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Jennifer Li

Contax G1 + Carl Zeiss 35mm Planar f/2

I’m an art director with a deep appreciation for photography, french new wave cinema, and modern typography. My love for photography began when I first saw Truffaut’s movie poster for The 400 Blows, with a very young Jean-Pierre Léaud pressing against a chain link fence. The realization that an image could encapsulate so much meaning, symbolism, and reflect the nuances of time, culture, and coming of age was mind blowing. That image alone, remains a constant inspiration for my own work, in searching for and documenting life in the truest and rawest form possible, as I live and experience it.

This is my favorite camera of all time. The design is both timeless and ultra functional for a film camera. I love the 35mm focal length and boxiness of the accessory flash. Although I prefer shooting in natural light, the compact flash sometimes comes to the rescue when a moment needs that extra.

Contax G1 Rangefinder + Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 Planar

Contax G1 Rangefinder + Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 Planar

The 35mm focal length is the perfect all around lens for documenting my life as it happens. It's not too wide or too tight, it works for portraits and landscapes. The Zeiss 35mm f/2 Planar is a perfect match on the Contaxt because of it is small, so it easily fits in my bag, but the quality is still amazing.

Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 Planar

Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 Planar

I don't shoot much with flash, but I keep the Contax TLA 200 in bag in case I need to shoot after the sun sets. The boxy shape is perfect and the batteries last a long time.

Contax TLA 200 Flash

Contax TLA 200 Flash

I only shoot using this bag. The size is perfect for my Contax and headphones. Keeping it minimal and light weight is really important for me because I like to be able to walk for long bouts of time without the fatigue of something heavy on my back or being noticed for carrying something big. The soft leather and single compartment make it so comfortable and easy to access what I need at a moments notice.

Kara Backpack

Kara Backpack

Essential to my kit are my Sony WH 1000xm3 noise cancelling headphones. When I’m photographing, I become totally immersed in the visual experience — cutting out the aural, all of the noise of traffic, people chattering, planes, etc — allows me to really become one with the process. It’s very meditative. Sometimes I’ll put on my favorite playlist that either consists of Blonde Redhead, Yo La Tengo, Cat Power, or Charlotte Gainsbourg if I’m feeling the need to set that particular cinematic kind of mood.

Sony WH 1000XM3 Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Sony WH 1000XM3 Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Jennifer li 35mm

Jennifer Li

I’m an art director with a deep appreciation for photography, french new wave cinema, and modern typography. My love for photography began when I first saw Truffaut’s movie poster for The 400 Blows, with a very young Jean-Pierre Léaud pressing against a chain link fence.

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