The theme of last week’s showcase was ‘Abstract’. The images submitted to this showcase all illustrated how when if we can look at our surroundings in different ways we can create images that take on an abstract look and feel. Close cropping is a common technique that is used for this. Color, patterns and symmetry were also other common approaches that photographers took.

Featured photographers this week include: @arnakatt5, @bazillus, @hector.rodriguezcortes, @jm_ragsdale_photo, @jsmayores, @locknessey, @miguelcastellano_photo, @pennijam, @rosemarygamburg, @thru_my_eyes707, @allophile_, @_plantmyheart_, @alice1280, @camhaynes22, and @emmafwright

Take part in the next Mobiography photo challenge

The theme of this week’s photo challenge is ‘On the Streets’. For this challenge think street photography, street portraits, urban scenes and people as they go about their day.

To enter the challenge simply start sharing your best images on the theme of ‘On the Streets’ that were taken and edited with a smartphone by using the hashtag #mobiography_191 on Instagram.

The best ones will be featured in the next photo challenge showcase, so get sharing now.

Untitled

Mobiography Photo Challenge: 15 Amazingly Abstract Inspired Smartphone Photos 1

‘Untitled’ by @arnakatt5 – “This image was taken on a vast salt lake in the West Australian outback. The salt lake is the biggest outdoor art gallery in Australia. It holds 51 sculptures by acclaimed artist Antony Gormley.

Taken with my iPhone 11. All edits done with Snapseed. I wanted to create a graphic intense look so changed the image to black and white and used quite a bit of contrast. I wanted to reflect the dry harsh environment in my photograph.”

The beauty of brutalism

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‘The beauty of brutalism’ by @bazillus – “My series ‘architecture – eye on detail’ is an ongoing project which I started in 2011. My focus is on the details of buildings, interior and excerpts from the urban space. The choice of the place, and the language of shapes and the light transfer the images to an independent abstract photo. As well as they are references to architectural styles and eras.

The photos are shot with my iPhone and have only been edited with instagram.
Black + White Only! ”

Up/Down Capture

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‘Up/Down Capture’ by @hector.rodriguezcortes – “While walking in the lobby of a hotel in Pittsburgh, I noticed a hanging structure from the roof. The design was composed of many attached polished pebbles forming columns. When I looked up to the ceiling, I saw my reflection in the center of the structure. I felt that stones represent all the opportunities that we have to get great photographic captures.

Therefore as photographers, we always need to be ready for the great opportunities that could appear to us at any moment. ”

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Mobiography Photo Challenge: 15 Amazingly Abstract Inspired Smartphone Photos 4

‘Untitled’ by @jm_ragsdale_photo – “On a trip to DC while my son was doing an internship for law school, we were walking to Post Pub for dinner and happened upon this fantastic building. The confluence of great architecture and an amazing sky made this image possible. Black and white only enhances the dramatic aspect. Raised on 35mm film, I try to bring that sensibility to digital images. Using the in-camera tools, I make minimal adjustments to bring out a realistic image. Shot on iPhone 7plus. ”

When the building looks like a drawing

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‘When the building looks like a drawing’ by @jsmayores – “This shot was taken last 2020 in Dubai. The interesting geometric facade of the Binghatti stars building guided me to put the subject in a diagonal position. The upper left side forms a triangle complimenting the geometric shape of the building. I took a couple shots from my iPhone 8 plus and edited the photo using phone editor to make the colours stand out.”

Interstellar

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‘Interstellar’ by @locknessey – “Shot through a lens of reflection on New Year’s Day in Melbourne; feeling spacey and multilayered. The photo was taken with an iPhone 12.”

Untitled

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‘Untitled’ by @miguelcastellano_photo – “This photo was taken in Barcelona. When I was walking around the Born district, I realized the shadows in a wall were making geometric and abstract figures. So I waited for someone to pass by the scene so I could take a picture including a figurative human presence in that abstract scene. ”

Cool staircase in the HOTA building

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‘Cool staircase in the HOTA building’ by @pennijam – “This was taken at the Home of the Arts at Australia’s Gold Coast. The building is new and modern and features a really cool wooden internal staircase. I took many photos of it and my favourite was this one taken through the glass of the gallery space – I liked the addition of the shapes of the reflections in the glass panel leading out to the staircase. I took this photo with my iPhone 13 Pro Max and applied a Hipstamatic filter.”

Moonlight walk…

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‘Moonlight walk…’ by @rosemarygamburg – “This photo was taken with the iPhone 11 Pro Max. I shot it at a local garden walk, around twilight. I noticed a couple walking in front of me, through an archway. I thought this might make an interesting shot, once edited in some way. At the time, I was also taking an online class by Nicki Fitzgerald on the use of “Slow shutter” with the iPhone so I decided to use this shot to experiment with slow shutter editing and creative editing. The photo was taken in the “live” setting so I was able to apply the “long exposure” feature in the native camera. I then converted the photo to black and white to eliminate distractions of various colors. In Snapseed, I used the “brush” tool to darken the figures so they were more prominent. I then used the Hipstamatic app to emphasize the tunnel feel and add the blue tint. To create a bit of mystery, I used the app, Alien Sky, and added the moon. Ultimately, I was happy to step outside my comfort zone and create the final result!”

Untitled

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‘Untitled’ by @thru_my_eyes707 – “I was wondering around the Brisbane Botanical Gardens in the Tropical Display Dome, looking mainly for unusual things to photograph.

I happened to look up and saw the back of the most beautiful green leaves with the light shining behind them, which accentuated their fine veins. I took a shot with my much used iPhone 11 and then later played around in Snapseed changing it to Fine-Art.

When the Mobiography abstract challenge came up I decided to crop the photo so as to highlight the veins, finishing off with instagrams Hefe filter, giving it a rich warm tone. ”

Untitled

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‘Untitled’ by @allophile_ – “Going for a walk one day in Tucson’s Barrio Viejo, this particular aloe bloom caught my eye—the complementary color match was perfect, along with the textures of the plastered and brightly painted adobe walls—just abstract enough.

Taken with the native camera app on an iPhone X; a bit of exposure correcting and texture-highlighting using the “details > structure” tool in snapseed.”

Singular sensation

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‘Singular sensation’ by @_plantmyheart_

The work of the wind

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‘The work of the wind’ by @alice1280 – “I love looking for shadows and patterns in the sand dunes. One thing to think about is whether or not you want footprints in the frame. I have spoilt many a dune picture with my footprints. This sort of perfect curve doesn’t happen very often. The sand must be dry and the wind must blow from the East and West for a while. I always have a look at sunrise. I converted the picture to black and white in Snapseed.allo”

Happy Thanksgiving! Let what you are thankful for outshine any disappointments you might have faced in 2020…

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‘Happy Thanksgiving! Let what you are thankful for outshine any disappointments you might have faced in 2020…’ by @camhaynes22 – “Fast forward to now, Spring 2022. Here’s to seeing the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel.

This photo was made after an autumn rain in 2020 when the sun was shining through the leaves of our Japanese Lilac. I noticed something sparkling from the corner of my eye and I had to capture that sparkle. The light flare was created by the sunlight refracting through a tiny water droplet. My mobile camera was struggling to focus on it and I liked the colours so I kept everything, just out of focus, enough to capture the flare and the bokeh.

Photographed with Samsung Galaxy S7 no flash, no tripod. I never recall the specific edits I might have made. It just happens. My go to editing app is SnapSeed.”

Up Above

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‘Up Above’ by @emmafwright

Don’t forget…

The theme of this week’s photo challenge is ‘On the Streets’. For this challenge think street photography, street portraits, urban scenes and people as they go about their day.

To enter the challenge simply start sharing your best images on the theme of ‘On the Streets’ that were taken and edited with a smartphone by using the hashtag #mobiography_191 on Instagram.

The best ones will be featured in the next photo challenge showcase, so get sharing now.

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