27 Frames – Jake Burghart

27 Frames

Jake Burghart

By Matt Titone

April 11, 2016

We sent 27 single use cameras out to some of our favorite photographers, they shot stuff with it, then mailed it back to us. We developed the film and are sharing the results with you (and the photographers) now. In this instant, digital age, we want to pay homage to a snapshot photo process we grew up with ourselves — waiting for the film to develop and being surprised by the results. These 27 Frames belong to Jake Burghart, Director of Photography at Vice. Because of his job, Jake is an extremely hard guy to pin down, he is constantly on the move shooting crazy shit all over the world for Vice’s HBO series. That said, we knew the camera we gave him would log some serious miles and come back to us with some real gems. From chilling with Edward Snowden to shooting heavy firearms with the Russian military to New Years parties with Mike D in Mexico, Jake’s roll did not disappoint.

Who are you? Tell us a little about yourself.

I’ve been to 66 countries and all 50 states over the last ten years shooting documentaries with everyone from surfers to evil dictators with Vice.

How did you first get into photography?

In High School if you took the photo class you could “leave campus to take photos” which meant smoke pot and go surfing.

Film or digital?

I spend so much time and money shooting film, I bring at least 2 different film cameras on every trip I go on and they are usually my favorite images. But I’d be insane to say they’re better than my digital images. With digital you get the shot every time, and when you’re working there’s no other option.

When was the last time you used a single use (disposable) camera?

My friend Ben Ritter uses these things a lot. Last time I used one was probably when he got drunk and fell down and I picked up his camera.

What did you decide to shoot with your camera for this project?

I just tried to keep it with me for a month. I wanted to take 1 picture at several locations, which I did for the most part, until I got drunk on NYE and took several.

Did you have any interesting experiences along the way?

Yeah, NYE dance party with Mexanga family in Baja, a few days of rest back in California, a few days of not resting in NYC, a road trip from Guadalajara to Mexico City. Target practice with the Russian military, Edward Snowden showed us how to disable all the surveillance shit in your phone, then a hike in the desert. I actually brought the camera on a bunch of other trips too but kept forgetting about it.

What was the biggest challenge (if any) you had with the project?

Apparently putting my finger over the lens.

What was your favorite image from the roll?

The 2 girls sitting on the mountain top.

Check out more of Jake’s work here:

VICE

Special thanks to Dexter’s Camera in Ventura for developing all of the film for the 27 Frames project. If you are a photographer who loves film and have never visited their shop, go there now, they’re the best.

Matt Titone

A goofy-footed graphic designer who hails from the first state, Delaware. After attending Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL then graduating from SCAD in Savannah, GA with a BFA in Graphic Design and Illustration, Matt moved to NYC and found work as a freelance designer and art director. In 2006 he moved west to Venice, CA where he co-founded ITAL/C Studio and now resides a bit further north in Oxnard.

Jake Burghart