Jerry Abramowicz Photography

Now this is a job I wouldn’t wish on any photographer. During TIFF week (Toronto International Film Festival) a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to hang out and play paparazzi, and silly me, I accepted. For five gruelling days, 9:00am to 11:00pm, we ran the streets chasing the stars. Now aside from the fact that this was a dumb idea, I did find that getting the shot was a tad more difficult than imagined.  You see, finding the stars were one thing, but the changing light conditions were another.  One moment you can be shooting into the sun and the next into a dark tunnel or a moving vehicle with tinted windows all the while standing in the same location. They could be two meters away or twenty. Knowing how to make quick adjustments on the fly was crucial as these stars weren’t sticking around for you to think about your settings. They flew past at lightening speed (Some grumbling a few four letter words no doubt).  Red carpet photos are easier; a few test shots have you good to go. Not all stars stop to say hi, so be be ready. On the streets though you better know your stuff or you’ll be shooting a lot of silhouettes, have blown out faces or blurred subjects. Being a paparazzi is a very fast pace when it’s happening, and most times you’re not alone. At the red carpet you have all the other pap's pushing and shoving for the same shot. When the stars aren't there, the rest of your time you’re surrounded by hours of sheer boredom.  Would I do it again? I think having a root canal or being stung by a hoard of bees would have been a more pleasant experience.

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