Photography — Nando Costa

I was first introduced to photography when I was around nine years old, often assisting my older brother as he practiced with our grandfather’s Nikon. Later in high school, I began exploring on my own, which quickly became a hobby. I was excited about the idea of capturing a scene and freezing time within the confines of a single frame.

In the years that followed, I kept on honing my skills through experimentation and guidance from friends and teachers, playing with a variety of color, black and white, and infrared films. Eventually, I set up a makeshift darkroom and began creating photographic prints using a technique similar to Man Ray’s solarization method.

Later, as I progressed in my career in motion graphics, it was only a matter of time before I ventured into live action. Naturally, analog and digital film cameras became yet another medium through which I could tell stories. This led me to explore the high-speed world of Phantom cameras and the slow and deliberate process of stop-motion as well.

Today, I use photography as a meditative activity. Somehow, I feel more present when I am traveling and exploring new places, if I look through a camera’s viewfinder. It is also a fun way to ‘see’ the things that would otherwise go unnoticed. The photos on this page are examples of these moments.

After purchasing my first Leica camera, I became enamored with the simplicity of its interactions and the unique focus it allows me to achieve. These photos were taken using a combination of the Leica SL3, the M10-R, M10-Monochrom, and Leica Q.

For more on my perspective on photography, check out Slowing Down With Photography on LinkedIn, and Monochrome Vision on Substack.

Everyday Seoul

A collection of shots featuring the mundane, curious and beautiful corners of the sprawling capital of South Korea on the Leica SL3.

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Wheels of Seoul

A series of photographs of motorcycles shot in Seoul, South Korea, using Leica SL3 camera and a Noctilux 50mm f0.95 lens.

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On White

Photographs taken of a dramatic foggy environment, using a Summulux 90mm ASPH lens on the Leica SL3.

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Daily Monochrom

An almost daily wandering with the M Monochrom, discovering new compositions and attempting to form a healthy habit.

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Forest Umbrellas

A collection of mushrooms captured during a wet Fall day in the PNW, and shot on a Leica SL3 with 35mm and 90mm macro lenses.

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Pacific Monochrom

Shot on a Leica M Monochrom camera, this is a collection of spontaneous shots collected over time from my walks on Bainbridge Island, WA.

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West of Seattle

Shot on a Leica SL3, these were captured at Lake Crescent and La Push, WA.

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Low Tide

Shot on a Leica SL3, these macro photographs were taken while canvasing the shores of Bainbridge Island for sea life.

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Savannah Monochrom

Photos born out of casual explorations of Savannah, GA during the Summer of ‘24. Shot on Leica M Monochrom.

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Georgia Summer

Photographs from a week of exploration in Savannah and Tybee Island, GA. Shot Leica M 10-R.

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Sepia Woods

Shots from a stroll through the Gazam Lake nature preserve on Bainbridge Island. Shot on Leica M-10R.

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Everyday Seoul

Wheels of Seoul

On White

Daily Monochrom

Forest Umbrellas

Pacific Monochrom

West of Seattle

Low Tide

Savannah Monochrom

Georgia Summer

Sepia Woods