Comments on: TIME Magazine’s Recent Cover Shot with iPhone and Hipstamatic

By: We Are Alive Magazine

We Are Alive Magazine — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 06:21:00 +0000

Maybe, and that might be the case for a LOT of photographs taken with camera phones, but the point is that the medium is not important, even if its readily available. In fact, that makes it better, because its easier to catch those “in between” moments and it allows everyone to learn. Just because some people don’t put the camera to good use is not a valid basis for discrediting every single photograph taken with one.

By: We Are Alive Magazine

We Are Alive Magazine — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 06:19:00 +0000

I think the point of this photograph and this article is that an amazing image is an amazing image, and that sometimes what you need to focus on IS the fundamentals, and that the equipment used contributes little to the image.

By: studio 17b

studio 17b — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 04:18:00 +0000

That New York Magazine cover linked by another commenter above, though. Now *that’s* an editorial photo!

By: studio 17b

studio 17b — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 04:16:00 +0000

Could have been better. All I see is a photo of a generic storm that could have taken place anywhere and at any other time.

By: Joshua Lee Penrod

Joshua Lee Penrod — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:50:00 +0000

Even if this was shot on an iPhone with an app, I like this image. It caught part an important time that will go down in history. I don’t think the medium in which the image was taken should be reason to discredit the the person who took the image or the image itself. I’d rather look at the image and be thankful I can see something that happened across the nation from myself and affected so many people.

By: Molly_Mac

Molly_Mac — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:44:00 +0000

Yes it does force you. I am taking a black and white developing class (like I should have done way back in college) and just shooting “crap” film and having it developed at Walgreens has opened my eyes. I am looking forward to the next step (wednesday night) and developing my first roll.

By: K. G. Brown

K. G. Brown — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 00:03:00 +0000

But the magazines all aim for the lowest common denominator…

Amateur is cheaper than Pro.

Cel Phone is cheaper than DSLR.

Hipstamatic is cheaper than a Photographer.

Photo Credit is cheaper than Paying.

Hence:

LOOK MA, I Shot the TIME MAGAZINE COVER!!!

By: Valter Fabiano

Valter Fabiano — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 22:30:00 +0000

I prefer this one:
http://nymag.com/nymag/letters/hurricane-sandy-editors-letter-2012-11/?imw=Y&f=most-emailed-24h5

By: Martin Melnick

Martin Melnick — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:54:00 +0000

No one in this debate is wrong. Fundamentally we need to remember that every photograph is a frame designed to tell a story (or say something about the world, the artist etc). Therefore, regardless of whether or not a picture is taken with the most pedestrian of devices with little technique – or is staged with mono-lights and a crew of 30+, we should really be looking at the image itself and the story it carries with.
Brendan, tell your son that he can tell a story with the simplest of images from his phone. Don’t deny him of this modern inherent ability. But, at the same time explain to him that understanding the fundamentals of good camera practice and technique (lighting, film stocks, aperture etc) allows him to tell a more diverse range of stories with his images across the board. Like a contractor that works with tools – a person might be able to build a shed with a simple hammer and nails, but in understanding a broader range of tools and how they work, will allow him/her to construct more complex structures or tend more efficiently to the one built only with a hammer.
If the end result is that a story/emotion was shared through said image, then the means of capturing are irrelevant. Tell your son that he should learn as much as he can, so that he will understand how complex photographs are created, and also respect that sometimes the greatest images in history are thought provokingly simple.

By: Todd Clancy

Todd Clancy — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:44:00 +0000

I think there is tons of crap done with DSLR as well.. people are not learning the basics and shooting with expensive DSLR’s. Calling themselves professionals. Any camera is readily available. you can get a cheap DSLR for nothing on craigslist. The iPhone isn’t the only camera that people use badly.

it’s the photographers vision that makes them great not the tool they use.I think it’s amazing that something shot with an iPhone is on the cover of time. Doesn’t mean they are gonna quit using shots done with other formats. It’s something new and different that’s the point. Look at it in a positive light.