A Day of Tokyo Eating and Street Photography (Streets & Eats Episode 4) Chris Chu 2024-12-05 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseI spent a day in Tokyo with my new friend Luuvu Hoang as we go around eating and partaking in film street photography with our Leica M6 and Leica 1G. Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
A Week of NY Summer Street Photography Chris Chu 2025-09-02 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseThis is a random video ranging from summer street photography in New York City to reviewing the new Joe Greer Camera Vest to ping pong (lol) to the Leica Monopan 50 and a few Q&A questions and birthday candles.That was one huge run-on sentence. I apologize.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Leica Monopan 50 is Interesting... Chris Chu 2025-08-21 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseLeica's new 35mm B&W film stock is very interesting. The Monopan 50 is one of few slow speed 50 ISO monochrome film stocks that offers a solution for photographers to shoot more wide open in broad daylight. Although most monochrome film shooters prefer the likes of Ilford HP5 or Kodak Tri-X, I have a strong feeling that this Monopan 50 was created to strategically fill a gap while also avoiding unnecessary competition. To add on top of the strategy, I believe that Leica is making a great marketing move to create a film stock where film shooters could actually take advantage of their Summilux and Summicron lenses.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
An Underrated Photography Method Nobody Talks About Chris Chu 2025-08-01 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseIntense cropping has its way of lending itself to artistic freedom.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Where is Photography Going Online? Chris Chu 2025-07-10 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchasePhotography on YouTube has had its waves online when it was heavily dominated by the new wave of digital photography education through Peter McKinnon. After four years of impactful & influential videos on composition, color, filmmaking, the pandemic changed everything. Willem Verbeeck rose to popularity during lockdown as photographers were looking for something different from the upbeat, fast-paced videos from before. Willem delivered content and education that was on the opposite of the spectrum from McKinnon with slower, lo-fi film videos that reflected the medium of film in which he was sharing.After five years, that wave has also lost a lot of momentum from its hay day and now I'm wondering if the audience moved over to Instagram.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
The One Thing that Prevents Creative Burnout Chris Chu 2025-05-01 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseCreative burnout happens to everyone. I used to crash and burn intensely after pushing myself too much without a sustainable direction and plan or pace.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.com
$850 Leica Alternative with No Compromises | Thypoch 75mm f/1.4 Simera Review Chris Chu 2025-04-21 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseShop here:Thypoch 75mm: store.thypoch.com/?ref=CHRISCHUThypoch dropped the 75mm f/1.4 Simera and as a Leica alternative, this lens has no compromises. For a fast lens like this that can be used for street photography, it should have quirks but it doesn't. When I used to shop for alternatives like Zeiss & Voigtlander, I would have to gamble between the quirks and cons, but Thypoch gets rid of that entire conversation.At $850 this lens is solid.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Im Opening my First Exhibition in New York City Chris Chu 2025-02-28 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseAs a photographer, our potential for growth is nearly infinite. In some ways, it's exciting and in others, it's daunting. To know that I can continuously be better makes me think that my current version is always not enough. Not enough for what? Many things.However strong that feeling may present itself, it's an illusion. I've made plenty of excuses of putting on my first photo exhibition, gallery, photobook, zine, etc. I've always felt unready and that I could always be better. It turns out that two things can be true: I can get better and I can have a show now.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
New Film Photography Pickups 2025 Chris Chu 2025-02-25 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchasePurchase "Flutter" here: davidzhengstudio.com/shop/p/flutterNew Film Photography Pickups 2025Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
How to Shoot Film at Night (and in Snow) Chris Chu 2025-01-30 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseToday, we're going to learn how to shoot 35mm film at night and in the snow! A great advantage of 35mm cameras is access to faster glass to allow handheld photography at night. You can use your favorite portra 400 film stock or cinestill 800t for night photography.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
This $800 Leica Lens is Underrated, Fast, and Unknown Chris Chu 2025-01-16 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseThe Leica 75mm Summarit is an underrated, fast, and unknown lens to most in the street photography community. It's also inexpensive when I bought it at $800. At a semi telephoto focal length, this 75mm lens unlocks a lot in what I could do to complement my typical 28mm Summicron setup.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
The $400 Leica Nobody Talks About Chris Chu 2024-12-12 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseThe Leica R8 is one of the remaining best kept secrets in the film photography world. Leica M6's are permanent in their price tag, so the Leica R cameras are the next best thing. For less than half the price of an entire M6 kit, you can still have access to the Leica look with way more features.I showcase the R8 in street photography in both Kodak color film and black and white film in New York City.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Photographing Hong Kong after 14 Years... (Leica M6) Chris Chu 2024-11-21 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseI haven't been to Hong Kong in so long. 14 years ago, I had a life-altering event that left a permanent effect on my life that took years to overcome and grow from. Now that I'm 28 years old, a visit to Hong Kong had a layer of sentimentality and spirituality to it. It felt like a second lap on my life.With who I am today, I was able to connect with the city and landscape far more deeply as it was sewn with confidence & strength along with the acceptance & closure of the past. The film photography I created with my Leica M6 reached a depth that my Japan photos couldn't convey because of a cultural and emotional connection I have to Hong Kong.All film developed and scanned by NYC Film LabCome say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
10 Days of Film Photography in Japan (Leica M6) Chris Chu 2024-11-08 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseJapan is at the top of most photographers' bucket list for travel destinations. It has so much to offer visually and culturally that's incredibly unique to the country. The cityscapes are so intriguing with the literal millions of people that sprawl throughout it. Street photography is a dream here because of how much you can photograph and when you can. Everything is up for grabs to consume and enjoy, but you can't do it all in one trip.Gear:— Leica M6— Leica 28mm Elmarit ASPH— Kodak Portra 800— Kodak Tri-XAll film processed & scanned by NYC Film LabCome say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
When you have a 1% Success Rate in your Photography... Chris Chu 2024-09-30 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchaseI used to measure my skill in photography by a % of keepers from all the photos made in any given day. If I had at least a 30% hit rate, I'd deem it a good day. Good days are rare though as I find myself only making 1 good photo in most outings. That's a terrible hit rate.However, when it comes to photography or art for that matter, I'm not so sure if "success" should be measured in that way.Metrics and logic are tools we can measure for many things in our lives, but the application towards abstract interpretation through art seems misguided. Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
I followed a New Yorkers Life for 10 months | Heres What Happened... Chris Chu 2024-09-06 | PRE-ORDER “FLUTTER”: davidzhengstudio.com/store/flutterFollow David: instagram.com/davidzhengstudioBorn and raised in the Lower East Side of New York City, David’s photographs are an observation into the dynamics between the environment and those who inhabit them. Often turning his focus towards form and abstraction to suggest these relationships, his interest is not within the idea of story telling or the depiction of reality. Working primarily with analog photographic materials and processes, David’s curiosity is shaped by the interaction between the materiality of a photograph, and the constant negotiation between chance and control.Best known for his black and white analogue work and photo books, he has published three books, several of which are held in library collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Public Library, and the Center for Book Arts. In 2022, David was awarded the Corky Lee Image of Hope award by the New York State Assembly Member, recognizing the impact on the NYC Lower Manhattan community through the Arts with his works, Where Did All the Flowers Go? and Some Chinatown Portraits. David works out of his darkroom in Brooklyn, NY. All 35mm film shot on Leica M6 and developed by NYC Film LabCome say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
6 Months of Sports Photography on Film Chris Chu 2024-08-31 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchase.Sports and Arts are not mutually exclusive camps. Forget the highschool lunch room dynamic, the two mold so perfectly in photography. For the past 6 months, I spent a lot of time with my leica m6 and mamiya rz67 capturing the beauty of athletic movement on filmI share some tips for beginners for sports photography and what I did to achieve these frames from gear, to film stocks, cameras, lenses, and of course, the art process.0:00 - 0:50: Intro0:51 - 2:00: Basic Principles2:01 - 2:33: Paying the Bills2:34 - 7:24: Basketball7:25 - 12:12: Breakdancing12: 13 - 16:32: TennisCome say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
You Never Know Chris Chu 2024-08-23 | Chef Jamal James Kent's sudden passing broke my heart. Albeit I've known him for an incredibly short time, his impact on my life is incomparable. Jamal's candor, energy, and passion for life are contagious. During the filming of a Bandit documentary series called Dine & Dash, I got to know a lot about Chef's life growing up in New York and being part of a scene that I grew up admiring.The most impactful part was how he treated me. A person of his caliber and stature doesn't have any business dealing with someone like me. However, the way he let me in felt like he just saw another kid running around New York trying to make "it" work and decided to give me everything I needed to succeed. Chef inspired me in such an incredible way.I can't believe he's gone.When I received the news, it felt like a part of New York City disappeared into the void. Jamal was a part of the city's fabric the day he came into this world. It did not feel fair, and it still doesn't. It makes no sense to me.This video is the final part of my mourning of his passing because it actually was very hard for me to move on. It makes no sense why but it was.Rest in peace, Chef. Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Super 16 Film is Amazing | Krasnagorsk 3 Review Chris Chu 2024-08-05 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchase.Super 16 film is amazing. I think every film photographer should dabble in motion film whether that's Super 8 or Super 16. The Krasnagorsk 3 is a great entry level motion film camera because of how affordable and easy it is to use. Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
I tried a $5000 Lens so you dont have to | Leica 28mm Summicron Chris Chu 2024-07-24 | Shop at Hobolite here: hobolite.com/collections/max-photography-light-kitThank you to Leica Camera USA for partnering with my channel.The Leica 28mm Summicron has been a mixed bag for me. I've doubted the high investment for a lens that could only provide marginal differences from my already stellar 28mm Elmarit. However, upon months of usage and trial, I have to say it's a worthwhile lens to own. In street photography, the lens doesn't provide much in regular daylight settings. However, it's every form of photography outside of that is where the Summicron shines. It allowed me to switch gears and control pacing better with the f2 aperture. The shallow depth of field feels organic and sufficient in separating my subject from the background. The rendition is top-tier as with all Leica glass; the character is subtle and complementary.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Breaks are good. Chris Chu 2024-05-15 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchase.SPECIAL CREDIT:Barber: Simon Zu (@the_zoooo) Shop: 12 Pell Barbershop (@12pell) Breaks are good. Sabbaticals are great. Rest is awesome. It doesn't look the same for everyone. Sometimes, it's stopping to do nothing; other times, it looks like high activity but a different one altogether from the main weekly movement. Mental health relies on balance. For a workaholic like myself, my rest don't look like the traditional image of one. My rest looks just as busy as work, but the intention is completely different.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Best Lens for Storytelling #sony Chris Chu 2024-03-06 | Shoutout to @bhphoto @bh.creators @sony for partnering with me and gifting me this lensI have a couple use cases for this lens outside of shallow depth of field and bokehFeel 1. I tend to use wider lenses so that my audience feels like they’re there in the space I’m filming in 2. But sometimes, it doesn’t motivate certain parts of the story 3. 50mm is a standard focal length to use for close ups, but also magnify details + emotions 4. It creates enough isolation from the background and surroundings too to eliminate distractionsPerspective 1. What I employ in my filmmaking is the art of when to use lenses like these 2. I use wider lenses on my main characters to make it feel like we’re in their world and we’re aware of what they’re aware of 3. But then I switch up with a 50mm on whoever the main is talking to, to deliver that feeling of their focus. 4. It kind of delivers a different Point of View perspective.
After 14 Years of Photography, Heres Something I Learned... Chris Chu 2024-02-29 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchase.14 years of commitment can teach you a lot of things. When I began learning and practicing photography in 2010, I felt like I found my instrument to create in this world. The camera felt like an extension of my will. I went through so many phases in my creativity. As I look back on a lot of the archives, I can remember when I learned something new that helped advance my growth as a photographer.Today, I have an incredibly different approach to photography, one that is incredibly more philosophical than technical. However, the biggest lesson I learned was that the quality in my art is directly correlated with the honesty and maturity of my own person.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Feeling Lost in my Photography Project | Chinese New Year 2024 Chris Chu 2024-02-23 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchase.With new year, we're going back to photographing the Chinese New Year celebrations in NYC with my Leica M6 kit and a looser idea on my documentary project. This will be my 3rd year contributing to this in 2024, and I'm starting to feel lost. This photography project might be too broad and unspecific for me to know where it's going. There's a ton of street photography and some documentary moments, but the direction of it feels unfocused.0:00 - 1:30: Intro1:31- 2:01: Pay My Bills2:02 - 4:51: Part 1: What is the goal?4:52 - 7:30: Part 2: Focusing on Intangibles7:31 - 9:37: Part 3: Why is this a Long Term ProjectCome say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
One Easy Way to Start Documenting with Photography Chris Chu 2024-01-31 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchase.Linear storytelling is a great way to begin any documentary project. To show a story from point A to B spanning days, weeks, months, or even years is a valuable experiment / project.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Lets Debate: Is Photography a Responsibility? Chris Chu 2024-01-05 | Start your free trial at http://squarespace.com/chrischu and use code CHRISCHU to get 10% off your first purchase.For the past few months, I've started to consider if there's any responsibility in my photography. More specifically, should I be responsible in using my photography consistently for a so-called "greater good"?In documentary photography, it's hard to decide when it's okay to not use my camera and when I absolutely should. In the West 4th basketball community, James Worthy, a notable figure in The Cage, passed away in December of 2023. At his candlelight vigil, many players, attendees, fans, and other staff members gathered to honor the impact his life has made in NYC. I had no second thoughts about attending; I knew I needed to be there.With protests persisting throughout the city, I documented some of them in hopes of sharing the emotions and events apolitically. However, I did not attend every protest that happened over the course of the past months.Am I wrong for not attending some? Am I supposed to show up to everything? Is my photography a responsibility?0:00 - 1:35: Intro1:36 - 2:10: Squarespace2:11 - 6:14: Photography is a Reponsibility6:15 - 8:47: It's Your Life, Your Choice8:48 - 12:57: The Weight & Freedom of Choice12:58 - 13:49: Final TributeCome say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
How an Emmy-Nominated Reporter became a Storytelling Photographer Chris Chu 2023-12-11 | Here's a story about a local photographer who was an Emmy-Nominated reporter for 12 years before pivoting to something more creative in photography. Naeem Douglas is a staple and a figure in the photography scene in New York. His street portraiture combined with his signature of grouping people together in a lovely manner is what helped him grow connections to the people of NYC. So much so, Naeem created a relationship with the folks over at Souls in Focus, a creative collective aimed at fostering a community for people of color in Brooklyn.Naeem's background in journalism prepared him for his work in street portraiture (and his voice helps folks pay attention to his every word)Check out Naeem Douglas on Instagram: instagram.com/naeemdouglas_Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
7 Days in Portugal on Film | Leica M6 Chris Chu 2023-11-20 | Join me in Portugal in March 2024!: fourtrees-portugal.comI spent 7 days in Portugal because of the basketball photos I made in New York City. A former German basketball player turned business owner, Jan, invited me to the countryside in Portugal to work on a story together. He allowed me full access to his home and businesses to document his life and the beauty of the country.I used my two Leica M6's and even a Leica M10-R to document this entire trip.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Fall Foliage on Hasselblad Ground Glass | Upstate NY Chris Chu 2023-10-23 | The ground glass of a Hasselblad 500 camera shows life much more beautifully than your own eyes. Imagine the vibrant fall colors of upstate NY through that textured glass.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Israeli & Palestinian Protest in New York City | October 9th, 2023 Chris Chu 2023-10-12 | The Israeli & Palestinian Protest took place on 42nd St and 2nd Ave in New York City on October 9th, 2023.All film developed by NYC Film Lab (@nycfilmlab) Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
I switched to black-and-white film because I wont be in NY forever Chris Chu 2023-10-09 | Because I know I’m probably not going to be a lifer here in New York, I ought to start investing in the documentation of my own personal history here now.There’s a historic feeling and aging that begins when these I take these black-and-white photographs.0:00 - 0:18: Calm Intro0:19 - 0:55: Printing my work for my wall0:56 - 1:52: Color vs Black and White for myself1:53 - 5:43: Part 1: Historic Feeling5:44 - 9:51: Part 2: The Storyteller in MeCome say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
Learning Photography as a New Language (with Sissi Lu) Chris Chu 2023-09-22 | Follow Sissi Lu! Thank you for coming on to the channel.Instagram: instagram.com/sissi_luYouTube: youtube.com/@UNDERDVLPFor photographers, we all run into plateaus and dry spells at some point. I had a really big mental block when the summer started to end, and I felt lost. This conversation about abstract photography and self-assignments sparked an idea that saved my photography from this rut. I never dabble in metaphorical work with experimental film stocks like kodak aerochrome, lomo purple, or lomo turquoise.Each art form is a new language to learn; my photographic vocabulary far exceeds my spoken one. However, there are definitely those times when I want to express myself with more complexity, and the "words" just aren' there. If you've ever felt that, this conversation might be insightful.Come say hello!IG: instagram.com/whoschrischuWebsite: chrischuphoto.comDiscord: discord.gg/8nJR3VfSBd
