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Daniel Schifferli
@the__phonetographer
Photographer based in Switzerland
On our first family trip in Greece, my dad bought me a sketchbook and some crayons. This may not sound like a lot, but it was a present that altered the course of my life. As a five years old I would spend endless hours drawing any kind of scenery or ancient temples, sometimes along with my brother and my dad. I was so fixated on my drawings, that nothing would distract me until I was finished. I think that’s where I developed this innate desire and fascination to frame a moment, onto paper.
"Which is the same fascination I have nowadays for photography."
I would spend many hours drawing and imagining new worlds, far from reality. And it was on that same Greek family vacation, where I was given my first instant camera. It was the same creative experience I had felt drawing with my crayons. I was able to freeze a moment in time, and make it last a lifetime.
"And so, just like that, I was hooked!"
Now for me, the camera you hold in your hands is irrelevant. Just like all those years ago at five years old, my cheap instant camera didn’t matter to me. Because the best camera is always the one you have in your hands in the moment. And in most cases in this current era, that is the smartphone.
I first started to realise the potential of smartphones for photography when I got a Sony Ericsson k750i. By today’s standards, this would look incredibly clunky. But to me, it was a tiny wonder machine, capable of so much. And fast forward to today, most people do not realize just how powerful smartphones are. It’s all I use for my photographs; you don’t necessarily need an expensive DSLR. Photography is for anyone interested in expressing their artistic self. For people who are passionate about not just taking the usual snapshots, but also actually making photographic artwork.
"Photography can be for everyone, with only the phone in your pocket."
My phone is my daily companion. So, wherever I come across a potential photo, I can take it and then upload to my Instagram account, where it can be seen for many years to come. And it is this eye for spotting great, potential photographs that has convinced me to find work as a videographer. I feel that photography and videography help me deal with our fast-paced world and the challenges it brings. Normally, I’m constantly thinking. About my future, next project or family plans. It’s hard to turn off. But this all fades away when I pick up my camera. And I’m able to live in the moment. Completely fixated on what I’m doing, much like when I was five years old, back in Greece with my sketchbook.
"There is nothing else in that moment that’s important. And that’s why I like what I do. It’s escapism into imagined new worlds, once again."
Many would look at the smartphone as being at a disadvantage to the DSLR camera. But, the smartphone is a super-computer offering more possibilities than one might automatically think. When I’m out and about shooting, I’ll use the Iphone 11 pro with a standard wide lens, 52 mm tele lens and an ultra-wide lens. The native camera tries to adjust focus and exposure automatically, that’s why people don’t realise you can also set the focus, exposure, iso and white balance completely manually AND shoot in RAW. Instead of relying on the suggested settings, I use the manual camera options through apps such as “pro cam”, “halide mark II”, and the “moment” app. So, if there is one secret I have to phonetography, it is this:
"Take full manual control of your smartphone camera. There’s so much more you can get out of it!"
And because most smartphones have at least two lenses nowadays, you can get beautiful depth of field and great detail in your photographs. You don’t need to take photos that look flat, over-exposed and over-saturated like they used to on phones. Also, the resolution of today’s phones means that they are good enough to print, and then hang on your living room wall. For editing, I prefer to use either the app “Google snapseed” or “Adobe lightroom mobile”. Oh, and here’s an extra tip, if you want to get just that little bit extra zoom on your smartphone camera, then I recommend you buy the “Sandmarc 60mm tele lens”. It works with nearly every smartphone and easily fits in your pocket.
"I feel being flexible and lightweight is really important if you want to go travelling."
I’ve had some great moments that I’ve been able to eternalize with my phone. These photos now prompt a rush of emotion within me, as I remember these events taking place. And I’ve actually found I had my best travelling photographic memories when I’m out somewhere in a tent, rather than a fancy, pretentious hotel. The most memorable was one with my wife. We had set up our tent on top of a ridge, way off the beaten path in the Swiss Alps. And as I drifted off to sleep I never expected what was there to greet me in the morning. When we woke up, all hazy eyed from a deep sleep, as we were watching the sunrise, we realized that a very rare set of circumstances were to occur that day. The air was so clear that you could see the entirety of the Swiss Alps, all the way up to Mount Blanc in France. Then, as the sun rose, its rays were sparkling through behind the mountains, creating a truly picturesque view. A stunning moment to share with my wife, and one that surprisingly lasted quite a while.
Switzerland is also where my wife and I found a hidden valley. When we discovered it, we could barely believe our eyes. And, in that moment, Switzerland looked wild and bare, just as if we were in Alaska. And that’s where I took my favourite picture of all time. It’s of my wife, standing in the hidden valley, facing the magnificent white, towering mountains. The untouched wilderness of this valley, the depth of it in relation to the very steep, formidable mountains surrounding it, was something we had never seen before in Switzerland. A true treasure. One that we will never forget. I suppose, in a way, that this picture represents everything I stand for as an Instagram phonetographer. It’s that you should never stop exploring, because you never know what entirely new breath-taking worlds can be found out there, worlds that are just waiting for you to discover them.
But, without doubt, none of this – the exploration, the photography, videography – would be possible without my wife. She’s always believed in me and pushed me to invest time in my passion. Even though other people may have wanted to dissuade me.
"She is my anchor, my safe haven and my true love."
And through her support, I’ve built up an Instagram following of a very special niche audience. Which has allowed me to have many collaborations with brands and hotels. I think as a creator, it’s important you know exactly who your followers are – What kind of people are they? What do they like and dislike? And, since the beginning, I’ve only ever collaborated with partners who fit with my brand. Although, if I’m completely honest, there are some companies I would not like to partner with again. But, you learn every day. For me, it’s most important that you don’t just do a collaboration solely because you can benefit from it.
"You must see a benefit for both you and your partner - and, even more importantly, your community of followers."
The more you interact with your audience, the better you know them. As well as the more moments of introspection you allow yourself, the better you know yourself and the better can your work be. Personally, I know that I would like to sharpen my eye and develop more of my own unique style for my photographs. I would also like to make my images more like a piece of artwork, rather than solely a record of my experiences.
"With patience and a deep evaluation of how I turn my experiences into photographs, I know I will get there."
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