Interview: Pilot (and iPhoneographer) Evan Hunt on taking photos from sky
Evan Hunt is currently working on a 365 project, with his iPhone as the camera, and he’s got a unique perspective. Not only is Evan a professional photographer, shooting everything from weddings to album covers, but he’s also a pilot for American Eagle Airlines.
I’m a big fan of his photography, and not just for his awesome from-the-air views of the world. Down on the ground, he’s got an eye for capturing the ethereal beauty of the world.
In this Q&A with Evan, he talks about the iPhone camera, his attraction to 1940s-era aviation, and his favorite apps.
You’ve obviously got other photographic equipment. What’s the attraction of the iPhone for you?
Well, the phone itself is a piece of art, I think we are all aware of that. It is exciting to be present for the introduction of the iPhone and to really watch how everyone responds. You and I both know there is an entire culture of iPhone photography out there that is really beautiful and I’m just glad to be a part of it. It’s even more exciting that virtually anyone anywhere can be a part of this movement that’s beginning right before our eyes and they don’t need to invest in fancy photo gear.
Personally, the largest attraction for me is its mobility. I spend the majority of my time traveling for work and the fact that I can take it out of my pocket and snap a quick shot in just a few seconds is incredible. The opportunity to have third-party providers offering these great apps to edit the photos is another exciting concept.
From looking at your photos, I’ve got the sense you’re attracted to old-style or retro things. What are some of your favorite photography subjects, and how does the iPhone help you to capture them (and then process/style the images with apps)?
Yeah, that retro/vintage look is very popular right now, which I’m super-excited about because I’ve had a real attraction with the 1940s era for a long time. It really roots from the aviator side of it. Aviation back then possessed a real nostalgia to it that really grabbed me. Flying was mysterious and romantic. Something about that generation has really stirred something in me. I love re-creating this feeling with the iPhone.
Its actually a little funny because my favorite subjects to shoot with an iPhone completely differ from my favorite subjects to shoot with a DSLR camera. With an iPhone I tend to focus a lot on close-ups and even a little bit of abstract conceptual. Any dirty textures are a lot of fun to photograph with the phone as well as dark, cloudy skies. Again, anything that captures that romantic side of aviation.
Do you have any particular apps that are your current faves?
Absolutely. My current favorites are Pano, CrossProcess, Photo fx, ProCamera, and of course the ever famous Instagram.
In your blog, you mention a shoot at Threadless for Alternative Press Magazine. Was that with an iPhone? Will the results be available somewhere online?
We did have the opportunity to shoot at Threadless. They were some of the kindest people around and willingly gave us a tour of their grounds. The shoot was for Alternative Press Magazine so we did have to shoot with a DSLR, but I did manage to get some shots with the iPhone.
I love the photo from the Rise Against cover. Was that an iPhone photo? What’s the story behind the photo and how it ended up on the cover?
Thanks a lot! Because that photo needed to be high-resolution for print we had to shoot it on a DSLR. However, I’ve been thinking about offering iPhone photos for future music shoots along with the high-res. I think it’d be something fun and different.
But the story behind it… I had done a lot of previous work with Rise Against. Most of it was for Alternative Press Magazine and some of it with Interscope. They called me up last November and asked if I’d do the promotional photos for their new album Endgame that was released in March of 2011. I happily obliged and we headed to Fort Collins, Colorado, for the shoot. A couple weeks later I got another call to shoot the cover and inserts for the album itself. They’ve been one of my favorite bands for a long time and are the most down to earth guys you could ever meet. I happily accepted!
Does being a pilot help you to see the world in new ways (both from above, and also via travel), and how is the iPhone camera helping you to capture this?
I guess everyone probably sees it at least a little bit differently than the next person, but I think my job allows me to capture shots with the phone that most people are not in the position to capture.
The iPhone is almost essential to photograph anything in my line of work. There are many portions of the flight we keep “sterile” or free from any distractions. During the “non-sterile” portions of flight when we are not busy is when I find the opportunity to snap some photos. Often times the company needs to “deadhead” us to certain cities (which means we sit in the back with the passengers as another crew flies) and this allows more time for me to frame and concentrate on my shot.
However, because it’s a phone I approach this type of photography much differently. Most of the time I don’t try to think of the perspective. I think it’s more fun and raw to take it out of your pocket, slide it open, wait for the camera shutter to open, point it out the window and snap a couple. I don’t even look at the photos on the camera until that night when we get to the hotel. It keeps it a bit more natural this way I think.
