Keyhole by Adrian Graham on EYE’EM
HI ADRIAN, WHO ARE YOU? AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I used to be a professional photographer many years ago. These days I do much of my photography while commuting to and from my job in Central London, where I work in communications.
man sleeping on the tube by Adrian Graham on EYE’EM
WHY HAVE YOU STOPPED BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER AND HOW DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR PASSION AGAIN?
Oh, many reasons. I suppose it lost its magic for me over time. It was weird coming back to it. Sharing your work on the web is so easy. An effect that might have taken days in the darkroom can be done on an app at the touch of a button … Everything has changed. I got back into photography through my iPhone. I was bored playing iPhone games on the train and I thought: What else can this thing do? Initially it was the buzz of seeing instant processing results using apps like ToyCamera that excited me.
Underground feet by Adrian Graham on EYE’EM
WHAT FASCINATES YOU ABOUT MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY?
To a lesser extent now it‘s the instant processing with apps. For me it‘s more about being able to take photographs anywhere I go – without having to take a camera. It‘s not just the convenience – phone cameras are wonderfully non-threatening and unobtrusive.
Father and child by Adrian Graham on EYE’EM
HOW DO YOU WORK? TELL US STH ABOUT YOUR LATEST PROJECTS!
I don‘t really have a standard technique. I think the creative act means you‘re always learning new things. I take a lot of shots just walking about. Sometimes I use NinjaCam to photograph people on trains (to stop people behind me spotting what I‘m up to). Also, wearing headphones makes people think you‘re only listening to music. A reliable trick I‘ve used at the processing stage is to desaturate the image, increase the contrast and sharpen it (to simulate analog film grain), and then put it through CrossProcess.
I have a few project ideas I‘m working on. The trick is to develop a personal look and a theme which can be repackaged.
YOU‘RE A MULTIFACETED PHOTOGRAPHER. WHAT‘S YOUR FAVORITE PHOTO SUJET?
Each subject has it‘s own appeal. People photography is the greatest buzz, landscapes are the most relaxing to photograph.
IN YOUR VIEW, WHAT‘S YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL PHOTO? WHAT‘S THE STORY BEHIND?
I‘m attracted to moody images with poetic resonance. My most meaningful images are the ones I‘ve made something special out of anything. The image of Battersea Power station is a good example because it was snapped through a train window while it was moving.
Battersea Power Station, taken through train windo by Adrian Graham on EYE’EM
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS? WHERE IS THE MEDIUM GOING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS?
I hope and believe that Mobile Photography will get a wider following, as opposed to groups of fans dedicated to specific phone brands. Also, that people open up to the option of editing on any device or desktops. I believe that limiting people to a specific device or only using apps is unhealthy for long term creativity.
FINALLY, FOR THE FUTURE YOU‘RE DREAMING OF …
Part of the adventure is not knowing where the journey takes you. That is what makes it interesting!
mr h by Adrian Graham on EYE’EM
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