What's in My Camera Bag, with iPhoneographer and Videographer, Dutch Doscher

In another instalment of "What's in My Camera Bag", I talk to photographer and film maker Dutch Doscher.

Glyn: Hi Dutch. Thank you for taking the time out to talk to me, and welcome to "What's in My Camera Bag", the iPhoneography blog’s feature that takes its readers inside the digital camera bag of some of the communities most well known and talented iPhoneographers.

Before we delve in, and for those who may not know you, please can you tell everyone a little bit about yourself and your iPhoneography.

Dutch: Thanks for having me Glyn. As you know, I've been interested in iPhoneography since the begining. As for my day job, I direct commercials, after school specials and short films.

I’m a big fan of nature and landscape photography, and so on Saturday mornings I get up before sunrise and head out the door alone to grab some of my best shots. I try to capture the colors and my feelings during the morning light, and my best photos are when people pick up on this vibe. Sometimes, it’s a nice break to be alone.

Glyn: So Dutch, what apps in addition to the iPhones native camera app do you use to shoot with, if any?

Dutch: Some time ago, I went on a shoot in LA with Eric Defino (Raygun), and he introduced me to ProCamera, with its split focus and exposure, with just one finger, which I thought was awesome, and since then, I've not gone back.

That's for stills, as for video, I prefer to use FiLMiC Pro, as it offers me great control of the video I shoot. I have used other video apps, like TiltShift Video, however I prefer to shoot raw footage, and then post process with iMovie on my Mac.

Glyn: What apps if any do you use most often to edit/process your iPhone photos?

Dutch: My first goto photo editing app has to be Filterstorm. For me, there really isn’t a more powerful photo editing app than that. I try to keep it simple and bring out the feeling I had when I took the shot, rather than over app it.  When I go back and look at some of my older photos, where I added physical style alterations, they just don’t hold up.

In addition to Filterstorm, I nearly always finish off an edit by putting the photo through Snapseed's “Ambience” filter, which to me, really brings out the best parts of the picture.

If I do feel a little bit more artistic, and want to add some texture or something that’s a little different, then I'll run the image through either Photo FX, PhotoCopier and Pixlromatic.

Recently I got introduced to MPro, which is a live view Black and White only photo app.

"Truthfully, if there isn’t something there in the raw shot, all of the apps in the world aren’t going to make the shot sing." - [Glyn: this is so true]

Glyn: Do you own any accessories for your iPhone that aids your photo taking, and if so what are they, and how/when do you use them?

Dutch: I regularly use the Schneider wide-angle iPro lens. The optics in that are just amazing, and with no parallax problems, however using the lens has to be a very conscious choice.

In addition to the Schneider wide-angle iPro, I have an Olloclip, however this does suffer from parallax problems, however the macro lens is just the best.

I also have a bunch of accessories for shooting video with my iPhone, from a steadicam to an iPole. I also have an mCam, which is a new, improved and lighter version of the OWLE BUBO.

Glyn: Once again Dutch, thank you for taking the time to answer my question. If readers of the iPhoneography blog want to see more of your iPhoneography, where can they find them?

Dutch: Thanks for having me, and if any of your readers are interested in exploring more of my work, then they should check out dutchdoscher.com

Glyn: Dutch, just one last thing before you go. I know you always one or tow projects bubbling away in the background, so do you have any at the moment, and if so can you tell us what they are?

Dutch: Yes, there are three things I’m working on at the moment.

1. Last year I did a 365 Project and really enjoyed it. I’d like to do something similar with portraits and people, If I can get permission from my friend Jim Darling to pick up the mantle for “another 100 strangers.” I’d like to do that, with his permission.
2. I’d also like to do a narrative short 2 to 4 minute film on the iPhone and really push the iPhone cinematically. I’ve done some experimental iVidz (that's what I call them) and realize that the iPhone video can be pushed both narratively and photographically farther than I’ve seen, but I have to find the right story for it. I’m always looking.
3. Lastly I’m going to do another longer short film with a real budget and crew much like this short film [please note, this linked video contains scenes of an adult nature] I made a few years ago that went to the Cannes Film Festival.

Comments

[Jen Pollack Bianco]

Such a nice post! I always find your images dynamic and you've inspired me to revisit Filterstorm, which for some reason I haven't yet mastered. Lovely post. Thank you Glyn & Dutch.

[Amber DeGrace]

Very nice interview!

[Rob LaRosa]

I'm with Dutch. I was a big Camera+ user, but ProCamera is great. Also, check out Hueless for a B&W only camera. I don't think it's as feature rich as MPro, but it's got a great real time contrast adjust slider you can use as you're shooting.

Good article!

[alan kastner]

Thanks to Dutch for sharing this glimpse into his camera bag and his world, and to Glyn for running this interview. I feel richer for the experience of reading it!