Extension Of The I With Sean Hayes – A Phenomenally Talented iPhone Photographer

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Ansel Mountains, Ireland’ – Apps used – Camera+

JC – How did you get started in photography?

SH – When I was about 18, I came across the work of Ansel Adams. I loved the epic quality of his work and those rich, velvety black and white tones. I went out and bought myself an SLR Olympus camera and tried to emulate his style. I even did some darkroom work. Then all my camera equipment was stolen. And I stopped as quickly as I started. I became an advertising art director instead. That allowed me to continue my passion for photography, albeit through working with professional photographers on ad campaigns. Then, at the ripe old age of 49, I started shooting again. First with a DSLR and now exclusively with my iPhone.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Clouds, Ireland’ – Apps used – Camera+, Lo-Mob

JC – Who and what are your influences?

SH – I was captivated from an early age by the Impressionist painters and the Surrealist photographers. Everyone from Degas to Man Ray has informed my visual education. In adulthood I was drawn to the work of Bailey. I loved the brevity of his portraiture work. But above all, as I mentioned above, I would love to have the dedication and the artistry of Adams to influence everything I do from now on.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Dawn, Ireland’ – Apps used – Camera+, LensFlare

JC – What draws you to the subjects you seek?

SH – Authenticity. In other words, something that is real and timeless. Be it a face or a landscape. The quality I seek in my personal photography is possibly a counterbalance to the artifice of my profession.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Electric Sky’ – Apps used – Camera+, Cinemafx

JC – What is it about these subjects that you want to capture/communicate and ultimately convey in your images?

SH – The beauty of something authentic.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Hook Head, Ireland’ – Apps used – Camera+, Lo-Mob

JC – How did you “settle” on this subject?

SH – I don’t unfortunately. See next question for details.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Lakeland, Ireland’ – Apps used – Camera+, Cinemafx

JC – Is there another area/subject that you would like to explore, if so, what and why?

SH –     My work is somewhat eclectic – I’ve attempted most styles and approaches. With varying degrees of success. This my weakness. I find it difficult to ‘settle’ on one way of doing things and really mastering it. It’s something I’m working on.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Lion, Belgium’ – Apps used – Camera+, Qbro

JC – Which photographers (not necessarily mobile photographers) do you most admire and why?

SH – Nadav Kander. He is a London based, Israeli born, South African raised photographer. As well as being a wonderful advertising photographer, his personal work adorns the walls of such esteemed galleries as the National Portrait Gallery in London. Why? Again, it goes back to authenticity. Even his commercial work steers clear of crass contrivance.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Noble Man (My Father)’ – Apps used – Camera+ (HDR), Cinemafx (Tint)

JC – Henri Cartier-Bresson is/was in many ways the Godfather of street photography, even in the 1930s he enjoyed using a small camera for discretion in order to capture people and tell a story-do you feel this way regarding mobile photography?

SH – I think Henri himself would have been in awe of mobile photography. “Run that by me again – I can shoot, process and print all from one small device that fits in my pocket?” He would have found it indistinguishable from magic. I still do.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘On the way home, Belgium’ – Apps used – Pic Grunger

JC – Tell us about your photographic technique do you rely on intuition or do you believe in a more formal/trained approach?

SH – Rules are for people who don’t know what they are doing. Nonetheless, listening, learning and looking at the work of past masters is the best “formal” education there is. And copy. Originality is the art of hiding your influences.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Orange’ – Apps used – BleachByPass, PictureShow

JC – How has your photography evolved?

SH – It’s regressed actually. I’ve noticed that there is a powerful incentive to shoot, process and post – all in the blink of an eye. And I’ve fallen into that trap. Some of the images I have posted recently are just sloppy. I’m more reflective now, take my time and try to only post work that is really worthwhile looking at. Or at least I try.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Shadow Walkers’ – Apps used – Snapseed

JC – Many of the great photographers, Jacques Henri Lartigue, Robert Frank, Henri Cartier Bresson described only shooting images for “themselves”do you see this attitude with mobile photographers?

SH – If you can’t please yourself, it’s highly unlikely that you will please anybody else. Same truism applies to photography.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Still, Ireland’ – Apps used – Camera+, Lo-Mob

JC – Do you take risks with photographs, push boundaries? If yes, please give examples, if no, why not, would you like to?

SH – I admire photographers who use the medium to explore their own psyche and inner life through self-portraiture and/or erotica. It’s brave to put oneself out there like that. The world is still a puritanical place that considers the freedom of selfhood and it’s affirmation an abomination. Have I answered the question?

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Study after Paul Henry, Ireland’ – Apps used – Camera+, Picfx

JC – What is your favorite picture, of your own and why?

SH – I know it’s a cliche – but it’s the one I haven’t taken yet. I have work that I’m pleased with. But it only lasts a day or two before I’m off trying to do something better.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Study of my Head (Louis leBrocquy)’ – Apps used – Dramatic B&w, Cinemafx, Image Blender

JC – Do you get emotionally involved with your photography?

SH – Of course. It wouldn’t work if I didn’t. To evoke heartfelt emotions in oneself and others is the goal of all creative pursuits. Gives the head a day off.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Sugar Mountain, Belgium’ – Apps used – Dramatic B&W, Cinemafx

JC – Does your life become entwined with your subjects?

SH –     Apart from photographing close family and friends, not really.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘The Bay Framed, Ireland’ – Apps used – Camera+

JC – Do you have a special post-processing style?

SH- My default app for “prepping” a shot used to be Camera+ (Clarity etc.) Now, I’m using Filterstorm on a more regular basis. (Crop, Scaling and Exposure) I tend to use a HDR app or/and Dramatic B&W to pump the details and then get a more realistic look by softening the image with other apps. I find I gravitate towards Pic Grunger for a more painterly look. Which I like.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘The Path, Belgium’ – Apps used – PhotoStudio

JC – Do you have any tips for post-processing?

SH – Try to keep it to a minimum. As an adjunct, I really admire the iPhoneographers who use a lot of apps , layer after layer, filter after filter, to great effect. The final piece works because of it’s complexity. I’m more in the brevity camp.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘The Path 2, Belgium’ – Apps used – AutoStitch, Snapseed

JC – Do you have a digital workflow system to sort your images, if so what is it?

SH – Good question. Does downloading my images to iPhoto on my laptop and then on to an external hard drive qualify as a “workflow system” ?
    

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘The Room, Belgium’ – Apps used – Cinemafx, Film Lab

JC – How do you think photography has changed over the years?

SH – The upside is that photography as a tool of personal expression is now more accessible than ever. The downside is that the people who chose or want to choose photography as a profession have become undervalued. The Napster generation, who have grown up and now occupy management positions, don’t understand why they should pay for commercial photography anymore. This is becoming a societal problem in general as more and more businesses go online and virtual. Online is code for “free”.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘The Storm, Belgium’ – Apps used – Picfx, Snapseed

JC – As a mobile photographer you’re at the cutting edge of technology, do you ever hanker for the 35mm film days?

SH – Now that digital is so ubiquitous, I can see photographers going back to “craft” to give their work a special feel. And I think it is already happening. The 1’s and 0’s of digital cannot replace ‘the ghost in the machine’ of analog. The alchemy of a 35mm image or a glass plate will become more valuable and sought after by artisans and collectors.

Copyright image Sean Hayes – ‘Wild West, Belgium’ – Apps used – Camera+, Film Lab and Pic Grunger

Camera+
Cinemafx
Lo-Mob
LensFlare
Picfx,
Qbro
Film Lab
Pic Grunger
Snapseed
PhotoStudio
Dramatic B&W
AutoStitch
Image Blender
Bleach Bypass
PictureShow

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