Photography: iPhone, iPhonography, iPhone 6
Since the winter I have had an iPhone 6. I am a brand whore but at the same time I rely on Apple to run my businesses. While my iPhone does govern my day to day life through the alarm, calendar, camera, a few business apps, and a few editing apps, I value my phone as a device that can make some pretty incredible photos. I have been longing for one of those little Fuji cameras, the ones with the cropped sensor, possibly the one with the fixed 35mm lens, for shooting day to day things I find interesting, in between work and work. The Fuji cameras are pretty awesome, but they can not take a photo, edit, and share across a multitude of social media platforms.
Apple has been releasing 30 second commercials on the television that show stills and videos that are shot on the iPhone 6. Some of the clips are in slowmo and look pretty fun. I admire the photographic aspects that are packed into this device because I know they are powerful, both from my use and because it is an upgrade from the 5s. I have seen large ads, very large scale billboards, promoting the iPhone through strong images that were made using the device. I have mentioned using an iPhone in the past. I think right around when I first picked this model up. Regardless I enjoy pulling my phone out and making some photos.
I went for a bike ride last evening and was rained on. I kept my phone in a ziplock bag, zipped up in my backpack. It stayed dry while cold droplets of rain broke the heat I was pedaling through. Even when the sun came back out and I found some charming spots to make photos of, I still managed to keep my phone dry. I am always very careful when it comes to my devices. I am not in the business replacing equipment, I am in the business of making photographs and getting paid.
I made some photos. You can see below.
iPhone 6: Photography
Earlier this morning my friend sent me a link to Apple's website, specifically a gallery of insanely awesome photos that were made using an iPhone 6. Li am no longer envious of the Apple technology that is changing how people make view photographs. While cameras in phones are nothing new, every phone I've replaced since 2004 has had a camera, but major advancements and improvements have been implemented into these devices that give real cameras a run for their money.
Cell phones are what disposable cameras used to be. Remember those plastic little wind up film cameras? Yea cell phones have replaced those. Apps such as Instagram are where people go to view the world, connect with people, network, share their visual thoughts and feelings, and more recently their inner most private fetishes. Yes, fetishes. There are countless IG accounts out there, some private some public, some ambiguous, some flagrantly flaunting ownership, but the common thread is they exist for the vouyer and vouyee. I know that some where there is a team of psychologists and sociologists working hand and hand to both diagnos and write papers in how people are creating relationships through social media and the incessant need people have to share every thing they see, smell, eat, touch.
There are that many more IG accounts that provide the world with original images. My IG page is the inner workings of a photographer. A bit vouyeristic, when I post behind the scenes photos or share what I am thinking. I'm not being hypocritical, merely a trend follower. IG for me is about connecting with the world. I started out using a crappy Droid phone to post photos to IG. I've since changed platforms to an iOS based device. my computers are Apple and so is my phone. I am a loyal Apple user and here is why. I am not part of s cult, as accused of being a few weeks ago, by a friend of mine, photo below. Apple create a great product. The prices are a bit steep for some, but their machines, both computing and cellular, are easy to use and make my professional life more efficient. Recently I upgraded a few components on my 2011 MacBook Pro. That tiny upgrade has now made my life faster, smoother, and I can pump out edits much quicker. How many PC based users are still running a machine from 2011? Probably a lot less than Apple users. Truth be told Apple's technology is top of the line, at least in my opinion and probably most of the Apple users world wide.
My iPhone is a business tool as well as an extension of my right arm. I post photos daily, respond to emails for business as well as personal, I make photographs, connect with people on a multitude of social networks, and blog. This post was written on my iPhone. The photos in this post were made shot and edited using my iPhone. I've seen a Bently Commercial filmed in an iPhone, I've read blogs about iPhoneography, I've seen iPhone portraits and even a fashion shoot having been shot on an iPhone. These devices are powerful and can do some pretty amazing things. There is still a need for high end cameras, as phones are not there yet. A device than can multi task with as many options as an iPhone has is still quite limited in all its creative freedom.
As I told my friend when I shared with him two photos I made recently with my iPhone, it is about light and composition. With good light and composition, incredible photos can be made with an iPhone. In short, knowing the device and a set of rules pulled from analog photography, and just like that you're an iPhoneographer.
These two photos were shot in my studio. They were lit by a bank of windows. I processed them in a new retouching app that I just found. I've completely by passed the computer, the camera, the ideology that photography must exist with just a camera. On most days I do not credit people as photographers who Rome around using just a cell phone, but in all fairness, they are. As I leave behind weddings and move more into the commercial photography I desire to be in, I no longer worry about the threat of not gaining clients due to the silliness that is the iPhoneographer stealing clients.
Take and run with technology. Half the time I am merely creatively playing but at the same time exploring the possibility of something new. Stop and enjoy what you see but keep you iPhone handy for when you want to make a great photo of what you're experiencing.
Zakim Bridge, Boston, Ma
Landscape Photo
Follow this link to view the Apple iPhone gallery.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/world-gallery/
Filmmaking: iPhone Film
Watch "Where The Light Goes" here on Youtube.
On Sunday I took over Sue's iPhone. I have been operating on a Droid system since I have had a smart phone. While all my computer equipment is Apple based, I always kept a distance from iPhones. Whenever I was due for an upgrade I would harass Verizon about this, that, and the other thing. It always came back to Droid. Here is why. Everyone is obsessed with iPhones. Yes, they are great. Seeing as how I just updated an iPhone 4 and my Droid, which is a bit younger, is basically a digital paper weight, it is clear that iPhones have a longer shelf life. Droid phones are clearly different. Not with just the operating systems, but with the camera features. iPhones can make a great photo, with the proper light, proper composition, and proper person behind the button. Also, if you know how to apply a filter, you can get away with hiding things such as noise. Droid cameras can do some pretty interesting things, like a real camera. You can adjust the brightness right in the camera, before the image is even made. iPhones can not do that. To be frank, that is why I kept going back to Droid phones, I could make better photographs. There have been a few times where I made prints with photos from my Droid, prints that were very large. This one time, (not at band camp) I increased the image size to about 24" wide by about 18" high. I was impressed and so were the people who viewed the images.
I have a few friends that adore their iPhones, Sue included. Recently I watched a friend play with an app for time-lapse. He was shooting as we were driving through a city, recording an image every 1 second. Droid apps dont really do cool things. Aside from seeing the app do what was needed for a project that we are working on, I was also motivated because of the recent Bentley Commercial that was filmed using two iPhones. When I opened the email that contained the link, I was stunned. Not because a low-tech device was used to film a major campaign, but that the quality is better than what I expected. With the proper light, tools, and composition, anything is possible with a device that can record an image. Hell, I still hold fast to the idea that one day I will use a Holga for a major fashion shoot. The fact is, an iPhone is an acceptable device for making photographs. The socially connected world of twitter accounts, Instagram likes, and facebook tags are powered by such devices. I have always viewed cellphones to be a threat, but as I have made changes to some of my business practices, I realize, it is more of a resource and integral part of my business and life.
Scott my filmmaker friend, iPhone guru, and film mentor has ushered me into a few cool apps. Filmic being one of them. I have barely used the app yet as I have been playing around with the camera features and acclimating myself to the device. I took a half hour to myself, between leaving the studio and getting ready for the gym and played with the video feature a bit. I knew that I had a few minutes and I could make a 1 minute piece just by looking for the right elements to form some compositions. I do not have any fancy jibs, cranes, mounts for this phone, so I had my hands and what ever I could place the phone against or on. Using my body, I was able to move, with a steady hand of course, to produce some motion. I didnt want a dozen static shots and no motion. It would have been nice to have a glidecam or slidder, but hey its just an iPhone. I have seen some cool products for iPhones that can be used to make a stronger film, but I havent even thought about those yet. After finding some strong visuals, the title popped in and once I was back from the gym I could edit the piece together. More or else, I was just looking for an excuse to do something "artsy" with films and play with the phone. In the end, "Where The Light Goes" is 1 minute film, almost, that is a bit fun and of course, inspired by light.
Get out there an play, shoot, edit, and share. Have fun. Take things seriously, but seriously, dont over think the work you are doing that is just for fun.