FocusOn Instagramers 1.36: @Streetstylish
.
Each week, Instagramers.com discovers new people. People addicted to Instagram, revealing their lives, passions, tips in Instagram. This week, we dedicate our weekly interview to a great “street photographer” called Arianne better known as @StreetStylish.
She appeared a long time ago, in one of the first Mashable article treating about Instagram. She was featured with two other street photographers, my friends @Takinyerphoto(see interview) and @Thomas_k (see interview) and I decided to ask for her own thoughts. Months later. Here she is!!
Arianna Power, also known as @Streetstylish, was born in London 25 years ago. Thanks to growing up in NYC and NJ she has an American accent despite having lived in London for the last 7 years.
Her transatlantic perspective is evident in her photos that have a slick New York feel to them, despite mostly being taken in London. .
She loves singing, songwriting, Bikram Yoga, and Thai Kickboxing (Muay Thai) when she’s not Instagramming.
Inspired by colour, shape, texture, and movement, she seeks to capture part of someone’s personality in both the candid and posed pictures she takes of stylish characters in London and worldwide.
.
You can see her Gallery in Instagram here.
.
When did you first join IG? How?
.
I first joined Instagram at the beginning of January 2011, after making a New Year’s Resolution to capture/remember more of my day to day life. I’ve never been very good at journaling or keeping a diary (as it’s too time intensive), so a quick visual format for capturing memories and moments seemed ideal for me and it’s been a perfect match ever since .
.
Tell us about your first weeks, months feelings in IG?
.
The first few weeks of IG were interesting, interacting with other Instagrammers. @joshjohnson holds a lot of “forums” and I found these were really helpful to connect with other users whose feeds I liked.
It was definitely a more personal way to find users with intriguing feeds than looking at the popular page or the (then very limited) featured users list. Most people on Instagram are pretty friendly and encouraging, which definitely helps when you’re new.
.
Did your “first sight” feelings change according today?
.
I don’t really check out the “forums” as much anymore, though saying that maybe I should. I still really enjoy interacting with the people that I connected with when I started using Instagram.
.
Why do you think you are so addicted to IG?
.
Because it’s fun, easy, and sociable. I don’t get annoyed anymore waiting in line at the grocery store or wherever because I just work my way through the pictures of those I’m following. It’s a great way to kill a few minutes here and there.
.
How long time do you spend a day in IG?
Probably more time than I’d care to admit. Lol.
.
Were you already found of street photo before?
With Instagram and iPhoneography it’s amazing that you can get such stylized snapshots so quickly, with no chemical stains on your clothes and without paying for film! It’s brilliant!
Digital photography in general has completely rejuvenated my interest in photography as it significantly lowers the cost of involvement with photography.
I don’t think money should be a barrier to creating art, but as a university student it definitely was. Because with digital photography (and especially iPhoneography/Instagram) you can take as many photos as you want, and you don’t have to pay for film, you’re free to experiment freely and that can really help you produce interesting avant garde works outside of your normal comfort zone. You know you’ve done something really good when no one else likes it.
I was always yearning to do street photography back at school but I felt too nervous to waste film and money on something that is as hit and miss as street photography. Instagram has given me a chance to explore something that has always held a fascination for me.
.
You are probably one of the most beloved Street Photographers in the world. How does it feel?
.
Really? You think so? That’s very flattering, thank you!
If you say so it must be true. So if that’s the case it feels pretty good. Especially because I only got a B in photography at University. Hah. Probably because I didn’t take enough risks!
.
Did it open you new personal opportunities, friends and profesional ones?
Instagram has definitely opened me to new opportunities, for which I’m very grateful. I never would have thought that my photos would be printed in the NY Times Fashion section alongside work by my favourite street style photographer, Bill Cunningham. It’s a great honour and I have Instagram to thank for stoking my interest in fashion photography.
Which is your favorite pic? How did you snap it?
.
A pic I took of the back of a woman in a beige trench coat (“mac” short for macintosh in the UK) reading a newspaper as a tube train pulls up. I love contrast of her standing there so still with the movement of the train. I took it by focusing on the woman, and the moving train blurs because I was focused on her rather than following the train. It’s simple but I think it has a lot of visual impact. Sky News Italia ran the picture with an article about Street Style iPhoneography and Instagram.
Which are your three fav apps?
Camera+ is my go-to editing app, always. Photo fx can be really useful, as can the ever popular picfx app. But I tend to stick just with Camera+.
.
How do you manage to take pictures of people? Do you ask them first?
What have been your first reaction when you had your first Pop?
.
I was happy! It was a picture of a sunset with the Lomo filter. My style has evolved a lot since then though.
.
Do your “non Instagramers” friends and family are bothered by your IG addiction?
.
Not really, luckily they’re pretty understanding.
.
If you had to recommend just one user you to follow?
@fashion every shot he does is killer. What an eye. He’s always been my number one favourite.
.
Something you would say to a new user?
Interact with other users, that’s the best part of Instagram!
You’ll find a lot of very cool people taking great photos and you’ll want to chat with them. Most popular users will happily answer any thoughtful questions about their work. In terms of creating work, try to think of the story behind your photo.
If it’s not telling one then take another photo that does. If you don’t know what your photo expresses, no one else will either. Also, make sure you have one of those backup batteries fully charged (or a charger cable) with you at all times because you’ll find your new addiction quite draining on your iPhone battery life. lol.
.
Thanks Arianne!! Thanks @Streetstylish! Very glad to share your experience and thoughts here.
You can see her Gallery in Instagram here.
.
@philgonzalez
