This week we return with another fantastic interview from American iPhoneographer Harry Sandler. A photographer and iPhoneographer, Harry teaches 2-day workshops on using your iPhone as a camera. Harry will also make a guest appearance giving an artist talk to coincide with a show of his work at the Renaissance Gallery in Carmel, Indiana, USA on the 2nd of September 2011...be sure to check it out if you can! For now, here's Harry's take on iPhoneography!   

[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="600" height="264"  alt="iPhoneography with Harry Sandler" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/harry1.jpg"  ]<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into iPhoneography</h4>

I first started with Phoneography approximately May 2008. I retired and immediately dumped my blackberry for the iPhone - it was after that I discovered image making with the iPhone. Eerily it reminded me of a Polaroid camera my father gave me when I was 8 years old, where I could now get instant images but with the added ability of processing and managing the image!

<h4>What does iPhoneography mean to you? How is it different from regular photography?</h4>

For one, and this will seem repetitive, it is always with me. With immediate access to different camera applications it gives me so many choices to capture an image. 

Additionally, I use the iPhone as a ground glass for my high resolution technical camera. It keeps me from having to remove the digital back and put on a ground glass for composition. What that means is, I use my iPhone to see what the camera is seeing, so it basically becomes my composing screen or viewfinder. Take a look at the image below to get a better idea of how I use my iPhone with my camera. And of course, as a bonus my iPhone has become a visual diary. 

[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="300" height="300"  alt="iPhoneography with Harry Sandler - iPhone with ALPA camera" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Alpa.jpeg"  ]<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h4>How would you describe your iPhoneography style?</h4>

Fairly straight ahead...with a few twists and turns. I am a firm believer in not using applications for the sake of applications. Don't get me wrong, I've tried almost every application that is out there to see what it might have to offer, and I do occasionally trip on to something that works for me, in which case I will immediately add it into my workflow.

<h4>Do you think it is important to have an iPhoneography style?</h4>

Not really - but it is important to try and find your own authenticity and to use all the tools in your repertoire to create your own image types. When I teach I stress knowing where the medium came from, and paying homage to those who came before. I believe this is important wherever your creativity lies.

[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="600" height="357"  alt="iPhoneography with Harry Sandler" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/harry4.jpg"  ]<p>&nbsp;</p>


<h4>What tips could you share with budding iPhoneographers?</h4>
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<ul>
<li>Shoot shoot shoot, play play play! To quote Malcolm Gladwell, get in your 10,000 hours learning your craft. Also make use of Facebook and other social media to study the work of others.</li>
<li>Keep making images and learning! Get involved with other iPhoneographers, and learn from each other. </li>
<li>It's also very important to learn how to manage your resolution, as it is often overlooked with iPhoneographers. If you are going to print your work this becomes very important, and keeping the resolution up is not that intuitive in some apps...they put the dialog in the strangest places!</li>
</ul>
[/list]

[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="450" height="416"  alt="iPhoneography with Harry Sandler" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/harry2.jpg"  ]

<h4>Tell us a little bit more about your iPhoneography workshops...</h4>

I hold 2-day workshops in the town of Carmel, Indiana. You can read more about them <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=238585306172778 " title="Harry Sandler iPhoneography Workshops">here</a>. I teach beginners and up but must stress that I teach photography using the iPhone not just iPhoneography. There is a difference in my mind. I see the iPhone as a powerful and creative tool but it is just that - a tool like any other camera. My workshops cover set-up, image making, resolution, applications, folder structure, transfer of images, and we end the class with how to export and print the images.

You can check out more of Harry's work at the following: 
<a href="http://harrysandler.com" title="Harry Sandler iPhoneographer Website">www.harrysandler.com</a>
<a href="http://HSandler.blogspot.com" title="Harry Sandler iPhoneographer Blog">Harry Sandler's Blog</a>
<a href="http://iphone-antics.blogspot.com" title="Harry Sandler iPhone Antics">Harry Sandler iPhone Antics Blog</a>
<a href="http://www.renaissancefineartandesign.com" title="Harry Sandler appearing at Renaissance Fine Arts and Design">Harry Sandler Artist Talk & Preview, Renaissance Fine Arts & D</a>