Mobile Photography Interview – A Day in the Life of Cathrine Halsor from Norway

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

To see the beauty in my everyday, I make my morning mindful and I love to start with a cup of tea and a quiet moment in the corner of my sofa. And a kiss, from the man I love.

I might read or write in my journal or listen to a Ted talk, or do simple yoga exercises.  I just like to find that little spark to start off my new day. I like the idea of new beginnings every day.

Then breakfast & coffee, checking e-mails and social sites and slowly making plans for a new  day.

‘Art Diary’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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

I let my intuition guide me. Some mornings I wake up early and the need to create is very present. But I do not head out in the mornings to shoot. I might shoot in my studio or plan a trip if I feel inspired.

Reading poetry inspires my creativity. For me creating images is Visual poetry. I aim for people to feel my images. I love the idea to create small stories for the viewer to enter, just for a little while.

‘Beloved’ ©Cathrine Halsor

How did the transition from traditional photographer to mobile photographer develop?

I like shooting pictures because it’s the way I take in the world.  There has always been cameras around me, although I am not trained as a photographer. I got my degree in Graphic design at Art college so I am captivated by the poetic sensations when words and images are joined together. It has always been a deep source of inspiration for me.

I came across a book from Susan Tuttle in 2012, at the same time I got my first iPhone. I was all into mixed media and handmade paper for many years . I then discovered and joined iPhoneart.com Theappwhisperer, and I entered a whole new world of creating images.

For me the mobile aspect makes it perfect for me. It is portable and it’s easy to slip a phone in my pocket and carry it with me all the time.

The simplicity suits me. And today I can even see that I aim for the touch of a tactile feel to my images.

To be able to take a picture and just start editing on the spot, on the same device is magic.

‘Bird by Bird’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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

Not unless I see an unusual technique or filter.  I’m very selective about apps and I’ve found a few that works for me. If I see another artist doing something exciting, I might ask the them what app they used. I then go on and explore it further. I only tend to download an app if I think it will suit my way of editing. But I try to stay openminded and look for new ways of learning new things.

‘Going back to my roots’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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

Definitely Apple iOS. I have an iMac, a Mac Book, iPad mini and an iPhone 6S plus.

‘I Would Climb into a Tree’ ©Cathrine Halsor

Would you consider changing platforms and why?

I doubt it, because I adore the way iOS thinks and works. It is user friendly.

 ‘I’m made of Art and Dream Dust’ ©Cathrine Halsor

How often do you update your existing apps?

As soon as there are updates, I will download them.

‘If I Stayed’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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

My preferred Apps are:

Snapseed

VSCO

iColorama

Repix

Image Blender

Over

Formulas

Mextures

Stackables

I work very intuitively when I edit and as I’ve mentioned earlier, I love to get a tactile feel to my images. I love using textures in a subtle way.

‘If there is Poetry’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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

There are no specific place for me, wherever I am at that moment, that is the place. It might be in my studio, in nature or in my garden. I shoot or edit og something related to my art every day.

The world that I live in and the world that I see through my eyes, tends to become a little too rough for me. I believe it’s important for people to create their own worlds. You have this world which you live in, but I think we should create a sub-world, to protect us.

For me, photographing give me that sub-world; a state of flow, to be inspired and to see the precious things in my everyday life. As well as all the little magic moments and places I get to experience when I travel.

Also I live by the sea in Norway; a country where the outdoor culture has a strong spirit and I find that nature grounds me and inspires me in a beautiful subtle way.

‘My Soul is from Elsewhere’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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

Facebook and Instagram. Flickr is changing these days, and I don’t know why. But I stick with Flickr only because of Theappwhisperer.

‘Nature may Heal’ ©Cathrine Halsor

Do you use your mobile phone every day to take images?

Yes I take pictures most days, always with my mobile camera.

 ‘Remembering the Beauty’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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 only use a Octopus flexible tripod when I shoot self-portraits. My desire is to be as ’gear-free’ as possible, so I keep things pretty simple. Most of the time it’s just me and the camera.

‘Scent of Nature’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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

I use my phone or my mini iPad when I edit, no PC in use. Mobile photography has brought editing to us in a more free way, compared to using Photoshop on a PC.

 ‘Seed Words’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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

I don’t now exactly where I’m going, but I know I’m going somewhere beautiful. I love the enticing promises of unknown paths, so I let my passion for photographing with my mobile lead me on this journey forward. I’m not a person that plans my life, I like to stay open to new adventures. 

But this spring I am at the starting point of launching online classes on creativity and mindfulness; I believe that they are wonderful tools for personal empowerment and healing. The classes will be in norwegian, so my focus will be the Scandinavian countries.

I’ve had wonderful opportunities to exhibit my images. My journey of exhibiting in Mobile photography, started with Exposure in Ohio Columbus in 2014. Over the years, I’ve been honoured to have my work featured in exhibitions and lectures around the world, from USA, Italy, France, Korea to Portugal and Cyprus.

In 2015 I was invited to have an exhibition in my hometown Son, in Norway.

 ‘Seeker of the Sensual’ ©Cathrine Halsor

Where do you see the future of mobile photography?

I personally think that photos made via the iPhone have already taken a significant place in contemporary art, and as mobile photographers I believe we have a lot to look forward to. The growth of mobile photography and storytelling has been breathtaking and I’m very excited to see where this is taking us.

 ‘The Kiss’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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

I think there are two main groups, Painterly images and Photographic images. I see so much talent and a wide range of work shared. Very inspiring!

 ‘The More you Wander’ ©Cathrine Halsor

Do you think it is country Specific, are some nations more clued up?

Not really. I see exceptional work from all over the world in the Mobile Art communities, a global curiosity that brings us together. Mobile photography makes the world feel small, it makes it so easy to share instantly and feel connected.

‘The Silent Walk’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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

Higher resolution definitely, both in the camera lens as well as higher resolution app output. If mobile photography wants to get serious, resolution will always be a factor.

‘The Tale of’ ©Cathrine Halsor

What do you think of Joanne and theappwhisperer.com?

Joanne, you are a gift and a constant inspiration to me and to so many other artists around the world. The App Whisperer is one of the best iphoneography websites there is, a cutting-edge platform to visit for the latest advice, news and articles.

I thank you Joanne, from the bottom of my heart! xo

‘To the Wild and Untamed Wind’ ©Cathrine Halsor

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‘With you it’s Different’ ©Cathrine Halsor