Category: Documentary

iPhone photography: personal and immediate

As a photographer who has always had a camera nearby, within reach, or at least within a few steps, certainly in the next room anyway — I’ve definitely always used my 35mm and digital cameras for very personal observations and documentation. The bigger cameras, the medium format, 4×5 – 12×20 view cameras, demanded far more deliberation; tripods; more time; more light, etc. Without doubt the iPhone camera provides more immediacy and more accessibility than any other camera I’ve ever owned. Because of the fact that, if it is not actually already in your hand, serving some other purpose, it can be making a still or motion image in less than a second, means that the images have a spontaneity and immediacy significantly different than a larger device “over there.” Or so it seems to me. Perhaps I’m feeling this way because the novelty has not yet worn off. I’ve only had the thing for a month and a half. Does the diary or memoir have aesthetic value? I think it can… if well crafted… i don’t know… it’s personal.

Quite obviously the larger culture has grasped this up close and personal and immediate nature of walking through life with a camera, quite literally, in your hand at all times. The ‘selfie’ is just the honeymoon phase. The first on the scene news documentation we see often replacing “professional” news footage is another testament to the immediacy as well as potential importance of this tool; even in the hands of the ‘amateur.’

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img_0381At the hand surgeon’s contemplating causes of pain. iPhone 6s

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Walking past… condensation on a window… iPhone 6s

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Halloween makeup starts to appear on the streets. iPhone 6s, iPro 2x lens

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Contemplation… those having coffee next to me. iPhone 6s, iPro 2x lens

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Hot out of the oven. I continue to marvel at these edible sculptures. It’s like opening up a ceramic kiln when remove the cloche after 40 minutes at 475 degrees Fahrenheit.  iPhone 6s, iPro 2x lens, bipod support, with reflector

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These objects have so much esoteric, mystical, and personal value… iPhone 6s, bipod support

Saturday morning…

 …after fueling on the Marriott’s continental breakfast;
and watching two fellows have breakfast with their phones.

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…and after brewing locally roasted (by Emy J’s) Ethiopian coffee,
in my decades old Morentina mocha pot, over the old butane camp stove, in the Marriott parking lot;
we headed out on the country roads, in and around bits of the Ice Age Trail,
in search of the 8 studio locations making up the Hidden Studio Art Tour.

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The roads provided photogenic subjects.

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Smiles

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And local, vocal harmony.

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Some did the tour on bicycles and tricycles.

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The aesthetics and craftsmanship of the participating artists qualified as top shelf.

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Only one studio offered demonstrations.
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Country store front porch pick’n and sing’n.

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On a door inside the old Rising Star grain mill, in Nelsonville;
where they sold THE MOST delicious home made bakery;
to support the Mill’s historical restoration; and events.
Think sour cream cinnamon coffee cake, tart lemon square, peanut butter cookie, and chocolate brownie;
in the sizes that your grandma would serve you if you were her favorite.

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The water turbine that once produced electricity from the Tomorrow River; and I was told, “still could.”

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l1191579Leica M Monochrom, 50 mm Summilux Asph

 Near the jeweler’s cases.img_0362

Near the pickers and singers.

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Outside one of the studios.

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And back home on Sunday.

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After Jurustic Park…

we drove back to Stevens Point and strolled the streets;
“shopping” an antique/consignment mall, boutiques, finding single source locally roasted coffee;
drinking malted milks; eating burgers;
and photographing these decorations in the windows of the pet supply store.

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Ending up back at the Marriott; fairly sore from walking throughout the day.

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iPhone 6s, iPro 2x Century Lens

Friday’s flowers by crazy photographer…

As I contemplate flowers and cameras and lenses, to post a photograph for the “Friday flower,” I decide to play with the old Leitz 12.5 Photar on the Leica M. But it’s just not working out. Shutter speeds of 1/2 a second or more with wind blowing the subjects around; and it’s just too damn microscopic for my mood. Tried a Zeiss microscope lens and was reminded AGAIN why I never use this lens, just a circle in the middle of the frame. Tried the 60 Macro Elmarit – R. Just wasn’t feeling anything from it. So then (remember that I finally acquired an iPhone; 9 years after the initial release. And because I’m a crazy photographer I also acquired 3 Schneider iPro lenses for the thing) I thought, “Hey! How about that $39 Schneider iPro Century Macro lens for the iPhone on this here $5+K camera.” And looky here. Just all kinds of soft, pictorial beauty glowing off that sensor; perfectly expressing the overcast day; and my mildly gray mood.

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Leica M, Schneider iPro Century Macro
The tube to the right of the camera is the iPro lens case
which holds the Century Macro, 2x Tele, and .45 Super Wide.
It also serves as “grip” to the iPhone; if you like.