Michael Jackson Dies

Michael Jackson Dies - Images by Branimir Kvartuc

This is my coverage for the European Pressphoto Agence (EPA) of the death of Michael Jackson

Croatian Chronicle covers my iPhone gallery show

Laker fans tear up downtown Los Angeles while celebrating their team's 15th NBA title.

Laker Fans Tear Up Downtown after 15th Title - Images by Branimir Kvartuc

Stripped. Bare. Branimir Kvartuc and his iPhone gallery show

This slide show is a digital representation of: Stripped. Bare. Branimir Kvartuc and his iPhone, a gallery show that debuted during Art Walk in downtown Los Angeles at the Historic Gas Company Lofts at 810 S. Flower St.

Branimir Kvartuc is a Los Angeles based photographer whose pictures have landed in such publications at the New York Times, Time Magazine and every other major publication in the world. He is also the founder of EppicSurf.com, a social network for the surf culture, owner of Bella Moda Photography and photographer for the Associated Press and Croatia's Jutarnji List and Slobodna Dalmacija newspapers.

As a professional photographer, Branimir Kvartuc had the best equipment and access to be in the right position to tell a story.

With this show, he has Stripped his resources Bare. No Credentials. No Assignment. No professional camera. Kvartuc, armed with only an iPhone camera, managed to capture landscapes, worm his way into closed-to-the-public events and delve deeply into the emotions of individuals.

Take away the large camera that shoots 12 frames per second and a tie to familiar news outlet and you are left with a photographer attempting to record a poignant moment on a two megapixel cell phone camera that takes one photo every 12 seconds.

"As a professional, I usually have a credential hanging from my neck and large, somewahat intimidating cameras and lenses. It becomes very easy for the person behind the camera to feel a certain authority, a comfort level with invading someone's personal space by pointing a camera at them." said Kvartuc

For the "Stripped. Bare." show, Kvartuc was now the one who was inimidated. He often had to ask for permission to get close enough to capture something valuable. That meant he had to start a conversation, he had to earn their trust so he could get a disarming, authentic still.

Above are nearly 100 photos taken over the past six months which are in the show.

The slide show may be embeded by clicking the triangle on the lower right.

Share the show on Facebook or Twitter by clicking the logo directly below.

Recent Work: June Cover Dealernews Magazine

My most recent cover for Dealernews Magazine profiles Bert's Mega Mall and owner Ron Seidner.  Click here to see more of my Magazine work.

Gallery Show Invitation: Stripped. Bare.: Branimir Kvartuc and his iPhone

You are invited to a gallery show featuring the iPhone photography of Branimir Kvartuc. 

Thursday, June 11, 2009 7:00pm - 10:00pm Historic Gas Company Lofts 810 S. Flower St. Los Angeles, CA

As a professional photographer Branimir Kvartuc has always been geared up for making the best news and sports photos. Using the best equipment and having the best access ensured he would be in the right position to visually tell the story.

"I never liked taking photos when I was not working." he said. "At the same time, I was often frustrated as a professional photographer when I would see a photo happening but did not have my equipment ready to record it," said Branimir.

Then came the iPhone! Always in his pocket, always available to record a photograph. 

"Unlike even small point-and-shoot cameras, the iPhone was ALWAYS in my pocket!" he said. "This was a game-changer."

He started shooting photos much more frequently and having fun doing it.

"All of the frustration I used to have, seeing a photo materializing, but not being able to capture it was erased by having the iPhone in my pocket."

And so this gallery show featuring Branimir's iPhone photos was born.

"The most interesting thing that happened as I used the iPhone to capture images was the feeling of being stripped of the crutches of being a professional photographer."

"As a professional, I usually have a credential hanging from my neck, large, sometimes intimidating cameras and lenses. Couple that with being at a scene like a fire, sporting event or press conference which demands attention! It becomes very easy for the person behind the camera to feel a certain comfort level with invading someone's personal space by pointing a camera at them."

Take away the large camera that shoots 12 frames per second, the credentials and the newsworthy scene and you are left with a photographer stripped bare, attempting to record a poignant moment on a two megapixel cell phone that takes one photo every 12 seconds!

This show illustrates what could be done photographically with the minimal equipment.

Stripped. Bare.

"I hope that all of my friends and colleagues will join me as I display and share the images I have created in the past six months using my iPhone."

Branimir's iPhone gallery show will be a part of the monthly downtown Los Angeles Art Walk which happens on the second Thursday of every month.

View my professional work here:

www.BranimirKvartuc.com
www.BellaModaPhotography.com
www.EppicSurf.com

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Model Gisele Bundchen, former girlfriend of Leonardo DiCaprio, arrives to the Victoria's Secrets fashion show at the Kodak theater in Hollywood Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006. Although the event had nearly the grandeur of the Academy Awards, few big celebrities walked the pink carpet, allowing the models to be the focus of attention. It was a happy day at work :)

Scare N' Tear Surf Contest

On Sunday, Oct. 29, I photographed the second annual Scare N' Tear surf contest in Manhattan Beach, where contestants are judged equally for their Halloween costumes and surfing ability. Although he placed second in this years contest, Jeff Atkinson's entry of Kobe Bryant shooting a hook shot on a surfboard was definatly my favorite. Last year Jeff placed first for fashioning the Titanic out of his surfboard. The contest is produced by Progressive Surf Group and benefits the Adam Frand Foundation.

Vintage Cycle

I've never been one of those guys who's had to have a motorcyle. I never daydreamed about about a Harley or a Chopper. But....after visiting Blue Moon Cycle outside Atlanta for a Dealernews magazine cover shoot of the shop's owner John Landstrom, my mind has been changed. Landstrom specializes in beautiful vintage European bikes and I WANT one. Bikes like the Moto Guzi or BMW are much more cool to me than a brand new one. Landstrom, who travels to Germany twice a year shopping for vintage bikes, is photographed with a 1942 BMW R 12, which is available for $17,900.

Pink Elephant

I saw a real life Pink Elephant today. No Joke. Enigmatic British artist Banksy's elaborately installed a painted elephant — a real one — in a living room scene in a warehouse southeast of downtown L.A. on Saturday, September 16, 2006. Banksy is known for graffiti-sprinkled work, acts of mischief and never appearing at his own exhibits or granting interviews. Celebrities including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were spotted during the three-day show. Although the elephant was obviously the main draw, other pieces grabbed attention almost equally in the "warehouse full of mindless vandalism and pretty pictures."

Almost PERFECT

I thought I was going see history happen on Wednesday, September 13, 2006. I was shooting the Angels v. White Sox game for the Associated Press at Aneheim Stadium when White Sox pitcher Feddy Garcia went 7 2/3 innings pitching a perfect game. There have only been 16 perfect games pitched in basball history, the last being Randy Johnson in 2004. It was only the second baseball game I have shot in as many years, so I would have considered myself lucky to have been there. My photo of Freddy Garcia shows him reacting to Angels' Adam Kennedy's hit in the eight inning.