A Day In The Life Of Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – An iPhone Photographer Awash With Talent

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘self-portrait’ (2011) – "One of my first self-portraits. Love it so much! perhaps even more than any other.." iPhone Camera, processed Camera+, FaceCam, PhotoWizard, lo-mob

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


NP – Usually I wake up early, despite the fact that I go to bed too late. I cannot sleep for too long a time! Though, it’s probably not too bad.  My day starts with a swim in the pool. This is my ‘me-time’, if I miss swimming for some reason, I know then that my day will go wrong. Swimming is like meditation for me. Just for that moment, my thoughts are free and my brain relaxes. 

After a swim I go back home and then my ordinary day probably looks much like anyone else’s, nothing particularly special, unless I am shooting (I mean, movie shooting as I am an actress).

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Simple Pleasures’ (2011) – Friendship of the Peoples Fountain in the park of Soviet Economic Achievements, now called the All-Russian Exhibit Center, Moscow, Russia, The Statues represent the Republic of Soviet Union. Apps used – iPhone native camera, processed Camera+, Top Camera, PhotoWizard, PhotoStudio, lo-mob

JC – When is your favorite part of the day for taking photographs, do you hanker for the magic hour or shoot whenever the opportunity arises?

NP – Yeah, I do! Why not? You know, sometimes just morning light can give me special colors, glare and rays. 

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘It’ just tears’ (2012) – self-portrait, iPhone native camera+macro OlloClip, processed ProHDR, Snapseed, PhotoWizard, Pixlromatic

JC – Do you like to download new iPhone photography apps regularly?


NP – Oh my….  It is a sore point =)))) do you want me to show you all the apps on my iPhone? 😉 It’ s terrible! This is a real addiction and all the App Store purchases impact my wallet.. You know, I’m curious and an insatiable artist, perhaps I am a perfectionist.

Ouch, just now I  received a message regarding the money I have spent with the Apple iTunes Store. But it gives me the opportunity keep abreast of all new products and expand my knowledge and skills (I console myself) 😉 

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Leaving winter’ (2012) – ClassicPan cam, AutoPainter 1, and 2, Blender, PhotoCopier, Camera+

JC – How did the transition from traditional photographer to iPhone photographer develop? (pardon the pun).

NP – My experience was quite opposite. I have only started to shoot pictures with my iPhone quite recently. In February last year, or so.

One day my life began to crumble before my eyes and I could do nothing about it… I mean my work and personal life, and everything else. 
I was looking for different pathways, but all the doors were closing in front of me …
I made a lot of mistakes. I don’t paint pictures and I have never learned the fine arts, as a matter of fact, I have never learned the art of photography. So, from small time killing habit, iPhone photography became my addiction and in turn almost changed my life.

With images you can say so many things to different people in one language, which everyone can understand! Armed with my iPhone 4 and my first photography app. Hipstamatic, I began exploring photography. Later I discovered other apps and continue to be fascinated by my new hobby, developing my skills from just capturing images with my iPhone to moving into the art of iPhone photography. Recently, I took my first steps with a professional Canon camera and now run a personal street-fashion blog, where I share my passion with the world. 

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Flashback'(2011) iPhone 4 native Camera, Camera+, lo-mob, RetroGram, Pixlromatic

JC – How often do you update your existing apps?


NP – Every day! I must say at any time when I have the opportunity 😉

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Don’t pray on me! Just love me..’ (2012) iPhone 4 native Camera (for first and second pics) – processed with Camera+, ProHDR, Blender, King Camera, Grunge

JC – Where’s your favorite place in the world for a shoot?


NP – The whole world!! There are no boring places and things. Do you remember when I said that I am curious? 😉  I have not traveled as much as I would like ….I’ll tell you a secret, I would like to become a citizen of the whole world! Any place on the planet would become my home (that’s my wish). 

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘By wolf trail’ (2012) – SlowShutterCam + long focal lens, Snapseed, PhotoWizard, SP PhotoTada, lo-mob

JC – What are your favorite, at the moment, iPhone photography apps?


NP – Where do I begin 😉 There are some essential applications, and there are some special apps – they can all be loved. Without looking at the iPhone desktop, without hesitation I’ll call these apps my current favorites: Camera+,  Classic Pan, Hipstamatic, ProCamera, SlowShutter, Juxtaposer, Blender, Snapseed, lo-mob, Decim8, Rays, ScratchCam, Vintage, BlurFX, photocopier …. I must to stop 😉

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Retrospective’ (2012) – ClassicPan cam, Processed with Snapseed, PhotoCopier, Blender

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


NP – Facebook, Instagram, IPA…Usually I share there one hundredth part of my all 😉 Also on my blog and I send some works to Pixels. I would like to have 48 hours in a day … although this would not be enough.

JC – Yes, we know how you feel Natali, let’s make it 72 hours in a day 😉

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Choke’ (2012) – Slow Shutter cam, Snapseed, focalLab, Camera+

JC – Do you take photographs with your iPhone everyday?

NP – Definitely, no day without shooting!! I must say, of course, not every picture will be released, but each of them can become an essential part of the finished work. Let me explain: quite often I shoot something like walls or something else that are perhaps not so special. But later,they might be good as a texture, for example.

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘One third or 33%’ (2012) – Several absolutely different images have been captured & processed at different times with different applications, one day, finally, they all were united in one piece. To remember all details and processes is so hard for me now 😉 From what I can see with my naked eye – Blender, Blender and 100 times Blender 😉 sure, Decim8, for sure Tiny Planets, Pixlromatic 😉

JC – What are your favorite subjects that you seek out?


NP – it depends on my mood.  Often it’s not so good, but I do not have a special "handwriting" like as  "VCard". I like to shoot everything, starting with myself (recently I shot myself very little. hmm … I should think about it) to everything inspiring I see around. I try to put meaning in almost every picture i shoot. Generally I have a scenario in my mind and try to recreate what i have imagined within the picture.

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘This cute tiny Moscow (2)’ (2012) – iPhone 4 camera+long focal lens, PhotoWizard, Pixlromatic, 3DPhoto, Snapseed, Blender, Vintage

JC – What are you top five tips for iPhone photography?


NP – Well, I would like to start with the fact that I would be happy if even one person read my tips and actually implemented what I have said. We all love to give some tips but we follow tips of others are so rarely….;)

Down with the rush! I want to quote my curator at Pixel, Knox Bronson: "Please slow down and really focus on one picture at a time. Take your time! We are not in a race."

As you might guess, he said that to me once, I must say though, that Knox was damn right! 😉 It was the first and the main thing!

Look for happiness in small things! I give you this tip as well as to remind it myself. 

Enjoy even the smallest success so much as if you have received an Oscar!  Even the smallest victory is still victory! I must say this one works wonders!  It helps you to understand that you do not stand at any one point!

Do not be afraid to be the eternal student! The true seeker always finds! There is no limit to perfection!

That’s all what I want say if I have to be short 😉

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Urban legends’ from series ‘The ghosts of Soviet Era’ (2012) – Slow Shutter cam, Camera+, Snapseed, PhotoWizard, Blender, ScratchCam

JC – Do you edit images on your iPhone or do you prefer to do that on a desktop/laptop?

NP – So far I only edit my works only on my iPhone, but a lot of the intermediate steps I check on my iMac (big screen). An iPad is at the top list my wish list.

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Vibrations’ (2012) From what I can see with my naked eye: sure – Decim8, Collage Pro, Tiny Planets, Blender, for sure Pixlromatic… Camera+,

JC – Where do you see the future of iPhone photography?


NP – Alas, I am not a predictor… but I see iPhone photography as an independent form of art. This is my point for this subject. Unfortunately that’s all what I could say about this subject in English although it would be difficult for me even in my native language. Just trust me I will fight to the last to justify my point of view! I am not kidding as I do usually 😉

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘I live my life in circles…’ (2012) Oh my…;) – iPhone 4 native Camera(for 1-st pic.), Hipstamatic(2-d pic) , Decim 8 (3-d pic)+BeMuze, PhotoWizard, Snapseed, Blender, Tiny Planets, Halftone, ScratchCam, Labelbox, PicSee Pro. Hope, that’s all 😉

JC – Do you enjoy videography with your iPhone?


NP – Now I do, but just small attempts currently … but it is in my plans.

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘You shall not make for yourself an idol. Deuteronomy 5:8’ (2012) "Well, where do I begin…. 🙂 To be honest, I must say that I tormented a long time over the ultimate result..:) 
iPhone 4camera (2 different capture), processed with Snapseed, Juxtaposer, Camera+, TwistCam, Blender, PhotoWizard, Vintage, lo-mob,  Frametastic. Hope, that’s all ;)"

JC – What do you think is the most popular area of iPhone photography?


NP – I find it difficult to answer this question, I can say one thing – IT’S not  RUSSIA =))) But I still dream of my exhibition here in Moscow =) do you think it is impudence? I guess you’re right, but who knows where dreams may come 😉

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘God, save my Planet!’ (2012) – Decim8, Tiny Planets, Blender, Montage, Camera+, ScratchCam

JC – Do you think it’s country specific, are some nations more clued up?


NP – Well, this is also so hard for me… but I know exactly that NY – first of all, is all about street photography, street life and also most probably, it’s mostly B&W (mono). I dream of NY! Never been there…

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – ‘Buried alive by love’ (2012) – native iPhone 4 Camera, PhotoWizard, Snapseed, Blender, ProCamera

JC – What do you hope for in the iPhone 5?


NP – I would like that the iPhone 5 could cook me breakfast and probably a massage? Just kidding 😉 

JC – Sounds good to me!

Copyright Image, Natali Prosvetova aka NaProsvet – "De fabula narratur (Hetaera) "- (2012) Inspired by Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) – ProCamera, Snapseed, Juxtaposer, OldPhoto, Blender, Vintage, Camera+

JC – What do you think of Joanne and theappwhisperer.com?


NP – I will say next – Very very nice to meet you! 😉 I mean, previously I did not know of theappwhisperer.com. But recently I saw that my iPhone photography friend, Lene Basma posted the link with her interview! Of course, I was interested to learn more because I really love her creativity!  So often when I view her images I find something extremely close to my thoughts and my soul. Lene’s works are always inspire me! 

With pleasure and  interest I read her interview, grabbed more from this site and shared to my FB page the link. But then, I was pleasantly surprised when Joanne wrote to me and asked if I would like to be featured in new series ‘a day in the life of…’ !  SURE!!!  It was a great pleasure for me.

Indeed theappwhisperer.com is an interesting portal with good and helpful information. For example, I found the tutorials section which may be so useful for all beginners and not only just for them. Thank you so much Joanne! I had fun. Thank you for the great job.

JC – Thank you to Natali, we are totally in awe of your images and we are sure many of our readers will be too.

This is Natali’s blog, if any readers would like to take a look – www.naprosvet.com