David Bergman will be hosting a new show on AdoramaTV called “Two Minute Tips with David Bergman.” A renowned photographer whose work has taken him around the globe, David has been documenting Bon Jovi on tour since 2010. His impressive body of work includes 13 Sports Illustrated covers, and has earned him the distinction of being named a Canon Explorer of Light in 2015, one of the highest honors achievable by a professional photographer. Adorama sits down with David for a Q&A.
Where is home?
New York, NY.
If you could live anywhere, where would you build your dream home?
I love New York City, but some of my other favorite places are Melbourne, Australia, Vancouver, and Canada.
What sort of work do you specialize in?
Music documentary, sports, and portraiture.
Did you go to school to study photography?
I was a photojournalism major at the University of Miami, after one year as a music production and engineering major at the Berklee College of Music.
How long have you been a photographer?
Twenty-five years.
What (or who) got you started in photography?
I stumbled into the school newspaper at the University of Miami and the photo editor gave me two rolls of black and white film to shoot over the weekend. When I came back, he showed me how to process my film and I suppose he saw something he liked in my work. He started giving me assignments and I went on to become the assistant photo editor, the photo editor, and the editor in chief of the school’s yearbook.
What type of cameras do you shoot with?
I am proud to be a Canon Explorer of Light and exclusively shoot Canon cameras (and the occasional iPhone shot).
What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?
Gaffers tape! I use it for everything.
Can you describe how and when you use flash, video light, reflectors and natural light during a shoot?
When I’m shooting an event, I usually work with the ambient light or might have a small Speedlight for fill. However, I use many flashes, both small and large, for my portraits.
Are you a MAC or PC lover?
I have been an Apple user since my parents bought an Apple IIE in the early 80’s.
When you go on one of your travels, what do you take with you (and why)?
Every shoot is different and I can travel with one small bag of cameras or 10 cases of gear. When I’m on vacation, I might just bring one Canon 5DsR and a couple of lenses for fun.
What is it you want to say with your photographs, do you think you have succeeded?
I have been allowed to go places and see things that most people can only imagine, whether it’s backstage at a rock concert or on the sidelines of the Super Bowl. I am the eyes of the fan, and can bring them with me through my camera.
What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started?
I wish I had taken more business classes earlier in my photo career.
What do you think makes a memorable photo?
To make a photo memorable, it has to be something that the viewer hasn’t seen before.
What first drew you to your style of photography? How did you discover it?
I was eventually allowed to shoot football games at the University of Miami when they were winning national championships. The excitement of being in that environment every week, along with the powerful images that I saw coming from the other photographers, made me want to find a way to keep doing that type of work.
How does black & white versus color come into play? Are they one and the same to you or do you tackle it completely different ways?
Most of my work is in color, but there is a starkness that can be achieved only with black and white. I rarely go into a shoot knowing that’s it’s going to be black and white. I can just feel it in post.
When you are out shooting how much of it is instinctual versus planned?
I plan as much as possible by doing research and learning about my subject. I have a vision of the “perfect” photo before any given shoot. But I’m flexible on the job and try my best to react to whatever is happening and will ditch my original idea if something better presents itself.
Describe your photography style in three words.
Intimate. Powerful. Cool.
Social media has played such a crucial role in the creative world, how do you think this has changed our industry for better (and for worse)?
Social media is the great equalizer. It has democratized the creative process and allowed more people to create art. Not just the few “anointed ones.” With the influx of new work, it makes it harder to find quality images, but I believe the cream rises to the top.
Photographers are constantly on the road, what are some things you cannot live without?
I have custom molded in-ear headphones that block out the world and crank high-quality music into my brain. It’s a lifesaver on airplanes.
With the popularity of Instagram and easy access to photographers work on the internet, many photographers are considered social influencers aka the “new celebrity,” how do you stay grounded?
I work with a lot of people who are at the top of their careers. I’m just a photographer trying to make a living.
What’s it like being on the road and shooting Bon Jovi?
It’s the best job in the world! Going from country to country on a private jet and having all access to one of the biggest rock stars in the world? It doesn’t get much better.
