Rob Tyler 5/28/19 Rob Tyler 5/28/19

Phone Meets Leica: A New Obsession

It all begins with an idea.

Just wrapped an absolutely wild BTS shoot here in Grand Cayman with Assouline, trailing the legendary photographer Tanveer Badal as he worked his magic. Watching Tanveer hunt down light and moments was like seeing a master at play—every frame deliberate, every click with intention.

But here’s the kicker: somewhere between chasing Tanveer down beaches and backstreets, I downloaded the Leica Lux app. And let me tell you—game changer. It’s like someone handed my phone a vintage Leica soul and said, "Go on, make something timeless."

Now I’m hooked. There’s this raw, cinematic edge it gives to everything—tones that just melt, contrast that punches you in the gut (in the best way), and a simplicity that makes me want to shoot all day. It’s less about fiddling with sliders and more about trusting your gut—seeing the moment, feeling it, and letting the app do its quiet magic.

Since that shoot, I’ve been using Leica Lux nonstop. Personal stuff, professional sneaks, little moments that would usually slip by. It’s reignited that spark—the same one that got me chasing light in the first place. The best part? It’s still just my phone. No bulky gear, no overthinking, just vision, instinct, and a little Leica-infused flair.

So here’s to finding new ways to fall in love with the craft. To chasing stories, not specs. And to always, always keeping that shutter close at hand. Let’s go make something epic.

A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and beige clothing is sitting on a yellow and black chair at a wooden counter inside a cafe or restaurant, with books and colorful square wall art behind him.

A row of bar stools underneath a wooden counter with a colorful stained glass window featuring yellow and pink panes.

Close-up of an old typewriter with round keys showing letters and numbers, in black and white.

Close-up of a green palm leaf showing detailed veins and texture.

Close-up of a woven circular pattern in brown tones.

A framed botanical illustration of the Eastern red colubrine, also known as Thamnophis sirtalis, hanging on a wall with a two-tone paint background and some blurred plant leaves in the foreground.

Close-up of a hand holding a paint scraper with blue, yellow, white, and red paint splatters, next to a blue painted surface.

A man with a beard wearing a large cowboy hat, light-colored shirt, and white pants is sitting on a bench at an airport, talking to a woman. The man is pointing with his finger while the woman, dressed in a sleeveless top, has her back to the camera.