In the first of what I hope will be a series of interviews/questions & answers with current leading iPhoneographers, I am pleased to bring you my first interview with Greg Schmigel of "just what i see" fame, the person who I consider to be the original iPhoneographer, and who inspired this blog, showing just what really can be achieved with the iPhone camera, proving that no matter how good or bad a camera is, it is the person behind the camera that makes the picture.

As with other interviews Greg has given, I've decided to interspersed a selection of Greg's photos with his answers.

Q - So Greg where in the world are you based?
A - Currently, I live in Arnold, Maryland which is just north of Annapolis ... and just south of Baltimore. I grew up in the Washington, DC Metro area in a town called Hyattsville.

Q - When and why did you create the "just what i see" website?
A - I launched www.justwhatisee.com about 2 years ago. Originally it started out as a general photoblog Web site, but for more than the past year, it has become 100% iPhone photography. My current site is actually version 2 of Just What I See. I have begun to focus primarily on people on my Web site. The original version had a little bit of everything, and it had gotten a bit cluttered.
Q - Is photography a hobby, or does it form part of your day job?
A - I like to think of photography as therapy more than a hobby. I find peace when I am out walking a city street, shooting what I see. I work as an Online Marketing Coordinator for national nonprofit organizations during the day. And no...I haven't quit my day job yet.
Q - Why did you chose to use the iPhone as your main photo taking tool?
A - After I purchased my iPhone, I was immediately drawn to the camera application. I was impressed by how well the camera could actually perform. I didn't actually intend to let my 'real' cameras collect dust, it just kind of happened that way. Anyone looking to by a 40D rig?
Q - How would you describe your style of photography?
A - Well, my favorite 'genre' of photography is black and white street photography. I don't like to call myself a street photographer, as I don't think I am there yet. But if I had to choose a 'style', I guess I would lump my style into the street photography group. I love to shoot real people, doing real things.
Q - Who if anyone inspires your photography?
A - Everyone's photography inspires me. Whether its a famous street photographer, one of my fellow shooters, a tourist or even the kid down the street with his new shiny digital point-and-shoot camera. I see photography as an art form from which inspiration can be gained on all levels.
Q - How many photo's do you think you have taken to-date with your iPhone?
A - Just a minute...let me check my iPhoto. 4,236 and counting (as of 12/30/08).
Q - What is your most favourite photo or photo's?
A - If you're referring to photos from other people? One of my all time favorite photographs is a shot by Diane Arbus called "Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park" ... there's something about that photograph that gets me. But to be honest, the list goes on and on. If you're referring to my own photos...well, I don't think I have a favorite. I'm still working on creating it.
Q - What iPhoneography apps do you use on your iPhone if any?
A - The only iPhone camera app I have, and seldom use is CameraBag. I downloaded it to check out the Lomo and Holga-like features. They're pretty cool. Check it out if your into that type of photography. I tend to avoid special apps for the iPhone camera because they drain the battery faster than just shooting with the native camera app. And all of us who shoot with an iPhone know that battery life is hard to come by. (Pick up a Mophie Juice Pack...you'll be very pleased with it.)
Q - Do you post process any of your photos on your iPhone, and if so what apps do you use?
A - I do not edit my photos in the iPhone itself. If I process an iPhone photo, I do it in Apple's iPhoto. Most of the time, I simply convert my shots to black and white and post them to my Web site.
Q - Do you upload images to your website directly from your iPhone? if so with what app? or do you ftp them?
A - In the early days of Just What I See, I would upload directly from the street to my Flickr account. But I learned quickly that uploading and even viewing my photos for that matter should wait till the end of the day...for battery sake, that is. But now, to the thanks of places like Starbucks...refueling the iPhone has never been easier. Just remember to bring your wall cable and plug with you. They're too busy making "low-fat triple-shot caramel macchiatos" to notice anyhow.
Q - What improvements would you like to see Apple making to the camera features of the iPhone?
A - There are three areas where I think Apple could improve the camera:

1. More megapixels...at least jump up to 5, that's a given.
2. Add a simply flash to the camera. Most other, more primative camera phones have a flash...come on Apple...time to 'see the light'. And lastly, 
3. Battery...need I say more?

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Greg for his time with this interview, and if there are any questions I've missed, or you have anything you would like to ask Greg, then please post in the comments section below, and I am sure Greg will only to happy to answer them.