Whether you like it more or less or believe more or less in it, the truth is that most of us have succumbed to mobile photography, either as part of our photographic work, or as an occasional complement, or we have turned it 100% into our way of working.
Be that as it may, if you only use the phone when you don’t have the SLR on you, if you have turned it into your main camera, or if you only use it on very specific occasions, mobile photography is here to stay. So why not make the most of it with one of the most comprehensive books on mobile photography out there today?
Composition and design
The book is divided into 10 topics with their corresponding subtopics and ends with an alphabetical index. Through a brief introduction, he transmits and justifies his decision to work with mobile photography professionally, due to its immediacy, its portability, and the ease of sharing the results globally, but also reflects on the importance of the photographic process in mobile photography (interrelation of the aspects that compose it, what we want to photograph until choosing a suitable and well-argued edition).
1 The concept above the device
In this first topic, the author tells us about what led him to realize that the best way to work for him was photography with a Smartphone. Their immediacyits portability and its possibilities when it comes to easily sharing images, together with his interest in learning about people’s behavior and showing the world things that often go unnoticed, led him to opt for this option, to which he has devoted most of the rest of his photographic work. There is a perfect camera for every occasion and the Smartphone is, many times, the best option.
Once he has made his reflection, he also gives us a brief walk through the evolution of mobile photography, while explaining to us what a Smartphone camera is like or the different types of photographic Smartphones.
2 Learning the shooting process in mobile photography
In this chapter, the author reflects on the importance of working on a idea prior to shooting, the importance of narrate and of photographic process necessary to obtain good photographs previously taking into account aspects such as light, composition, color and contrast, plans, in short, thinking before shooting.
Once the previous thought has been carried out, it invites us to know everything related to the process and the technique, from how to hold the phone, how to look for new prospects photogenic, the best accessories photographic, applications and parameters to shoot the photographs, the focus and depth of field and the existing files and formats.
3 Composition: an essential condition
In this third theme, Rodrigo Rivas takes us into the compositiongoing by the rule of thirds, the power of the simplificationthe importance of the point of view, the balance (weight distribution by shape, size, location, etc.), the use of environment in visual language (lines, dots, background) and the importance of originality and break barriers and stereotypes.
4 Understanding light as a perfect ally
We will delve into this fourth topic on the importance of light and learning to use it to our advantage, going through the different types of light intensitythe directionalitythe photograph night or low light and, finally, a reflection on the importance of light as a narrative element. All this accompanied by multiple examples and images throughout the topic.
5 The new documentalism and its way of sharing it
What has the Smartphone meant for the graphic documentationhow to choose the themes, make series of photos (and their meaning) or wait for the perfect momentthe everyday, or the sharing of images on different social networks, are the topics that you can find in this chapter on mobile photography.
6 Street photography or streetphotography
This is probably the photographic genre that has benefited most from the miniaturization of photographic equipment, which is why the author dedicates an entire theme to it, focusing on the importance of telling a story, the importance of gestures, of playing with scale, and even on the rights of the people portrayed and professional ethics.
7 The Smartphone as a companion in travel photography
In this chapter we delve into another great context where the use of the Smartphone has become more widespread. This is travel photography. We will walk through advice prior to the trip regarding necessary material, the importance of seeking originality in our images, portraits of strangers, or the use of the Smartphone as a travel diary, as well as different tricks (photograph many different planes, increase the dynamic range, panoramas, etc.).
8 Photojournalistic photography and reportage
In this eighth chapter we perhaps enter the world where, today, the Smartphone has entered with more force; photojournalism and reportage, we will delve into the different types, how to tell stories (story teller), or how to make a making of.
9 Photo editing
In this penultimate chapter, we will delve into editing as the final process of the photographic image and as an essential part of it, how to organize and select photographs, essential aspects when starting to edit images such as the choice of applications, the filters, black and white photography, and even the psychological importance of editing to convey positive or negative emotions in the viewer, as well as how to prepare the image in case you want to print it.
10 Searching for a photographic identity
To close this essential manual on mobile photography, the author offers us some principles to achieve our photographic style: look for what we like: search, shoot and analyze, pay attention to apps, choose the right Smartphone, or know where to look for inspiration.
Details
Number of pages: 228
Soft cover
Publisher: Anaya Multimedia Editions (Photo Club)
Price: €28.45
Ideal for…
Anyone who trusts and sees the present and future possibilities of mobile photography and wants to learn how to train their vision through this device as part of their job or 100% dedicated to it.
About the Author
Rodrigo Rivas is, as he presents himself in his book, a photographer freelancing and digital technician. In 2011 he incorporated mobile photography into his professional work, allowing him to expand his portfolio of clients who understand the promotional and marketing potential of this type of image.
His knowledge in the world of mobile photography has led him to do several seminars, conferences, workshops and exhibitions both in the US and in Spain, he is also an editor in different media.
The best
It is a very complete work at all levels that will teach you about everything to see with the eyes of a photographer, all the possibilities offered by the instantaneity, lightness and versatility of a Smartphone, through many examples and tricks, different applications and editing possibilities. A workflow complete from the look to the print on paper, essential for those who have ever pressed the trigger of their Smartphone hoping to get good results 😉 .
Worst
There is no worse. The worst thing could be that the applications quickly become obsolete, but the author, in anticipation, offers us to stay updated completely free of charge on his personal website:
www.rodrigorivas.es
Other publications
At the moment, there are no other publications in paper format, but you can follow his work closely through his different websites and social platforms on the internet:
Personal website: https://www.rodrigorivas.es
Twitter: @rodrigorivasph
Instagram: @rodrigorivasph
Conclusions
Reading this complete manual is essential for anyone who is capable of seeing the potential that mobile photography has and will have in our lives, but not only for that, everything that is taught in this very complete manual (the importance to look, to search, to train the gaze, to know what we want and how to obtain it, the importance of light and composition, the importance of trying to be different and looking for our own style…), it is applicable to any type of photographer; It is the basis of photography.
What do you think? Do you dare to take a look at this wonderful work?
I hope you found our literary recommendation today interesting. If so, please share it with whoever you think might be interested in meeting her. Thank you and until next time 🙂 .