Street Art Photography with Nokia and the Lumia 1020

Blogging on occasion does have it’s advantages, not least when one of the Worlds best known camera brands get in touch to ask you to trial their latest creation.

Alongside a who’s who of the street art and lifestyle blogging community, including the likes of Hooked, LDN Graffiti and Art of the State, Nokia chose to show off their new camera phone, the Lumia 1020 by taking us all on a Street Art Tour around London’s trendy East End. The phone was sent out in advance to give a little bit of opportunity for experimentation before trying it out on the streets.

Led by Dave ‘NoLionsinEngland’ Stuart, knowledgable founder of ‘Shoreditch Street Art Tours‘, the motley crew of camera enthusiasts were taken on a tour starting in Spitalfields and finishing in the trendy street art themed Far Rockaway Bar in Shoreditch. In between, a journey around the streets and back alleys of the East End gave the opportunity to trial the the camera, it’s features and of course see some of the best art around.

The happy blogging crew at the Pure Evil Gallery
The happy blogging crew at the Pure Evil Gallery
Using the collage feature of in the Creative Studio it's quite easy to create a little summary of some of the tour highlights
Using the collage feature of in the Creative Studio it’s quite easy to create a little summary of some of the tour highlights

The camera is being pushed heavily by Nokia, which of course is now part of Microsoft, and as such uses the Microsoft operating system. Having not used this before it took me a while to get used to it but as with everything, once shown it becomes pretty simple. The main selling point seems to be the huge number of megapixels, 41 million in total, which allows the user to take pictures which can be zoomed in and heavily cropped and played with. It also boasts a Pureview Zeiss Lens giving it one of the best quality lenses around.

There is no doubt, the camera has some impressive features not least within the ‘Creative Studio’ section where photos can be edited in a variety of ways which can give some good effects. For me though the undoubted winner which sets this camera phone apart is it’s ability to take night time photography. The quality is remarkable and even in very low light, the automatic settings of the camera adjust to such a degree that many photos appear as if they have been taken in normal lighting conditions.

So to see some of the snaps from the tour and to see what the camera can do, have a look at the gallery below. All have been taken with the automatic setting meaning that despite the light the camera has adjusted and I’ve doctored the odd one or two within the Creative Studio feature.

Dave 'NoLionsInEngland' Stewart led the tour and explains some of the art of the area
Dave ‘NoLionsInEngland’ Stuart led the tour and explains some of the art of the area
An old C215 piece, heavily tagged on Fashion Street
An old C215 piece, heavily tagged on Fashion Street
Some subtle Jonesy sculptures sneaking their way out of a wall on Brick Lane
Some subtle Jonesy sculptures sneaking their way out of a wall on Brick Lane
Fanakapan has recently added to a piece from Odeith resulting in a great collaboration on Brick Lane
Fanakapan has recently added to a piece from Odeith resulting in a great collaboration on Brick Lane
The fantastic Alexis Diaz 'Octopus Elephant' piece on Hanbury Street
The fantastic Alexis Diaz ‘Octopus Elephant’ piece on Hanbury Street
Another Jonesy sculpture on Hanbury Street
Another Jonesy sculpture on Hanbury Street
Brazilian artist L7M on Drays Walk.  This picture has been edited in the Creative Studio using the focus feature
Brazilian artist L7M on Drays Walk. This picture has been edited in the Creative Studio using the focus feature
HookedBlog taking a a picture of bloggers taken a picture of him, or maybe the art???
Bloggers will take pictures of anything, even other bloggers…
Paul Don Smith drew this wonderful Mandela stencil on Brick Lane
Paul Don Smith drew this wonderful Mandela stencil on Brick Lane
A Clet Abraham piece on the entrance the Sclater Street.  From now on in, it's beginning to get dark
A Clet Abraham piece on the entrance the Sclater Street. From now on in, it’s beginning to get dark
Remnants of some sculptural art from 2012 placed by LDN Graffiti also on the tour and no doubt mortified now that his otherwise hidden little piece has been discovered by the blogosphere
Remnants of some sculptural art from 2012 placed by LDN Graffiti also on the tour and no doubt mortified now that his otherwise hidden little piece has been discovered by the blogosphere
Bloggers checking out some of the ladies in Saki & Bitches London Zoo on Sclater Street
Bloggers checking out some of the ladies in Saki & Bitches London Zoo on Sclater Street.
Playing around with the focus settings in the Creative Studio
Playing around with the focus settings in the Creative Studio
Great Eastern Street at night.  Again, no fancy settings were used the camera automatically compensates for the light
Great Eastern Street at night. Again, no fancy settings were used the camera automatically compensates for the light
Picture taking at night in a rather dingy section of town.  The art featured is from the iconic French artist Miss Van
Picture taking at night in a rather dingy section of town. The art featured is from the iconic French artist Miss Van
More picture taking on New Inn Yard.  This snap has been doctored using the 'colour spot' feature
More picture taking on New Inn Yard. This snap has been doctored using the ‘colour spot’ feature
One of the few remaining pieces from DALeast on Dereham Street.  This pic was taken with only a street lamp for illumination
One of the few remaining pieces from DALeast on Dereham Street. This pic was taken with only a street lamp for illumination
Outide the Pure Evil Gallery in Shoreditch.  Works from Ian Stevenson, Alison Torneros and Rone.
Outide the Pure Evil Gallery in Shoreditch. Works from Ian Stevenson, Alison Torneros and Rone.
Pure Evil inside his Gallery
Pure Evil inside his Gallery
C215 art in Cargo on Rivington Street
C215 art in Cargo on Rivington Street
Playing around with the colour and focus features in Cargo
Playing around with the colour and focus features in Cargo
Works from 616 and ABOVE in the Far Rockaway Bar
Works from 616 and ABOVE in the Far Rockaway Bar
Bloggers unite with a pint after a long but rewarding day
Bloggers unite with a pint after a long but rewarding day

For more photography related posts on Inspiring City have a look at:

20 of the Best Street Art Photographs to start the year

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