Wandering Downtown with the Leica M-D

A couple of weeks ago, I grabbed Doogie the Leica M-D and headed downtown for another classic photowalk. This time, I was focused on embracing the grit and chaos of urban life, capturing those fleeting moments that only the city can deliver. With the Light Lens Lab 50mm lens on board, I was ready for a mix of experimentation and some good old-fashioned street photography.

The Morning Starts with a Crosswalk

The day began with a scene that perfectly sets the tone for urban wandering: a person in a purple jacket standing at a crosswalk, framed by the blur of city life. It’s these in-between moments that remind me why I love street photography so much. No staging, no second takes—just the raw rhythm of the city unfolding in front of you.

Down into the Subway

From there, I wandered into the Granville Station. Subway stations are like urban theatres, full of subtle performances happening around escalators and directional signs. A commuter in a patterned skirt and oversized jacket walked beneath a sign that read “Georgia and Granville Streets.” The clean lines and layered geometry of the space added to the story.

The Sidewalk Ballet

Downtown sidewalks are where the action is. From a hooded figure leaning against a bike rack to workers on ladders adjusting signage on a hotel canopy, every scene felt like a small, self-contained story. The hotel entrance, with its curved canopy and symmetrical composition, added a touch of structured beauty to the otherwise chaotic city flow.

A Skybridge Escape

Every photowalk needs a breather, and I found mine in a skybridge overlooking the city. The framing of the windows and the repetitive red beams gave this space a sense of quiet structure. Two women walked ahead, their presence grounding the otherwise expansive space. It felt like a moment of stillness before diving back into the busy streets.

Grit and Texture in the Parking Lot

One of my favourite captures of the day came from a weathered parking lot. The faded yellow paint warned “Danger: Obey Crossing Signal,” and the cracked pavement underfoot told its own tale. Pedestrians wandered through the space, navigating the signs and markings like participants in an unintentional art installation.

Street Photography and “Picking on Complete Strangers”

As always, these photowalks are about more than just architecture and texture. I’m constantly adding to my “Picking On Complete Strangers” project, where I capture candid slices of urban life. Like the person resting on a bench in front of a “For Lease” sign or the pedestrian lost in their phone on the sidewalk, these moments celebrate the unnoticed details of everyday life. There’s an honesty to street photography that keeps me hooked—the fleeting expressions, the postures, the way people interact (or don’t) with their surroundings.

Finding the Grit and the Glory

Whether it was construction workers in their fluorescent vests, the neon glow of city signage, or even the reflections on a coffee shop window, the walk was packed with the kind of scenes that feel both mundane and magical. I’m always drawn to the interplay of gritty urban textures and the soft human stories tucked within them.

These walks remind me why I love carrying a camera through the city. There’s no end goal, no checklist of must-have shots—just a chance to capture what catches my eye and tells a little piece of the larger story. Each photo is a fragment, a heartbeat in the city’s rhythm, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.