Mobile Photography Interview – A Day in the Life of Tim Bingham in Ireland
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, newcomers as well as accomplished individuals in the mobile photography and art world… people that we think you will love to learn more about. This is our 124th interview of the series. If you have missed our previous interviews, please go here.
Today we are featuring street mobile photographer, Tim Bingham from England, currently living in Ireland.
We are sure you are going to enjoy this, if you would like to take part in our A Day in the Life interview series, please send an email to myself at [email protected] and I will get back to you.
Let’s start at the beginning of the day, how does your day start?
Well this depends if I am away with work I am an early riser so I always check the weather forecast for the day this helps me plan ahead.
If I know I am working in Dublin for the day I would always ensure I had my mobile with me and I would take the two lens that are specifically for the Samsung S7 Galaxy as they are small and light as I always take some photos when I am in the City.
If I am preparing specifically for a day of Photography I would plan ahead and make sure I had everything packed the night before as I hate rushing in the morning.
Image ©Tim Bingham
Do you like to head out and take photographs early on?
This really depends on the weather , particularly where I live the weather is so changeable and as I have mentioned I always look at the weather forecast this helps me decide if I go out early or later.
Image ©Tim Bingham
How did the transition from traditional photographer to mobile photographer develop?
The transition took a bit of time as shooting with my mobile was different especially as I like to take candid street portrait shots. I went to a workshop that was delivered by Brendan O Se and the workshop helped me refine my work. I decided then that when I was out I would only take my phone and I forced myself to use the phone. I have now developed certain techniques for taking candid street shots.
Image ©Tim Bingham
Do you like to download new mobile photography and/or art apps regularly?
I look around on the app store and I am on a few mobile groups which tend to announce the latest photo or video apps . But I generally stick with the same apps.
Image ©Tim Bingham
What is your preferred platform, Apple iOS, Android, Windows?
I personally prefer Android system for a number of reasons however I am frustrated that makers of Android phones don’t have the same photo competitions as iPhone.
Image ©Tim Bingham
Would you consider changing platforms and why?
I am considering an iPhone just so I can enter some of the competitions otherwise at the moment I will stick with the Samsung S7.
Image ©Tim Bingham
How often do you update your existing apps?
I have my apps set to update automatically which makes it easier.
Image ©Tim Bingham
What are your favourite photography/videography apps and why, what features do you look for in a new app?
For the photography I generally use the native camera app. I like the quality of the photos and if I have my phone locked I can click on the home button twice and it takes me directly to the camera , this is essential for me particularly for those quick street moments. If I am taking a particular scenic scene I sometimes will use Camera FV-5 as this shoots in raw and it has other features shutter speed priority, ISO and other features. For editing I always use Snapseed, its quick and it does everything I am looking for. I have lightroom and photoshop installed but I rarely use these.
For videos I use FlimMic again its easy to use and I always used to use Cinema FV-5 but for some reason it doesn’t seem to be compatible with the Samsung.
Image ©Tim Bingham
Where’s your favourite place in the world for a shoot and why?
Ah there are numerous countries I would like to shoot in , Japan, India, Hong Kong, Thailand , Iceland I could carry on and on . Last year I was in Bordeaux and I really enjoyed shooting in the City as there characters that always caught my attention and the light in the City was amazing there is a Suburb St Michel which is the north African quarter and even though I had to be a lot more candid I enjoyed taking photos of the characters in the area. I always enjoy Dublin particularly March onwards as its always a bustling city and with parks that provide fantastic shadows and the business district the IFSC which provides a different perspective of mirrored windows and a sense of openness with the river Liffey running beside it
I live in a beautiful part of the country Co. Kerry after being inspired by Liz Stowe’s photos I have started taking more scenic shots recently it’s a completely different genre but its providing me a fresh perspective . However there are opportunities everywhere these days.
Image ©Tim Bingham
Where do you like to upload your photographs to Flickr, Instagram etc?
I used to use Flickr all the time but more recently I use Instagram a lot more. I have two accounts public_lens which is all street shots and Ireland_outofthephone which is a variety of photos mostly scenic which are all taken with my mobile.
Image ©Tim Bingham
Do you use your mobile phone everyday to take images?
Generally yes, if I am out and about I am always looking for a photo.
Image ©Tim Bingham
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?
I have two specific lenses which I use sometimes as I have mentioned they are specific for this phone. I sometimes use the Sony QX10 for specific shots. I have a variety of tripods but I prefer to travel light and will only take these for a specific propose. I have recently purchased a Platypod Pro which I am going to enjoy using. For storage I have a 32GB card which I generally clear if I am going to go on a specific shoot or to use the video.
Image ©Tim Bingham
Do you edit images on your mobile devices or do you prefer to use a desktop or laptop computer?
I would say that 99% of the time I will edit on my phone. The only time I wouldn’t if I was submitting a photo for an exhibition.
Image ©Tim Bingham
Where do you envisage your mobile photography passion will take you? Have you been involved with exhibitions etc.
If you had asked me this question twelve months ago I would have been content to have just kept taking photos and uploading them to share, however I decided to enter the MIRA Phone Competition and one of my photos appeared in the book later on. I was involved with two exhibitions last year both photos was taken with a standard camera .
I recently found out that I received three honorary mentions in the 2016 Mobile Photography Awards which was totally unexpected. I have certain ideas for this year, which if I can achieve one of them I will be delighted.
Image ©Tim Bingham
Where do you see the future of mobile photography?
The beauty of Mobile Photography is that anyone can do it from young children to adults and people don’t have to spend a fortune on camera equipment. The future of Mobile Photography is exciting, the cameras are constantly getting better and I can see more and more people becoming involved.
Image ©Tim Bingham
What do you think is the most popular area of mobile photography?
Wow that’s a good question. I don’t see many mobile candid street shots like the ones I take however I do see a lot of art based mobile photos, some street reflections . I am starting to see new genre’s emerge.
Image ©Tim Bingham
Do you think it is country Specific, are some nations more clued up?
There are certain countries which seem to me to be a lot more advanced such as India, Korea and China.
Image ©Tim Bingham
If you could select a specification for a smartphone, what features would you select, photographically speaking?
For me the quality of the lens is vital . I would like to see an optical zoom lens developed it would be fantastic if a view finder could be integrated into the phone.
Image ©Tim Bingham
What do you think of Joanne and theappwhisperer.com?
For me personally having a photo in one of the weekly showcases has really motivated me and helped me to start believing in my own photography. The site has transformed my knowledge base and its in my top two sites I would visit every two or three days .
Ah now Joanne , even though I have never met her she has been my cyber motivator. The time and the professionalism she dedicates to the site is incredible and she contributes to other initiatives. For me, she is one of the most pivotal people within Mobile Photography. I personally can’t thank her enough for what she has done.
Image ©Tim Bingham
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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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