During the holidays, the massive Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center attracts crowds of people who want to see this mesmerizing symbol of the season on display. The tree is a popular subject in photographs, and when Sony Artisan Ira Block set out to capture it with the Sony Xperia PRO-I, he had something a little different in mind. “The Christmas tree has been done a lot,” he says. “So I was actually looking to shoot the other direction and photograph the angels and the Saks Fifth Avenue lighting” When the weather took a turn, he had even more opportunity to create something unique, and the resulting reflection shot of the Christmas tree is one to remember. We caught up with Block to hear more about his experience using the Xperia PRO-I to capture this holiday icon and more around the Big Apple.

Photo by Ira Block. Sony Xperia PRO-I. 1/10-sec. f/2.2, ISO 80

When rain began to clear out Rockefeller Center, Sony Artisan Ira Block set up his Xperia PRO-I to get this beautiful reflection of the Christmas tree.

As Block was out trying to find creative ways to photograph the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, it began to pour down rain. “A lot of people were moving away because of the rain,” he explains. “While others start running underneath things to protect them from the rain, for me the bad weather is an opportunity. I look across at the tree and next to me is one of the little statues on this black marble platform. Because it's raining, there's a puddle that’s forming, and I look in the puddle to see the tree reflecting in it. Everyone else has photographed the tree…what am I going to get that’s different? What am I going to get that’s unique and is showing a vision?”

Behind the scenes of Ira Block using the Xperia PRO-I to photograph the Rockefeller Christmas tree.

Block took out his Xperia PRO-I and placed it on a Platypod camera plate with a ball head, a support that helps him place his camera for low-angle photography. He got the device’s camera lined up the way he wanted it, and began shooting using his Sony RMT-P1BT Bluetooth Remote Commander. “The Xperia PRO-I fit in this little cubby hole area and was low enough to get the correct reflection. The Bluetooth Remote was really a handy option for not shaking the camera for this photo and others. It’s great for when you’re shooting long exposures or in situations where you’re waiting for people to enter or leave the frame at a certain moment.”

Photo by Ira Block. Sony Xperia PRO-I. 1/80-sec. f/2.4, ISO 250

His ability to quickly set up the Xperia PRO-I in a small space during poor weather conditions allowed him to get such a unique shot of the tree. The discrete nature of the device was also useful for him when it came to capturing authentic photographs with crowds of people. “A phone is such a part of society now,” he explains, “that when you show up with it, you’re just like everyone else. You don’t have a large camera and lens that’s drawing a lot of attention.”

The best part about it all? Even with this smaller device, he doesn’t have to sacrifice the quality of his images. “I'm telling you, I am blown away with the quality.”

Photo by Ira Block. Sony Xperia PRO-I. ¼-sec. f/2.4, ISO 100

Learn more about the Xperia PRO-I here and purchase the device here.