A Day In The Life Of ...

A Day In The Life Of Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – An iPhone Photographer Awash With Talent

Welcome to our exciting new column on theappwhisperer.com, this section is entitled ‘A day in the life of …’ and we’ll be taking a look some hugely influential and interesting people in the mobile app world. Ones that we think you will love to learn more about.

This is our fourth installment to our new series, we previously published ‘A Day In The Life Of Ernesto Diaz’, if you missed that you can read it here and ‘A Day In The Life Of Veevs’, read here and ‘A Day In The Life Of Lene Basma, read here.

Kicking us off today is actress, Natali Prosvetova born and bred in Moscow, Russia. Last year Natali found herself at crossroads in her life and felt that all was beginning to crumble around her, she felt quite helpless. With each step and approach she took another door slammed in her face. She admits to making a lot of mistakes back then but felt quite helpless. Being creatively inclined Natali started shooting with her iPhone. She had to dig deep and discovered that her outlet was Phone photography and in particular her favorite app at the time, Hipstamatic. As she explored deeper into the vast world of iPhone photography apps her collection grew as did her fascination with her new interest and so began the healing process…

Natali has achieved success with her iPhone photography and has been published in the online Pixels: The Art of the iPhone gallery. Her works have also been exhibited at the Renaissance Fine Art & Design Gallery in Carmel, as well as Mobile Innovation Network Aotearoa (MINA) in New Zealand and also at the first WiAM exhibition in Naples. Natali also took part in the friendly collaboration of Global Street Photography by Street Expose FB.

Natali points iPhone photography as changing her life, for the better, she has been welcomed into the community and has met interesting and talented people from all around the world, above all it has increased her happiness and changed out outlook on life.

Her major life goal is to have her work exhibited in Moscow. Looking at the images that Natali has submitted to us, it looks like a very achievable one too. We have included exif data, in as much as the app or apps that were used to create the final image. As many of the images were cross processed we have listed the apps in the sequential order they were used in the editing process, we have also provided links for each app to the iTunes App Store, just incase you’re inspired enough to try them out for yourself.

Check out the full interview below…

(If you would like to be interviewed for our new ‘A day in the life of …’ section, just send us an email and we’ll get it set up).

First Things First…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘self-portrait’ (2011) – "One of my first self-portraits. Love it so much! perhaps even more than any other.." iPhone Camera, processed Camera+, FaceCam, PhotoWizard, lo-mob

 

JC – Let’s start at the beginning of the day, how does your day start?

NP – Usually I wake up early, despite the fact that I go to bed too late. I cannot sleep for too long a time! Though, it’s probably not too bad.  My day starts with a swim in the pool. This is my ‘me-time’, if I miss swimming for some reason, I know then that my day will go wrong. Swimming is like meditation for me. Just for that moment, my thoughts are free and my brain relaxes. 

After a swim I go back home and then my ordinary day probably looks much like anyone else’s, nothing particularly special, unless I am shooting (I mean, movie shooting as I am an actress).

Magic Hour…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Simple Pleasures’ (2011) – Friendship of the Peoples Fountain in the park of Soviet Economic Achievements, now called the All-Russian Exhibit Center, Moscow, Russia, The Statues represent the Republic of Soviet Union. Apps used – iPhone native camera, processed Camera+, Top Camera, PhotoWizard, PhotoStudio, lo-mob

 

JC – When is your favorite part of the day for taking photographs, do you hanker for the magic hour or shoot whenever the opportunity arises?

NP – Yeah, I do! Why not? You know, sometimes just morning light can give me special colors, glare and rays. 

New Apps…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘It’ just tears’ (2012) – self-portrait, iPhone native camera+macro OlloClip, processed ProHDR, Snapseed, PhotoWizard, Pixlromatic

 

JC – Do you like to download new iPhone photography apps regularly?

NP – Oh my….  It is a sore point =)))) do you want me to show you all the apps on my iPhone? 😉 It’ s terrible! This is a real addiction and all the App Store purchases impact my wallet.. You know, I’m curious and an insatiable artist, perhaps I am a perfectionist.

Ouch, just now I  received a message regarding the money I have spent with the Apple iTunes Store. But it gives me the opportunity keep abreast of all new products and expand my knowledge and skills (I console myself) 😉 

Photographer vs iPhone Photographer

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Leaving winter’ (2012) – ClassicPan cam, AutoPainter 1, and 2, Blender, PhotoCopier, Camera+

 

JC – How did the transition from traditional photographer to iPhone photographer develop? (pardon the pun).

NP – My experience was quite opposite. I have only started to shoot pictures with my iPhone quite recently. In February last year, or so.

One day my life began to crumble before my eyes and I could do nothing about it… I mean my work and personal life, and everything else. 
I was looking for different pathways, but all the doors were closing in front of me …
I made a lot of mistakes. I don’t paint pictures and I have never learned the fine arts, as a matter of fact, I have never learned the art of photography. So, from small time killing habit, iPhone photography became my addiction and in turn almost changed my life.

With images you can say so many things to different people in one language, which everyone can understand! Armed with my iPhone 4 and my first photography app. Hipstamatic, I began exploring photography. Later I discovered other apps and continue to be fascinated by my new hobby, developing my skills from just capturing images with my iPhone to moving into the art of iPhone photography. Recently, I took my first steps with a professional Canon camera and now run a personal street-fashion blog, where I share my passion with the world. 

Updates…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Flashback'(2011) iPhone 4 native Camera, Camera+, lo-mob, RetroGram, Pixlromatic

 

JC – How often do you update your existing apps?

NP – Every day! I must say at any time when I have the opportunity 😉

Location, Location, Location…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Don’t pray on me! Just love me..’ (2012) iPhone 4 native Camera (for first and second pics) – processed with Camera+, ProHDR, Blender, King Camera, Grunge

 

 

JC – Where’s your favorite place in the world for a shoot?

NP – The whole world!! There are no boring places and things. Do you remember when I said that I am curious? 😉  I have not traveled as much as I would like ….I’ll tell you a secret, I would like to become a citizen of the whole world! Any place on the planet would become my home (that’s my wish). 

Favorite Apps…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘By wolf trail’ (2012) – SlowShutterCam + long focal lens, Snapseed, PhotoWizard, SP PhotoTada, lo-mob

 

JC – What are your favorite, at the moment, iPhone photography apps?

NP – Where do I begin 😉 There are some essential applications, and there are some special apps – they can all be loved. Without looking at the iPhone desktop, without hesitation I’ll call these apps my current favorites: Camera+,  Classic Pan, Hipstamatic, ProCamera, SlowShutter, Juxtaposer, Blender, Snapseed, lo-mob, Decim8, Rays, ScratchCam, Vintage, BlurFX, photocopier …. I must to stop 😉

Sharing Images…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Retrospective’ (2012) – ClassicPan cam, Processed with Snapseed, PhotoCopier, Blender

 

JC – Where do you like to upload your photographs? Flickr, Instagram?

NP – Facebook, Instagram, IPA…Usually I share there one hundredth part of my all 😉 Also on my blog and I send some works to Pixels. I would like to have 48 hours in a day … although this would not be enough.

JC – Yes, we know how you feel Natali, let’s make it 72 hours in a day 😉

Frequency…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Choke’ (2012) – Slow Shutter cam, Snapseed, focalLab, Camera+

 

JC – Do you take photographs with your iPhone everyday?

NP – Definitely, no day without shooting!! I must say, of course, not every picture will be released, but each of them can become an essential part of the finished work. Let me explain: quite often I shoot something like walls or something else that are perhaps not so special. But later,they might be good as a texture, for example.

Favorite Subjects…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘One third or 33%’ (2012) – Several absolutely different images have been captured & processed at different times with different applications, one day, finally, they all were united in one piece. To remember all details and processes is so hard for me now 😉 From what I can see with my naked eye – Blender, Blender and 100 times Blender 😉 sure, Decim8, for sure Tiny Planets, Pixlromatic 😉

 

JC – What are your favorite subjects that you seek out?

NP – it depends on my mood.  Often it’s not so good, but I do not have a special "handwriting" like as  "VCard". I like to shoot everything, starting with myself (recently I shot myself very little. hmm … I should think about it) to everything inspiring I see around. I try to put meaning in almost every picture i shoot. Generally I have a scenario in my mind and try to recreate what i have imagined within the picture.

Top Tips For Mobile Photography…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘This cute tiny Moscow (2)’ (2012) – iPhone 4 camera+long focal lens, PhotoWizard, Pixlromatic, 3DPhoto, Snapseed, Blender, Vintage

 

JC – What are you top five tips for iPhone photography?

NP – Well, I would like to start with the fact that I would be happy if even one person read my tips and actually implemented what I have said. We all love to give some tips but we follow tips of others are so rarely….;)

Down with the rush! I want to quote my curator at Pixel, Knox Bronson: "Please slow down and really focus on one picture at a time. Take your time! We are not in a race."

As you might guess, he said that to me once, I must say though, that Knox was damn right! 😉 It was the first and the main thing!

Look for happiness in small things! I give you this tip as well as to remind it myself. 

Enjoy even the smallest success so much as if you have received an Oscar!  Even the smallest victory is still victory! I must say this one works wonders!  It helps you to understand that you do not stand at any one point!

Do not be afraid to be the eternal student! The true seeker always finds! There is no limit to perfection!

That’s all what I want say if I have to be short 😉

Editing…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Urban legends’ from series ‘The ghosts of Soviet Era’ (2012) – Slow Shutter cam, Camera+, Snapseed, PhotoWizard, Blender, ScratchCam

 

JC – Do you edit images on your iPhone or do you prefer to do that on a desktop/laptop?

NP – So far I only edit my works only on my iPhone, but a lot of the intermediate steps I check on my iMac (big screen). An iPad is at the top list my wish list.

Future of iPhone Photography

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Vibrations’ (2012) From what I can see with my naked eye: sure – Decim8, Collage Pro, Tiny Planets, Blender, for sure PixlromaticCamera+,

 

JC – Where do you see the future of iPhone photography?

NP – Alas, I am not a predictor… but I see iPhone photography as an independent form of art. This is my point for this subject. Unfortunately that’s all what I could say about this subject in English although it would be difficult for me even in my native language. Just trust me I will fight to the last to justify my point of view! I am not kidding as I do usually 😉

Videography…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘I live my life in circles…’ (2012) Oh my…;) – iPhone 4 native Camera(for 1-st pic.), Hipstamatic(2-d pic) , Decim 8 (3-d pic)+BeMuze, PhotoWizard, Snapseed, Blender, Tiny Planets, Halftone, ScratchCam, Labelbox, PicSee Pro. Hope, that’s all 😉

 

JC – Do you enjoy videography with your iPhone?

NP – Now I do, but just small attempts currently … but it is in my plans.

Popularity…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘You shall not make for yourself an idol. Deuteronomy 5:8’ (2012) "Well, where do I begin…. 🙂 To be honest, I must say that I tormented a long time over the ultimate result..:) 
iPhone 4camera (2 different capture), processed with Snapseed, Juxtaposer, Camera+, TwistCam, Blender, PhotoWizard, Vintage, lo-mob,  Frametastic. Hope, that’s all ;)"

 

JC – What do you think is the most popular area of iPhone photography?

NP – I find it difficult to answer this question, I can say one thing – IT’S not  RUSSIA =))) But I still dream of my exhibition here in Moscow =) do you think it is impudence? I guess you’re right, but who knows where dreams may come 😉

Where In The World…?

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘God, save my Planet!’ (2012) – Decim8, Tiny Planets, Blender, Montage, Camera+, ScratchCam

 

JC – Do you think it’s country specific, are some nations more clued up?

NP – Well, this is also so hard for me… but I know exactly that NY – first of all, is all about street photography, street life and also most probably, it’s mostly B&W (mono). I dream of NY! Never been there…

iPhone 5…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Buried alive by love’ (2012) – native iPhone 4 Camera, PhotoWizard, Snapseed, Blender, ProCamera

 

JC – What do you hope for in the iPhone 5?

NP – I would like that the iPhone 5 could cook me breakfast and probably a massage? Just kidding 😉 

JC – Sounds good to me!

TheAppWhisperer.com…

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Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – "De fabula narratur (Hetaera) "- (2012) Inspired by Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) – ProCamera, Snapseed, Juxtaposer, OldPhoto, Blender, Vintage, Camera+

 

JC – What do you think of Joanne and theappwhisperer.com?

NP – I will say next – Very very nice to meet you! 😉 I mean, previously I did not know of theappwhisperer.com. But recently I saw that my iPhone photography friend, Lene Basma posted the link with her interview! Of course, I was interested to learn more because I really love her creativity!  So often when I view her images I find something extremely close to my thoughts and my soul. Lene’s works are always inspire me! 

With pleasure and  interest I read her interview, grabbed more from this site and shared to my FB page the link. But then, I was pleasantly surprised when Joanne wrote to me and asked if I would like to be featured in new series ‘a day in the life of…’ !  SURE!!!  It was a great pleasure for me.

Indeed theappwhisperer.com is an interesting portal with good and helpful information. For example, I found the tutorials section which may be so useful for all beginners and not only just for them. Thank you so much Joanne! I had fun. Thank you for the great job.

JC – Thank you to Natali, we are totally in awe of your images and we are sure many of our readers will be too.

This is Natali’s blog, if any readers would like to take a look – www.naprosvet.com

Joanne Carter, creator of the world’s most popular mobile photography and art website— TheAppWhisperer.com— TheAppWhisperer platform has been a pivotal cyberspace for mobile artists of all abilities to learn about, to explore, to celebrate and to share mobile artworks. Joanne’s compassion, inclusivity, and humility are hallmarks in all that she does, and is particularly evident in the platform she has built. In her words, “We all have the potential to remove ourselves from the centre of any circle and to expand a sphere of compassion outward; to include everyone interested in mobile art, ensuring every artist is within reach”, she has said. Promotion of mobile artists and the art form as a primary medium in today’s art world, has become her life’s focus. She has presented lectures bolstering mobile artists and their art from as far away as the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea to closer to her home in the UK at Focus on Imaging. Her experience as a jurist for mobile art competitions includes: Portugal, Canada, US, S Korea, UK and Italy. And her travels pioneering the breadth of mobile art includes key events in: Frankfurt, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Paris, Brazil, London. Pioneering the world’s first mobile art online gallery - TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com has extended her reach even further, shipping from London, UK to clients in the US, Europe and The Far East to a global group of collectors looking for exclusive art to hang in their homes and offices. The online gallery specialises in prints for discerning collectors of unique, previously unseen signed limited edition art. Her journey towards becoming The App Whisperer, includes (but is not limited to) working for a paparazzi photo agency for several years and as a deputy editor for a photo print magazine. Her own freelance photographic journalistic work is also widely acclaimed. She has been published extensively both within the UK and the US in national and international titles. These include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Popular Photography & Imaging, dpreview, NikonPro, Which? and more recently with the BBC as a Contributor, Columnist at Vogue Italia and Contributing Editor at LensCulture. Her professional photography has also been widely exhibited throughout Europe, including Italy, Portugal and the UK. She is currently writing several books, all related to mobile art and is always open to requests for new commissions for either writing or photography projects or a combination of both. Please contact her at: joanne@theappwhisperer.com

5 Comments

    • Natali

      Kim, I was very touched by your kind and highest words! it means a lot for me! I am very grateful to you for your ongoing support and love! Greetings and best wishes from Moscow! Nat 😉

  • Laurence Zankowski

    Joanne,

    Lene, and now Natali! Wow, great strong and very inspiring work. The weight of european history, and culture flows through their work. ( my opinion) . Love, love, magic hour. Feel like there is a direct link to the impressionists in this piece.

    Great imagery, strong execution in her work. Fantastic. Big fan now.

    Be well

    Laurence

    • Natali

      wow! right now I found these comments! I must say that it’s a great honor and pleasure to heard such a kind words! Thank you so much Laurence!!