Featured iPhone Street Photographer: Dominique Jost from Switzerland

by Eric Kim on January 13, 2011

Note: Every week, I feature street photographers with great skill and soul. For this week, I decided to feature street photographer Dominique Jost from Switzerland. I found Dom’s work on Flickr and I was blown away by his vivid and provocative B/W images. His work is very unique as he specializes in street photography with his iPhone. Intrigued enough? Read his exclusive interview below and see his amazing images as well.

"Winter Loneliness" - Dominique Jost

1. How did you get started in street photography?

"Block You" - Dominique Jost

It wasn’t something I planned to do, but rather something I gravitated to naturally over time. Since getting my iPhone in December 2008 I’ve gone through a few phases that lead me to the point where a lot of my work can be considered street photography.

The first was my “crap-cam” phase which lasted till June 2009. I didn’t think very highly of the camera in the iPhone and thus only used it to document events and send them to friends an family.

The second phase I would call “app-mania”, because in summer 09, through iphoenography.com, I discovered the seductive world of photography apps. I started my tumblr blog, joined twitter and took pictures like crazy. Back then I felt like a kid in a candy store, every app added a new flavour to my pictures. It wasn’t so much about the picture but more about the technical process of transforming generic looking images into something (I thought) might be special. This went on till the end of 2009. During that period I stumbled upon the work of Sion Fullana and Greg Schmigel. What I saw simply blew me away. I couldn’t believe that those guys were capturing poetry on the streets with the same device I was holding in my hands.

That’s when I got hooked on to street photography (phase three). I went from shooting cats and dogs and other random stuff to more or less street only in 2010.

2. How do you shoot in the streets?

"Great Depression" - Dominique Jost

Because of the privacy laws in Switzerland, I can’t go Bruce Gilden on my subjects over here. I try and shoot without really exposing the individual person. This limitation has certainly had a huge influence in my style, as it forced me into working more with light and shadow to produce something of interest. It is rather difficult to evoke emotions with faceless people or people that have their backs turned toward you, but I do seem to manage somehow.

My favourite way of shooting is finding the right location and just waiting for the situation to unfold. It might me waiting for the right person to pass by or waiting for the sun to cast the perfect shadow. There are other occasions where I pull out my cam purely based on anticipation of great things to happen.

At the end it all boils down to getting your timing right. There’s nothing more exciting than being caputring the decisive moment. It’s an adrenaline rush and something that I know my fellow street photogs experience on a regular basis.

I also agree with what Jürgen Burgin said in his feature: Tell a story and love your characters! I would like to think that, if presented the chance, my characters would like to have a print of the shots they were in.

3. What do you love most about street photography?

"Distant Twins" - Dominique Jost

The streets provide an endless series of untold stories. You just need to look closely, connect the unconnected and freeze time at the right moment before it falls into obscurity.

4. What is the #1 tip you have for aspiring street photographers?

"Boy Girl" - Dominique Jost

Oh wow, I would say never forget that your gear is worth nothing without vision! I don’t care what you used to capture your photo, I’m only interested in the story it tells and whether it transports me to a different place and time.

Links

"Got Your Back" - Dominique Jost

Tubmlr/Main Blog: http://www.nique88888.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/niquejost/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nique88888
EYE’EM: http://www.eyeem.com/streams/show/user%3A244
FB Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/uniqueness-iPhoneography-by-Dominique-Jost/131154540280694?v=wall

Are you an iPhone street photographer as well? Show Dom some love and leave a comment below! You can also check out our other featured street photographers here!

Tagged as: black and white, dominique jost, greg schmigel, iPhone street photography, sion fullana, switzerland

  • http://fokkomuller.nl Fomu

    Great story and love your photo’s.

  • Will

    I’m amazed at the quality the iPhone produces, i’m sure it would make for a very discreet way of taking photo’s as well, here I was downsizing to m43 and enjoying the benefits. Just another way of justifying an iPhone purchase hah!

    Very nice photo’s in terms of the contrast between light and dark area’s, I was happy to see him mention that in the article too as I was thinking that.

  • http://www.wilfredpaulse.com Wilfred Paulse

    Had it not been said that these photos were taken with an Iphone, I would have sworn they were taken with a more sophisticated camera. All are great but my favorite is “Great Depression”with great tonal range and fantastic sharp detail. Congratulations!

  • http://www.lahnphotography.dk jakob lahn

    I liked the post and the photos alot.

  • Gregory L. Johnson

    I like your work Dominique. I just added you as a contact on Flickr. I’ve had an iPhone since August of 2009 and until recently had dismissed the phone as not worthy of capturing images. A renewed interest in photography lead me to this blog which in turn made me aware of the remarkable work that others have done with the iPhone. I have recently start using it and am amazed at what I’ve been able to do with it. I have learned the lesson “your gear means nothing without vision.” Now to bring that vision to the street. Thanks for sharing!

  • David Glasco

    Not a lot left to say. However, I can only imagine what you could do with your Vision and an upgrade in equipment. Swiss law has obviously not stopped your creativity from shining through. Keep shooting and showing!

  • http://www.nique88888.com Dominique Jost

    Hello Fomu, Will, Wilfred, Jakob, Gregory and David,

    First of all: Thank you for all you wonderful and encouraging comments! It’s crazy what happened last year. The first few exhibitions, a few interviews and most of all getting to know a lot of new and interesting people! Words can’t describe how much I appreciate all of this.

    I tried using a Nikon D300, but after a few months I decided to end that experiment. I don’t know why, but DSLR’s and myself don’t get along very well. I love the gear itself, but wasn’t able to produce anything worth showing. I’ve gotten to know the iPhone very well, and I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t actually see the the camera, but it sees what I see. Sounds strange, but there is no other way for me to put it :)

    Anyway, thanks once more and I hope to catch all of you online or at an exhibition near you.

    - Dominique

  • http://sthlmstreet.com Jimmy D

    You shure shows that the iPhone is an excellent tool for shooting street. I kind of knew that already, but you´re images takes it to another level. Of course that is more thanks to you beeing a great photographer.

    I think I´ll be using my iPhone a lot the next weeks as my beloved Pentax is on its way to the camera doctor. ;)

  • http://www.nique88888.com Dominique Jost

    Thanks Jimmy D!

    I love what you wrote on your blog about street photography: “…the urban street life is littered with fantastic moments.” That is so true, and the main reason I keep doing what I do.

    • http://Gatufoto.wordpress.com Jimmy D

      Thanks, Dominique. Keep that fire burning. :)

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/byzeno Zeno

    Super photos Dom!

    I can relate to what you and Jimmy say.

    Zeno

  • http://www.ghanyobi.com Ghanyobi

    On point. Your #1 fan. ;-)

  • http://www.nique88888.com Dominique Jost

    Zeno, thank you sir!

    Ghanyobi, chale thanks! :)

  • http://www.prophotoresource.com Cris Mitchell

    I typically despise cell phone photography, but these are really exceptional.
    Great work!
    Cris…

  • http://zenlen.posterous.com/ ZenLen

    Great stuff, full of life! Thanks for sharing, too! I added you on Flickr, but I think we already crossed paths on in an iPhoneography group. Peace, Dom!
    Len

  • http://www.nique88888.com Dominique Jost

    Cris, ZenLen thanks for reading this guys. peace!

  • http://www.dailygrindphotography.com Todd Metcalfe

    Great images, I’m always amazed at the quality of images taken with newer model cell phones. Thanks for the tips.

  • http://www.nique88888.com Dominique Jost

    Todd, I’m still shooting with my iPhone 3GS but looking forwards to the iPhone 5/4s (or whatever clever name Apple will come up with)

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  • Bryan

    I like his work, and I appreciate that he is not one of these guys that thinks you have to spend tens of thousands of dollars on camera equipment but I gotta ask… how much of this work is real and how much is just iphone app or post processing special effects? Many, or admittedly most, of his photos are heavily based on composition and content….which is great. However, some of the shots on his flickr don’t necessarily have much content in regards to subject but rely on what seems to be overly photoshopped effects in order to draw attention. While there is admittedly skill in being able to manipulate a photo into being aesthetically pleasing, it begs the question “where does photography end and illusion begin?” Again, Dominique has LOTS of amazing images but there are certainly a few peppered throughout that seem very interesting until you realize “oh it’s just a guy walking across a street.” I guess this is the same argument that has been made a thousand times in drawing a painting…. where an image catches your eye based on effect or technique but once the viewer sees the image for what it is there is a severe let down when they realize the actual content is of no significance.

  • http://twitter.com/SeANMcBAY Sean Magnoni

    Love the article. The iPhone really is amazing for street photography. It really is proof that it’s the photographer and not the gear that matters most though. I am just getting started myself.

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