Featured iPhone Street Photographer: Dominique Jost from Switzerland

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!