Citizen Brooklyn

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Tell us a little bit about your history as a photographer? When did you start and why? How have you developed since the beginning? Do you have any background in traditional photography? Etc.
I’ve played around with photography for a long time, but my primary creative interest has always been writing fiction. It was in late 2010, I had been working on a novel for several months and had started to feel a little burned out. I decided to take a break from writing and instead took up photography as a creative outlet. Shortly thereafter, I found Instagram and have been hooked ever since. I spend a lot of time on photography now, and I’m still working on that damn novel.

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Give us some technical insight into your photography; what equipment do you use and which apps for shooting and post-production?
The iPhone 5 is my go-to camera. It combines decent quality with the convenience of having it with me at all times. Add to that the ability to immediately post to social networking blogs, there’s no beating it. I have a Canon DSLR that I use occasionally, but even when shooting with it, I often take duplicate shots with my iPhone for posting to Instagram. Depending on the photograph, I use any combination of apps. My current favorites are Camera+, Qbro, Pro HDR, and Filterstorm.

Photo ©purposeofenvy

When and where do you do most of your shooting?
Whenever and where ever: along my commute to work, while walking my dog, while out running errands. On the weekends when I have more free time, I might wander the streets or hike through local parks in search of a good shot. I take a lot of photos during the course of my day, weaving them into and in between other activities. I’ve developed a bit of an Insta-reflex.  When I see something visually appealing, I immediately find myself grasping for my phone.

Photo ©purposeofenvy

If this set of photos were a story what would it be? How do the photos relate to each other in your mind? Is there a purposeful mood or theme that goes deeper than the face value image?
I don’t think in terms of theme when photographing. For me it’s simply falling in love with something I see and then translating that into a photograph. There may very well be a theme, but I’m not conscious of it.

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Do you intend to expand on these current themes, or do you have other ideas in mind for the future?
I have a couple of special projects in mind. One is to tell a fictional short story via a series of photographs and captions on my Instagram. I’ve also thought about doing portraits / bios of interesting street artists and musicians around Cincinnati. Stay tuned to @purposeofenvy.

Photo ©purposeofenvy

What are your feelings about Instagram as social media / artistic medium?
Instagram is the love of my artistic life and my ball and chain at the same time.  Overall, it’s pretty awesome.

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Have you ever been to Brooklyn? What are your thoughts on it?
I’m sad to say that I’ve never been to Brooklyn. Shame on me because I spent two years in Albany for my job and took many trips into the City. I would love to visit someday.

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Photo ©purposeofenvy

Photo ©purposeofenvy