We are proud to call Todd Hido a local Bay Area photographer—not just because he is one of the greats of modern photography, but because his unique, introspective perspective on the art of photography has inspired all who have encountered his work, story, and artistic vision. So, it is with great excitement that we get to share with you a little bit of insight into Todd Hido’s life and work.
About Todd Hido
Todd Hido (born in Kent, Ohio, 1968) wanders endlessly, taking lengthy road trips in search of imagery that connects with his own memories. Through his unique landscape process and signature color palette, Hido alludes to the quiet and mysterious side of suburban America—where uniform communities provide for a stable façade—implying the instability that often lies behind the walls.
His photographs are in over 50 private and public collections around the world, including the Getty, Whitney Museum of American Art, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Pier 24 Photography holds the archive of all of his published works. Hido has published more than a dozen books, including the award-winning monographs House Hunting(2001) and Excerpts from Silver Meadows (2013). His Aperture titles include Todd Hido on Landscapes, Interiors, and the Nude (2014) and Intimate Distance: Twenty-Five Years of Photographs (2016).
He returned to the cinematic landscape photography that he first explored with Roaming(2003) with Bright Black World(2018), and followed it up with The End Sends Advance Warning (2024). Hido is also a collector, and over the last twenty-five years has created a notable photobook collection of over 8,500 titles, which was featured in Bibliostyle: How We Live at Home with Books (2019).
His work has influenced multiple Hollywood productions, such as The Batman, Spike Jones‘s Her, Sam Levinson‘s Euphoria, Issa López‘s True Detective: Night Country, and the upcoming directorial project by Jason Momoa, Chief of War. He is also one of the subjects of Momoa‘s documentary project on creative makers, On The Roam.
Earlier this year, Todd welcomed us into his home studio to discuss his creative process, his passion for photography, and his love for Leica’s exceptional tools. In the micro-documentary “Todd Hido: Photograph Like a Documentarian, Print Like a Painter,” directed & filmed by Carlo Velasquez, Todd offers an intimate glimpse into his artistic approach and workflow.
Todd likens the relationship between a photographer and their camera to that of a painter and their brush—a tool that goes beyond utility, becoming a personal connection that sparks creativity. Throughout the film, he explores various photographic tools, with a particular emphasis on the Leica SL3 and Leica S3 paired with a 35mm equivalent focal length lens, his go-to story telling tools.
Todd Hido’s Kit
- Leica S3
- Leica SL3
- Leica 35mm f2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH
- Leica 45mm Summarit
- Leica M 50mm f0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH
Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of working with Todd at Leica Store San Francisco, showcasing his stunning work in our gallery and bookshop. We invite you to explore our exclusive selection of signed and limited edition pieces, available only at Leica Store San Francisco, and add them to your collection for both enrichment and enjoyment.
Behind the Scenes:
This micro-documentary was shot entirely on the Leica SL3 with a 24-70mm f2.8 lens, using only natural light at Todd’s home. Given the time and resources available, Carlo Velasquez selected the Leica SL3 for its versatility, combining it with the 24-70mm f2.8 to create a lightweight, agile setup that effortlessly captured Todd as he spoke and worked naturally in his studio.
Filmed with:
Special Thanks to Todd Hido and Marina Luz for opening their home and to Todd for sharing his insight with us.
If you enjoyed this micro-documentary, we invite you to subscribe to Camera West TV on YouTube and follow along with our journey at Tools of Time for more Tools of Time stories and more. Your support of Camera West and Leica Store San Francisco makes it possible for us to continue sharing these stories with you. Thank you!
We’d love to assist you in discovering the world of Leica by finding the perfect photographic tools for your needs. Explore and shop all the gear featured in this film through the Todd Hido Collection linked below.
