My name is Allan Crosthwaite. Photography came back into my life at a time I never saw coming. In the seventies, I grew up on farms in Victoria, Australia, surrounded by creative people, artists, thinkers, and free spirits who helped shape my view of the world. That’s when I first grabbed a camera, a used Mamiya C330, and quickly fell in love with black-and-white photography. Every photo I took had intention and purpose, crafted to tell a specific story. Street photography wasn’t even on my radar in those days.
But life has a way of changing your focus. I put photography aside for decades to raise a family and build my career. For more than 45 years, my camera gathered dust. When I retired, I found myself wondering, like so many people do: what’s next? The answer was obvious. Photography had always been there, just waiting for me to come back to it.
So I picked up a Leica X and started photographing my travels in modern China. It was like catching up with an old friend, but seeing everything with new eyes. Northwest China, with its gentle light, constant motion, and subtle human stories, became my perfect backdrop. This journey isn’t about getting everything right; it’s about rediscovering, keeping things simple, and capturing real moments as they happen.
The Return to Photography: From Film to Digital
Moving from my old Mamiya C330 to the Leica X was like entering a different world. Things used to be slow and thoughtful, each shot carefully considered. With digital, everything sped up. I had to rely more on gut feeling and react quickly, learning to see light and timing in a new way. But underneath all the tech, photography is still about paying attention. The Leica X actually made it easier than I thought it would. It let me forget about the gear and just watch the scene, letting the story come to life right in front of me.
- Rediscovering photography after 45 years
- Transition from film discipline to digital instinct
- Learning new camera language and controls
- Trusting intuition over perfection
- Embracing simplicity with Leica X
Why the Leica X Was the Perfect Travel Companion
The Leica X feels just right, nothing extra, nothing to get in the way, just you and the photo. The fixed 35mm lens means you have to move around, get involved, and really pay attention to what’s going on. Coming back to photography, that simplicity made a big difference for me. I didn’t have to dig through menus; I just picked it up and shot. The way it fit in my hands felt natural, like it was made for me. That comfort counts for more than all the features in the world. When your camera fits you, you take better photos. It’s that simple.
- Fixed 35mm lens ideal for storytelling
- Minimal controls, maximum focus
- Lightweight and travel-friendly
- Strong Leica build and reliability
- Natural feel while shooting
The Challenge of Street Photography in Northwest China
Shooting in northwest China is no walk in the park; it really keeps you guessing. The light is soft, sometimes too soft, so it’s tough to get the contrast you want. Unlike in Australia, you rarely get those bold shadows, so you have to find other ways to add depth. The streets are always packed, always moving, which means you need patience and quick reflexes to catch a clean shot. And with the language barrier, even explaining what you’re doing can get complicated. But that’s what makes it special: every good photo feels like something you truly worked for.
- Soft light reduces natural contrast.
- Crowded streets challenge composition.
- Timing becomes critical
- Language barriers slow interaction
- Requires patience and observation
Capturing the Beauty of Everyday Life
I didn’t get hooked on the big sights; it was the little moments that got me. A quick look, a casual gesture, some ordinary scene most people ignore. Northwest China is packed with these quiet stories, just waiting to be noticed. I quit hunting for the ‘perfect’ photo and started looking for real ones. That changed everything for me. Suddenly, it wasn’t about getting things exactly right, but about really connecting with what was happening around me. Slow down, pay attention, and you’ll find beauty where you least expect it. That’s where the magic is.
- Focus on ordinary people and moments.
- Emotional storytelling over technical perfection
- Observing rather than directing
- Finding beauty in simplicity
- Letting moments unfold naturally
121Clicks Editor’s Take
Allan Crosthwaite’s story shows that it’s never too late to rediscover a passion for photography. His return isn’t just about picking up a camera again; it’s a reminder that the best photos come from being patient, staying curious, and really paying attention to what’s around you. What makes Allan’s work special is how he keeps things simple and focuses on genuine moments rather than setup or perfection. Every photographer can take something from this: it’s not about the gear, but about how you see the world. Even after years away, Allan’s eye for meaningful images never faded.
- Embrace photography at any stage of life.
- Focus on storytelling, not gear.
- Patience is key in street photography.
- Simplicity often creates stronger images.
- Stay curious and keep observing.
