The iPhoneography interview: Robson Santos, AKA iPhoneography London
Monday, July 26, 2010 at 11:30AM | Glyn Evans It's been awhile, but the iPhoneography interview series is back, and to kick this new series off I'd like to introduce you to Robson Santos, AKA iPhoneography London.
Q. Who are you, and where do you come from?
A. My name is Robson Santos, AKA iPhoneography London. I'm originally from Minas Gerais, in the South-East of Brazil. I arrived in London 7 years ago, initially intending to stay for 1 year to study, but I fell in love with this place and then I met my partner so now I just go home for holidays and to visit my family.
Q. Is photography a hobby, or does it form part of your day job?
A. Its not part of my day job at all, but it is certainly more than just a hobby. I never had any formal training and am a purely self taught. Photography has been a main interest of mine for so much of my life, and one of my earliest memories is of playing around with my uncle’s Polaroid. iPhoneography has led to it becoming an over riding passion. I work for a very busy and vibrant on-line company based in Camden and taking pics is something I always manage to incorporate into my schedule, however manic we are. I believe the most important thing is to be passionate and involved in what you do, which may sound like a cliché, but if you are doing something you enjoy you will usually achieve the best results and so you enjoy it all the more.
Q. What type of photos do you take, and how would you describe your iPhoneography?
A. Well, the majority of my shots are people on the streets, I love capturing real life and that’s how I started the iPhoneography London project. It is my intention to not be labeled, I really like the freedom to shoot anything that catches my eye and I love playing with and enhancing colours, and manipulating images. I have developed something of a fetish for using selective colours. I try not to over app my pics, however sometimes it’s too tempting and I can’t resist. I do respect the basics of photography such as lighting, composition and subject. I know that no app will save a bad photo, but the post production allows me to take my images in any direction and I enjoy the opportunity to put my own spin on things.
Q. How long have you been taking photos with your iPhone?
A. I got my iPhone 3G for my birthday in Jan 2009 and the rather basic low-res camera did little to grab my attention. However my creative side got the better of me and I started fooling around taking shots, and exploring the apps and experimenting with image. In Oct 2009 through an article in the Metro a daily London newspaper, I found the iPhoneography community which I am really happy to have joined and become a part of. It pushes me to create the best results and since then I just haven’t stopped.
Q. How many photo's do you think you have taken to-date with your iPhone?
A. Thousands literally.
Q. Why did you choose the iPhone for capturing the things you see around you?
A. I think it’s because of the versatility, the convenience of being able to shoot, edit and share, all while being on the move. It’s light and compact and so discreet. 99.9% of people have no idea they are modeling for you! I think that is the key for a lot of us.
Q. What photo apps do you have on your iPhone, and which apps do you use on a daily/weekly basis?
A. At the moment there are about 60 apps, and out of those I use Photo fx, TiltShift, PhotoStudio, ColorSplash, PictureShow, Photogene, PhotoForge, CameraBag, Perfectly Clear, Lo-Mob and Spica on a daily basis.
Q. Where do you currently show off your iPhoneography?
A. Flickr and Facebook.
Q. What iPhoneographers inspire you, if any?
A. There are lots; the iPhoneography community is creating a very solid bank of amazing talents who are truly embracing the movement. It is a very creative and supportive community. If I really had to name a few that have wowed me with their iPhoneography I guess I would have to mention: Mauro Ballabeni, Sascha2010, James Ferreyros (jaimeography), Jordi V. Pou (kokovoko), Dave Weekes (daveweekes68), SteveJohn (FromMyStudio), Dominique Jost and Gusbano. I love to see the works of others, and share and make comments, but I believe you don’t have to try to be someone else, be yourself and make your own mark in your shots.
Q. If you had to exhibit just one photo that you have taken with your iPhone, what would it be and why?
A. London Calling (the above photo); I was very pleased with the shot anyway and then it was picked by Sion Fullana for his iPhoneographers Superstars Gallery (They have an iPhone... and they sure know how to use it!!!!). It was a real honor to be included amongst so many talented iPhoneographers and for my work to be acknowledged by someone I truly admire.
Reader Comments (24)
Very interesting interview, and gorgeous photos. I especially love the one of the carnival mask, but since I grew up in Louisiana where Mardi Gras is a huge deal I may be a bit biased. :D
A great interview with splendid photography to accompany it!
Very cool. I really Like the B&W of the buildings and the gull! Perfection!
Robson's work is amazing and eye catching. For Rob to mention to even mention my work, is truely and honor. Keep up the good work iphonography London!
Simplesmente fantastic!!! Adorei tudo, desde as imagens até a entrevista que foi clara, direta e concisa. Particularmente sou suspeito a falar de imagens, pois, tremimei minha pós e tô meio assim né...no entanto fiquei feliz com a sua angulação, os formatos, cores entrelaçadas numa nuance que mistura Matisse e Sebastião Salgado, show, show, show...parabéns meu querido e continue assim, te vejo pelo mundo...
Congratulations Robson! Great interview and of course, great photos. Thank-you so much for mentioning me, I'm honored and surprised. Keep up the great iphoneography!!!
Rob, I really love your work. You have a great eye for capturing the London city life - the ordinary and the unusual, the normal and the weird. And your post processing is fabulous.
Thank you very much for mentioning me in this great interview, I feel really honored.
Glyn, thank you very much for this opportunity to get my work out there. I am very pleased and honored.
Tania, Maxsiphotos, Miki thank you very much for the kind words.
Milton Boechat obrigado meu amigo pelos comentarios e espero em breve te ver pelo mundo, quando e mesmo que vc vem aqui em Londres? Abracos
Dave Weekes and Jaime Ferreyros thank you guys, You are truly an inspiration!
Awesome photos. I particularly love "London Calling." I shot a pic in Amsterdam a few years ago that I always display upside down too.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3375252019_ee6c4bd7eb_o.jpg
I've only had my iPhone a couple weeks now but I'm really having fun with it.
Very well deserved! Congratulations!
Well, you know it. Well deserved, and BIG Thanks. Congratulations.
congrats on the interview Rob!! thank you for the mention and keep the shots coming :)
Congrats my friend. Very well deserved!
Thank you so much for mentioning me ^_^
Belo trabalho Robson. Por favor continue a encher nossos olhos com imagens assim.
Voce pretende disponibilizar sua imagens (pago ou gratuitamente) como papel de parede para celular?
Estamos torcendo por voce.
Abraços
Thank your very much to have made us dicover Robson's iphonographies.
Great interview!
Really enjoyed your interview Robson but it was your Photos that kept drawing me in~ They are real quality and it was a genuine pleasure to see some of your best work here together.
CONGRATS Robson!
Great interview...and a Big THANK YOU ! for the mention in the article.
Fala meu irmão, meus parabens seu trabalho esta incrivel.
que massa robinho ! fiquei muito orgulhoso de vcs. entrevista otimo e suas fotos sao maravilhosas.
parabens !
Hey Robson! very cool!Congratulations!
Meral