauty. A friend of mine was loaned one just before its release to try out, and the second I held it, I knew I had to have it. It became my workhorse for all my photo series in Mongolia. I typically use a 24mm Lux on it, always wide open. It even has a little bokeh – quite rare for such a wide lens. Many of my favorite images, including those that have sold or been displayed in museums, were captured with this setup.
Can you share a favorite photo you’ve captured with your Leica?
What camera did you win from us?
I won a perfect Leica MP film camera. Thank you so much!
Do you prefer shooting with film or digital? Why?
I absolutely prefer film. It’s all about the process. Film is unpredictable, more challenging, and sets me apart from the crowd. Especially in today’s world of AI, I truly crave the authenticity that film offers. There’s nothing quite like it.
How does using Leica cameras influence your photography style?
If you own something as beautiful as a Leica, you're naturally more inclined to use it. While side-by-side comparisons with other camera brands may show only marginal differences, I genuinely believe that the pictures will be better with a camera you love using.
I also mentioned earlier the practical advantages of carrying a smaller camera. Those massive autofocus lenses you see on other brands are perfect for commercial settings or sports photography, but not for documentary work, where being discreet – and, dare I say, ‘less intrusive’ – is often key to success.
Can you share some more of your favorite photos to date?
See more of Paul here @c8x_photography
