Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time
Non-pro, non-wedding photographer here. Last year I took a few pictures at my sister’s wedding. My cousin, having his own wedding coming up, saw some of my shots on Facebook and asked if I would photograph their wedding. I agreed.
I had 8 full months to prep. My experience and comfort zone consists mainly of landscapes, astrophotography, and some OK candid stuff, though I like to push into new styles and subjects to force myself to learn more.
At the beginning of January, I was having a drink with a friend of mine. As it usually goes at this time of year, we asked each other about the New Year’s Eve and what we did that night. He started telling me about his fun night out, and at one point he said: “It was so good, that we don’t have any photos of the evening”. This made me think about tons of stuff, both as a photographer and as someone who likes going out. It mainly made me think about capturing the great moments of our nightlife, and of other super-fun moments of our lives.
Today, there are plenty of paid nightlife photographers. Also, all of us capture nightlife moments with our cell phones. But – what kind of moments do we actually capture? Is it really fun we eternalize – or is it something else? Also, is it different now than it was when we used analog cameras? Does nowadays a lack of photos, instead plenty of them, mean we had a good time?
I had an interesting discussion in a photography group on Facebook some time ago. It started with my question about the 35mm prime lens, and somehow I ended up discussing zoom lenses with a member of the group. He said that, as an event photographer, he doesn’t have the luxury of moving around and focusing with his feet so he only uses zoom lenses. I support him and agree with him – up to some point.
I am not a professional event photographer, so I have the luxury to experiment. And a few months ago I was in a situation where I had to experiment. My prime lens was put to a test in event photography – and I believe it passed.
DIYP reader Maor Cohen of Kaveret sent us this sweet tip about using suction pads for securing light stands. It has some huge benefits over carrying several kilos per stand in sand bags. Of course they are easier to carry, not as messy, and provide more security.
The idea is kinda self explanatory from the photo, but Maor sent us some more details about this hack. The suction pad used is a triple suction cup capable of carrying up to 309lb, and originally intended for lifting glass or fixing car dents. (you can also use a smaller double cup version which will support up to 130lb). Next you will have to secure the base of the stand to the suction mount and make sure it is tight and this is it.
What about concert photography? Fashion show photography? Paparazzi? Red carpet event photography? Or pretty much any circumstance where there are multiple photographers taking the same photos from the same location, in the same light, with the same gear, at the same settings, producing photos that look pretty much the same as every other game / concert / fashion show / celebrity photo ever taken?
A few weeks back we reported a weird patent lawsuit. , PhotoCrazy (owned by Peter Wolf), was suing a South Carolina event photography business, Capstone, for violating a few patents. without going into the technicalities of it Photocrazy claimed that “taking photos of an athlete at an event, sorting the images by the bib number wore by the athlete, and putting them a website” is their patent.
Sound like bull, right?
Right! And court backs it up.
As a photographer, I’ve always just kind of assumed the duties of turning the present moment into the past without ever considering the downfalls of that or, rather, without ever even realizing there were downfalls in the first place. It’s just who I am. I photograph people, smiles, laughter, cries, love, rebellion… I photograph moments, capture time at its most powerful junctures all in the name of preserving that specific instant for future reference. After all, isn’t that what photographers are supposed to do? We capture important moments, how could that be a bad thing?
Then I happened across ‘The Instagram Generation’, a short, philosophical performance film, which opens up with a statement that, admittedly, cut right through to my core as it somewhat covertly questioned the very existence I have come to love as a cameraman…
“The ‘Instagram Generation’ now experiences the present as an anticipated memory.”
A California based company, PhotoCrazy (owned by Peter Wolf), is suing a South Carolina event photography business, Capstone, for violating three of PhotoCrazy’s patents. The patents, 6,985,875; 7,047,214; and 7,870,035, grant PhotoCrazy exclusive rights to certain workflows that have been commonly used in sporting event photography for quite some time. More specifically, it cites taking photos of an athlete at an event, sorting the images by the bib number wore by the athlete, and putting them a website which allows athletes to quickly find their photos by entering their bib number. Like I said, a very common practice.
Is this starting to remind you of the Amazon patent hullabaloo?
[Read More…]
In a trend that I really hope starts taking off, Manchester United has officially banned the use of iPad’s and other tablets inside Old Trafford stadium. The football club sent out an email to the club’s fan just before Tuesday nights game informing fans of the club’s new policy which states large electronic devises such as a laptops, iPads, and other tablet devices (basically any device larger than 150mmx100mm )have been added to their list of banned items.
“What Happens When the Photographer Becomes the Client” appeared here on DIY Photography in January.
“You only have one job,” she said. “Hire the photographer.”
This was back in January, and my wife and I were about to embark on planning our son’s bar mitzvah. The truth of the matter is that I had more than one job, but being in charge of finding a photographer was a pretty big one. Just like my clients, I want my family’s milestones photographed and memorialized. Obligatory portraits, perfectly balanced with meaningful candid shots that tell the story of the big day. More importantly, when your wife says, “You only have one job,” what she really means is, “Don’t screw this up!” Screw this up? Nope. Never gonna happen.
You can find out more about John on his website or follow him on Facebook and YouTube.
can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.
To see more of his work please visit his studio website blurMEDIAphotography, or follow him on Twitter, 500px, Google Plus or YouTube.
JP’s photography is available for licensing at Stocksy United.
Find my work on My website or follow me on Facebook or My page
