On the occasion of World Photography Day, we can not deny that the iPhone is the most popular camera in the world. And the day aims to inspire photographers to use photography to share their world with the world and originates from the first photograph that was ever taken following the invention of the first photographic process coined in 1837. Photography has come a long way over the 181 years.
Altamash Javed – Dubai
Altamash is a Pakistani photographer currently living in Dubai. He is an ex-investment banker that credits the iPhone for helping him switch careers to become a full-time photographer. As a professional photographer, he still uses his iPhone extensively both for work and personal photography. Architecture, travel, aerial & documentary photography are his passions.
What is the most inspiring photo you’ve taken on the iPhone this year, and why?
“One of my favourite shots is at the Hassan 2 Mosque in Casablanca. The sheer size of this mosque is just incredible. My friend was praying and the frame just came all together. When I saw it I took a few steps back tilted the phone up a tad and captured the moment. It is to this date a distinct shot from my travels.”
What are some of your favourite iPhone photography gear and apps you can’t live without, and why?
"Apps I can't live without are primarily my editing tools. I actually use the native editing tools on the iPhone photo app itself, as well as Snapseed and Lightroom CC. The combination of these tools allows me to create beautiful photos.”
Andrew Knapp - Canada
Andrew Knapp, originally from Sudbury, Ontario, has published multiple pictures books of worldwide travels with his adorable dog, Momo and has a highly engaged social following on Instagram. All of his photos are edited in Lightroom for iPhone.
What are some of your favourite places to shoot around the world and why?
“Muralla Roja in Calpe, Spain – the architecture by Ricardo Bofill is out of this world. The first photo is definitely one of my favourite shots this year.”
Ashish Parmar - India
Ashish Parmar is an Indian photographer who typically shoots in a variety of settings including weddings, music festivals and wildlife.
A portrait that you’ve taken of someone this year, along with what that person means to you?
“I shot this image of my best friend's wife, Pashmeena. She is like a sister to me. We were at a friend's wedding and during the send-off (bidaayi), I captured Pashmeena with a faraway look in her eyes. She later confessed that it's reminded her of her wedding and her bidaayi. This was shot on Portrait mode using the stage light option.”
What are some of your favourite places to shoot around the world and why?
“My favourite place to shoot is Masai Mara, Kenya. This is because I get to shoot and experiment with my phone a lot. From subjects that vary from expansive landscapes and animal habitats to the Masai tribe portraits. The gorgeous sunrises and sunsets make for excellent landscape pictures. It is also one of the best places in the world to sight and photograph wildlife and I love to capture some spectacular moments like The Great Migration and the super photogenic Masai tribes for human portraits.“
Erica Wu - Taiwan
Erica Wu was born in Taiwan and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 17. Erica graduated from the Academy of Art in San Francisco. She currently works as a freelance photographer and travel blogger in Taiwan, specializing in photos of animals, street cats and scenery around the world.
What is the most inspiring photo you’ve taken on the iPhone this year, and why?
“The sunflowers are just full of energy and passion. Looking at them makes you feel warm and hopeful.”
Jirasak - Thailand
Jirasak is a talented photographer who captures stunningly beautiful shots through his iPhone. His work reflects the arts of local lifestyles in upcountry Thailand.
Share a portrait that you’ve taken of someone this year, along with what that person means to you?
“He is my best friend. Meaningful photos or happiness is all around. Sadly my best friend has passed away.”
Kerem Uzel - Turkey
Kerem is a photographer who graduated from Istanbul Technical University and went to the US to attend the New England School of Photography for his MA in photography.
A portrait that you’ve taken of someone this year, along with what that person means to you?
“My son Ali, 7 years old, shows his secret stone from the sea where he found it. I have always a hard time to get good photos of him, as a photographer and a father. Happy to capture his proud moment of showing his valuable item.”
What are some of your favourite iPhone photography gear and apps you can’t live without, and why?
“After I got my iPhone X, I used some different photo apps such as Halide, Camera+, Procam and Provoke. I finally decided on working with Provoke, set on high contrast B&W option. As I depressed with the political agenda of the country, shooting in high contrast helps me to transform my feelings.”
Paul Zizka - Canada
Paul is an author and award-winning mountain landscape and adventure photographer based in Banff who travels frequently worldwide capturing “under-documented” areas including glaciers and auroras. Paul also runs photography workshops around the world.
What is the most inspiring photo you’ve taken on the iPhone this year, and why?
“My home is in the mountains and I draw great inspiration from spending my time amongst them. I love the history not only from a geological point of view but from those who have to lead the way, pioneering routes and exploring the area so many years ago. It is almost incomprehensible to imagine the harsh conditions they faced with such limited clothing and equipment. I used this inspiration to recreate a typical pioneering scene using a mountaineer model dressed in a typical outfit for that time.”
Prashant Vishwanathan - India
Prashant is a freelance photographer who has worked for several editorial publications in India.
Prashant was exchanging stories during a smoke with this grandfather in the city of Bundelkhand “A few generations ago the Thakur’s of this village poisoned the liquor at a marriage party killing the groom, his family and the men of his caste. As a warning to other lower castes, they threw the bodies in the common well. The only water source became the warning to generations to come to not to look at their women!”
What are some of your favourite places to shoot around the world and why?
“I hail from a country which has embedded thousands of mini-cultures, subcultures, languages, ethnicities, religions, food habits and history. India is my canvas I love to photograph in. In the past, I have travelled to Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia, the United States and Bhutan in the past. The aesthetic of the street differs from country to country. India is pure chaos, Bhutan is architecturally beautiful and isolated, New York is crowded but organized, Cambodia is stuck in the 70’s like our own Kolkata, while Sri Lanka is neatly paved, Nepal is historic but breaking away. Every place is unique and exploring them has been my pleasure. Of all the places I loved shooting in Bangladesh, as I was reminded time and again how my country was 30 years ago and how we can easily slip back into that kind of chaos if we don’t take remedial checks and balances in fields of education, literacy and health.”
Vivian Liu - Hong Kong
Vivian is the founder of Studio UNIT. She studied architecture at the University of Waterloo and Harvard University's Graduate School of Design and discovered her passion for photography. Her style has broadened to include portraiture, natural landscapes and product photography.
“I was on a portrait shoot and we decided to explore one of the most popular parks in Hong Kong. Being on a Sunday, it was extremely crowded but we managed to find a spot hidden from people and the result looked like it was shot somewhere in a lush forest. I was also impressed with the capabilities of the iPhone X, with its natural colour, sharpness and tonality, which made the shot look like it was straight from a magazine, taken by a professional camera.”
Vanessa Heins - Canada
Vanessa is a Toronto based photographer known for editorial and commercial photos of musicians and celebrities. She regularly shoots high profile talent and lives music for CBC’s The Strombo Show and House of Strombo.
A portrait that you’ve taken of someone this year, along with what that person means to you?
My friend SHAD is one of the warmest souls who truly has the worlds greatest smile that permeates all. I feel like if you know him and see this photo you can actually hear his incredible laugh. I feel like if you don’t know him and see this photo, you instantly want to be his friend (and trust me, you do!)
Zack Zhang - China
Born and raised in Beijing, Zack Zhang graduated with honours from London College of Communication in 2005. After gaining various working experience across Europe, Zack came back home and soon got assignments with many illustrious publications. For his elegant and advanced style, he garnered an international reputation and has photographed many well-known personalities.
Shooting animals in Portrait mode is a whole new experience. The details and texture of the animal skin can be clearly seen, and the bokeh effect really makes the animal stands out. “
What are some of your favourite iPhone photography gear and apps you can’t live without, and why?
“ I like to take photos directly from my iPhone when I’m just strolling on the road so I rarely use the external equipment. Apps I use include VSCO, NOMO, Onetake and Enlight.”
Kael Rebick - Canada
Kael is a popular photographer on Instagram based in Toronto. She has spent years capturing the beauty of her city as a hobby and passion. Her work now takes her to spectacular destinations around the globe.
A portrait that you’ve taken of someone this year, along with what that person means to you?
“This is my niece, Rosie. I love this portrait so much because of the sheer delight in her face. It really shows her inner light and beauty.”
What are some of your favourite places to shoot around the world and why?
“I travel and take pictures most of the year. I typically don’t visit tropical destinations but St Vincent and the Grenadines was such a special place. It was my favourite sunrise of the year. The iPhone captures the hazy magic.” (Photo file: Kael Rebick - St Vincent and the Grenadines.jpg)
What are some of your favourite iPhone photography gear and apps you can’t live without, and why?
"I do all my editing on my phone. I find most photos need minimal editing but I can’t live without the Snapseed app.”
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