inoneeye

Good point, on point. It was through my browsing of books, collections and editing my own work recently that I saw the importance I placed on gesture and emotion. Curating put me in a different mindset than shooting.. Usually when shooting I am at best in the moment letting my gut take over. As editor-curator I think about connections, notes, rhythms, movement …. thank you Sam! A question that always has me dumbfounded and mumbling is “what do you photograph, what style?”

The fotofora site is friendly, enthusiastic and positive. Thanks PT.

No doubt IF technical quality is your goal then a mobile camera is not the best first choice. The small sensor and lenses have limits. Obvious pixels, haloing contrast, poor gradations…. And digital zooming is often ugly. The expansion depth of field on a mobile phone is a ‘bokeh’ lovers obstacle. The compact sensor is often dreaded most when enlarged. All very solid reasons to not appreciate a phone for making photos. 😘 but. aside from the obvious benefits many claim for having a camera on your phone I find the limitations I listed inspiring for me to shoot in new ways. I have loved shooting Polaroids, plastic cameras, pinhole, large format, intstamatic, expired film, etc. ALL have limitations and all have taught me new ways to see and put to use these limitations. 👁️

".I feel old, like the time I was at the burger stand and the cashier called "number 8 6 7" and a I yelled "5 3 2 9" you should've tried yelling 5 3 0 9! 😊 the memory is the first to go...

Regarding the journey… the mobile phone has taken me to new places offering new ways of seeing, interacting and expressing myself. I have been able to expand my photographic vocabulary and that is rewarding. As a tool the iPhone is unique. I am sure most photographers have A favorite and a least preferable camera to look at and handle, (besides the one we have with us). I have several favorites- but for a long time now I prefer the ‘one’ that best expresses what I am seeing, want to see in the moment.

👍. Non-human gestures can also portray an emotion or communicate an idea. Lighting, framing… subject placement, textures, mood, contrast, capturing or imbuing agression/sense of calm, etc are all non verbal gestures and often expressions of emotion. Some captured in front of the lens and sometimes enhanced or created by the photographers voice. For myself this is key to the magic and the essence of what makes a photograph memorable.

Halloween Sunrise

👍 . Ian sucks you in with eye contact and light.ed skin... John's eye gaze and shadowed lighting take me beyond the frame. A very physical image in subject, content and also by using me the viewer. . I feel the presence of the camera and myself. "I see myself in this one." i also sense you in this photo Sam... maybe even more about you than Ian &or John, both doing a great modelling here. For me, you and your voice are present in the disciplined formality and structure of the image - often found in your photos. I have had minimal success in posing people but you are able to use poses and collaborations to incorporate your voice and make it yours through subtle and obvious gestures on both sides of the lens.

Gesture and Emotion are important in photography. I have spent the last many months selecting, processing, printing and editing nearly 50 years of my photo work. As I am nearing the end of the 11 folios that emerged I have been reflecting on why I have chosen the photos that remain. Often… it is gesture and emotion. With portraits and street work the people I shoot, body language and the way they express their mood speak to me. And even with no people in the image I am most satisfied with expressing my emotions. Photography offers many tools and opportunities, gestures to achieve this…. the editing of these folios got easier and more interesting / rewarding when I realized that for me gesture and emotion are a good way to express myself.

at the dark end of the street

In my work there are times that the camera choice is to support my intent… other times the camera I have with me is the 1st consideration of what I will shoot. My vision will often form outward from the camera, format and film stock I am using. This includes iPhone for me.

in 2dimensions

As usual like your attitude Tom👍

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