Mobile Photography Interview – A Day In The Life of Paul Moore – A Multi Talented Photographer

Welcome to our very exciting interview column on theappwhisperer.com. This section entitled “A Day in the Life of…” is where we take a look at some hugely influential, interesting and accomplished individuals in the mobile photography and art world… people that we think you will love to learn more about. This is our 118th installment of the series. If you have missed our previous interviews, please go here.

Today we are featuring Paul Moore a very talented mobile photographer from a small town called Tullamore in the midlands of Ireland. Moore works as an accountant and financial adviser. He is married to Karen and they have  three children. Sean (7), Conor (6) and Caoimhe (3). Moore’s love of photography is he explains, ‘mainly due to the fact that it is a world away from the day job and it’s a great way to switch off and unwind. While I always had an interest in photography it was only when I got my first iPhone 4 and a half years ago that the obsession took hold’.   Having recently upgraded his gear to include a Canon DSLR, mobile photography comes first. His favourite photographic subjects are the Irish landscape and his family. Although recently he has started to move into the area of live music photography.

We couldn’t wait to find out more about Paul Moore, we are certain you’re going to really enjoy this!

For the vast majority of the images below, Moore used the following apps: PhotoToaster, Snapseed, Tadaa SLR, Afterlight, Lenslight and Rays

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

My day always starts well before I am ready for it to start when I am woken by at least one of my kids.

Do you like to head out and take photographs early on?

I am more of a night owl so I rarely head out to take shots 1st thing in the morning. Occasionally I will take a detour on the way to work if I think that I might be able to get interesting shots due to exceptional weather conditions. But usually most of my photography is confined to the weekends.

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

How did the transition from traditional photographer to mobile photographer develop? (pardon the pun)

I was never much of a traditional photographer. I just took photos on point and shoot cameras on special occasions. It was only when I got my 1st iPhone that the addiction took hold. I am actually doing things in reverse. After nearly 4 and half years experimenting with iPhone photography I am starting to move more towards traditional photography. I have been asked to photograph a number of festivals over the summer. I am planning on combining iPhone photography and traditional photo when covering these events. I also did my first wedding recently. And I have just bought my first DSLR. A Canon 700D.

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 

Do you like to download new mobile photography and/or art apps regularly?

In the early days I used to download practically every photography app that came out to try them out. But now I have a shortlist of apps that I use regularly and a new app has to have some pretty unique features for me to even consider downloading it.

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 

 

Do you like to download new mobile photography and/or art apps regularly?

In the early days I used to download practically every photography app that came out to try them out. But now I have a shortlist of apps that I use regularly and a new app has to have some pretty unique features for me to even consider downloading it.

What is your preferred platform, Apple iOS, Android, Windows?

I have only used the iOS platform to date. I have recently upgraded to the iPhone 5s. I had been using the 4s. Between the increase in processing power and improved camera I have been very impressed with it.

Would you consider changing platforms and why?

I had toyed with changing platforms but I just like the ease of use of the iOS platform. And also there just isn’t the same number of editing apps available on the other platform.

How often do you update your existing apps?

I update apps as soon as the updates are available. I have been a beta tester for a couple of apps so I actually got the updates before they were officially available.

What are your favourite photography apps and why, what features do you look for in a new photo app?

As I said before I have a shortlist of apps that I regularly use. My favourite apps are PhotoToaster, HandyPhoto, Juxtaposer, Snapseed for editing. Mextures, DistressedFX and PhotoFX for filters and textures. 2 new apps that I have just started using and are both excellent are VSCO Cam and Tadaa SLR. Tadaa SLR in particular is a great app for simulating depth of field and bokeh. New photo apps have do something very special or unique for me to consider downloading them. The Appwhisper site is a great resource for keeping up to date with new app releases, updates and sales.

Where’s your favorite place in the world for a shoot and why?

I am a bit biased here but I am very lucky to be surrounded by stunning locations here in Ireland. It’s a small country but has quite diverse landscapes. I live smack bang in the middle of the country so nowhere is that far away from me.

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

I mainly upload photographs to Facebook. I find that’s where they get the widest exposure. I have started using Eyeem again recently after a long absence. I hadn’t used it since the early days and it has improved dramatically. I don’t like Instagram as it only lets you upload images in a square format which I rarely use. I have to process images in Squaready before I can upload them to Instagram which is a pain. Flickr used to be main place to upload but I haven’t been using it as much recently. I had issues with the updated Flickr apps that were released over the last few months that kinda turned me off the site in general.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 

Do you use your mobile phone to take images everyday?

I used to take images every single day but recently I have started to suffer from iPhoneography burnout. It was becoming a bit of a chore. I now limit myself to taking shots at the weekend and editing them during the week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you like to use external hardware products with your mobile device for image and video capturing, such as lenses, tripods, external storage and battery packs? Please elaborate as much as possible.

I use the Olloclip 3 in 1 lens attachment. It is a wide angle, macro and fisheye all in one handy little package. You just pick the lens you want to use and slide it on over the camera. I tend to use only the wide angle lens. It helps give a grander sense of scale to landscapes by fitting far more into the frame. The only thing issue with it that it can suffer from Barrel Lens Distortion. This is where you get curving of straight lines in the image due to the shape of the lens. But this can sometimes add to the shot giving a slightly surreal look. The only other attachment I have is the Olloclip Flip Case which is designed to be used with the Olloclip.

Do you edit images on your mobile devices or do you prefer to use a desktop or laptop computer?

All my images are edited on the phone. I don’t use any PC software. I have all the apps I need on my phone to achieve the look I am going for at any given time. It also means that I can edit ‘on the go’ whenever I get a chance. Having a full time job and a young family means that time is limited so any time I have a few minutes I can whip out the phone and work on an image. It’s a great stress reliever ☺ The only disadvantage is that a lot of the time an edit will be rushed to get it done quickly and when I look back on it afterwards I will see things I should have done differently or better or not at all. Every now and again I will manage to capture an image that I know is good and I will spend a lot more time on that. Most of the time, though, I just consider the images I post to Facebook to be like sketches of ideas or techniques. The more you practice the better you get. Hopefully.

Where do you envisage your mobile photography passion will take you? Have you been involved with exhibitions etc? Please elaborate if you can.

When I started taking photos with my iPhone 4 and a half years ago it was only for fun. I had no idea where it would lead to. I have had photos in exhibitions in Caliafornia, New York, Atlanta, Virginia, Texas, London, Milan, Madrid, Wellington and Tullamore. To name but a few. I actually sold my first photo through an exhibition in Orange County. That was a breakthrough moment for me. I started to have more confidence in what I was doing after that. But I still don’t consider myself to be a great photographer by any means. I have many more years of practice and training ahead of me before I will be fully happy with what I am doing. If I ever will be.

I have also been interview by numerous photographic websites and featured in Shooter Magazine and the Washington Post. And this year it has stepped up to a new level where I am being asked to cover music and arts festivals, do shoots for bands and musicians and even a wedding. I have also been asked to be a judge for the latest Mobile Photo Awards competition. As I said earlier I have started to get into more traditional photography but I will never leave iPhoneography behind. It’s just too much fun.

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Do you also enjoy shooting videos with your mobile phone? If so, what do you do with them? Have you considered uploading them to our Mobile Movies Flickr group?

I rarely shoot video with my phone. I recently got the Cinematic app which lets you shoot 15 second video clips and add filters. I think it might be useful for capturing memories of particular moments in time.

Where do you see the future of mobile photography?

In the early days mobile photography was all about filters and editing to try and compensate for the low quality images that the first phones took. But with each passing year the quality of cameras on phones is getting better and better. I am amazed at the quality of shots I am capturing on my 5s. While there have been a few attempts to make a more traditional camera crossed with a phone but they haven’t been very successful to date. I would love to see a time when editing apps are available for DSLR cameras that have full connectivity.

Mobile photography is going to continue to grow in importance to news media. With so many people having access to smart phones there are very few events that happened around the world that aren’t covered in some way.

What do you think is the most popular area of mobile photography?

I’d say the most popular area of mobile photography is street photography. A mobile phone is ideal for this type of photography. It is not as intrusive as a DLSR and helps the mobile photographer capture more interesting candid shots. In my opinion no one comes close to Californian photographer Roger Clay in this area. His work is consistently amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 

If you could select a specification for a mobile smartphone, what features would you select, photographically speaking?

I would love to see the mobile phone camera get better lens with adjustable apertures and the ability to capture depth of field in camera. While there are apps, such as Tadaa SLR, available to simulate depth of field it doesn’t even come close to the real thing.

What do you think of Joanne and theappwhisperer.com?

Joanne’s work with the AppWhisperer website is invaluable to anyone interested in mobile photography. The depth of information available is wonderful. From information on new apps, to notifications of apps going on sale, to tutorials on all aspects of mobile photographer and finally access to interviews with some of the most respected mobile photographers around.

I would like to thank Joanne for her interest in my work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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