Featured iPhoneographer: ZeHak
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 10:52PM | Star Rush 
ZeHak, please tell us about yourself.
My name is ZeHaK, of course it is a nickname. I am a 32 year-old French man living in Bordeaux, in the South West of France. I have worked for 10 years as ground staff for the major French Airline (AF).
I have been taking photos with iPhones for a couple of years, more precisely since the second generation of the device, the 3G. I have been unable to put it away ever since. For me, it all started with a self-portrait made by Fiona Conrad that I saw by chance on a website; I remember thinking "Really, with an iPhone? I want do that, too"! Then I learned how to use my phone as a camera, tried a lot of apps until I found the result I was looking for. Today I never go anywhere without the iphone; it is always ready to shoot.
One of my favorite photographs right now is one I took last year, on a sunny Sunday morning, in Le Cap-ferret, which is about 45 minutes from Bordeaux. It is a photo taken on the beach, of the sea, sand, clouds, pillars and shadow play. I normally prefer beach landscapes in color. On this day, though, the choice of a black and white (BlacKeys in Hipstamatic) gives a wonderful result. I love this photograph. It is one of my favorites and a favorite of people visiting me on Flickr, too.
It's hard to imagine the future, but it's easy to realize how fast the iphoneography or mobile photography community is growing everyday: exhibitions have been organized all over the planet, photographers have been asked for interviews on television, newspaper, even by photography magazines. Flickr stats recently revealed the iPhone 4 is the most used device by its millions of members. Facebook is full of groups and pages related to iPhoneography, and iphoneographers have their own websites. No need to argue more about the movement! Nobody could have ever expected such a success, neither Apple itself. I wish the community could become more popular in France.
For those new to iphoneography, I think it is important to not limit yourself to one type of photography, try as many apps as you can since you find the ones you prefer, look at the work of other photographers, don't be ashamed or scared if you are photography in the streets (pretend you're texting while shooting someone you don't know), practice a lot and HAVE FUN!
What influences you?
I'm lucky to live in a beautiful country. Inspiration comes from everywhere: beaches, mountains, city life. They are all within easy reach. It is very hard to define my style. In fact, I do not really want to. I don't want to limit myself to a certain type of photography. I can capture a beach landscape as well as a portrait or a scene of life in the streets of Bordeaux in a single day.
The only thing I am sure of is my addiction to square format; I love it! I also spend a lot of time observing other iphoneographers' work. I recently discovered Annie Mallégol (Sistereden2 on Flickr) who has become one of my favorite artists. I could name many other inspiring iphoneographers such as Sion Fullana, MissPixels, Star Rush, Glyn Evans, Dominique Jost, Jaime Ferreyros, Matt Burrows, Emily Rose, Valerie Ardini, Sivan Askayo, Iphoneography London, Carlein Van der Beek, Heidi Budchen and Odilia Liuzzi, among others. I wish I could mention everyone. They are so many who are incredibly talented!
ZeHak, what are your favorite or most used apps?
I have tried a lot of apps. My favorite of all is definitely Hipstamatic. Once you know how to use it,, which mean by using the right lens and film depending on colors and tones you're looking for, this app gives you the best! I almost never post-process my photos. However, when I really need to, I use Cameramatic (for its frames), PSExpress ( or rotate and cropping), PhotoForge2 (for exposure and levels), PictureShow, TiltShiftGen, ShakeItPhoto (for polaroids effects) and AutoStitch (for pano).
You can find more of ZeHak's photos here on Flickr or Posterous.
Reader Comments (15)
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/iphone3gs/4517357761/
Regards
Geoff
enjoying your work a lot!!
ps: Thanks for the mention ;)
@ AlGrega, Heather, Kristin, Brad, Carlein & Jaime: thank you so much for the kind comments ;)
@ Geoff : 1- Johns S Lens + Pistil Film // 4- John S Lens + Ina's 1969 Film.
@ Fiona, Annie & Terry : Merci beaucoup !!!!!
Could you post your favorite photo apps besides Hipstamatic?
Thx!!!
Keep on posting on Flickr and thanks for the Annie Mallégol hint!