print me

I think all of us, in some form or fashion, grew up with the instant gratification of photography. Sometimes it was the polaroid that jumped out of the sx-70 to be developed. Most of the time, it was waiting a few days to save up babysitting money in order to pick up prints at the drugstore. And often, it was life revealing itself in the slow motion stir that came from behind the closed door of the darkroom.

I know I've said it before. But I'll say it again: photography is meant to be held.

In this day of instant everything I find myself taking even more photos while I'm on the go. This means my iphone has become a great resource for documenting my everyday ordinary magical moments. The same day I took this photo with my Nikon, I also played with my iphone a bit and came up with a different perspective on the same thrifted hat. I am still loyal to my Nikon, but most days I swing towards the lightheartedness and ease of the iphone.

So, how easy is it to get your mobile images off your phones and into print? For those of you shooting with an iphone, I've recently discovered a great app that gets your prints in hand! Postal Pix is my new go-to instant gratification for all things iphotography related. No, they're not paying me to say that, I simply love the fast and convenient service they provide and the quality of their prints is great too. I've placed quite a few orders and I'm turning on all my iphone friends to their services! If you're on an iphone and you love prints in hand, you gotta check them out.

Today, share with us your everyday ordinary magical moments taken with a phone camera. 

smiling at strangers

I don't think people smile enough anymore, myself included.  In New York City, most people are too caught up in the hustle bustle of every day. We move through life without looking up, often not connecting with any of the other 8 million people who live here. Believe it or not, sometimes it can be a lonely place.

 This is especially true underground on the subway where everyone has their own little routines and distractions--reading the newspaper, listening to music, swiping away on smart phones, kindles and iPads, or even sleeping. We have our commutes down to a science.  We know exactly where to stand on the platform to be in the perfect spot when the doors slide open at our destination so as to not waste a single moment.  And although we sit, stand and hover a mere inches from each other every day there is rarely any eye contact, and definitely not enough smiles.

So I decided to play my small part in trying to do something about it. I recently started leaving notes on the subway that simply say "smile at a stranger today."  I've typed them, handwritten them and even had some little cards made. I've taped them to walls in subway stations and train cars and I often leave them on the seats where they will catch the most attention.  Yesterday, a woman picked up one of the notes I left as she sat down across from me.  She read it, looked up, and smiled.  And today, these two people struck up a conversation after I left my notes on the seat next to them.  I don't expect to change the world but I'll take what I can get, one smile at a time.

How about you?  Have you sent any messages to the universe lately? Whether it's literally with notes or words, or creatively through your photographs, share with us today what you are saying to the world around you.

Images and words courtesy of iphoneographer Christy of Urban Muser. You can also find her at Mortal Muses every nine days or so. 

A Little Bit Awkward and Anxious

I love moments like this... a little bit awkward and anxious. Sometimes I can feel them coming. I get this tingling sensation of anticipation that drives me to reach for my iPhone. And then I wait. It's like following the lift and fleeting magic of a bubble... waiting for it to pop. An odd split-second of time when objects align and there's enough weirdness in the air to qualify as a moment meant to be preserved. I typically don't center objects in my compositions, but this image wouldn't have worked any other way.

Show us something a little bit awkward and anxious. Make us tilt our heads and say, "huh."

I shot this image with my iPhone 4 using the Hipstamatic app (Blanko film and John S lens) and processed it in black and white using the Photo fx app. Learn more about The Art of iPhoneography: A Guide to Mobile Creativity.

reoccurring themes

Sometimes we don't really notice patterns when we're too close them. Day in and day out we carry on with our routines and rhythms, repeating actions, activities, habits and rituals. We wake and walk and work. We lift our forks to eat, our pens to write, children to love, our cameras to click. Every day with little fanfare.

I've recognized my love affair with coffee mugs for years. The shape, the feel, the message, the color, the rim, the handle. I notice and take note of all of these things each time I lift my mug to sip. And yet, it wasn't until I began to use my iphone (and instagram) that I really noticed how much I really observe the beauty, simplicity, and poetic and hopeful aesthetics of this simple everyday object and how this one seeminly mundane item takes center stage in so many of my photographs.

Is there something you have found that often takes the center of your attention? The subject matter of your images that occurs again and again in ways that might even surprise you?

Take a good look at what it is that captures your eye and your lens and share with us the reoccurring themes of your daily work.

riding the wave

 

If you can believe it, I'm still thinking about yesterday's post. I feel like I'm not quite done with that thought. Maybe it's that I can't believe how taken I am with my iphone. If I were looking for the most simple answer, I would say yes, that must be what it is. But, I can't help but thing there is something really revolutionary about the way we are now communicating; Less words (hello twitter) and more images (a la instragram).

Is it that we are all so busy we can't find the time to sit down and write? I can vouch only for myself when I say, yes, that is the case sometimes. But I have my suspicions that we are finding ourselves getting better and better and using images to express ourselves.

The more we shoot with our photo tool of choice, the better we get at creating the images that we are excited about. The more excited we are means we are more confident about our images, and the more eager we are to share them. It's the ripple effect of camera ease and accessibility. Combine that with equally easy methods of sharing and Viola! You couldn't stop that wave of creativity and sharing if you tried! And who wants to?

As we continue to stay connected through these quick and creative exchanges of "instant imaging" please continue to use our secret sister code (#ssconnect) so we can readily find each other out there in the pool of inspiration. It's much more fun swimming with friends!

Share a a splashy shot today (something you captured with your camera of choice) as we wade together in the deep blue sea of photography.