Streets Ahead Interview: Vivi Hanson Sacerdote

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Again On The Wobbly”

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am from Lima, Peru and lived there until I was 19 when my family moved to England. I live very close to Richmond and Twickenham in a place called Old Isleworth – guess, considered West London.

I got interested in photography when digital cameras came out. I did progress to a DSLR and learnt Photoshop. I discovered beautiful textures available by generous artists on Flickr and learnt how to combine textures with my photos and blend them all together to make arty photos! I don’t have a photography or creative background at all. For a year I designed papers, overlays and textures for use with Digital Scrapbooking. I discovered Hipstamatic and got into iPhoneography in 2011 and now I’m totally addicted. I have just sold my DSLR camera and lenses!

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Faceless”

Which mobile device do you use to take your photographs? Also, we’d be very interested in learning what camera apps you use (if any)… as well as post processing apps.

I have just upgraded to the iPhone 5S (loving it) but before that have taken all my photos with my old iPhone 4S. I use Hipstamatic, Oggl, Huemore, Camera+, ProCamera and SlowShutter to take photos. For post processing I always start with Snapseed. Then depending on the style effect I’m after I use Glaze, DistressedFX, AltPhoto, PhotoCopier, Mextures, epix, BlurFX, ScratchCam, Iris, PhotoToaster, Perfect B&W, Modern Grunge, VintageHD.

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “So Many Books, So Little Time”

Is Street Photography a genre that you predominately focus on in your work?

I’ve only just started to get the courage to get into Street Photography. But I try to take photos of different genres, Landscapes, Boats, Water, Architecture. I am now a convert to Street Photography and find myself taking more and more photos of people in the street! I have a long way to go as I still chicken out in getting too close!

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Smiling”

There is a general question among some people about the morals and ethics of taking pictures of strangers in a public environment. Many think that this is an infringement of an individual’s rights and privacy. What are your thoughts on this?

For me, I do have morals and ethics of taking pictures of strangers in a public environment. A big no no for me is to take photos of kids – I never do unless it is a back view. I try to be respectful when I photograph people, I don’t get too close to them and if I feel situation is uncomfortable I don’t take the photo.

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Last Night Reveller This Morning”

What kind of situations, characters and/or events appeal to you? Why?

I am lucky to be able to get into London a lot and have such a richness of subjects to photograph. London is full of tourists! Just discovered the East End of London and Camden market – again very colourful and a great variety of characters to photograph.

Being a total beginner of Street Photography I am still in the discovery phase. Being part of the wonderful Streets Ahead : Women’s Mobile Street Photography Group has opened up the world of street photography to me. I am so grateful this amazing group has been created and the wonderful women who are part of it! I think women bring a lot of finesse and delicacy into street photography!

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Underground”

Are there any women street photographers/photo journalists who have inspired you in your work? If so, who are they? And what inspires you about their work?

Like everyone else I find Vivian Maier’s work spectacular! What an eye she had. Watching the BBC’s Imagine Program about her work has definitely inspired me! I am also very inspired by the work of all the women posting to this amazing group!

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Sightseeing Is Knackering”

Do you think that more women are getting involved in this genre because of the democracy and immediacy of mobile devices? What are your thoughts on this?

Yes, I do think having a mobile device has definitely attracted more women to get involved in street photography.

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Walking Past Street Art”

What are your thoughts on post-processing mobile street images? Do you post process your images? Can you share with us an example of your workflow process?

I don’t follow rules – have to admit I don’t know the rules of street photography! I love to edit and app my photos, including my street images! I definitely post process all of them! An example of my workflow would be to start editing the photo in Snapseed where I would crop it, tune it and nearly always apply the drama filter. If there is too much information on the photo I will take it into BlurFX and blur everything out except the person I am focusing on. Then I take the blurred image back into Snapseed and apply a grunge filter to it. After that I may use DistressedFX , Glaze, Mextures or AltPhoto to finish the editing. For a simpler edit I would use Perfect B&W on the image.

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “The Fighting Cats”

What are your personal artistic goals and aspirations?

I love our community and I love to take and edit photos. I don’t have any personal goals or aspirations. As long as I am happy with what I do, that is what is important to me. The other bonus is the amazing friendships being formed around the world because of our community.

I wish there were more exhibitions in the UK.

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Dressed Up For The Sevens”

Where do you show your work? What social media platforms are you most involved with?

Capturing the Moment showcases on Mobiography, featured on P1xels, iArtChronicles, TheAppWhisperer, Streets Ahead: A Women’s Mobile Street Photography Collective, Artist of the day (twice) at iPhoneArt, Apps Uncovered at IphoneographyCentral, Iphoneogenic, two Honorable mentions in last year’s Mobile Photography Awards. I was an exhibitor at last year’s Instragramers London Iconic London exhibition and a finalist in Photobox Motographer of the Year 2012. Have been featured in TheAppWhisperer’s A Day in the Life of and Featured Artist in iArtChronicles (now Art of Mob).

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Meandering”

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?

I want to say thank you so much for asking me to do this interview. I am so honored and proud to be part of such an amazing and talented group of women who post such amazing images in Streets Ahead.

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Pointing”

Hipstamatic

Oggl

Huemore

Camera+

ProCamera

Slow Shutter!

Snapseed

Glaze

Distressed FX

Alt Photo

PhotoCopier

Mextures

BlurFX

ScratchCam

Iris

PhotoToaster

Modern Grunge

Vintage Scene HD

© Vivi Hanson Sacerdote, “Walking Past The Colourful Wall”