Citizen Brooklyn

photo © alijardine

Tell us a little bit about your history as a photographer? When did you start and why?
I have always taken photos, but being obsessed with photography started when I got my first iPhone at the beginning of November in 2010. That is also when I joined Instagram and found a platform for the work I was doing.

photo © alijardine

How have you developed since the beginning?
The way that I shoot has changed drastically since I started. I was always an intuitive shooter and editor, but I have been slowly developing into a more deliberate shooter and editor. It saves time and energy to plan a bit when it is possible to do so.

photo © alijardine

Do you have any background in traditional photography?
I do not have any schooling in photography, but I do have a minor in art. I am a painter as well as a photographer, and I believe that helps shape and define who I am as a photographer.

photo © alijardine

Give us some technical insight into your photography; what equipment do you use and which apps for shooting and post-production?
I shoot using my iPhone 5 and 4s. I have several lenses that I use, primarily the Olloclip lens, which I love. I use many apps depending on what I am trying to accomplish. I have the apps I use organized in folders so I can find them easily. Some favorites are Lens Light, Tiny Planets and Filterstorm.

photo © alijardine

When and where do you do most of your shooting?
I usually shoot in the morning, when the light is nice and soft. I love magic hour in the evening as well. The forest is my favorite place to shoot, especially if it is foggy.

photo © alijardine

If this set of photos were a story what would it be?
When I create an image the story is always important. I use elements like color, shadow and line to suggest what the story may be about. Ultimately, I want there to still be room for the viewer to create their own plot, their own story. I don’t want to give it all away.

photo © alijardine

How do the photos relate to each other in your mind?
I think almost all of my images have the common denominator of fantasy.  I love to create images that are dreamlike and remind the viewer of childhood or some fuzzy memory.

photo © alijardine

Is there a purposeful mood or theme that goes deeper than the face value image?
I definitely am trying to relate that fantasy and magic are found all around us in our everyday lives if we look hard enough. My images usually teeter between happy and sad, light and shadow, which to me is what life is really like. I want my images to come from a place of honesty, that makes them real to me and hopefully to their viewer as well.

photo © alijardine

Do you intend to expand on these current themes, or do you have other ideas in mind for the future?
I will expand on what I am doing now, as well as offer different themes in the future.

photo © alijardine

Have you ever been to Brooklyn?
I have never been to Brooklyn, but it is on my list!

photo © alijardine

photo © alijardine

photo © alijardine