I actually posted this photo last week without any text, but on reflection I need to say a few words about it.

I took this photo with my iPhone 17 pro max. I was out grabbing a couple of bags of my favourite beans and this vintage roasting machine was on display in the shop.

Basically, I had my arms full with coffee bags, so I juggled out my phone and quickly snapped two pictures as I walked passed. Just because it looked cool.

The photo has minimal editing (a small crop) and was taken using the unsubscribed version of the Leica LUX camera app.

Solid composition, the built to last feeling of the components of the roaster, the vintage dial, the patina and scrapes and witness marks on the barrel-body of the machine…..but especially the bean feeder.

Notice the way that the room is reflected in the ballooning metal (it reminds my of the glass bubble on top of the robot in Lost In Space), whilst perfectly masking my own reflection behind dints and scrapes.

Intentionally composing this photo could have taken me a lot of time and creative energy and an expensive Fujifilm XT5. But that’s not what happened. I snapped it on my phone as I walked past….and it is, well, wunderbar!

Never underestimate the power of the camera you always carry.