A Day In The Life Of Tess Gomm aka Harveydog – A Brilliant And Artistic iPhone Photographer
Welcome to our very exciting new column on theappwhisperer.com. This section entitled ‘A day in the life of …’ is where we’ll be taking a look at some hugely influential, interesting and accomplished individuals in the mobile photography world. People that we think you will love to learn more about.
This is the twenty third installment of the series, you can read the others here, if you have missed them so far. Today, we are featuring Tess Gomm otherwise known as Harveydog from North London in the UK. Tess lives with her partner and two lurchers, Originally Tess trained a journalist, worked on local, regional and national newspapers in the UK before moving into editing and desktop publishing. Tess set up her own design and communications business in 1997 (www.iziodesign.co.uk). And she recently launched a second business – an online lifestyle store aimed at dog lovers (www.growler-london.co.uk). Photography has always been a hobby, no a passion to Tess and you will definitely understand this once you view her stunning images throughout this interview.
Like many of us Tess purchased her first iPhone in 2009 and started using it to take photos in 2010. Tess went on to join iPhoneArt.com in March 2011. You can view her images there at – link. Tess was also a Finalist in the 2011 IPA Mobile Art Grant and you can read more about that here.
Check out the full interview below…
We have included the app or apps that were used to create the final image, and 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.
You can find all the links at the end of this article.
(If you would like to be interviewed for our new ‘A day in the life of …’ section, just send an email to [email protected], and we’ll get it set up – This is what Tess did on this occasion and we are so pleased she did) – Thank you Tess 😉
First Things First…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Self Portrait’ – Apps used – Camera+, Iris Photo Suite, ShakeitPhoto
JC – Let’s start at the beginning of the day, how does your day start?
TG – My alarm (iPhone chirruping) goes off at 6.30am. If I can move all my limbs it means there hasn’t been a gangly hound on the bed half the night. I make tea (Assam) and return to bed to check my phone – news, photos, emails, Facebook. Then I wake the family up. No mean feat.
Magic Hour…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Embankment’ – Apps used – Slow Shutter, Camera+, BlurFX, Grunge
JC – Do you like to head out and take photographs early on?
TG – I walk the dogs on the way to my office and I usually take photos on the walk. I’m an early riser wherever I am – there’s nothing like the peace, quiet and light of an early morning.
Photographer vs Mobile Photographer…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Four’ – Apps used – Camera+, Photoshop Express
JC – How did the transition from traditional photographer to mobile photographer develop?
TG – I’ve always taken loads of photos. My first camera was a Kodak Instamatic. We have boxes and boxes and boxes of photos. Thank goodness digital came along or else I’d be buried under packs of pictures. Digital photography started a love affair with making my own books, but I was always a lazy photographer – rarely tempted off auto mode and much moaning about lugging round lenses. I like to have a camera with me ‘just in case’. When the iPhone came along I was carrying around a little pocket Leica. I was very sniffy about the iPhone camera until a photographer friend introduced me to ShakeItPhoto. I was instantly addicted. Then along came Hipstamatic and the rest is history. I recently upgraded my phone to a 32GB 4S so I can have all my favorite images with me. Sometimes I just like to kick back and watch my own little private slideshow of memories.
New Apps…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘He Wanders Lonely’ – Apps used – Hipstamatic, Iris, Snapseed, Scratchcam
JC – Do you like to download new mobile photography apps regularly?
TG – Yes, but I’m more selective now. I read reviews (Thanks AppWhisperer) and listen to what others say about new apps. Or I might see an effect I like and ask the artist what they’ve used. Sharing knowledge is just one of the things I love about the iPhoneography community. I still download a lot but I’ve definitely stopped the must-have panic buying.
Updates…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Headache’ – Apps Used – Hipstamatic, Camera+, BlendcamP
JC – How often do you update your existing apps?
TG – Every day. I hate that little red circle with a number in it.
Location, Location, Location…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘In The Light of Truth’ – Apps Used – Camera+, Iris, Modern Grunge, Awesome Camera
JC – Where’s your favorite place in the world for a shoot?
TG – Anywhere and everywhere. That’s the beauty of it really isn’t it? A photo comes from something or nothing. I can get my shot of the day on the bus or in the middle of the desert. Not that I’m in the desert that often.
Tools Of The Trade…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Last Man Standing’ – Apps Used – Slow Shutter, Camera+, ShakeitPhoto
JC – Do you also use mobile photography tool apps, such as The Photographer’s Ephemeris?
TG – I had to Google it so that’ll be a no.
Favorite Apps…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Lost In Translation’ – Apps Used – Hipstamatic, BlendcamP, ScratchCam
JC – What are your favorite mobile photography apps currently?
TG – In no particular order – Camera+, Iris, Blur FX, Slow Shutter, Snapseed, Vintage Scene, Scratchcam, ClassicPan, Hipstamatic, Modern Grunge and Awesome Camera. And I will never forget my first love – ShakeItPhoto.
Sharing…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Me and My Shadow’ – Apps Used – Hipstamatic, Iris
JC – Where do you like to upload your photographs? Flickr, Instagram?
TG – I’m forever thinking I should get out there more! I have Flickr and Instagram accounts but rarely use them. I post almost exclusively on iphoneart.com as Harveydog and in various Facebook groups.
Frequency…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘My Inner Hemisphere’ – Apps Used – Slow Shutter, Camera+, Iris, ShakeItPhoto
JC – Do you take photographs with your iPhone everyday?
TG – Yes.
Favorite Subjects…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Passing Fancy’ – Apps Used – Hipstamatic, Bad Camera, Camera+, ShakeItPhoto
JC – What are your favorite subjects?
TG – People, lines, shapes, colors, movement. I’m not sure I have a ‘favorite’ subject. Every day is different. Looking back over my gallery I see how I am drawn to lines and shapes in architecture or nature – I’m quite a ‘neat and tidy’ photographer. I also take a lot of photos of my dogs.
Top Five Tips…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Patti Smith’ – Apps Used – Camera+, Photoshop Express, Bad Camera
JC – What are you top five tips for mobile photography?
TG –
1) Be ready and know where the apps you use the most are on your phone!
2) Don’t wait for the perfect shot. If you see something out of the corner of your eye – shoot it
3) Watch, listen and learn. I have been inspired by the great artists and photographers I have met in our community. Follow blogs, join the community and share your work.
4) If you’re in a creative dead zone – walk out your door, take ten paces then take a photo.
5) Be excited at what you might see and photograph today.
Editing…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Red Roof’ – Apps Used – ShakeItPhoto
JC – Do you edit images on your iPhone or do you prefer to do that on a desktop/laptop?
TG – I do everything on the iPhone. That’s partly because I’m often editing on the move – on the bus or the tube. I should do more on the iPad really. My eyes would thank me.
Videography…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘TextMoments to 2020’ – Apps Used – Hipstamatic, Iris, Snapseed
JC – Do you enjoy videography with your iPhone?
TG – I would love to get into if I had more time.
The Future Of Mobile Photography…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Thank You’ – Apps Used – Hipstamatic, Iris, Snapseed
JC – Where do you see the future of mobile photography heading?
TG – A great photo is a great photo – however it was taken. We shoot on the iPhone for work projects work now and a big client has just commissioned me to do a Hipstamatic series for their blog. I never thought that day would come, so the future looks pretty exciting.
Popularity…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘The Power Station’ – Apps Used – Hipstamatic, Iris, Snapseed
JC – What do you think is the most popular area of mobile photography?
TG – Street photography is the obvious one. I really admire iPhoneographers who do graphic work with layers and collage. One of my favorite artists in this area is Clint Cline (clix2020). His ‘Sail on, oh ship of fools’ is one of my all time fave iPhoneography works.
Where In The World…?
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Thin Air 3’ – Apps Used – Slow Shutter, Camera+, Iris, Photo Copier
JC – Do you think it’s country specific, are some nations more clued up?
TG – It’s a totally global community. That’s what makes it so incredible. I see beautiful work from all over the world and I have made some great friends. It’s weird because I didn’t think I was the kind of person to get into an online community (too ‘British’). Maybe it’s the sharing of little bits of each others’ lives and seeing how people bare their souls through their art. I also know I’m really lucky to live in a place where speedy online access is a given. Even in the US there are iPhoneographers who can only access the internet for a few hours a day. I am spoiled.
Public Places…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Thin Air’ – Apps Used – Slow Shutter, Camera+, Iris
JC – Have you ever had any ‘problems’ taking images in public places?
TG – I used to work on newspapers so I’m pretty sneaky! My top tip – switch off the sound and pretend to be short-sighted! I’ve only been caught out once when the flash went off. Luckily my subject was a bit tired and emotional, opened one eye, gave me a dirty look and went back to sleep.
iPhone 5…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘This Is It’ – Apps Used – Hipstamatic, Camera+, Iris, Snapseed
JC – What do you hope for in the iPhone 5?
TG – Surprise me! Oh – and a battery that lasts more than a day.
TheAppWhisperer.com
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Verdi Cries’ – Apps Used – Snapseed
JC – What do you think of Joanne and theappwhisperer.com?
TG – It’s been an honor and a privilege to be included on your site.
JC – The honor is all ours, thank you so much Tess.
Complete Links To All The Apps Used And Mentioned In This Article…
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Wildlife’ – Apps Used – Hipstamatic, Camera+, Iris, Modern Grunge
Slow Shutter
Camera+
BlurFX
Modern Grunge
Photoshop Express
Hipstamatic
Iris Photo Suite
ScratchCam
BlendcamP
Modern Grunge
Awesome Camera
Bad Camera
ShakeItPhoto
Photo Copier
Contact Details For Tess Gomm
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Winter’s Bone’ – Apps Used – Hipstamatic
Harveydog at http://www.iphoneart.com/users/1423/galleries
Email – [email protected]
Additional Images
Copyright image, Tess Gomm – ‘Yellow’ – Apps Used – Camera+, Snapseed, ShakeItPhoto
A selection of Tess’ images are available as cards at http://www.illustratedpapercompany.com/tessgomm
Joanne Carter
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: [email protected]
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7 Comments
Janine Graf
Great interview of a wonderful artist! Tess, I like your tip to walk 10 paces from your front door and take a picture. I may just try that next time I’m stuck! 🙂
Kim Martino
I agree with Janine! I adore your work, Tess! I’ve been “Like”-ing them for a while now, bravo!!
Lee Thatcher
What a great interview. It was so nice to learn more about one of my favs. And it was great to see some of Tess’s fantastic work again. Thank you.
Carol/Tancis
This has been a delight to read over and over….taking notes too. :o) I’d love to do the work as well executed as above & so creatively. I just can’t seem to get the gist of using the slow shutter cam and getting the wonderful effects like Tess. Thanks for all the tips to both Tess and Joanne’s site.
alan kastner
Patti Smith!! 🙂
Don’t know how I missed this, Tess…Great stuff!!
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