The iPhoneography Showcase of Jon Betts
Friday, November 6, 2009 at 10:00AM | Glyn Evans My background is in fine arts and music as performance art; however I've always been interested in photography. A photograph can freeze time, take things out of context, even change history, but most importantly it is a fairly immediate process.
The iPhone has completely changed how I photograph. I carry it everywhere. While it lacks a zoom, it is lightweight and has good macro capabilities. Also, people aren't threatened by its use as it isn't perceived as a serious camera.
I like taking pictures of ordinary things and presenting them in different contexts. The diptych and other multi-image methods of presentation is great for making relationships that don't necessarily occur "naturally". Images can be combined based on color, compositional similarities or as part of a narrative.
While these examples all use ShakeItPhoto, I use a wide variety of apps since the cost of entry is extremely low and each has their own strengths and weaknesses. However, I no longer use apps that don't save full resolution images (other than ShakeItPhoto) as printing is an important part of my process. I also only want to carry around one "camera", so I've stopped using apps that don't support the photo album.
Title: Flag (after Johns) | Apps Used: ShakeItPhoto
Title: Grapes of Wrath | Apps Used: ShakeItPhoto
Title: Green | Apps Used: ShakeItPhoto
Title: Poker Face | Apps Used: ShakeItPhoto
Title: Texas | Apps Used: ColorClaw & ShakeItPhotoYou can check out more of Jon's work here.
If you would like to showcase your iPhone photos here on the iPhoneography blog, then send me an email and I'll reply with details on how to submit.
Jon Betts in The iPhoneography Showcase
Reader Comments (7)
Finally Jon! Great to see your work displayed here :-)
Applause!! Simply put, Jon is the real deal. Not only have I been a long-time fan of his work, but I am continually impressed by his ability to think outside of the box--to see the subject as something different than what it is (e.g. the "Poker Face" photo). His Flickr stream is definitely worth checking out. Congrats Jon, and thanks for keeping me inspired!
What app do you use to create the multi pic framing?
Great shots. Flags, in particular, is an outstanding effort.
amazing work! the jellyfish is my fav.
Amazing photos! Man, do I have a lot of work to do.
Dominique - Thanks a lot for your encouragement and support! I'm a fan of your work and find it very inspirational so it really means a lot!
Matt - Thanks so much for the endorsement and continual encouragement and inspiration. You've been a big part of my artistic growth so I'm glad to hear that it works the other way!
Thanks as always to both of you for continually taking the time to comment on my work. It really makes a huge difference as I tend to be in somewhat of a creative vacuum. Oh well, time to clean the rugs...
Chris - I use Photoshop. I haven't found an app for the iPhone that allows for comping images together, though LOFI comes close and I use it when I want the unique look of the app.
Ivan - Thanks!
Joey -- Thanks! I really like the jellyfish too. I followed him around for quite a bit before I got the shot. I'm glad they are slow.
Greg -- Thanks! So do I! ;-)