Leica Cameras for Corporate Photography

Douglas Fry uses only Leica cameras and lenses, but the other team members also use Canon, Sony and Nikon camera equipment, all considered to be technically superb by most professional photographers. After each photoshoot, all images are processed on fast computers which are backed up daily on three 48TB servers for safe and secure storage. With more than 25 years of experience, our principal photographer is commissioned to shoot at over 300 corporate assignments each year, taking all types photograph from single headshots, to group shots, to event photography at company awaydays, launches, awards and parties.

Leica Cameras

Douglas uses three Leica cameras: a Leica SL2-S for studio work and shoots requiring flash, and two of the new M11-Ps classic rangefinders that are ideally suited for documentary or reportage photography. The M11-Ps come with integrated image authentication – a very necessary technology enhancement in a world where so many images can be manipulated by unwanted third parties or entirely faked. Our clients can rest assured that they will be able to verify that their images are genuine.

Our Leica lenses fit both camera bodies and are superb. We use them because they are recognised the world over as the pinnacle in terms of image quality, contrast and colour. Unlike any other lens, Leica’s produce a cinematic 3D look, which is an attribute of their precise construction.

We added the Leica SL2-S based on its reputation for superlative image quality. As our equipment takes a fair amount of punishment, especially on international assignments, we chose the new SL2-S because it is so robust. Indeed, it has been chosen by NASA for space missions, a rare accolade that speaks volumes about its durability and performance. Through ergonomic, clever design the camera is simplicity itself to operate, which is a big plus in fast-moving situations where fraction of seconds can make the difference in capturing the perfect shot. It is not only the virtual indestructibility of SL-S that appeals, its viewfinder display has the highest resolution for easy fine focussing and produces very high-resolution image files.

The new Leica M11-P, with its famous rangefinder design, is invaluable on reportage assignments. These demand discretion and stealth, and it’s very important that this Leica has an almost silent shutter which helps the photographer capture natural, unposed images.

Moreover, the rangefinder design does not extend across the face when the camera is held to the eye, unlike a normal SLR which covers the face. Like the silent shutter, this design helps the professional photographer to blend into the background, be less noticeable and also less intimidating. For example, on company boardroom shoots, we find that directors pay little attention to someone who is capturing images for the annual report, resulting in compelling sets of authentic photographs. Simply put, for assignments like these shoots this Leica is the best choice, bar none and it’s no coincidence that this tough, durable camera marque has captured the majority of the most memorable and iconic images of the past century and continues to do so today.

Leica Lenses

Lenses are the most important piece of kit; more important than the camera body. A high-quality lens from Leica produces exceptional final images. These lenses not only have very fast apertures for use in low light, they have higher quality glass, coatings and seals to maximise image contrast, colour accuracy and reliability.

We regularly use every size of lens in a single shoot, from the 21mm ultra-wide angle to show an entire room or venue, through to the incredible Leica 90mm APO Summicron for pinpoint detail. These lenses produce the highest quality portraits on the market. They are an amazing technical achievement, engineered so that red, green and blue light all focus on the same point for ultimate sharpness and yet retain superb clarity and accurate skin tones. In addition, we have lenses right up to the super telephoto 300mm f2.8 for long distance work, such as conference photography, where we are still able to produce tight shots of subjects.

Retouching

Getting the photographs right in the first place, with the correct lighting, set ups and the highest quality cameras and lenses (we only use Leica, whose equipment we think is unbeatable) considerably reduces the need for retouching of images in post-production.

However, inevitably, on occasion, there will be a need for a little retouching. We will retouch photographs to remove shadows or for the correct colour balancing and contrasting. We will also remove glare, crop photographs where appropriate and remove any small blemishes at a subject’s request.

Our retouching is applied sensitively, looks natural and meets each client’s individual needs.