There’s something truly special about early mornings in Kuala Lumpur, especially at places like Chow Kit Market. The soft light, the bustling stalls just setting up, and the slow but steady hum of the city coming to life—all these elements combine to create a unique atmosphere, perfect for capturing with a camera like the Leica M10 Monochrome.
This past weekend, I decided to leave behind my usual color rangefinder and medium format cameras and instead, embraced the simplicity and classic feel of monochrome photography. It was a “monochrome weekend,” and my Leica M10 paired with a 50mm Summilux was the perfect companion.
As I wandered through the market’s narrow alleys, I stumbled upon an old man quietly reciting the Quran. He was nestled in a corner, surrounded by fresh produce and the occasional passerby who paused to offer a respectful nod. The scene was serene, his voice a soft murmur against the backdrop of the market’s ambient noise. Capturing this moment in black and white allowed me to focus on the emotion of the scene, without the distraction of color.
Just a few steps away, another scene caught my eye. A man, seemingly oblivious to the world around him, was enjoying his breakfast—a steaming bowl of bakso. His focus was entirely on his meal, a brief moment of solitude amidst the market’s early morning rush. I couldn’t help but snap a shot, intrigued by the contrast between the quiet concentration of the old man and the contentment of this breakfast-goer.
The Leica M10 Monochrome, with its ability to render exquisite detail and a dynamic range in black and white, proved to be the ideal tool for capturing the essence of these moments. The 50mm Summilux lens, known for its sharpness and beautiful bokeh, added a sense of depth and intimacy to each image, drawing the viewer into the scene.
Walking through Chow Kit Market with this setup reminded me of the joy of simplicity in photography. There’s a certain purity in seeing the world in shades of grey, where light and shadow tell the story. It was a refreshing change, shuffling between my different cameras, each offering a new perspective. But this weekend, the monochrome viewfinder was the window through which I experienced the world, and it did not disappoint.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a photography enthusiast like me, I highly recommend taking your camera for a spin in the early hours of the day. Whether you’re wielding a medium format, a rangefinder, or like me, a monochrome setup, there’s always something magical about capturing life as it unfolds, one frame at a time.