Yes i have succumbed to the dark side of the force I’m currently trying out Instagram just to see how it fits into my social networking. So far, i’m just feeling my way around the photo sharing service, and it does appear to have noticeable differences from other photography iPhone applications.

To many photographers Instagram and Hipstamatic are dirty words. Dirty, DIRTY words!!! While both of these photography applications are lumped together in criticism, i find they offer the user slightly different approaches to photography using an iPhone. Hipstamatic is far less of a social networking app than Instagram. I can certainly understand Facebook’s interest in purchasing Instagram… though not the price they paid for it.

So will i continue to use it? Well yes. I went out for a walk yesterday and tried to get to grips with what Instagram can do. Sadly i couldn’t upload any over a phone signal as i went along.. because there was NO phone signal out in the countryside. I did manage to eventually upload some images though by using a hotel’s free wi-fi signal.

As a device for visually showing what i’m up to, Instagram is perfect. It’s a visual tweet, a snapshot, a visual scrapbook – a moment in time. The here and now. I just need to settle in with it.

The main website has a Instagram gallery where you’ll be able to see new and old images at http://www.richardflintphoto.com/instagram-gallery/

Man distributing pamphlets in the street at Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk.

The iPhone and its photographic capabilities may have a lot of critics but as a candid street photography camera I think its pretty darn good.

The ability to take a photo in the blink of an eye is just one benefit to using a mobile phone as a image capturing device. The small size of a phone also helps you avoid attention. Critical when shooting candid street photos.

OK, the iPhone & other mobile phones are never going to replace the Nikons and Canons of this world but as a separate tool for capturing images quickly and quietly it’s ideal.

A walk through Fakenham Market. The town still retains a good and bustling market while other market towns around the UK struggle.

Took this image last night of a boat at Morston Quay, Norfolk. Rather like the tones I’m getting with certain b&w setting on the iPhone’s Hipstamatic app.

Sigh. This week i really need to sort out my 35mm lens. It’s not a serious issue (at least i don’t think it is), just a rattly rear element that needs securing, but it bugs me because it is my favourite lens. I love that lens. Hopefully it will be easy enough to sort out.

It’s been a week of checking out cameras and prices. I have a few ideas coming together for 5×4 gear and a new digital camera i aim to get later this year. I’m especially looking forward to getting down to a bit of refined and relaxed image making with a 5×4.

The final version. Four different photo styles from one original image. The iPhone app used to produce all four images was Plasticbullet.

One image. Four different versions. This is version number two. The first can be found on my Facebook page.

Still-life of an apple

A train departs York station. I’ve been using an iPhone app called Plastic Bullet
recently and I rather like the results. Unlike my other photo apps,
Plastic Bullet offers a random selection of lo-fi photo styles.

If you don’t like one selection then you simple move onto the next
four random selections of styles until you find something you like.
I just love the simplicity and random creative potential of the app.