From the Front Row - the Final Edition

Over the last couple of weeks in my From the Front Row feature, I've shared snapshots of bloggers, radio/tv hosts and photographers with their high-tech cameras. Typically I rely on my trusty iPhone 4G to capture photos for my blog. In fact, each of my subjects was shot with my iPhone. But this fashion week, Samsung let me test drive their new Galaxy Camera. Allow me to share my own experience in the final post of this feature.

Fashion week day 5 - could someone fix my hair?

What are you shooting with?

I'm using the Samsung GALAXY Camera. Their tagline pretty well sums it up - "Shoots like a pro. Shares like a Smartphone."

Do you share the photos? How?

I use the photos for my blog (this one!) as well as on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  Beyond the runway and fashion week, I have been using it to shoot client events or random scenes that I use as inspiration for future events.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I cannot name just one.  First, the touch screen is HUGE and the colour is truly fantastic.  Even though I've dabbled with photography for nearly 20 years, I consider myself an amateur. The GALAXY's Smart Mode lets me choose the scene so I have the perfect camera settings.  

So, for instance, the Action Freeze setting is great for those fast walking models at Joe Fresh, but with the Macro setting I can get up close with fabric detail.  However, if I want to play professional, there's also an Expert setting where I can change the aperture, F-stop and all those other finite camera details.

 

I love the connectivity of the GALAXY.  It's wi-fi enabled, so I can share instantly via email or Instagram. It comes with Dropbox installed so I have the option of backing up there or on the Cloud. It runs on the latest version of Android OS, Android 4.1 JellyBean, giving me access to a slew of apps.  And for someone who appreciates good design, I have to say I adore its sleek, white, minimalist design.  If wearable technology is the next big thing, I foresee it being a huge success with Samsung driving it. This camera rocks.

The colour-rich Bustle runway

Joe Fresh models create wind, you must shoot fast

The details on Dreamboat Lucy's collection don't get missed

More From the Front Row: What are you shooting with?

World MasterCard Fashion Week may be winding down to its last days, but the crowds haven't waned a bit.  Hundreds cram into the runway room on the hour, every hour, and the front row fills with some of the city's most stylish denizens. There are some rocking outfits on display, but I've been taking note of those carrying more serious accessories - a camera.

This recurring feature catches up with some front row photographers to find out, what are you shooting with?

Hawley Dunbar | Blogger

Hawley has her freshly manicured finger on the pulse of all that's current in music, fashion and technology. Turns out she's also pretty handy with a macro lens.

What are you shooting with?

A Canon EOS 60 D. I flip between a 100mm Macro lens and a 50mm Macro depending on my location in the front row.

Do you share the photos? How?

I post them on my fashion and music blog, SidewalkHustle.com.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I can do a lot with my 60 D because it’s a professional level body. I love the sport setting for shooting runway because it captures the model no matter how fast they might be strutting.

Chris Howson | Radio & Television Host

Chris claims to be the "current owner of Brooke Shields eyebrows," but this humble morning show host and producer at Toronto's ProudFM radio bears more of a resemblance to Chris Noth. Think Chris Noth's much, much younger brother.

What are you shooting with?

I'm using the Nikon D5200 DSLR burgundy edition. 

Do you share the photos? How?

I'm shooting for the Men's Fashion Insider show Twitter account. It's a show on OUTtv that I host. I also use the photos for Dose.ca and Dailyxtra.com.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I love that fact that it also shoots broadcast quality HD video. I'm a bit of a 'jack of all trades' in this industry so I'm glad my camera is too!

Catch up with the rest of my From the Front Row series here. 

From the Front Row: World MasterCard Fashion Week Edition

Now that Toronto's official fashion week has kicked into full gear, the number of shooters sitting in the seats - as opposed to the media pit - has multiplied to extremes.  Beyond the iPhones and Androids, there are serious cameras in play.  I check in with those sitting front row and ask, what are you shooting with?

JR Bernstein | Fashion Photographer

What are you shooting with?

I change cameras all the time. As an official Fujifilm X-Photographer, I have access to all the professional Fuji cameras. Right now, I'm trying out one of their latest offerings, the Fujifilm X100S. This camera is sold out everywhere, so I'm really lucky to have it.

Do you share the photos? How?

I use the photos in a number of ways.  For one, I'm writing a review of the camera itself, so some of the photos will make it into my review.  Other photos are for publications I shoot for, and some are just for my own enjoyment. As a photographer, I'm constantly shooting.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I'm seriously loving this camera!  It's hard to choose just one feature I like best -- its cool retro look and feel, tactile manual controls, fast auto-focus, compact size or great image quality.  But I think my favourite feature has to be the hybrid optical-electronic viewfinder.  It has the best of both worlds.  It really is a camera-geek's dream.  You get all the advantages of using a real optical viewfinder (so you're not looking at a screen) with as much, or as little, digital information as you want superimposed on top.

Check out JR's photography at jrbernstein.com.

Sarah Francis | Blogger

I ran into Sarah at the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards announcement on Monday, just before the tents opened.  This new awards show debuts in February 2014 to bring recognition to established and emerging designers across the country.  For more information and a list of confirmed CAFA nominees, click here. 

What are you shooting with?

I'm old school-ish. I use Canon Rebel XSi Digital.

Do you share the photos? How?

The photos go on my blog but are mainly for inspiration. I'm more of a writer and stylist than photographer, so my goal in the next year is to hone my pic-taking skills.  

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I have a feeling this camera can do much more than I'm capable of at this point. However, I do love my zoom lens - it makes me feel powerful.  Until I run into someone like George Pimentel, that is.

(Part III) From the Front Row: What are you shooting with at Toronto Fashion Week?

We're barely into Toronto's fashion weeks and I love this new feature, From the Front Row.  (Thanks for the great feedback!)  It's been quite fascinating to see what those with a front row vantage spot use to shoot the runway.  

Last week I ran into Kimberly and Nelia at the shOws. 

Kimberly Lyn | Blogger

What are you shooting with?
I'm using two devices; the first is my Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, a fabulous high-quality point and shoot camera that has many of the bells and whistles of a professional DSLR. The second is my newly acquired iPhone 5, I just picked it up the other day and beats using my ancient iPhone 3G.


Do you share the photos? How?

I'll post the photos on my blog The Souls of My Shoes, as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I love both of my devices!  My Canon camera gets me up close to the action on the runway and delivers spectacular image quality.  I'm very much in the honeymoon phase having just upgraded to a new phone, right now I'm inseparable from it.

Nelia Belkova | Blogger

What are you shooting with?

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 – the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR!

Do you share the photos? How?

I select the best photos, edit them, and post them on my blog, Styleblog.ca, as well as share them on Twitter and Instagram.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I love the quality of photos I get when I shoot with Canon.  Having a professional camera makes the world of difference.  I’ve used the brand for over five years now and have never been disappointed. 

I only recently started to take photography lessons, but even on Auto setting Canon produces wonderful images…it’s a no-brainer.  EOS Rebel SL1 also has the ability to shoot videos and add creative filters to photos on the spot.

Read more From the Front Row here. This feature will be back next week with more from World MasterCard Fashion Week.  Follow along!

From the Front Row: What are you shooting with at Toronto Fashion Week?

Welcome to the second in my new recurring feature where I discover what's going on with the front row's snap-happy guests.  Last week at The ShOws I interviewed Nolan and Nicole.  

Nolan Bryant | Blogger, Photographer

What are you shooting with?
"I use a few different cameras during fashion week.  I borrow a friend's Nikon D5000 if I am shooting from my seat, when I'm backstage I shoot in black and white and use my ancient but wonderful Olympus E500.  It gives me the less then perfect look that I love.  For parties I tend to use a Samsung point and shoot that I've had for years.  It's great when I don't feel like schlepping a DSLR in the evening."

Do you share the photos?  How?
"The photos eventually end up on my blog.  I post almost always black and white photos but during fashion week, when absolutely necessary I will post in colour.  The images that really speak to me will end up on Instagram and Tumblr."

What’s your favourite feature of this device?
"I adore my Olympus E500 because of its simplicity and ability to capture the type of messy images that I like to see.  Crisp and clear images are terribly boring and leave little to the imagination.  My idea of a good picture is one thats a bit out of focus - I think it forces you look a little deeper.  As much as I love this relic of camera it would be nice to have something that shoots full frame."

Nicole Wilson | Blogger

What are you shooting with?

"I'm shooting with the brand new Sony QX10 wireless camera lens connected to my iPhone 5."

Do you share the photos?  How?

"I live tweet and Instagram the photos onsite and then I use them in blog features after the shows.  All fashion photos serve as inspiration for me."

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

"I love that the Sony QX10 attaches to my iPhone and connects wirelessly through bluetooth.  I can snap photos using my iPhone screen with the 10x optical zoom on the Sony QX10 lens and immediately upload them to my social media channels.  It's every bloggers dream device!"

Are you shooting from the front row?  What's your preferred device?  Comment here and you may end up in a future post in my From the Front Row series. Catch the first post here.

From the Front Row: What are you shooting with at Toronto Fashion Week?

Now that the international fashion shows have finished, Canada's fashion designers vie for their share of media attention.  

I hit Toronto's fashion presentations each season, from the shOws to World MasterCard Fashion Week to independent, offsite shows.  You can find me snapping away on my iPhone - mostly pics to share on Instagram and Twitter.  But I'm no pro when it comes to photography.  No, the pros are piled up at the end of the runway, getting the shots we will drool over hours later.

But I wasn't alone.  Social media has turned all of us into documentarians.  As our spring 2014 season kicked off this week with the shOws, I wondered what the rest of the front row was using to shoot the runway - and what did they do with the photos?

Follow my From the Front Row series this month as I share stories of bloggers, stylists and more in this new recurring feature.  


Roslyn "Roz" Griffith Hall | Stylist

I snapped Roz and Stefania at The ShOws, held at Andrew Richard Designs.  The room - drenched in white with a runway that wrapped around the room - is a dream for anyone snapping pics from the front row. 

What are you shooting with?
"I'm using a Canon 7D and my trusty sidekick Leica D-LUX4."

Do you share the photos?  How?
"I have an online 'Look of the Day' column for Zoomer magazine. Some shots will become part of my Stylist's POV wrap up, a cool image post or as a random tweet."  When in Paris, Roz also shoots for her own visual diary, Rue de Roz.  It's a pictorial narrative of fashion trending on the streets.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?
"I'm still discovering what this camera has to offer." 

Stefania Yarhi | Street Style Photographer/Blogger

What are you shooting with? 
"I shoot with my Canon 5D Mark II."

Do you share the photos?  How?
"I shoot for my own blog Textstyles.ca and also for inspiration.  As a photographer, I have worked with various media outlets shooting the runway from this angle.  I love that you see more movement in the clothes and it's a different perspective than the traditional head on runway shots."

What’s your favourite feature of this device, or what do you wish it could do?
My camera is a professional dslr [digital single-lens reflex], the best investment ever.  I love how sensitive it is to light and when you shoot RAW, the crispness and detail is wonderful.  I do wish it could act as my phone and then publish straight to Twitter and Instagram.  But I have to also shoot with my phone to do that IRL [in real life] during shows, which gets to be panicky."

Check back this week for more From the Front Row.