Featured iPhoneographer: Wilder Biral

Above: Surprise Girl with Boyfriend © Wilder Biral

Wilder Biral says he would like to understand photography as an invention, references the contributions of Walter Benjamin to the subject in “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” and concludes: “(It’s a) great mystery.” Like other photographers, Biral is compelled by this device to stop moments, stop people, and describe the points of view of photographer and subject.

Tell us about yourself, Wilder:
My name is Wilder Biral, and I live in Valdagno, Italy, located in the northeast, not far from Venice. I am between high mountain and sea. I have a degree in mechanics, which I earned in Italy. I had studied English in London at the Francis King School.  Currently, I am a shop assistant in a bricolage store. Inside, I have the feelings of a photographer and an iPhoneographer, too.  In my spare spare time, I take photographs with my iPhone 4 around my town or during a vacation in the capital or near the sea. I enjoy walking on the street, listening music and making interesting, quality photographs.

Above: Old Black Tunnel in Valdagn © Wilder Biral

My passion for photography was born about four years ago when I bought my first iPhone. Day by day, it became my best friend for photography. Initially, I thought it was difficult and strange to take photographs with the iPhone, because it has been my habit  to use my reflex camera.  However, after a few weeks my knowledge and practice with the iPhone grew very quickly. I started to have better and important images with the iPhone, taking photographs along the London street. I discovered a number of dedicated applications and, most importantly, I   discovered the work of talented iPhoneographers on the web. As a whole, together, this and music give me the inspiration and desire to continue.

Above: Red Letter Box © Wilder Biral

What are your favorite subjects, Wilder?
I like to take photographs everyday, capturing the life I see around me. I especially enjoy  candidly photographing people on the street, capturing in parts their expressions and portraits.  When i use the iPhone, I have a big advantage over the classic camera, because the iPhone is more discrete. No one can tell exactly what I may be doing.  It is also a camera that I have in my hands at every moment.  I am capturing people’s movements or gestures, small moments, light and facial expressions in black and white or powerful colors, which I seem to be drawn to. I like observing how people move along the street, in everyday situations. I want to convey these motions and their related emotions through my photos.

Above: Between the Light and Shadow © Wilder Biral

I took "Between Light and Shadow" earlier this year. I was walking in my city square.  There has just been a big storm. Afterward, the sun shimmered over me. One man walked to me, and when he has between light and shadow, I photographed him. Immediately, I realized that it was a fantastic pic.  The right moment.

Wilder, what is iPhoneography to you?
Well, iPhoneography is all for me. I consider each of my photos a memory captured for the future, a part of my life to tell at my friends or maybe . . . sons. Since becoming an iPhoneographer, I can sit in a chair, make a shopping, and think about my next photo.  I can observe the life in front of me and feel free to take a photographs because is very easy with iPhone; it is always with me.

Above: St. Paul’s Cathedral © Wilder Biral

With the new generation smartphones, particularly the iPhone 4, I have observed a spontaneity in the act of photographing. Regarding the iPhone, applications dedicated to editing are numerous. If I dare to compare creating with the iPhone to something, it would be comparable to a painting. I will say, with my iPhone, I capture everyday the life around me, and then using applications, I reinterpret the image with black and white and heavy contrasts to give more force as a scene. The choices I make depend upon my mood. For me it is very important to be able to share my photos with others in the world via social networks, such as Facebook, tumblr, Instagram, Panoramio, Flickr, and via my own website.

Above: He Looks at Me © Wilder Biral

What or who influences you, Wilder?
I have been influenced by the life that surrounds me, the people walking and classic photographs taken by very important artist. I think the best ever photographer of this type is Henri Cartier Bresson. His real life reportage is very influential to me, the black and white pics inspire my iPhoneography work. I also like the black and white photographs of urban landscapes, of important cities, their architecture and man-made engineering, such as bridges. I am inspired by Christopher Thomas. His photographs of New York City are stunning. I imagine myself waling around London taking similar photographs.

Above: Tiny Dancer in Thames Pier © Wilder Biral

The only thing I am sure of is  that I am addicted to street photography; I love it! I also spend a lot of time studying the work of other iphoneographers'. I am inspired by Sion Fullana who has become one of my favorite artists. I like his photographs because he knows how to capture all kinds of expression by people. I could name many other inspiring iphoneographers, such as Star Rush, Greg Schmigel, Dominique Jost, Jaime, Coline Vincent, Valerie Ardini, Iphoneography London, Carlein Van der Beek, Laura Peischl and Balzs Gardi.  I wish I could mention everyone. There are so many who are incredibly talented!  Overall, I am influenced by  music, books, landscape, walking through my town and many other things.

Above: Diver © Wilder Biral

What are your favorite  or most used apps?
My favorite apps are: Vintage B&W, Camera+, Hipstamatic, Swankolab, Noir, and of course, Instagram.  I use Hipstamatic and Camera+ the most.  Vin B&W takes very nice BW photos that are always fantastic, with a bit of nostalgia, very much like a classic black and white photo of the past. With Camera+, I can add a new effect, contrast, blur, brightness, and so forth. I think Hipstamatic is one of most often used iPhone apps in general.  With Hipstamatic, I have a more unusual image with the  faux film or lens. Swankolab is very fun because I make the formulas for developing; it is a bit of creativity.  I like the contrast and light I can get with Noir. Instagram is my favorite social network for sharing photographs.

Above: Graffiti Corridor © Wilder BiralAbove: Woman at the Sea © Wilder Biral

You can see Wilder’s photos here on his website, or at

• Tumblr
• Flickr
• Google+

Comments

[Ridwan]

Awesome photographs. Too bad he's not on Twitter.

[Sandra]

I really like his photographs... and that means something, considering I usually do not like vignetted pictures :)

[wilder biral]

I m on twitter, check out my web site.
Bye

[MT]

what app was used in the 1st photo " Surprise Girl with Boyfriend © Wilder Biral" ??? i see this border used quite often and have had no luck ID'ing it in the app store and have even downloaded 10 apps trying to find it. please advise! thank you.