🔴 Monthly Recap – Nov25
Newsletter: Photography related posts, videos and hopefully a source of inspiration!
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Founded in 2013, I share my experiences and reviews of Leica, film cameras, lenses + more. View the last 100 blog posts and search 400+ articles. Photos? See Flickr and Instagram.
Last month
Coming up I share photos from the latest trips to Poland, Hungary and The Netherlands and talk about printing my new photo books (and my latest eBook). All that plus links to articles and YouTube videos shared in the last 30 days.
New eBook! Matt’s Travel Guide
As someone that flies overseas usually twice a month, I often receive questions. Matt, how do you find such great deals? Where do you find your free models? What accommodation is best for photoshoots? What cities do you recommend for photos? How do you get around once overseas? etc.
After over a decade of regular travel and 500+ flights I thought it was time to sit down and write the book. What started out as short 10 page check list soon developed into a 60+ page full guide with photos. Every tip and trick I could think of which might help someone trying to replicate my lifestyle.
I need to read over it a few more times before it goes live so I’ll likely announce it as available in two weeks (in the mid-month Leica Newsletter). If you’re subscribed to the free newsletter you’ll see it.
Free photo books for Patreons
After discovering ExWhyZed, a UK print house, I can finally get back on track with making my annual photobook zines for Patreons. As with previous photobooks, these are my Girls on Film books. Black and white model photography images shot mostly with 35mm film Leica cameras. Each book contains the 40 best (most liked) images of that year. Loyal VIP Patreons will also receive a free additional book as a gift.
For each book, I print a limited run of 25 copies which are numbered and signed by me. I’ll announce the books on Patreon once available so follow there (for free) or share you’re preferences in my books and darkroom prints here –
Get featured on MrLeica.com – Guest posts
As mentioned previously, my plan is to eventually merge Patreon, Leica Club members and Blog Insiders all into one new do-everything platform. A mix of free access and tiered access and bringing all services into one place.
To help support the wider Leica community I plan to invite fellow Leica fans to write guest posts. Companies contact me all the time offering to pay me so they can sell their various products via a sponsored posts on MrLeica.com. I keep declining. What I’m looking for are fellow passionate Leica users wanting to share their experience with a particular Leica camera (film especially), together with sample images.
When I do portfolio reviews for students via Zoom, I’m both flattered that they want my opinion but also often amazed at how good some of the work is. I said to Stefan after the last call, you need to get some of these in a gallery! If I can help such photographers share their work to inspire others it’s a win for everyone.
The plan is to start invite guest posts from the beginning of 2026 so if that sounds of interest feel free to get in touch.
Leica Owner? Join the Leica Club
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Photo Trip 1 – Gdansk
Gdańsk is one of my favourite cities and I’m happy photographing local models or exploring the old docks with my film cameras. I took my new-to-me silver Leica M4 paired with my Leica MDa (now back from CLA)(see below image). As with all my trips, see the BTS videos on Patreon.
Model photography eBooks
If model photography is something you’ve always wanted to try check out my eBooks.
Photo Trip 2 – Budapest
My second trip for October was to another of my favourite cities (as described in my mentioned new Travel Guide eBook). The plan was a 50:50 split of model photography to create new portfolio work and exploring with my Leica M4 (see image below). Follow the blog to see the full M4 write-up, sample photos and related YouTube video to come.
Sadly, as is common with model photography, I had a few cancellations so I used the time to write more of my eBook. I’ll visit again so can hopefully catch them next time.
Leica workshops
My Leica and model photography workshops are usually in London but I teach in Europe too.
London workshops
Cindy, one of my US students from Dallas was over in October so we did two workshops in London. She’s not into portraits so it’s more mastering her camera and walking around talking photos. One day I went to her place and then second time we met in the centre.
As Cindy had just got the Hasselblad 907x (to pair with her Leica M cameras) I helped her find a lens adapter so she can mount her existing Hasselblad 500 series lenses (V mount lenses). We also visited the Hasselblad Museum, now called Camera Museum in London. (Always worth a visit and nice to say hello. It’s been a while since I was over there).
Workshop shoots in The Netherlands
My third workshop for October was a multi-day event in The Netherlands. I got the Eurostar from London to Rotterdam to meet Patreon friend Thomas. (Thomas joined me for a workshop in Gdansk a few years ago and we’ve stayed in touch ever since). Thomas kindly arranged 4 models for us and Sigi joined us on the last day. (Download my free eBook to see how Thomas found 4 free models).
Bonus – One of the models really connected well with me so she’ll travel to the UK for a follow up shoot! I love this aspect of my job. Always meeting beautiful fellow creative people that I would never normally talk to if it wasn’t for my camera. If you’ve never tried model photography I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s transformed my life for the better.
Editing – My best presets yet!
All the digital photos I’m sharing are edited with the new Leica SL2-S preset pack (for Lightroom). Originally developed for my Leica SL2-S but I’ve been loving them on all my cameras – Leica CL, SL 601 and Leica M10-P. (For film photos I used my dedicated 2-step film presets rather than the popular Negative Lab Pro).
These B&W presets are different to my other preset packs as I created them on light temperature rather than contrast (high/ low). (Patreon friend Arno even bought them for his Sony camera.. and he is very specific about the look he likes!) Find all MrLeica presets here.
Remote tuition via Zoom
Zoom calls let me help photographers buying new cameras, lenses, and assist with mastering a Leica camera remotely. Students ask me to mentor them so I cover that too. Check my availability and feel free to get in touch. See Zoom testimonials.
Workshop survey
Complete the survey to register your interest in a MrLeica workshop near you.
Future travel plans
Here are my provisional travel plans. Maybe I’m coming to a city near you or somewhere you’d like to visit. Feel free to contact me to organise a workshop –
NOVEMBER 2025
- Alicante, Spain (near) – Join me for a private workshop (Alicante trip – YouTube)
DECEMBER 2025
- Poland, Gdańsk – Meet-up + Photoshoots (Gdańsk trip – YouTube)
- Lanzarote – Photoshoots (Lanzarote – YouTube)
Coming to London?
Now you can check my availability if you’d like to meet up while you’re in London –
Leica+Model Workshops
Digital photographers
If you follow me you know I love Leica cameras and my preference for film vs digital.
- Digital cameras – Leica CL, SL 601, SL2S, M262, M10P + Lumix S9
- Lenses – See all lens reviews. I’m testing a few I can’t mention yet
- Editing with presets – All my images are RAW + LR preset
Download Leica presets
View GearList for recommended products & discount codes
Film photographers
- Film – I’ve almost caught up with my B&W film developing from 2024/2025
- Cameras – Still loving the Leica M7 but now trying the Leica M4 too
- Film Developing – I use 1:3 Kodak Xtol + dash if Rodinal in 3 reel tanks
- Film Scanning – See this video for how I scan film using a Valoi Easy120
- Printing – Darkroom prints in my bathroom – Interested?
- Photobooks – Test prints received for Patreon zine books – Interested?
Directory: Leica Repairs + Leica YouTubers
Have feedback following a Leica service, repair or CLA? See the Leica Repair Directory page. What are your favourite Leica YouTuber channels?
Latest YouTube videos
Catch up on YouTube videos (Last 30 days) –
Modern Vintage – New 35mm Lenses for Leica M mount
Buying a black Leica M4!
Leica L mount is getting cheaper – 2 New lenses
Leitz Hugo lens alternatives – Thypoch Simera C
Latest blog posts
400+ written posts (+ full res images) to supplement my YT videos. (I’ve got 3 articles part written so I’ll try to share at least one next month).
Patreon post (shared)
Join over 1000 members to see more content. Here are some Patreon articles you may have missed (Join us today!)(Patreon testimonials) –
- “My B&W film of choice 2025” – Free to view
- “The secret to getting creative with model photography” – Members
Coming up next month..
I think i’m going to be busy signing and sending photo books once they are printed later this month. I need to look at getting a proper label printer to streamline things.
With rain, grey days and a lack of sunshine in the UK, I can’t wait to escape to Spain in November for photoshoots and hopefully some vitamin D. Look out for my new Travel eBook to learn how you can do the same!
*For those of you asking, I’ll share my thoughts on the new Leica QM (I mean “Leica M EV1” as they called it) in the mid-month Leica newsletter.
YouTube video – spotlight
The first YouTube video in November is the New compact flash for Leica. I review two new flash units during a photoshoot trip in the Czech Republic. I also have a new 35mm lens for Leica M mount coming so look out for that video soon!
Get your Black Friday discounts!
Is that time of the year again where brands are offering some silly good discounts. You’ll need to check individual brands but I know for sure that Thypoch are offering some great deals right now on their M mount lenses. I read some comments on Cam Mackay’s recent Thypoch 28mm YouTube video (love that guy!) and people were saying they’d found some bargain prices.
Check out the official websites for Thypoch, Light Lens Lab, Funleader, TTArtisan, 7Artisans, Sirui etc as you can normally find better prices going direct to the brand vs looking on Amazon. See my gear list discount code page for all links.
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