What Apps Are We Using This Month? with Laika
Welcome to TheAppWhisperer’s new section, “What apps are we using this month” series, where we discover which apps you are particularly enjoying. Kicking us off today is non-other than notable Mobile Artist Laika.
Hello☺️ I’m Laika, a 40-year-old photographer currently based in London. I’ve always had a creative side, I used to be a dancer, but now I specialise in abstract and nature photography. I would like to share my knowledge and insights through the exciting realm of photography focusing on apps which complement the increasingly powerful tool that we all carry in our pockets—the mobile! As technology has advanced, so has the image quality of our mobile devices. I am currently using the iPhone 14 Pro, with its cutting-edge camera capabilities, it has become a reliable companion for photographers like me.
I use a mobile app called Slow Shutter for long-exposure photography. There’s one critical factor that can make or break your shots: stability throughout the exposure. Look around for any objects/surfaces that can act as impromptu supports such as a wall or table, use a mini tripod and/or consider using a remote shutter release. Remember that even the slightest movement can result in blurry images. The app provides various shooting modes, including Motion Blur, Light Trail, and Low Light, allowing you to choose the appropriate setting for your desired effect. Additionally, you can adjust parameters such as exposure time, sensitivity, and focus, giving you full control over your creative vision.
In the early stages of my image editing process, Adobe Photoshop remains my go-to software. It might seem a bit daunting at first but there are plenty of hands-on tutorials which will help you. Its unrivalled control, non-destructive workflow, advanced selection and masking tools, powerful retouching capabilities, creative possibilities, and plugin support make it an indispensable tool for me. From adjusting colours and contrast to retouching and enhancing specific details. It also provides a vast collection of filters and effects that can drastically alter the appearance of your images. These filters range from simple adjustments like blur, sharpening, or noise reduction to creative filters such as artistic styles, distortions and textures.
While Photoshop remains at the core of my editing process, I also utilise various other applications to add unique touches and experiment with different styles. Snapseed and Procreate are two exceptional apps that I frequently use to further enhance my images. Snapseed offers a wide range of editing options, including selective adjustments, filters, healing tools and double exposures. Procreate, on the other hand, allows me to unleash my artistic prowess by adding digital illustrations and custom textures to my photographs.
Recently, I decided to expand my editing toolkit and acquired a subscription to Luminar Neo. I use this as a Photoshop plugin. This advanced editing software has quickly become an indispensable asset in my workflow. Luminar Neo’s intelligent AI-powered tools, creative effects and intelligent relighting, provide me with limitless possibilities to transform my images into works of art quickly and effortlessly.
The evolution of mobile photography has revolutionised the way we engage with the art form. Combined with powerful editing tools such as the ones mentioned above I am equipped to push the boundaries of creativity and produce visually stunning artwork. So, join me as we embark on this never-ending voyage of visual storytelling and let’s capture the beauty that surrounds us. Remember, the more you practice and experiment with different tools and features, the more confident and proficient you’ll become. Creative expression has no bounds!
Please check out my photography website www.laika.photos Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments.
Thank you so much Joanne from The AppWhisperer – the world’s most popular mobile photography & art website for this feature! I am very grateful 😃
To read our other interviews in this series, please go here.
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Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photography journalist, editor, curator, and the founder of *TheAppWhisperer.com*, one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to mobile photography and art. Since its launch in 2009, TheAppWhisperer has become an international hub for artists of all levels to discover, learn, exhibit, and engage with contemporary photographic practice.Built on principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and artistic excellence, Joanne has spent almost two decades championing mobile photography as a serious artistic medium. Through interviews, critical essays, exhibitions, competitions, and education, she has helped shape and document the evolution of mobile art on a global scale.Her work has taken her internationally, lecturing on photography and mobile art at institutions and events including the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, alongside appearances in the UK and Europe. She has served as a juror for international photography and mobile art awards across Portugal, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the UK.Joanne is also the founder of *TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com*, one of the first online galleries dedicated exclusively to collectible mobile art, connecting artists with collectors across Europe, the United States, and Asia.Before founding TheAppWhisperer, Joanne worked extensively in print journalism and photographic publishing, including roles at a paparazzi photo agency and as deputy editor of a leading photography magazine. Her freelance journalism, criticism, and commentary have been published widely in both the UK and the US, with bylines in *The Times*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Guardian*, *Popular Photography*, *NikonPro*, *DPReview*, *Which?*, *Vogue Italia*, *LensCulture*, the *BBC*, and more recently, the *Financial Times*, where her published letters on photography continue to contribute to wider conversations around the medium.Alongside her editorial and curatorial work, Joanne’s own photographic practice has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her work increasingly explores themes of grief, loss, death, memory, and the body.Her current research interests centre on grief, death, and poverty, with forthcoming postgraduate study leading towards doctoral research in these areas.Joanne is currently developing new long-form writing and photographic projects and is available for commissions, editorial projects, speaking engagements, and collaborations.Contact: joannetheappwhisperer@gmail.com)
