What's Going On!

What a wild and wacky fall it's been! I've been remiss in posting here in a while, so here's a brief update on what's going on!

October 26-28

This past weekend I was in the Philadelphia area where I taught an iPhoneography workshop that included shooting at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philly, Longwood Gardens  west of Philly, Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, and the Graffiti Underground -- the old coal piers along the Delaware River on Philly's south side. Watch for a repeat of this workshop next year! 

Here's one of the images from Fonthill, fondly titled, Alas, Poor Yorick! I new him well. This was shot with the new iPhone 5s using the great camera, ClearCam in its Enhanced mode. 

... and this image that shows the majesty of this incredible castle.

November 1 -- IDADA Member Show
The 9th Annual IDADA Membership Exhibition at Arch at Chatham (617 E. North St, Indianapolis) opened Friday and runs through November 16. Two of my images are on exhibit, including '58 Biscayne, Trinidad, Cuba. I hope you get by to see them. Let me know if you do!



November 9 - 10 -- Nature Visions Mid-Atlantic Expo!
As I write this, I'm preparing for a trip to the the DC area where I am a featured presenter on the topic of iPhone photography at this year's 2013 Nature Visions -- A Mid-Altantic Photography Association Expo, November 08 - 10, 2013 -- Manassas, Virgina. I'll be delivering three presentations, one of which still has openings. If you're in the area or at the conference, let's get together.

December 2 -- Cuba! opens
Cuba! at the Legend Classic Irvington Cafe 

Exhibiting at Legend's has become an annual tradition for me. Owners, Kim and John, are true patrons of the arts. I always look forward to showing my work in this cozy spot in Irvington.

Cuba! represents the first exhibit of all Cuba images from my trip to Havana, Cojimar, and Trinidad in January. This will be a preview of the larger exhibit scheduled for Clowes Hall in the fall of 2014.

Here's a sample!
There are plenty of old cars to shoot in Cuba. This British Hillman in Trinidad is one example. The image below is the decaying Jose Marti Stadium in Havana.

Opening Reception! You're Invited!

Join us Friday, August 2, from 5 to 8 pm at the Sullivan Munce Cultural Center, 225 West Hawthorne Street, Zionsville, Indiana 46077, to celebrate the opening of this eclectic photography exhibit featuring the work of eight local photographers: Becky Brill, Barry Lively, Marla Misamore, Eileen Cote, Robert Gough, Bill Miller, Freddie Kelvin and, yours truly, Rad Drew!

iCreate at Launch Fishers 'til September 14!

I'll be exhibiting my work along with that of 3 other local iPhoneographers at Launch Fishers, 7 Launch Way, Fishers, IN  46938-1559 through September 14th.

The exhibit features more than 70 works by Colman Love, Becky Brill, Katz Finch and me. View weekdays, 9-5, or by appointment (317-506-9901).

This is in the ground floor of the Fishers Library on the back side of the facility. 

The Eclectic Photography Gallery

iPhone Work Now Showing in New York City

Soho Gallery for Digital Art is proud to host MPA's 2012 Winners. The Mobile Photo Awards were founded to promote and harness the global phenomenon of mobile, or cell-phone, photography and art. The awards are committed to presenting the art-form in galleries and exhibits.

My image, Yellow Room, Font Hill, (below) is currently on exhibit through February 28 at the Soho Gallery for Digital Art in New York City as part of the 2012 Mobile Photography Awards Winner Show. Yellow Room was awarded honorable mention in the Architecture and the FX categories.

Yellow Room, Font Hill Castle

Boston Friends! Two iPhone Workshops in May in Boston

I'll be teaching two iPhoneography workshops -- one, Saturday, May 4, and one Sunday, May 5 -- in Boston! Join us for this great opportunity to take your iPhone photography to the next level! Click for more information and to enroll.

Millennium Park, Chicago
Shot and Processed on the iPhone 4

IDADA First Friday: Drew Exhibit Opening March 1, New Day Meadery, Fountain Square...

Little Cameras, BIG Images!
Creating extraordinary images with a mirror-less camera and the iPhone

Rad A. Drew

Rad A. Drew has been a Nikon shooter for most of his photographic career, so he's quite familiar with lugging gear to photo shoots! Then, in 2010, Rad acquired his first iPhone and quickly became enamored with the quality possible without all the gear! With the iPhone and a bevy of apps, one can both capture images and post-process them with amazing results. Still as incredible as the iPhone can be, it does have resolution limitations which mean there is a limit to how large one can print with quality.

In 2012, Rad discovered the new line of mirror-less cameras that still allow one to travel light, but capture fine quality, high resolution images.

This exhibit is an example of what can be achieved with these "little" cameras, and what can happen when mirror-less technology is married with the processing power and flexibility of the iPhone! All images in this exhibit were captured with either the iPhone 4s or the Sony NEX-7 mirror-less camera, and all were post-processed on the iPhone or the iPad.

Shirtless Man, Trinidad, Cuba
Sony NEX-7, Processed on the iPhone 4s

See more of Rad's work, including his publications, and his workshop schedule at http://totallyradimages.blogspot.com/ and on facebook.

More Cuba 2013!!

(See previous posts here)

On our first full day shooting in Cuba, I met these two boys. Now, it's customary to tip cash or other bounty when you take a photo, and these street-savvy kids were really working it. They'd already been photographed (and tipped) by a number of others in our group, when they spotted me. Realizing I hadn't taken their photo (or tipped them) yet, they appealed to me to "please, mister" take our photo. Their good matured persistence cracked me up and I relented, ultimately giving them each crayons I'd brought for this purpose. I was struck by how cosmopolitan and stylish they both were; they could have just as easily been from New York or Chicago. Look at that hip 'doo!! This became one of my first photos of the trip and ultimately one of my favorites.

Several days into our trip, we traveled to Trinidad on the southern side of Cuba. The vibe was very different from the city. People moved slower and seemed more open and inviting. I walked down the narrow cobble stoned streets and looked into a building where I saw a woman, 30-something I'm guessing, painting a canvas and surrounded by easels and brushes. At the doorway I met an older woman and I asked her if this area was public or private. She told me it was private, her home, but invited me in with a broad smile and gestured for me to look around; she specifically insisted that I see her kitchen! Her home was very modest, devoid of furniture, and extremely neat and orderly. Oddly, much of the house had no roof! The rooms in the center of the building were uncovered giving the feeling of a courtyard. The other woman continued to paint, while the older woman introduced me to her nieta, her granddaughter and allowed me to take their photo. I chose to crop this image, leaving in the doorway to the bathroom, because I think it relays the feeling intimacy that we shared. What I appreciated about this encounter was that it felt very genuinely friendly. She didn't ask for anything from me and gave no indication of expecting anything. We said goodbye and as I walked out, I tuned and asked if I could leave something for her nieta. She smiled and I handed her granddaughter some crayons.

This is "el Capitolio," once the capital building of Cuba. Interesting, many of the islands of the Caribbean modeled their capitol after our White House, at least superficially. Many others are built to a smaller scale, but we were told that the dome on this one was purposely built a few feet taller than our White House.

This is the "golden hour" in Trinadad, that time about 4 to 5 p.m. when the low sun casts an almost golden glow over the city. These friends were chillin' on the stoop, taking in the pleasant afternoon.

iPhoneography Basics Workshop

iPhoneography Basics Workshop 

February 23
Focus on Studio, Carmel, IN
with iPhoneographer Rad A. Drew

Join photographer Rad A. Drew for a day of instruction and practice in using your iPhone to shoot and process images like you've never done before!

Alas, Poor Yorick! Shot with the iPhone 4s at Fonthill Castle, Doyleston, PA

This workshop has been updated to reflect new applications and processes introduced in recent months, including the incredible new camera app, 645 Pro, Google+Snapseed and many others.  --Rad

Agenda

The Possibilities

We'll explore iPhone images to show what is possible with the iPhone and available apps.  You'll see (and soon be creating!) images that will make you question in disbelief, "Are you SURE that was done with an iPhone?!"

The Camera Applications

We'll examine camera applications that allow you to take a variety of different types of images and improve the quality of your photographs. For example, you'll learn to take High Dynamic Range (HDR) images which capture the range of light and dark that we see with our eyes, leading to greatly improved images from an exposure standpoint.

Applying Filters

Use applications to enhance your images to achieve your unique vision. We'll explore applications that will allow you to "grunge" and age your images, apply painterly effects, and add vignette's and borders.

Blending and Stitching Images

The real excitement comes from combining one or more images to create extraordinary effects. You'll learn which apps are best for blending and how to stitch multiple images into fantastic panoramas that incorporate HDR. You'll learn three different methods for creating stunning multiple-shot HDR images.

Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, Shot with iP4s and processed with assorted apps.

Basic Tips and Tricks

The workshop will be filled with tips and tricks that include the following:

1. What apps and equipment do I need?
2. How do I organize my applications?
3. How do I maximize my iPhone's performance?
4. How can I extend my iPhone's shooting time?
5. How do I ensure the best possible resolution for my images?
6. How do I transfer images from the iPhone to my computer or iPad?

Continued Learning

Because of the rapid evolution of this exciting technology, keeping up can be a challenge. You'll get answers to the following questions:

• Where can I see other iPhoneographer's work?
• Who are some good teachers for advanced learning?
• What sites are best for keeping up with the new apps?
• Who are some of the leading iPhoneographers today?

Prerequisites

• Be familiar with your iPhone and its basic functionality.
• Have a willingness to purchase apps.
• Know how to download apps from the App store.
• Have your current App Store account set up correctly (You know you're going to want to download new apps!)

What Should You Bring?

Bring your iPhone (and iPad if you have one.)

Be sure your phone is charged. Access to power for recharding may be limited.

Bring a notebook or other means of taking notes.

Yellow Room, Fonthill Castle, multiple images shot with iP4s and stitched to create a vertical and horizontal panorama

Cost	$120 (Register)
When	Saturday, February 23, 2013
Time	9am to 4:30pm
Where	Focus on Studio 1123 3rd Ave SW Carmel, IN 46032 http://www.FocusOnStudio.com/ Ph:317-522-0366

Cuba 2013!

Cigar Factory at Sunrise, Old Havana
iPhone 4s, resident camera pano feature

In January I traveled to Cuba along with a group of fellow photographers for a fascinating look at Old Havana and Trinidad, Cuba. The trip was arranged by friends John Barclay and Tony Sweet, with help from an experienced travel agency familiar with acquiring the People-to-People licenses necessary for US citizens to travel to Cuba. Our trip lasted 9 days. We spent the first 3 in Old Havana, 4 in Trinidad and then returned to close out the trip with another look at Old Havana.

For this trip, I used my iPhone 4s and my Sony NEX-7. Many of the NEX shots I moved to the iPhone for post processing with iPhone apps. It was a great way to travel light. Aside from my tripod, I was able to contain all my gear in a photo vest and needed no bags for additional gear!

One of our favorite challenges was capturing the wonderful old cars, aka, "Yank Tanks," that are plentiful throughout Cuba. For this shot, I set the NEX to Shutter Priority with about a 1/15th shutter speed. By holding the camera steady, the background is in focus while the moving car blurs through the frame. Trust me, this was addictive!

Sony NEX-7, Processed on iPhone 4s

Here's an alternative method that involves panning with the moving car. The goal is get the car, or a portion of it, in clear focus, while the background blurs. It's a challenge but oh so much fun!

Sony NEX-7, Processed on iPhone 4s

Due to the trade embargo with the United States, the Cuban people are forced to make do or do without many of the basic comforts that we in the US take for granted. It's common to see clothes drying on balconys throughout Old Havana either because no other method of clothes drying is available or to save the expense of an alternative.

Sony NEX-7, Processed on iPhone 4s

The first things that stand out about Trinidad are the extraordinary colors and textures; building exteriors vary widely in both, and the ever-present cobblestone streets add to the charm.

Sony NEX-7, Processed on iPhone4s

Another example of the vivid color and rich textures seen throughout Trinidad.

Sony NEX-7, Processed on iPhone4s

I couldn't resist the lines, colors and textures of these steps in Trinidad.

Sony NEX-7, Processed on iPhone4s

Streets in Trinidad are have very narrow sidewalks where doors and windows of homes open directly to the street. There is no glass, just openings, sometimes with bars on them. Walking down the street provides a very intimate view of people and their homes. This woman greeted passersby from her perch.

Sony NEX-7, Processed on iPhone4s

As we headed back after dinner and a long day in Trinidad, I was treated to this street scene. These kids, probably about ages 10 to 12, were playing baseball in the street by the light of one of the few street lights in Trinidad! The bat is a broken handle of some kind and the "ball," in the girl's hand, is a chunk of wood. On this pitch the batter hit a shot to center field that ended in a contested play at home! It was not unlike a game anywhere in the world, except for the improvised tools.

Sony NEX-7, Processed on iPhone4s

One of my favorite stops of our trip was the small coastal village of Cojimar. The intricate details of the awnings and wrought iron on the buildings were enhanced by the weathering from the sun and sea.

Sony NEX-7, Processed on iPhone4s