Adorama is currently sponsoring an ongoing iPhone photo contest that ends in one week and three days from today. Great judges, great entries, tons of great prizes — great contest. Please submit if you’re an iPhone photographer.
It’s also great to see the iPhone getting some respect as a tool for creating fine art. I photograph with my phone just as much as I do with my LX3 and 40D.
Displayed below are my submissions to the contest which represent a selection of my best work on the iPhone to date. Click any of the photos to vote (an account is required). And please, check out everybody else’s work too — there are some truly spectacular entries.
I spent a lot of time uploading past iPhone work to Flickr today, so I thought it only appropriate to upload an iPhone photograph for my daily photo. I spent a few minutes revising my iPhoneography process. Not that I had one before. But now I do.
I use to do everything straight from CameraBag, but now that I own and use a few other photography apps, I decided today to start using the regular camera app first and then process. For example, this image was made with the Apple camera app first, processed with Best Camera to add the jewel filter, and then ShakeItPhoto to add the polaroid look. Above is the final image
The above photograph was made at a concert on New Year’s Eve’s Eve at 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia. My wife and I drove 13 hours from Dallas that day to get there. While I didn’t make the trip exclusively for photography purposes, I did bring my camera. I guess I have a bit to explain.
The story begins in July of 2008. The goal was to get some decent shots of the fireworks on a July 4th celebration on the 3rd. Walking to the car after photographing the fireworks, we saw a band playing on stage, The Killdares. I decided to stop and make some photographs of the band while I had the chance. My wife, luckily, is very understanding when it comes to these things. She took a seat and I photographed. What I came back with weren’t the greatest photographs in the world, but it was definitely an interesting experience. (I plan to post more photographs from the event soon.)
And then I learned about of Montreal. Over the next couple of months I grew to love their music. But it wasn’t until a week before the 2008.11.14 show at House of Blues in Dallas that I knew anything about the crazy theatrics of their onstage performance. My wife discovered the concert a week before it was to happen. She bought tickets and a week later we were attending one of the most fantastic shows of our lives, AND I DIDN’T BRING MY CAMERA. I was upset for leaving my camera at home — I nearly always have my camera with me, especially at events. I missed out on some truly fantastic photographic opportunities. Whoops.
A few weeks later, still giddy about my first of Montreal show, I was browsing their website and noticed a New Year’s Eve gig at 40 Watt Club. I never do anything for New Year’s, and December 31st just so happens to be my birthday as well. Combined with Athens being the hometown of the band, I just had to attend. Bought tickets and they added another show on the 30th due to popular demand, of which I also bought tickets.
A 13 hour drive from Dallas to Athens with my wife, a great time, and a few decent photographs have all come together to make me realize that — I want to get serious about shooting shows.
The thing about concert photography — it’s hard work. Like all event photography, much of the work has everything to do with being in the right place at the right time to capture the decisive moment. Aside from that, out of a proper photo pit, you’re dealing with the crowd — the rabid fans who could care less if you have photos to get. Pushed, shoved, grabbed, all while trying to get the shot. Not only that, but you’re dealing with crappy lighting and flashes either aren’t going to help, or are not even allowed. Nice equipment is a must. In fact, I already have a wishlist:
My Canon 400D and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 setup, while decent, could use an upgrade. But, I’m just getting started, and that time will come (and it will be glorious).
Until then, I’ll be shooting shows in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. If you want me to come out and shoot your show, leave a comment w/your email address (will not be shown to the public) and I’ll get in touch. Here are a few more pictures from the of Montreal performance that night:
Reluctantly, I didn’t make any decent pictures of Dottie or Jamie. Next time.
For examples of work I aspire to one day create, check out the wonderful concert photographer, Todd Owyoung.
Fraser Speirs has written an excellent series of articles regarding Aperture workflow. If you’re having issues with your workflow, check these posts out for a few ideas:
Spinning the Magnificent Trombone of Curtis Fuller after the set-up of a new Pro-Ject Debut III turntable. Vinyl is sooo ... magnificent :-) 21 hrs ago
