TAMPA, Fla. — It’s something many of us do every day, and that’s take a photo with our cell phone. But did you know there's now a class for that? It’s all part of the newest exhibit at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.
Instructor Simone Leal has used just about every type of camera during her career, so it’s only natural that she’s incorporated the cell phone into her latest photography class.
“Photography is an art medium that’s constantly changing and evolving thanks to technology,” said Leal.
Leal says with the evolution of the cell phone, it has opened the door to photography for almost everyone.
“Oh yeah, absolutely, to levels we’ve never experienced before,” said Leal.
Leal said there is so much more to it than just pointing and clicking, which is why she is so proud of her newest class, taking students out of the studio, onto the streets, learning everything from lighting to focus, composition and depth of field.
“It was really nice, I like the information she gave me and the walking around and the different tips,” said student Marieke Vanderkrabben.
The photography class coincides with the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts' newest exhibit, “Dimpy Bhalotia: Small Lens, Big World,” featuring more than 50 photographs all taken with a cell phone.
“It proves that a phone is perfectly capable of taking your artistic vision and being in a world-class museum,” said Leal.
Museum Executive Curator Robin O’Dell said people from across the country have made the trip just for this exhibit. It’s a sign of a photographic movement.
“You know the artist herself is from India and the photos came all the way from India so it’s a treat for everyone who can come and see it,” said O’Dell. “It’s remarkable that someone can take these photos with your phone, but she did, and there is no Lightroom, no Photoshop, these are all done in her phone.”
For those visitors who feel inspired, they’re encouraged to add their own unique cell phone shots to the wall.
“We all carry our cell phones in our pockets all the time and we don’t really know the power that it has,” said O’Dell.
The exhibit is on display until April 5, while the next cell phone photography class with Simone Leal is on March 29.
“It’s the best tool to expand your creative juices,” said Leal.
For more information, go to www.fmopa.org.
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