Greg Schmigel Interview

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
by Greg

Just What I See, iPhone Photographer Greg Schmigel was introduced to me via a comment on my personal blog about iPhone Photography + iPhone 2.0 Camera App. Predictions. He left a link which I followed to find not just a few photos taken with the iPhone’s camera but actually hundreds! So I read pretty much ever word on his site which isn’t much since its focus is on the images. Which I looked at heavily as-well. So I wanted to find out more about the another Greg. So here is the interview with Greg Schmigel.

Photos

Greg you run the site “Just What I See” and all the photographs on their come from your iPhone. You call it your iPhone Photography Project, How did this come about?

Actually, the project came about by accident.  I had purchased an iPhone, for the use of making calls and checking my e-mail.  Later, about my second day into getting used to the iPhone, I started to play with the camera and realized that for a 2 megapixel system, it actually took pretty decent photos.

I decided to shoot a few pictures, and upload them directly to my Flickr account via the e-mail function of the iPhone.  And, needless to say…the idea for an iPhone-only photography project was born. I decided that not only did I want to create an iPhone-only project, but I wanted to create a project that was simple … yet interesting and unique.  The idea of shooting just what I saw on any given day came naturally, as the iPhone is always in my pocket.

Hence the name of my Web site, Just What I See.  The name is a true and honest description of what I shoot.

On your site it shows you’ve been to a handful of cities with your iPhone taking pictures. Out of New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Baltimore, which do you think is the best gallery out of those four?

I’m not really sure which gallery is “best”, so to speak.  I think that would be better judged by the viewer, or the visitor to the site. If I had to chose one, I would say that my favorite gallery is my New York City gallery.  New York City is so full of photography opportunities.  From the huge buildings in the cityscape to a vendor in Chinatown to a graffiti tag in the Brooklyn…it’s all there for the taking.

Having an iPhone myself do you shoot with the standard Camera App provided by Apple or do you have a Hacked iPhone that you use that has a more feature heavy Camera App on it?

Yes, I shoot with the standard camera application that came with the iPhone.  I did Jailbreak my phone once to try out the heavier camera apps (CameraPro, and others), but I found that “heavier apps” was exactly what they were.  These heavier apps drained the battery much quicker than the standard camera app.  So, needless to say, I restored my iPhone and now use it as I bought it.

Is your iPhone the only thing you take pictures with currently?

At the moment, I am shooting exclusively with my iPhone.  I do own
a Canon 40D and a pocket-sized Leica D Lux-3.  But, to be honest, they
have started to collect some dust since the launch of Just What I See.

What features / apps are you looking forward to from the people at apple and other companies after the release of the iPhone 2.0 software?

Funny you should ask, especially since Apple just announced the
new features for the 2 Gen iPhones.  I was keeping my fingers tightly
crossed in the hopes that Mr. Jobs would “up” the camera system to
atleast 5 megapixels.  But in the end, I guess GPS was more important
to most folks.

Maybe the next generation will show an improved camera…but for now,
2 megapixels seems to be working out just fine.

I’ve noticed you have many black and white photos. I know the iPhone doesn’t shoot natively in black and white. What program do use for your digital darkroom so to speak?

For the most part, I convert my iPhone photographs to black and white in Apple’s iPhoto program. It’s got pretty basic adjustment tools, and I try to keep my post processing to a minimum.

Have you printed out any of your photos taken with the iPhone?

This is one of the most common questions I get about my project. ”Can I print the photos?” The answer is yes. I’ve printed many of the photographs that appear in my galleries. I hope to sell framed prints, perhaps in limited edition on my website, soon.

What is the highest print size you can do with out it turning to mush?

The iPhone camera creates images that are 1600 X 1200 pixels. At this size, you can get a fantastic 4X6 or 5X7 print! People are often amazed at the quality of the print. I frame most of my prints, using oversized mattes, which create a really nice looking piece of art. I have printed at 8X10, but when you move up to that size, you begin to feel the pain.

Have you given any thought to trying to get published by JPG magazine or any other form of print publication?

Actually I have. I have been a subscriber to JPG for nearly 2 years, and have always enjoyed the artists that they feature and the creativity they push. In my last conversation with them (via e-mail), they mentioned that they were not “ready” for cellular photography, but perhaps in the future they would run an article of some sort. I originally approached JPG with my project, because I feel that someone is going to jump on this fairly new art form, and I thought JPG should be the ones to do it. Truth be told…it looks like Photograview has jumped on it. Thanks!

How has the flickr community reacted to your iPhone only images?

Flickr has been a great place to share iPhone works. There are currently several groups that cater strictly to iPhone photography or cellular photography. In fact, there are even a couple of cellular street photography groups. I have come to meet several people (both via e-mail and telephone) from all over the world, who are amazing iPhone or cellular photographers. It’s always interesting to see what type of camera phone they are using to capture their art. Early this year, I started a Flickr group called “iphone-photography”, which has rapidly grown to more than 50 members and nearly 2,800 images to date.

If you can hope to leave one impression with your photographs what would that be?

This reminds me of a question I was asked previously in an interview, “What is your goal with your project.” And, to be honest, I don’t really think I started with a true goal in mind, or an impression that I wanted to leave. I simply love to see, compose and capture images, and share them with the world. Although, I do see my project as a unique project in that my works aren’t heavily-lit studio sessions, they’re aren’t multiple lenses involved in my shooting, in fact it’s a pretty basic system of shooting. These are simply photographs, images and captures of Just What I See.

Linkage:

• Just What I See ( website )
• Just What I See ( flickr account )
• iPhone-Photography ( flickr group )