About this website

Welcome to the inescapable “about” page. I update this page sporadically with some background info to answer your questions about the “who”, “what”, “why” and “why not”.

 Red Sofa, Germany. Shot on iPhone Xs

So please, take a seat on the red sofa (shot on iPhone) while I explain all this stuff.

Oh yes, if you don’t enjoy reading, you can also listen to two podcast interviews about my approach to iPhone Photography I did with Greg McMillan and Rajeev.

Otherwise, just scroll down to learn more about some milestones in my photographic journey.

About me

A photo of myself. Not shot on iPhone

First, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chris (“him”) and I live in the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria. A city that received numerous awards for being the most livable place in the world.

My photography story began back in 1984, when I received the first film camera from my dad to document my first trip to the United States.

Fast-forward.

In 1995, I started to publish my first photos on the Internet.

1995 - 2000

Shot on Film

Before I turned to digital cameras, I used classic film cameras - above and underwater: From disposable cameras for underwater photography to point and shoot cameras and my first SLR for documenting my travels.

 A coral, Eilat (Israel), shot on film

Back then, I used numerous photo accessories I to carry on each trip: the SLR, a wide and a tele lens, a tripod, batteries, chargers, a flashlight and a housing for taking underwater photos with a disposable film camera.

Two of the underwater photos I took back then were even featured by Ikelite, the manufacturer of the underwater camera housing, on their website from 1995 to the early 2000s.

If you’re curious, you can still see that page containing two images I took via archive.org.

Taking underwater photos was a bit challenging. First, there were lots of small particles floating around in the water that would reflect the light of the flash. Moreover, all the animals simply woudn’t want to wait until I got a good photo of them. That was probably one of the reasons I turned to travel photography focusing (pun intended) on landscapes and architecture.

As you can see on the last photo, I always had a sweet spot for lost places - even if they’re under water.

2000 - 2012

Digital Concert Photography

In 2000, digital cameras became affordable. I used them for documenting concerts and events in Vienna. Back then, I edited the photos on my computer using Apple Aperture.

 Evil Jard, Vienna. Shot on DSLR

One of the most enduring challenges in iPhone Photography was to find camera apps and photo editing that would allow me to shoot and edit photos similarly.

The first digital SLR I owned was a Nikon D70. I’ve used it for years and upgraded to a Nikon D300 a few years later.

Being a concert photographer was interesting. We got lots of orders from the management about how to photograph the celebrities and during which songs we were allowed to take photos.

Since 2012

iPhone Photography

During a trip to Las Vegas in 2012 I began using iPhone as a point and shoot camera. I was surprised by the quality of the photos the iPhone 5 produced.

Wynn @ Encore, Las Vegas, Shot on iPhone 5S

So one day, I left my DSLR and all the heavy camera accessories in the hotel room and used my iPhone to document my trip.

Since then, I have written about iPhone Photography and how to travel light in the blog

Walking through a city without a heavy camera bag felt so liberating. No heavy camera was dangling from my neck and I could immediately check the photos I made on a big screen - and if necessary, delete and re-take them. It was like I just rediscovered photography. Here are a few photos I took during that trip to Las Vegas. All photos shot on iPhone 5.

Head to the blog to learn more about my approach to iPhone Photography, which camera apps and which photo editing apps I use and learn how I use them.

Also since 2012

Lost Places Photography

During a road trip in Carinthia, Austria, I discovered an abandoned manor house near the road. I was stunned by this decaying beauty.

Dentist’s Chair; Germany

Since then, I’ve visited dozens of lost places in Europe and the United States and photographed them with my iPhone.

There’s a special category in my blog where I share photos of my journeys to abandoned places - all shot on iPhone.

During my journeys, I’ve photographed well and lesser known lost places: From the abandoned buildings in the Chernobyl exclusion zone to the well known Beelitz Heilstätten to the abandoned immigration hospital on Ellis Island.

In my blog, you’ll find a dedicated page about all the lost places I’ve visited. And you can visit some of them too - legally!