One of our judges this year was Top Billing Presenter and award-winning, multi-talented
filmmaker, Jonathan Boynton-Lee. Jon is a keen iPhoneographer, and we recently spent
some time with him, finding out more about the guy behind the camera.
1. Where are you from originally and how was life growing up?
Born and bred in Jozi. I was adopted shortly after birth by the two most beautiful human
beings on the planet. Life growing up was amazing. I was so lucky to have a childhood
filled with imagination and bruises from playing outside rather than apps and how many
likes you got on a picture.
2. How did your interest in photography and film come about?
From when I was old enough to hold a camera I was in the backyard making home movies with my toy soldiers, cars, pets, sisters Barbie dolls, and pretty much anything I could get my hands on. So for as long as I can remember, seeing life through a lens is something that has always been a huge part of my life.
3. Who/What are your biggest inspirations in life and in your mobile arts life?
My biggest inspiration in life is life itself, living completely in every moment.
4. How long have you been using an iPhone to take pictures and why?
I can’t remember ever using anything other than an iPhone to take pictures. In fact, I’ve never even bothered buying a digital camera. The features that iPhone packs into its slim little body are quite incredible and really quite easy to use. And the increasing number of awesome accessories make iPhonoeography even more fun. Like underwater shooting, I can now even take my iPhone with me when I dive with sharks, amazing 
5. Do you stick to specific themes when taking photos with your iPhone e.g. People, Objects. Or do you capture anything that interests you?
My theme is life. I see life through a lens, and there’s beauty in everything. That’s what is so awesome about living completely in every moment, you start to see the beauty in everything, and can capture those moments, even if others may not see them.
6. What was your experience like being an iPhoneographySA Judge this year?
It was great fun, all the judges were so like minded and knowledgeable. It was so cool being in a room filled with such creative people and celebrating the amazing things that iPhone is capable of.
7. In your opinion, what are the top 3 tips people need to consider when taking photos or videos with an iPhone?
You know there are always the Photography 101 tips we hear about, like composition, lighting, exposure, etc etc but my best tip is to just go out there, free your mind from any rules, be in the moment and just snap away. So often its the unplanned, spontaneous pics, free from rules, that are the most beautiful.
8. Besides Film and Photography, what else do you have a passion for?
I keep coming back to this but it really is quite simple – life and everything that comes with living it. Like Spielberg said, I don’t just dream at night. I dream all day, I dream for a living.
9. My most memorable picture/shot was…?
My favourite pics aren’t necessarily the technically or aesthetically good ones, but rather pics that captured a very special moment in time. That’s what I love most about iPhoneography, the immediacy of it, being able to just take out your phone, freeze a moment in time, and re-live it forever through a picture. The “little red riding hood pic” is my favourite. She was the love of my life at the time, the light was perfect, it seemed to echo the emotions of the moment. I love using and manipulating that golden hour sunlight and the flares that come with it. It’s one of those really magical shots that captured one of the happiest moments in my life.
10. What does the rest of 2014 hold for you and your interest in mobile photography?
I’m just going to keep snapping away, finding beauty in everything, and constantly pushing the limits of iPhoneography. The possibilities are endless and it’s such an exciting era for iPhone.
You can keep up with #JBL4iphone by following him on Instagram – @jon_boyntonlee