Live Photos

A new camera, a new way to take photos.

I'm always excited about new cameras and new camera technology. Many of my photos on this site, 500px, VSCO Grid, etc., are taken with my iPhone. People are stunned when they hear that one of their favorite photos I have shot was taken with an iPhone. I think it really goes to show that it isn't the camera but the photographer who really creates the image. But, a great piece of technology can promote the work of a cinematographer or photographer. I'm excited to see where this new technology will take my photography and others'.

What is this "Live Photos" you ask? You'll just have to watch the keynote.

Apple Keynote 9.9.2015

With Distinction

There are a lot of social media platforms out there and just about all of them support photos. Of those photo supporting networks, there are many just for photography: Instagram, Flickr, iCloud, etc. But my favorites are 500px.com and VSCO [Grid].

While 500px.com is where I put my best photos and [mostly] from my "traditional" cameras, VSCO Grid is a photography sharing platform where I exclusively post photos shot with my iPhone.

VSCO Cam is a fantastic app for editing your photos on your iOS device; it is my first and favorite app to use. VSCO Grid is an Instagram-like photo sharing branch of VSCO but I much prefer it. It is where you'll find the best photos and the best photographers with the fewest cat/dog/food and/or selfie photos.

I received an email today that one of my recent photos has been chose for their curated search; thanks VSCO for loving my photography!

Please join and follow me on VSCO Grid.

Geometry

Scalloped Black and White (Marina City)

Science and math are and have always been favorite subjects of mine. They both make a world of unknowns and mystery into a world on the concrete; things you can either not argue with or must discuss in a rational manor. It is likely why some of my favorite subjects to photograph deal somehow with these disciplines.

Architecture, by definition, is geometry, trigonometry, and art. Living in Chicago, it is one of the architectural capitals of the world and has no shortage of buildings to see in new perspectives and take one art form into another. I've drawn inspiration from architecture. Above all else, one would notice that a vast majority of my photography is surrounding building of interesting or special merit.

These subjects might be the whole building or a closeup of a particular part of the structure, and sometimes it is a rather mundane and otherwise unremarkable portion of a strictly functional construct, stairs for example, but a different perspective shows a beauty that might go unnoticed.

Light and Dark

I was asked, "How do you come up with some of these photos?" I was looking straight up while in between two of Chicago's most famous buildings, Marina City. My response, "Photographers often look forward. Sometimes the best pictures, however, are when you look behind you or up."

Marina City is one of Chicago's icons present in the Skyline. Situated alone the Chicago River, it is likely one of the most photographed buildings in the city. Built in the 1960's, the sister buildings resemble corn on the cob. They are slightly retro but also a timelessness to them. Their curved balconies and corkscrew parking garages below the residential portion of the structure always make for an incredible view. I've shot many photos of the building but always go back to find a different perspective or view. 

While this day of shooting wasn't about Marina City, I was waiting for a moment when the sun was just right at another nearby location. Having some time to spare, I walked to these towers and loved that, from in between, one was lit and one was dark only received some light bounding off the other. This wasn't my mission but I loved what I stumbled on; both of these photos receive the attention to get them features on 500px.com Popular page.

Down and to the Right

On the other hand, some architecture would be considered uninteresting. But these are some of the best subjects for photography. These are the photos that draw attention to things one sees perhaps every day but doesn't noticed the beauty.

My mission on the day these stairs were shot was a specific building, the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. Scouting the ground level, I found this staircase the took one down to the park behind the hotel. Just a moment when one stumbles on something while on an adventure.