by Anna Cox | Feb 5, 2013 | Anna Cox
Finding a way to use the macro lens creatively was a challenge for me. Sure, I could have photographed flowers and had you saying “oh look at that beautiful stamen” or “wow that pistil is just fantastic” but decided I’d challenge myself to find something less popular to photograph. My subject of choice was a set of antique books. My goal was to photograph them in such a way as to make the most of the textures, erring on the side of abstraction. The books are fantastic, beautiful in their lines, colors and textures. The old pages and woven covers made the lens really work for a shot. I wanted you to be able to almost feel the rough woven spines and smell the old pages. I think macro shots are the least popular and digestible to the mobile photography community when it comes to lens use, so I approached it in a way that made it interesting or at least different that the normal macro shots. I was amazed the amount of texture the lens picked up. It performed better than I expected. I think I ended up with some pretty strong shots that had the characteristics I wanted.
Some off the cuff tips for you while shooting macro:
•be steady – whether that means bracing yourself or using a tripod of some sort, stabilize your self.
•hold your breath- I know it sounds stupid but it helps
•take lots of shots
•look for strong lines and dramatic light
•look for textures
I really enjoyed getting to know the ins and outs of the Olloclip macro lens. The picture was more clear and crisp than the other lenses I have used. I particularly love the DOF this lens renders. My results were across the page more predictable. I also found that my camera focused more easily with this lens compared to the others I own.
Fisheye/wide angle lens
I really enjoy having the options and ease Olloclip allows the iPhone when out and about shooting. The effect the fisheye lens gives you reminds me of Alice in Wonderland with its bowed lines and bulges. It has a definite look to it and I had a blast playing with different architectural subjects. Before I started shooting I made some comparison shots just so I understood the range of each lens. This lens will give you almost a 180 degree view in your view finder, whereas the wide angle comes close to doubling your range. Both the wide angle and fisheye bend lines so be aware of that while you are shooting and use it to your advantage. Either be ready to crop some of the photo beyond the cropping you have to do to take care of the empty “lens line” or go with the rounded effect of the fisheye. I shot with hipstamtic so I can’t speak to how much of it would need to be cropped using the native camera. I found I liked the shots where I really centered on a subject more than when I took large open shots, but that is just a personal preference.
I shot mainly with hipstamatic and while that helped with the cropping it also made me focus more on what I was shooting. I tried to find high contrast subjects that would play to the lenses strong points. The above shot is taken with the fisheye lens and I was quite taken with how it made the lock look more dynamic that the regular shots that I took of it. The added dimension really gave it a life of its own. The photo below was taken with hipstamatic tinto lens and super grain and the wide angle lens. The feeling of the building almost crowding the viewer appealed to me. The lens added more character to a building that already had a large personality.
Without a lens, the doors and a small part of the bricked windows are seen in the photo frame, as compared to what you see above. Although, I also did the shot with the fisheye I preferred the wide angle for the minimal bending of the lines. Once again, finding a subject with good contrast to highlight I think the lens created a more dynamic image. Overall, I was happy with the results while shooting with the wide angle and fisheye. If you go into the shoot knowing the amount of effect the lens will have on the scene if definitely helps. I found myself thinking of the lens as I would a hipsta combo, meaning, which lens would work best for a certain scene. Sometimes I guessed wrong and the shot was askew other times I was pleasantly surprised.
by Anna Cox | Feb 1, 2013 | Anna Cox, Featured Articles
“In Suburbia”
Suburbia, an environment in which all of its classes, qualities, and ideas can be both easily distinguished, and blurred, verging on the point of invisibility. There are those who love it, hate it, avoid it, and those who dwell in it. This essay is an analytical yet simple visual dissection of the given environment, in a sociological context. The goal is to achieve a better understanding on this place as a whole, and to understand its many issues.
“Important News In Suburbia”
There are those who support the idea that suburbia is a place where everything is “perfect” and correct. Other common ideas regarding this place deal with the political, social, and economical hierarchies that have been established, and usually stem from the opinions of those who don’t live in this place. It is normal for people who have seen it at a glance to generate negative thoughts about what they have seen.
“A New Generation In Suburbia”
The reality is, there is a point in which the suburban setting can have a negative effect on those who are grounded in it. Different from a city setting, there is a lack of balance in the social, political, and economic classes, ultimately causing people to be extreme in what they believe, and how they act. There is also a heavy sense of pride that is developed among opposing parties within this social group, as they believe there is no reason to find common ground. This can cause future generations to grow to either fear or despise different people, in other social situations and different environments.
“Young Woman In Suburbia”
There are many different results of the actions performed by those who consciously and subconsciously choose to conform to the suburban lifestyle. This in itself isn’t a negative thing. The negativity is exposed when people choose to turn the suburban lifestyle into something that makes it harder for a community to connect and learn from each other. Adolescents raised under the negative side of this lifestyle find themselves searching for something different, and in the end, are left to develop their own opinions on this society which they are apart.
“Buildings In Suburbia”
It is valuable and healthy to recognize the flaws in your community. It is a way to start change, wherever you are. I am apart of a suburban community, which is why I chose this as my focus for this photo essay. I often find myself saying things regarding the “boring” nature of my community and how I never want to shoot here, but I have realized that there’s a lot more to this environment that you can’t see at a surface level glance. I encourage you all to do the same, wherever you might be.
“War Memories In Suburbia”
The inspiration behind this essay is mainly based on my reaction to the notion that you will only find important news in the grittiest, lowest places. This idea challenged me to look for a story in my area, and really pushed me to take a crack at a plain, but mysterious subject that has been a popular topic ever since the establishment of this type of environment. If you would like to respond to this, feel free to comment with your thoughts and opinions on this society, or any other environments and social situations. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to share my thoughts with you all, and hope you have enjoyed this not so hard hitting exposé on suburbia.
© Roberto Cuevas, 2012
by Anna Cox | Jan 24, 2013 | Anna Cox
Tall Tales with The Backspaces App by Anna Cox
“Who knows where thoughts come from, they just appear” – Empire Records
Since coming back to IG after a long break during my pregnancy I haven’t felt the same sense of community. I thought perhaps I had changed but I began to see that the community had been degraded by the influx of stars, kids, and reposters. Understand I’m not hating on any of those groups they just changed the face of IG. Then the mass exodus occurred over the ToS a couple weeks back and now it feels like a ghost town. I’ve been exploring other apps but none had captured my attention like IG did. They are just variations on the same theme. A few days ago a friend of mine, @monoccur, pointed me to Backspaces and I took an instant liking to it. The basic premise of the app is to share stories, not just a single picture. Which, if you know me, you know I am totally down for sharing a story. In fact, most of the Juxters fall in this category. So wasting no time, I contacted the developers over at Backspaces for a chat. I am pleased to report that they are a great set of fellas with the determination to build something awesome and lasting. And the best part? They are community minded, which is at the heart of mobile photography.
The three fellas behind backspaces are New York based Adrian Sanders (@sandersAK) who manages the business end of things, and the developers Wylie Conlon (@wylie) and Dmitri Cherniak (@dlc). What originally started as a way for Dmitri to share photos from his walks around NYC with his family ended up being the seed idea for what is now Backspaces. Dmitri started building the app in May and brought Wylie in for the front-end work in August. In the beginning, they created it as a tool to share multiple photos at once bypassing the “feed bomb” that would happen on platforms like IG or tadaa but as stories where uploaded their thinking changed. In Adrain’s words, the app went “from tool to typewriter“. Not only could people share their photos but could use Backspaces as a platform to share their thoughts, emotions, or stories. What I love the most about the app is the subtle shift in thinking. The photos are important, yes, but so are the thoughts behind them and the users are there to read! There is none of the pressure to keep captions short so they will actually be perused. The users on Backspaces want to read stories- that is why they downloaded it. That, in and of itself, makes me giddy as a school girl. I won’t lie, there are some bathroom duck faces and boys in their boxers being uploaded but if you want to avoid all of that ignore the recent upload tab. I stick to tag searching, the featured tab, and looking through what my friends have liked to find new artists. In a perfect world, duck faces and bathroom shots would have their own app, but alas we don’t live in Perfect.
In the past few months, Backspaces has seen a gigantic jump in users and has risen in the ranks in the app store. It has been listed in the New and Noteworthy section also. Recently, two big name tattoo artists started using Backspaces and word spread through the tattoo community like wildfire. Overnight, the number of users jumped exponentially. When you get on the app you will notice a huge community of tattoers. At first, I was a bit daunted but then realized they are just some of the more active users. Adrian hopes to build more of these micro communities within Backspaces, so everyone will have a “home” within the app.
Then the Mass IG Exodus of 2012 happened and the number of users shot up to 50,000. The fellas have been working almost around the clock to keep up with all the new traffic. All three developers are very active on the site and I have yet to see a story that at least one of them hasn’t liked or commented on. Communicating with them is also really easy and can be done in app or by email.
In light of the recent IG fiasco I thought perhaps it would be wise to pursue the current Backspaces ToS. Taken from : Backspaces: Use of Your Content
- Backspaces will never use, modify, delete, add to, publicly perform, publicly display reproduce or translate any of your Private Content. “Private Content” shall mean any Content that you mark as “private” when uploading such Content on or through the Backspaces Services.
- Backspaces may use, modify, delete, add to, publicly perform, publicly display reproduce or translate any of your Public Content on the Site or Services, including without limitation distributing part or all of the Site or Services in any media formats through any media channels. Our primary purpose for the above uses of your Public Content is to promote it. Nine times out of ten, we will be using your Public Content in the above manner because we are stoked about your awesome story.
- Backspaces will never enter into an agreement with a third party through which it will directly profit from the above uses of your Public Content through advertising sales, marketing sales or any other method of sub-licensing, redistribution or similar means, WITHOUT YOUR EXPLICIT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION. Backspaces promises to always allow you the opportunity to first opt-out from such uses of your Public Content.
In Adrian’s words, Generally speaking what we tell people is that there is definitely a way to build a sustainable, strong business without screwing content creators. Great publications (Nat Geo, NY Times) and platforms (YouTube) have found a way to monetize while building value for their creators. We believe that you can build a great big platform and have everyone win. We don’t have all the answers yet but we’re committed to creating the solution with help from the community.
The app itself is easy to navigate and the developers are working every day to make it more user friendly. Since interviewing them privacy settings, the ability to curate, and auto complete for screen name have all been added. The interface is being refined with every update and the developers are listening to the users!
Features like an in-app camera, hashtag searching and filters are already in place and are easy to navigate. Posting your first story is as easy as choosing photos and writing text. There is even a preview feature so you can see what the finished product will look like and go back and edit. Once you have published you have the ability to go back and edit your stories. The only drawbacks I see to the stories right now are the comment boxes and photo cropping. I know the guys are working on the cropping issue and I have also seen stories where you just turn your phone landscape to view without cropping. As for the text boxes, the artsits on Backspaces are using text apps and creating all sorts of great text options like this one from @fabsgrassi.
One of my favorite features of Backspaces is the website. The website enables you to send the link to the story to whomever you chose then they can then use the link to view your story. Adrian explianed the difference between the app and website to me saying, one thing to note is that right now if you login to Backspaces via web: http://backspac.es you can browse stories, like, comment and search for hashtags, but you can’t create stories. We’re keeping that in app only for the time being. And if you just want to share a story privately, make your story private then send the link to whomever you choose and they can view it without everyone being able to see it.
Overall, this baby app has gigantic potential and the developers are working hard to make it a dynamic place for users no matter what they are sharing. I am really looking forward to seeing how this app grows in the next few months. Will Backspaces grow as large as IG? Perhaps not. But in Adrian’s words “50,000 people sharing stories and 100,000 reading them is pretty awesome.” I tend to agree.
If you would like to see some Backspaces stories from some amazing mobile photographers (there are so many more and counting) check out:
Violet Rothko for gorgeous railway photos and histories: Photographer, Mother, Boxcar chaser, Music fanatic, Art fiend…Former Photo Lab Rat…these are my photos, respect my copyright.
Azulbandit for breathtaking landscape stories: The Sun, the Moon, the Stars and a place to watch the Clouds drift by… welcome to My Corner of the Universe in northern California
Marie stretchinghope for moving poetry: I shoot. I write. Never always in that order. // I’m not sure what I’m doing here.
Damien Giard for amazing street from Montreal: Mostly Montreal
thebrightdark for more street but from Portland, OR: There’s not enough light to get rid of all the dark. So they must co-exist.
Maria Muzbanger for amazing mobile artistry: N o M a t t e r Y o u r I n t e r p r e t a t i o n. I T ‘ S A L L A R T .
Susan Myers for amazing travel artistry: A traveling naturalist with a camera
Some Mobile Photo Group Members:
Misho / Olly
Some Tiny Collective Members:
Crispin / Elif / Dan / Cecile / Dopez / Wes / Unai
There are also some Juxters on Backspaces:
Mike H / Jo / BP / Anna / Fabs / Rebecca / Christina / Jen B / Graham / Jen LP / Rachel / Nicholas / David N / Fletch / Sam /
Thanks to the Backspace Boys for allowing us an all access pass to the story behind Backspaces. It was great getting to know you all and I look forward to more stories!
by Anna Cox | Jan 17, 2013 | Featured Articles, Showcases
In Sickness and Health: A Photographic Essay by Rose Sherwood
Photos are from top left to right
1. This is my husband, this photo was taken last week. Last April he had a bone marrow transplant. He had endured non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma since Dec. 2000. The doctors recommended that it was time for the bone marrow transplant because his lymphoma had transformed into MDS and then it would change into leukemia and then there would be no turning back….
2. The earlier image showed my husband out and about ona daily walk that we take. He is slowly building up his stamina and we have routinely established a relative normalcy within our lives.we are able to go out to restaurants but I know that he continues to worry about how little progress he has made.
3. Most of the time during T.’s recovery has been spent on this couch. I use my time photographing the light and shadows around him. T. is a half-glass empty kind of person, I guess we are opposites as far as this is concerned because I like to be optimistic…. Being hopeful has always worked for me, but my character has been tested through these times of what should be “the golden years”….
4. The journey that my husband is on is also one that I am part of. It has tested my patience and my faith. I always feel that if you resist what comes to you then you will have a harder time moving forward in your life. Acceptance tends to be an easier path to navigate even when the going is tough. I pray to the God of my understanding, to be more patient with T. but God has taken a lot of time in granting me that attribute. I have not been patient and I get angry with both T.and myself…. I guess it’s my failing and, perhaps,resistance in totally accepting things as they are. The light is so close but so far away….
5. This is howT. and I have been spending at least one day every week. This is the infusion room at the Wilmot Cancer Center. T. has infusions to prevent him from becoming dehydrated and to help him maintain stability. Having so much time in the hospital, has given me the space to reflect on this time i my life. Wearejuxt both becoming older. I feel the effects of the years. I continue to be hopeful towards the future.
6. In turning back and really looking at what time has presented us with, August was the toughest time for T. he had been diagnosed with a gall bladder that was not doing it’s job and it had to be removed. Up to that point,he had been quite ill. The assaults of the gall bladder attacks set his health back.i was worried, but he needed to confront this problem head on,this truly was his journey Nd I became an off-to-the-side presence.
7. A decision to continue….when you Re documenting a journey, there are expected ups and downs that must be met. As a photographer, an artist, and as a human being you must make a decision as to how much of yourself you share with your audience. How much do you reveal? And do the surrounding times and circumstances hold you back? The past few days have been anxious,but I share the trials of our journey because there is hope within the times of hopelessness…. I looking.
8. It is time to continue to look back, over this last year, at the personal journeys that I have taken with my husband. This summer was very tenuous and I spent much of it worrying about whether he would get better or not. I questioned my faith daily, I questioned my strength and courage to continue. I truly believe that one must meet face-to-face, the conquests and the conflicts that come to you and accept them, without resistance, whatever they may be. Ther are blessings in the tumultuous time. I gained an active ability to have conversations about how I believe, what I believe and I became spiritually resilient. There is a grand design to living our lives and you must journey forth and take an active part in seeking it….
Thank you Rose @rmsherwood for allowing us to come on your journey through this with you and your husband. You story inspires and the Juxt family is sending you both love and health.
by Anna Cox | Jan 10, 2013 | Anna Cox, Featured Articles
The Oblivious Tourist: An Essay by Erikå
Have you ever really taken the time to observed the local people around you when you take your vacations?
Some of us save so long to take the journey of a life time. Others have the luxury of making frequent vacations .
We get to our destination. We are so in the moment that sometimes we never take a moment to observe the people who live there .
Welcome to the Bran Castle and the people who try to survive as the oblivious tourist walks past them each day, never noticing them, never understanding what they go through each day
|| Doamna de brânza ||
Each day I walked past her she sat in the same place selling the same items; the homemade cheese she made herself. She was there before the dawn and would leave right before dusk. She always had a smile upon her face, but her stack of cheese never got any smaller…
|| Nelinistit ||
When you walked to the west of the lady in my previous post; you would see this man. He too was selling homemade cheese, but never sat still. Always pacing back and forth in front of his tiny unstable table. He always seemed so nervous. I only saw him two of the three days I visited.
|| Domnu Sociala ||
With his tiny traditional hat upon his head, this man was in the better area to sell items to the tourists. He would sit and chat with his friend for hours and make sells in between. Each time I walked past him he had a smile upon his face as he looked at me sneaking in an unspecting photo…
|| Porc Pielii ||
His eyes were as blue as the sky on a summers day. His traditional hat positioned perfectly upon his head. He was the busiest of all the vendors. As I walked up to see why everyone was at his stand, he was the only one selling pig skin and pig ears to eat! Popular treat for the locals and inquisitive tourists placing dares to try it….
|| Mici ||
Getting to the center of the plaza, I ran into this pair cooking mici. The aroma of the traditional treat filled the street and with that smell brought the Hungary tourists and locals a by the dozen. The entire 12 hours, I never seen them stop…
|| Bucătar ||
The line was long and the smell of the mici were intoxicating. Everyone was talking about the tasty lil treats as they stood in line. One by one, this man was handed a metal tray full of the lil mici ready to be grilled. He would take great care as he placed them on the grill. A quick hip shot and days later I seen this photo
His eyes told a very deep story….
|| Doamna de la Flaut ||
The closer you get to the actual castle, you see the people selling traditional Romania keepsakes. This lady was selling hand carved flutes and other instruments. All were displayed perfectly for those who were visiting in hopes they would buy.
She played her traditional songs and you could see her countries pride beaming in her has she played….
|| Tristete ||
This man always looked as if he suffered so much pain. He was selling cheese on the outer perimeter of the castle. I remember the tourists with their cameras passing him by one by one. None even noticed him sitting there asking for people to buy his creations. His Romanian sang pass their empty ears…
|| Steaua ||
I had the opportunity to speak to this lady after two days of passing her. She would sit in this place with a single jar of jam she made herself. When I spoke to her she would smile. What a vault of history that was stored in her. She was 95 years old. She was healthy. She was the star that shined through the heart of this small tourist town…
|| Femeie de flori ||
She never smiled, only followed for a short distance asking in her native tongue if we would buy. The flowers never left this position. Her large basket that held tiny baskets of berries were decorated with leaves. The berries were all hand picked. She never took a break. Like the many others around her, she was there from dawn to dusk hoping someone would buy something…
————————
Next time you venture off on a vacation, whether it be something close or afar, take note of the people around you who rely on you to visit….
#the_oblivious_toursist_juxt
#wearejuxt @wearejuxt @annacox .
I’d like to extend my thanks to all of you who were supportive! I greatly appreciate it and very happy you enjoyed the series.
A special thanks to Anna Cox for inspiring my to get of me arse and write something with these photos! – Erikå
