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Using only an iPhone and some practice, you can be a professional photographer too.
Well, let’s face it: this quarantine hasn’t been that easy. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s that we all collectively now have time that we didn’t before. Have you always wanted to practice a skill that you never had the opportunity to? Do you have a passion that you want to work on? Now’s definitely the time.
Photography may be the most useful and practical creative skill to learn these days. While professional cameras may be quite expensive, anyone with an iPhone can take expert photos. With the right planning, concept, and advice, anyone can learn the skills to become a master photographer in no time!
Destination KSA has taken the liberty to interview a series of photographers who decided to create a photo series’ using only their iPhones during the Ramadan quarantine. We asked them all about their craft, and what they would recommend to any up-and-coming photographers trying to build their skillsets.
Photo by Rashed Al Subaie
Saudi photographer Rashed Al Subaie (@irashedz) had a lot of great advice. He suggests using the grid, HDR, and rule of third in your pictures to draw attention to your subject. Rashed believes that new photographers should always look for new techniques, have their own photography style, and be patient to come up with the best photography results.
Before his shoots, Rashed sometimes needs research and advance planning to prepare the required tools to execute the planned concept. Other times, he likes to be receptive to random moments of imagination. Rashed finds inspiration and beauty in everything around him, you just need a good eye to catch the beauty around everyone. During quarantine, passionate photographers should practice everything, follow the latest photography and videography trends, and expand their knowledge.
Photo by Abdullah Alshaiji
Abdullah Alshaiji (@shaijieee), a Kuwaiti photographer, also has advice. The iPhone, he states, has great photography and videography features that anyone can utilize and get professional camera results. Besides the iPhone’s night mode and time-lapse features Abdullah loves the natural look on the iPhone produced pictures, it’s completely different from any other phone.
Abdullah always trains his workshop students on the photo concept/idea. For him, good photo quality comes from planning a good concept. He usually does research for ideas and inspiration before any photoshoot, but, like Rashed, he also likes to keep a room for spontaneous creativity.
During quarantine, Abdullah has learned some lessons. First, he believes that the Internet is a great tool to find inspiration, ideas, and concepts, giving him opportunities to produce good images while quarantined. While in isolation, he learned how to deal with difficult lighting situations. To him, light is the most important pillar of any great picture.
Abdullah believes that a tripod is a must! Either to shoot Time-Lapse or for pictures with low light or for stop motion. Some other options like macro lenses and ring lights could be useful in some situations. Most importantly, he wishes he had known that photography is a continuous learning process. If he had the chance to read, learn, and educate himself more, he would be even more masterful! So what are you waiting for?
Photo by Mohammed Alkaabi
Finally, Emirati photographer Mohammed Alkaabi (@mohframes) reiterates what the previous two photographers stated, adding that the iPhone is an amazing tool if you know how to utilize its features to the maximum, so try to push the iPhone to the limits if you want to be amazed!
