An Interview with Keith Lane, the Photographer Behind DC’s Second Mobile Photo Exhibit iwishyouwerehere

Introduction

Mobile photography is enabling a whole new paradigm of instant, shareable, app-enabled art. The iPhone has even surpassed all point-and-shoot cameras as the most popular camera on Flickr. Now, a few years into the mobile photo enabled sharing that started with camera smart phones, we are witnessing organizations and exhibitions pop up all over the world related to this new industry. From Singapore to Seattle, the new school of mobile artistry is manifesting into a full-fledged artistic movement that is striving for legitimization from the established art community. Washington DC, with it’s surprising underground art scene is a hotbed for this activity so it makes sense that mobile artists would find a place to showcase their work here.

I was lucky enough to ask a few questions to Keith about his mobile photo exhibit, iwishyouwerehere:

1. How did you come about photography?

I started taking pictures with the intent to report and document from my time while volunteering in Bangladesh. I had been taking photographs as a kid, but this was the first time where I began to really dig in and see if becoming a photographer was something I wanted to fully commit to becoming. As a volunteer for a Bangladeshi NGO I had the unique opportunity to gain access to a world beyond the news headline. I found that having my camera in hand allowed me to explore the cities around me in a new light. The more I was shooting the more I found myself being pulled into taking on a full time photography career. It took me going half way around the world to learn that lesson. From there, I left Bangladesh to go to the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine. While at Salt I learned to polish the incomplete concepts I just couldn’t pick up while abroad. And the rest, as they say, is history.

2. What made you decide to start taking pictures with your mobile phone?

I sort of fell into mobile photography as a result of a few shifts in my life. Going to Salt was great in that it was a 24-hour non-stop learning and photographing environment. But, that’s a difficult thing to maintain afterward. At the same time I didn’t want to slow down my pace. Once I purchased my iPhone I knew I had found the right tool that would allow me to always have a camera on me to photograph whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. The transition from student to professional has not been an easy one. So when I started iwishyouwerehere it came out of the need to help further define who I was as a photographer and artist.

3. Is mobile photography a passing fad or part of a larger movement as the world goes digital?

I think mobile photography is as much a part of the photography world as the Polaroid/instant camera was (and still is in some circles). It allows thousands of people an opportunity to express their voice. What will be interesting is to see how developed mobile phones become in terms of capacity and output.

If it’s a passing fad it won’t be one soon forgotten.

4. What are your favorite iPhone apps and why? (TOP 10 and don’t have to be photo related)

· Ride DC: Helps to make sure I make it on time for a meeting.
· NextBus DC: I don’t own a car so buses are key to getting around where the train can’t go.
· Twitter: Keeps me updated while I am en route.
· Sticher Radio: Nothing quite like listening to a good radio program on the go.
· Decim8: Helps me push the limits of my mobile phone imagery.
· CameraBag: My first camera app that started it all.
· Words with Friends: I’m absolutely terrible at it. And yet, I can’t stop playing.
· Eat St: I love good food.
· Kayak: I’m always looking for the next travel deal overseas.
· The Weather Channel: Let’s me know if I need to back and extra layer.

5. Which mobile photo that you took sticks out in your mind as your favorite from the collection? Which photo has the best story behind it?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one photo from nearly the 19 months I have been working on iwishyouwerehere – and my overall practice at how to create a strong frame with my phone. Everything single one has a story behind it. But, if push comes to shove, I’ll never stop loving my first frame I took and processed on my iPhone. It’s called, The Spot. And it’s where iwishyouwerehere was born out of necessity to never stop shooting and aid me in transitioning from the idea of becoming a photographer to taking it on full time.

6. What 7 things can’t you live without?
My Camera
My iPhone
My headlamp
My Compass
My pocket knife
My father’s dog tags
My laptop

7. Where do you see photography taking you in the future?

Right now I see myself moving overseas for an extended period of time. I love traveling and am aiming to set up shop in the Middle East before 2012 is over. I hope to further blend my background in ecology with photography to tell stories that I find fascinating and important to the conversation at large. But like any plan – things can change. Though, this one is happening. I just know it.

Links
Portfolio: http://www.keithlanephotography.com
Blog: http://www.keithlanephotoblog.com
Colloaboration: http://www.ornamentalfoxes.com

Please join Keith on opening night, Friday October 7th at the Hillyer to kickoff DC’s second mobile photo exhibit. I can’t wait to see this wonderful mobile-enabled ongoing conceptual photography project live in action. ~ James Campbell

This entry was posted on Friday, October 7th, 2011 at 4:09 am. It is filed under exhibitions and tagged with going out guide DC, iphoneography, iwishyouwerehere, keith lane, mobile photography, October 2011 DC events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.