Time uses iPhone to shoot magazine covers for 'Firsts' documentary series
Time Magazine selected iPhone as its photography tool of choice for the upcoming "Firsts: Women Who Are Changing The World," a multi-platform documentary magazine series and companion book featuring influential women.
As detailed by Kira Pollack, Director of Photography and Visual Enterprise at Time, the magazine contracted Brazilian photographer Luisa Drr to shoot the spread with her iPhone. With work showcasing her native Brazil, Drr was discovered through her Instagram feed, the bio portion of which reads, "All photos made with the iPhone."
Pollack invited the photographer to apply her unique talent to Time's ambitious documentary series. Armed only with an iPhone and minimal field equipment, like a bounce reflector, Drr traveled the U.S. to photograph her vision of some of the most influential women alive.
Photographer Luisa Drr photographs Oprah Winfrey with an iPhone in 2016. | Source: Time
Over the course of the year-long project, Drr used personal iPhones to capture portraits of 46 subjects including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Janet Yellen, Selena Gomez, Serena Williams, Melinda Gates, Cindy Sherman and other notable names. An iPhone 5 captured the first images in the series, shots of GM CEO Mary Barra, before Drr moved on to an iPhone 6, 6s Plus and finally iPhone 7.
In an interview, Drr explains that because iPhone is always in her pocket, it lets her capture great pictures anywhere, anytime. The alternative is lugging around bulky professional camera equipment. Further, shooting with an iPhone puts subjects at ease as the process is less intrusive, Drr says.
"I like the simplicity of how these pictures are made. But the best part is that as a photographer, you feel extremely light and free. It is almost as if I can make pictures with my hand," Drr said. "There's no noise, gadgets, tools or plugs-- just the subject and myself."
The women featured in "Firsts," many of whom are no stranger to photo shoots, were surprised that Time chose a relatively young photographer bearing little more than an iPhone, but the results speak volumes. For the "Firsts" series, most shoots took about five to ten minutes, with the shortest coming in at around two minutes.
Apple's smartphones are often used in professional photo shoots. In the past, magazines like Vogue and Sports Illustrated, the latter being a Time publication, have opted to use iPhone to gain a unique perspective on their subject.
As detailed by Kira Pollack, Director of Photography and Visual Enterprise at Time, the magazine contracted Brazilian photographer Luisa Drr to shoot the spread with her iPhone. With work showcasing her native Brazil, Drr was discovered through her Instagram feed, the bio portion of which reads, "All photos made with the iPhone."
Pollack invited the photographer to apply her unique talent to Time's ambitious documentary series. Armed only with an iPhone and minimal field equipment, like a bounce reflector, Drr traveled the U.S. to photograph her vision of some of the most influential women alive.
Photographer Luisa Drr photographs Oprah Winfrey with an iPhone in 2016. | Source: Time
Over the course of the year-long project, Drr used personal iPhones to capture portraits of 46 subjects including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Janet Yellen, Selena Gomez, Serena Williams, Melinda Gates, Cindy Sherman and other notable names. An iPhone 5 captured the first images in the series, shots of GM CEO Mary Barra, before Drr moved on to an iPhone 6, 6s Plus and finally iPhone 7.
In an interview, Drr explains that because iPhone is always in her pocket, it lets her capture great pictures anywhere, anytime. The alternative is lugging around bulky professional camera equipment. Further, shooting with an iPhone puts subjects at ease as the process is less intrusive, Drr says.
"I like the simplicity of how these pictures are made. But the best part is that as a photographer, you feel extremely light and free. It is almost as if I can make pictures with my hand," Drr said. "There's no noise, gadgets, tools or plugs-- just the subject and myself."
The women featured in "Firsts," many of whom are no stranger to photo shoots, were surprised that Time chose a relatively young photographer bearing little more than an iPhone, but the results speak volumes. For the "Firsts" series, most shoots took about five to ten minutes, with the shortest coming in at around two minutes.
Powerful stories, striking portraits! Bravo @TIME and Luisa Dorr #ShotoniPhone #SheIsTheFirst https://t.co/i5hS8IFgE8
-- Tim Cook (@tim_cook)
Apple's smartphones are often used in professional photo shoots. In the past, magazines like Vogue and Sports Illustrated, the latter being a Time publication, have opted to use iPhone to gain a unique perspective on their subject.
Comments
Or are the usual suspects here just idiots spewing diarrhea from their pie holes?
I have sold sold a couple images shot on iPhone through stock agencies.
in fact, many stock agencies have iOS apps with image uploaders built in. They are actively encouraging iPhone photographers to submit.
Especialy now that iOS can capture RAW files, there is no reason certain types of photography cannot be competently shot with iPhone.
I love shooting RAW with the iPhone and processing the image with my professional imaging software. The results can be amazing.
I just picked up the Manfrotto pixi & phone clip system which is a super solid tripod with ball-head and standard 1/4" screw. While not iPhone-specific, it is featured in Apple stores where I first played around with them. The pixi is strong enough to hold a full DSLR with a modest lens. Easy to tote with me while I bike around town. The tripod you have with you is the best tripod, as the old saying goes.
And, of course, Lightroom Mobile for iOS is incredibl. you can shoot & process DNG format RAW files within the app. You can also process native RAW formats from DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.
we are close to being able to do the basic capture (or import and edit DSLR captures) and initial processing on mobile devices right now.
Just be sure you are actually processing the RAW data, not just opening & editing the attached JPEG preview. That is a common mistake that is frustrating and makes many people think RAW processing is bullshit.
I've just started using the ExoLens lenses for the iPhone. There is a 0.6x Wide Angle lens, a 2.0x Zoom lens and a Macro Lens. I think the optics on them are amazing. They really enhance the abilities of the iPhone.
The iPhone has become the default camera for my vacations since the 7 Plus has released. I don't miss dedicated cameras yet. I'd carry one along next only if I'm off on a safari or something.
Its obvious the skill is there, but the device is novel and might present a couple unique (but very solvable) challenges.
Which is what these photos are.
Which is why smartphones have destroyed the point and shoot market.
You only need to step up when you need more zoom or in poor lighting.