Wedding Photographers: Ditch Your Gear, the iPhone is Here

Like any other genre of photography, there are everyday frustrations that one must overcome. For wedding photographers, this is no different. Between Uncle Bobs with their constant ability to somehow always be in the frame or bride or mom-zillas who get amped up over the most minuscule of details, it can make for a long stressful day. Toronto-based Wedding Photographer Barb Simkova, working for Tara McMullen Photography, recently gave herself an additional wedding day challenge: photograph the wedding with nothing more than an iPhone 8 Plus, and the pictures speak for themselves.

Camera sensors and optics on mobile devices have come along way in the past few years. With the recent release of Apple's iPhone 8 Plus and the new shooting modes, like portrait, it's getting easier and easier to take exceptional images that many cannot distinguish whether or not it was made utilizing a DSLR or the phone in their back pocket. This has certainly challenged my preconceived notions of images taken with cell phones. I transitioned from a Nikon full-frame kit to mirrorless with the announcement of the Fuji X-T1 several years ago with many colleagues shaking their heads saying the quality would suffer and I'd regret the move. I can count on one hand the number of times I have said "if only I had my Nikon D800"; it has been once. I needed a true 1:1 macro lens, and the Nikon 105mm was a workhorse of mine, but with the latest release of the Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro lens, I'm set. But I digress. The point I'm trying to make is maybe we shoul d be open to more change, challenging our talents and embracing new technology like Simkova did, we may surprise ourselves in the process.

We all know that person who drags their iPad everywhere and they swear it takes the best photos. Heck, maybe their on to something. While I don't foresee a day in where I'll be breaking out my iPad Pro to snap a wedding photo, I can perceive utilizing my iPhone for photos during the big day. If it gets the job done, why not? Maybe one day in the not so distant future I can downsize again, this time leaving my XT-2 and GFX50s in the bag while my iPhone does all the work.

Does anyone in our Fstoppers community utilize mobile devices to capture parts of big events? We would love to see your comments below.

Check out more of Tara McMullen's work on her website.

Images used with permission of Tara McMullen Photography.

[via Wedding Bells]

Source: Wedding Photographers: Ditch Your Gear, the iPhone is Here

Mob of Photographers Attacks Videographers at Workshop: Lindsay Adler Wields a Lightsaber

For as long as I can remember, there has been a tension between photographers and videographers at events. Why, why I say, can't we all just get along? Watch as an angry mob of photographers go to war against a small group of brave videographers in an epic battle for the ages. The grossly outnumbered videographers face off against the likes of Sal Cincotta, Lindsay Adler, Chuck Arlund, and more during a workshop in Tucson, Arizona.

It all starts with instructions on how to block a videographer from getting their shot and why you should kick someone's ass on the first day or risk becoming someone's bitch, and escalates into a hilarious battle scene set against a beautiful Arizona sky complete with a lightsaber finale.

This video is why I enjoy this industry so much. It's not just that we get to earn a living from doing something we thoroughly enjoy, but the comradery that is found all over the place. It's at workshops like this, local meetup groups organized on Facebook, or your local gear shop; all amongst fellow 'ographers who are essentially your competition. It's a rarity. 

And if you don't find this video at least chuckle-worthy, we can't be friends.

Source: Mob of Photographers Attacks Videographers at Workshop: Lindsay Adler Wields a Lightsaber

Terrorist hid between journalists, photographers - then attacked

Police release photographic proof that terrorist who stabbed policeman exploited presence of journalists to commit terror attack.

Contact Editor

Arutz Sheva Staff, 17/12/17 21:24

The terrorist surrounded by journalists

Police spokesperson

Israeli police released photographs Sunday proving that the terrorist who stabbed an Israeli Border Police officer near Ramallah on Friday hid among a group of photographers and journalists who were covering an Arab riot before carrying out the attack.

The officer suffered moderate injuries when the terrorist stabbed him in the shoulder. Other officers shot and neutralized the terrorist. The officer was treated at the scene before being transferred to Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem

The investigation into the attack revealed that the terrorist had hid among the journalists for about a half-hour prior to the attack, exploiting the media presence to get close to the officers and attack them.

The police released a statement: "We have seen in recent days the cynical and destructive exploitation of the presence of journalists and and emergency teams in an attempt to harm the soldiers and police operating in complex arenas. We emphasize that this type of incident does not change the police policy that will continue to allow coverage of events to the fullest extent possible. However, we view any attempt to abuse this policy with the utmost seriousness."

Source: Terrorist hid between journalists, photographers - then attacked

Photographers Didn’t Kill Diana! New Evidence Revealed On The Princess’ Fatal Crash

New evidence from Detective Colin McLaren reveals that the much-hated photographers chasing Princess Diana on the day of her death, could not have caused the crash that killed her.

On 31 August 1997, news of Diana's deadly Paris tunnel collision devastated the nation, and the world. Now, REELZ seeks to uncover the truth, with their groundbreaking Diana's Death Mystery Solved episode airing this Friday.

In the teaser, McLaren looks into the evidence collected from the alleged accident, hoping to find clues as to who instigated the brutal crash.

"Certainly the paparazzi were intrusive. There's no doubt they were annoying – and Diana was used to that. But what turned these pesky photographers into raging wolves?" says McLaren in shocking clip.

Is the mysterious white car to blame for the untimely death of the beloved monarch?

Diana's Death Mystery Solved airs Friday Dec 15 at 8 ET/PT on REELZ.

Source: Photographers Didn't Kill Diana! New Evidence Revealed On The Princess' Fatal Crash

Photographers shoot free holiday portraits for North Bay fire victims

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Fire survivors in the North Bay are receiving family portraits, free of charge, to help them forge ahead after disaster. 

Various photographers and studios have offered the service during the holiday season, and this week, Art.com set up shop in the lobby of the El Dorado Hotel in historic Sonoma Plaza. 

"Do you know any good jokes?" photographer Mario Elias asked, as his subjects posed for portraits.

Then, Elias proceeded to rattle off some corny jokes of his own, triggering smiles and laughter.

Thomas and Keri Spain, who lost their home to the Atlas fire in Napa County, were among those saying "cheese" Wednesday night. 

"Starting new, that's what we're taking this as, like a phoenix rising," said Keri, clutching her framed portrait. "We're trying to move forward and make new memories."

The couple had time to grab few possessions as the fire advanced.

"This portrait is one of the few things we'll have to put in a new house, no matter where we end up going," said Thomas.  

A few dozen parties came for 15-minute photo sessions over the two-day Sonoma event. 

"I think this will be one of the first things we get in our new place, once we get it," said Noah Harris, alongside his wife and two 9-year-old daughters.

They lost their home in Santa Rosa's Coffey Park. 

Harris said the portrait doesn't begin to replace precious mementos and photo albums that were destroyed, but it's value also lies in the thought behind it. 

"For me, more than anything, I think it represents the kindness of our community," said Harris. art.com is headquartered in Emeryville, and set-up the photo sessions, with an employee who grew up in Santa Rosa.

"We asked, how can we give people a sense of home when they don't have a home right now?" mused  Lee Decker, a social media coordinator for the company.

Decker has relatives who lost their own homes.

"A lot of people don't have anything personal right now, and they can choose the photo and pick the frame and walk out of here with something that's theirs," said Decker. 

There was fun on both sides of the camera, and photographer Elias calls the experience "unreal." 

"Just the hope everybody has, and how they're so positive," said Eilias, " ad the joy in their eyes is something I didn't expect to see but they're happy to be with each other and happy to be alive." 

A young couple, who moved from Los Angeles to Santa Rosa, one month before the fires, said the support they've received, is why they won't leave now.

"We lost our home and this portrait is just something that feels like a new beginning," said Gina Gulino, who lived in the Larkfield area. 

"We're hoping the new year, 2018, is  really good year, with less crazy stuff going on." 

A third day of free portraits has been added, Dec. 20, from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa. 

Drop-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is preferred. Signups are here. 

Source: Photographers shoot free holiday portraits for North Bay fire victims

HB Studios, a shared workspace for photographers and videographers, opens in Bolton Hill

After a renovation this fall, HB Studios is getting up and running in Bolton Hill this week.

The shared space on Park Avenue is designed to provide tools for photographers and videographers who are just starting out. It's sort of like a coworking space, but with full studio offerings.

As Human Being Productions founders Matt Kelley and Greg Bowen told us, the idea for the space grew out of the duo's own experience as up-and-coming creatives in the city. They recognized that others who are building a business could benefit from access to tools that would normally require more expensive studio rental or ownership, and also see the space as potential community hub among creative professionals.

The space has chroma key and flat backdrops, as well as strobe and continuous lighting. Additionally, Kelley and Bowen will provide expertise on editing.

Initially, the space has spots for 10 members, with the potential to increase. Non-members can also make reservations to use the equipment, and access will be available  24 hours a day and seven days a week.

The HB Studios space used to be the headquarters of Human Being Productions. With the opening, Kelley and Bowen are moving their headquarters to a shared space of their own with design studio Post Typography in Charles Village.

Given recent news about shared artist spaces shutting down, the space's opening indicates there's still a model and demand for such locations to exist.

Source: HB Studios, a shared workspace for photographers and videographers, opens in Bolton Hill

Models combat photographers' sexual harassment and more arts stories you might have missed

Here at CBC Arts, you won't just find our original content — we also bring you the best art posts from across the entire CBC network.

These are the week's can't-miss stories:

Freelance models who don't have an agency to rely on have to take extra care in researching the photographers who approach them with work. (JRodriguez/YouTube)

"Drew Catherine has had countless uncomfortable encounters with photographers in her three years working as a freelance model in Toronto. The 22-year-old said stories from other Toronto-based models are 'heart-wrenching' and speak of 'rape, of abuse, photographers selling their images without permission, taking photos of them in dressing rooms.' Catherine, who often poses semi-nude, was so fed up with the constant harassment — as well as photographers withholding photos or not paying her — that she started the Facebook group Toronto-Ontario Photographer Reviews. It's a closed group where both female and male models can share their experiences with specific photographers and warn others about inappropriate behaviour. 'When you're new, you're very powerless in this industry, and that's what I want to change,' Catherine said."

Video

From the burnt remnants of a high school in Cape Dorset, these young artists are creating hope

Point of view

Sorry, not sorry, Toronto — some the most intriguing art of the year is all about Scarborough

Video

Chris Jericho on his favourite holiday classic and the movie that makes him cry

"An NDP member of the Ontario legislature wants to enshrine the name of late Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie in a law creating the province's first poet laureate. Percy Hatfield's Poet Laureate of Ontario Act (In Memory of Gord Downie) was introduced Tuesday in the legislature. Hatfield says Downie, who died of brain cancer earlier this year at age 53, was a poet, a singer and advocate for Indigenous issues. 'It's fitting that we remember him by creating the position of Ontario's poet laureate in his name,' he said. 'Downie viewed Canada through a distinctly poetic lens, and I believe this is a beautiful way to honour him, and to continue his legacy.'"

Jet Age

Figures swim through 40,000 LED glass spheres overhead in this airport installation

Art Minute

Inspired by the birth of his son, he wants his technological artwork to connect to primal emotions

Photographs displayed in an exhibit called 'She Who Tells a Story' at the Canadian War Museum on Dec. 5, 2017. The exhibit features the work of 12 female photographers from the Middle East. (Jean-Francois Chevrier/CBC)

"A new exhibit at the Canadian War Museum is aiming to challenge Western perceptions of the Middle East. The exhibit features the work of 12 women, whose photographs mix portraiture with elements of photojournalism. Joanne Stober, a historian of war and visual culture at the Canadian War Museum, said the exhibit aims to give Western viewers a much different view of the lives of women in the Middle East. 'It's an intense look at 12 different perspectives from women from Iran and the Middle East, which is something we don't usually see in the Western world,' she said. 'We're often the eyes looking in...and this gives us the view from the inside.'"

Exhibitionists

This animated film will give you a new appreciation for dance

THROUGH THE EYES

Watch rapper Clairmont the Second go from waking up at noon to making a song to performing it at 5PM

The northern lights dance across the sky above Yukon. (Submitted by Neil Zeller)

"As a professional photographer and self-described aurora hunter, Calgarian Neil Zeller is always looking for a unique view of the northern lights. And last weekend, he got one of the most unique views possible — from the cockpit of a Boeing 737 as it soared through the skies above Yukon.Zeller was the official photographer for an inaugural tour put on by Air North, the Yukon Astronomical Society and Travel Yukon which saw the plane take off from Whitehorse just after midnight Nov. 25 with nearly 100 on board for a four-hour flight. 'We ended up flying under the auroral arch,' said Zeller. 'We actually flew under them and it was really surreal. There isn't a comparison — it felt like you were in them.'"

Video

'As figure skaters we don't get to be teenagers': These skating rebels are transforming the art form

Point of View

For 40 years, this classic Canadian film has had an 'Outrageous!' impact on the LGBTQ community

"Students at École Laura Secord School in Winnipeg are learning all about the history of residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action. About a month ago the students from Grades 4 to 6 visited the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to learn about the history of residential schools. And now the students are building on what they learned, examining the different calls to action and rewriting them though found poetry. Some of the students became very emotional through this project, Jones explained, and are having a hard time learning about the history. But their understanding is reaffirming that they need to keep going and learning. 'The kids really have an understanding — and we're often blown away by their understanding,' she said."

Keep Calm+Decolonize

Keep Calm and Decolonize: Buffy Sainte-Marie's call for Canada to 'imagine new ways forward'

Video

This Newfoundland artist is harnessing the power of the sun to make tiny life-affirming vases

Bookmark the CBC Arts homepage and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the arts stories you need from across the country!​​

Source: Models combat photographers' sexual harassment and more arts stories you might have missed