Editorial Selection — Visual Life
Exploring New Perspectives: Leica Q3 43 Lifestyle Portraits
A continuation of the legacy series by Arnold Szmerling.
Using the Leica Q3 43 for lifestyle portraits offered a fresh and exciting experience, introducing a new approach to capturing moments. This compact yet powerful camera offers a serious consideration to accompany my photography kit, particularly for urban shoots. Navigating the streets with just one camera and a fixed lens simplified my workflow, eliminating the need for an assistant and allowing me to move freely through narrow alleys and bustling environments.
For this session, I relied exclusively on the rear screen, which enabled me to photograph with precision and immerse myself fully in the creative process. The Leica Q3 allowed me to experiment with both low and high angles, producing unique perspectives. This versatility meant I could seamlessly move around my subject, shooting without the camera obscuring my face—a subtle yet powerful advantage when aiming to connect with my models.
Ease of Use
Another standout feature was the ability to anticipate and time shots more effectively. With the Q3’s lightweight build, I could stay aware of my surroundings, ensuring that third-party interruptions were minimized. This added level of control was essential for capturing candid, uninterrupted moments that would otherwise be lost.
Film Like Look
Shooting with such a small yet capable camera gave me the confidence that every shot would be in focus, thanks to Leica’s reliable autofocus. The Q3 delivered stunning images, with both color and black-and-white photographs exhibiting the film-like aesthetic I always strive to offer my clients. The camera’s performance in rendering natural skin tones and achieving beautiful bokeh in every image was particularly impressive.
More than Luxury
From a practical standpoint, I see the Q3 pairing exceptionally well with my 85mm lens for fashion shoots and other portrait work. It’s important to note that my evaluation of the Q3 is based purely on its performance and not on the Leica brand’s prestige—though many of my clients do appreciate the luxury associated with Leica.
The Investment
In my view, the Q3 justifies its $12,000 price tag. Leica has carved out a unique space in the market with this product, and the craftsmanship is unparalleled. While Leica’s cameras are known for their premium quality, I was focused purely on the camera’s capabilities throughout this session. For focal lengths beyond 50mm, I would prefer using an optical viewfinder, at this stage. Possibly the Leica SL might come into play in the future.
To Sum Up
The results from this session reaffirmed my belief in Leica’s ability to create cameras that excel in both performance and artistry. The high ISO capabilities ensured that each image maintained a pleasing, consistent look, aligned with the aesthetic I aim for in my film-style portraits.
I look forward to exploring further collaborations with Leica and demonstrating the distinctive advantages their cameras offer in professional photography.
+ Thank you to the following people for facilitating this project.
Mark Strachan – Leica Ambassador and Instructor
Sunil Kaul – Managing Director at Leica Camera Asia Pacific
Ryan Williams – Managing Director, Leica Camera Australia Pty Ltd
Jonathan Zabarauskas – Sales Operations Manager, Leica Camera Australia Pty Ltd
Model – Kobo @koboinwonderland
