In previous years I have run a successful series throughout December called ’24 Mobile Photographers Til Christmas’. In part, this is to celebrate the forthcoming festive season but also to celebrate another year in the timeline of Mobiography.
In the series I ask 24 hand picked mobile photographers to offer an insight into their work, to reflect on their year gone by or plans for the coming year ahead. Each featured photographer is someone who has inspired or supported me in one way or another during the course of the past year. One photographer will be showcased each day until Christmas Eve in a sort of online advent calendar so to speak.
2015 has been a big year for me so I will kick off this years proceedings.
The photo I am most proud of is…
The photo that I am most proud of was taken earlier this year during a photo walk organised by Brendan O Se and Michael Kistler in Dublin, Ireland. Having been in a bit of a creative slump for some time, this photo represented the re-ignition of my passion for taking pictures with my iPhone. It also re-enforced the fact that I can, when I focus and challenge myself, take a damn good picture.
Up until that point, I had become too familiar with the humdrum, ebb and flow of my daily routine. I had just quit the 9 to 5, started a new business, was trying to develop the Mobiography website, the Mobiography digital magazine as well as juggling family life commitments. I had been spinning too many plates for far too long and, as a result, my photography had suffered.
I had been invited to Dublin to speak at MoJoCon, the first international conference on mobile journalism. Although the thought of public speaking turned my stomach, the opportunity of meeting leading names from the mobile photography community was too big an opportunity to pass on. People like Jack Hollingsworth, Brendan O Se, Nicki Fitz-Gerald from iPhoneographyCentral.com, MPA’s Dan Berman, Hong Kong-based street photographer Michael Kistler and Dan Rubin. This opportunity would never happen again so if it meant I had to stand on stage and talk then so be it.
The second day of the event consisted of a series of smaller, informal workshops and photo walks including one organised by Brendan O Se and Michael Kistler. The event attracted people from all over the world, with varying degrees of photographic experience and knowledge. There was a real sense of camaraderie in the days event and it was interesting to see how different people approached the photographing of essentially the same subjects and seeing the different results that they achieved. Having never been on an organised photo walk before, I found the walk to be energising and a great learning experience.
Getting back to the photo in question. It was taken around mid-late morning. The sun was out (albeit briefly) and low in the sky. As we walked along the street, we found ourselves surrounded by a number of towering office buildings and contemporary looking apartment blocks. My attention was caught by the way the sun shone down an adjacent street and reflected off the metallic surface of a building opposite. I was struck by the contrast this made with the dark shadows created by the surrounding buildings. No sooner had I started to frame the shot, that I noticed a lone figure walking in the direction of this shaft of sunlight. I waited for this figure to pass into the scene then used ProCamera’s burst mode to make sure I had the best chance of capturing him in the perfect position. It was one of those occasions when you can see the resulting photo play out long before the image is taken. I can still remember the euphoria I felt when I checked out my camera roll. I have found my mojo again.
Later that day, I edited the photo in Snapseed but due to a bizarre technical issue many were experiencing in the conference venue, the only way I could post this image to Instagram (and therefore enter it into a hashtag competition being run that day) was to import it into Oggl using Jane lens and Sugar film combination. A process which I think further enhanced the image that ended up winning first place and netting me a cool iPro lens system.
Without a doubt, the whole weekend was one of the highlights of my year. The people I met that weekend I had only really known in a virtual, online sense. Having the opportunity to spend several days with the likes of Brendan, Nicki, Michael and Dan Berman really brought home the idea that mobile photography isn’t just about taking random photos with your smartphone. Its not about ego, how many apps you can use or who has the latest or biggest phone. It is about the moments that your photographs capture, the memories you create and the relationships that grow along the way.
I cannot thank those I met in Dublin enough. The weekend not only strengthen my views of mobile photography but also boosted my confidence and further fortified the friendships I had with these guys.
I can see why the image won Andy. Belated congrats!
Love that pic Andy. I met up with Dan Berman where he was over for MoJo Con. Spent a very enjoyable afternoon taking photos in a small fishing village on the north of Dublin city with him.
Damn fine shot, Andy! And I love reading your story. What a wonderful opportunity to get restimulated, have some big fun, and win a new lens – at the same time!
One of my all time favorite shots, Andy. Kick-ass!! Excellent write up as well.
Thanks for taking us through the edit process and the whole context of how this shot came about. Reading this reminds me that it is so much more than just the shot. One of my favorite shots of yours from your IG gallery. Well done Andy!
Thanks Joe. I had this shot printed onto canvas. It looks even better on the wall.