I belong to several Facebook photography groups to keep up with several colleagues in the industry and see what people are talking about. Today, a photographer posted a link to an iPhone and Instagram Only Wedding, shot by Kim A. Thomas. The photographer who posted the link said, “All you silly people buying new cameras, I’m selling everything!” Since I sort of know him, I know he is not really selling everything, but in some of the comments, people write about the “end of professional photographers” and how our industry is merely steps away from being a thing of the past.
I respectfully disagree
I looked over the wedding shot with the iPhone using Instagram and a couple other apps to edit it and while Kim (the photographer) has a great eye for composure, the “quality” out of the iPhone simply doesn’t compare with the quality of what is produced out of a professional grade camera. Kim mentions that her other camera is a Canon 5D mkII and I respecfully submit that the other photos are so, so much better with much sharper and crisper details that I shouldn’t even have to write this rebuttal or response. But, I digress. Here are the points I wanted to make:
- Details are nowhere near as sharp or crisp as with professional cameras
- Kim is a photographer which helps with the composure of the images. This is why so many commenters are stating that the images are “fantastic”, “wonderful”, and “great.” While the composure is great on so many of the images, it is a shame that a better camera wasn’t used. The images look flat and lack the depth that I am used to from the professional level Canon cameras. (I am a Nikon shooter, but know a LOT of Canon professionals in the industry)
- The Instagram effects are so stale to me. I personally don’t like my images to look like they were shot with a toy camera in the 1980’s. For example, this image is so “retro effect” that I simply hate it.
Click to see it full-sized
- The lighting is flat, un-dramatic and quite boring. In this photo, you can see that is is simply boring. There is nothing about this photo that is compelling at all. Because the iPhone has no effective way to add off-camera flash, the light is simply not good. There are barely any shadows which would give the viewer a sense of depth to the image. The grass is so off-color that my HOA would send me a warning letter if it were in my front yard.
- Note that there is a consistent lack of any images from the poorly lit reception? When the light starts to get bad, the extreme limitations of the iPhone become even more evident. This photo shows how the camera in the phone starts to really struggle. Again, no drama, no interest.
While Kim seems to be a good photographer, the limitations of the iPhone simply don’t lead me to believe that this is the “end of professional photography.” Quite the contrary. That would be like saying that the Polariod camera is going to make a huge comeback and get rid of all of our jobs. I know that our clients demand high-quality images that they can print and that don’t look like they were taken with this:
Remember, the above camera also fit into your pocket. Note: It ain’t on the market any more.
Amen, Bill, amen.
I’m not sure why such concern except that I have to believe those concerned don’t know how to market their own businesses in this new, highly social, highly interactive world we live in now.
Gone are the days of film photographers sitting at their brick and mortar locations just waiting for people to walk through the door because said photographers were the only game in town. Or maybe one out of a handful. That was the case in my home town as a high schooler in the 80s. I had two choices for my senior pictures, and no internet to help me find any other options.
Quite honestly, the experience was not pleasant because the two photographers knew they had a captive audience. They had no reason to pursue because they didn’t have to.
The lack of excitement showed on their face when I got my shots taken.
“Sit on that bench. Turn left. Click, click, click. Next.”
If anything, those who are concerned may have tons more experience from which to draw; they should sell that experience. Use this whole story as a marketing tool.
We must all change and adapt in order to thrive in our chosen professions.
Ted,
You’re absolutely right. One commenter on Kim’s blog said that “that is what the client wants, so that’s what you give them.” I completely disagree with this statement. I simply won’t deliver something that I know is going to be lower quality because it is what the client wants. If the client wants me to shoot with a 1980s camera, using film, I would also refuse.
While I agree with most of what is said, simply refusing to shoot something using film and an old camera is sort of insane.
Most photographers would agree that film still offers a very high quality photograph, and black and white / Color quality simply cant be replicated in post processing nowadays with digital SLR’s.
There is no reason why you cant find an old Body from the 1980’s, a quality lens, and film and produce high quality photographs.
I played with the idea of finding a film photographer to do my wedding in a couple months mostly because I love the idea of it.
Maybe I’m an idiot, I just love the look of film.
Mike,
Thanks so much for your comments. You might want to re-read what I wrote. I didn’t write about a quality camera body and a quality lens from the 1980’s. I wrote about a “toy camera in the 1980’s” The fad of Instagram is great and sharing images has never been easier. However, these retro effects that make the image look as if it was shot from a TOY camera out of the 80s is not at all attractive to me.
I 100% agree with you that film, when shot correctly and out of the right camera and through the right glass, has a look that is difficult to replicate with digital. I too like the look of film. My wedding was shot with film. But because it was shot with film, there are so many lost moments and memories that we can’t ever get back. Why? Because when someone is using film, they may have their camera loaded with black and white. The shot is taken and might be great, but if I ever wanted it in color, I couldn’t have it. (Happened at my own wedding) Or the photographer may have 100 speed film loaded and then quickly have to go inside for a shot. The darkness of the inside may be too much for the 100 speed film and the shot is missed because the ISO (film speed) can’t be changed. Missed moment.
You aren’t an idiot to appreciate film. However, I would never recommend having your entire wedding shot with film. You will get way less images in the end and there will be moments that are missed simply because of film’s inherent limitations. I have met many photographers who shoot with both. Digital because they don’t want to miss anything and film for the “look” that you like.