Smartphones are getting better than ever and we are now using those on some of our bullet-time events. However, it still comes with a lot of limitations. Here’s a list of the advantages and disadvantages of going with Android smartphones instead of DSLR cameras.

>> Smartphones

Pros

• Higher density (when shooting vertical)
• Light-weight, easy to carry around, ship and install
• Less electronic components needed: one single usb cable for data & power plus one usb-hub
• Possibility to synchronize Zoom and focus
• Easier to pre-calibrate thanks to the larger screen
• Visual and audio indications
• Countdown feature
• Faster to get the right settings as you can see the exposure right from the live view
• Can be configured 100% programmatically without the need to change settings manually from the devices

Cons

• Harder to calibrate digitally (we’re currently having issues with super tall images)
• Harder to synchronize the shutter across devices (so far we’ve been able to freeze the subject only under highly-controlled environment)
• Nearly impossible to predict which model/brands are going to perform better. Each has its own standards and we’ve notice major differences while switching back and forth with various models

>> DSLRs

Pros

• Much more reliable with triggering
• Bigger sensor, higher quality in low light
• Interchangeable lenses
• Solid solution that has been proven right for over 8 years

Cons

• Bulky and heavy
• Harder to power up (requires somewhat harder-to -get power adapters)
• Harder to focus

Additional notes

When considering the price between one of the other, take note that a top high-end Android phone is going to cost much more than an entry level DSLR. However, I can say without a doubt today that the most affordable way to build a bullet-time rig as of today is by using cheap/reliable Android phones, starting (and fully tested) at 153$ / unit on Amazon. This is hard to beat ;)

Conclusion

I’m writing this post in May 2019 and our journey with smartphones is quite young. I’m adding a reminder to myself in one year to come back to this and talk about the experience we will have gain during that year ;)

We’ve been doing bullet-time with DSLRs since 2011 and we know clearly that they are a better option. But that didn’t prevent me from using my smartphone rig for a gig recently for the simple reason that it was so much more lightweight. There is a clear future for these installations, but time will tell where this is going.

I’m writing this post for you my friends in the learning group (http://fb.com/groups.com). I’m using Medium mostly as a way to format this post. This is for you if you are currently making your way as a professional light-painting photographer.

Here are my five tips, based on my experience

1- Start documenting what you’re doing (videos/photos). I’ve been doing that since 2012. It helps a lot. Publishing behind-the-scenes videos show to brands/agencies what you are capable of. It doesn’t mean you need to invest tons of money on it. It simply means that you should put a camera somewhere and hit the record button. My first video edit ever was shot on a Canon T3 in 2012 and this is the video that got me my best brand collaborations so far.

2- We are (probably) less than 10 people making a living with light-painting. The requests from brands and agencies have been growing up for the past five years. There is a lot of space left especially if you have something unique to offer. This is the key here. Having something unique to offer. It might be a technique, but it is most likely to be a regional thing: are you the top light-painting photographer in your region / country?

3- when your photos start to pick here and there, you’re very likely to start getting stolen. Register your work here: copyright.gov, it really worth it (no you don’t have to be a US citizen)

4- How to get your work seen? Having a large instagram followership helps a lot for the notoriety, but what has been tremendously working well for me are two things. First, being published on major photography website. Agencies are following the content from these website. When you arrive with something new and it gets picked up by top websites, then they might contact you for specific campaigns. Second is 500px. As this website is dedicated to top photography work, it seems like it’s the goto place for agencies looking for specific styles. I’ve got numerous deals that came from 500px. I’m not talking about their Marketplace (stock photo), but really about agencies that got in touch with me after having found my work through 500px.

5- This one is a bit too obvious, but yes, you have to produce world class images. Go and and shoot more!

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