Being a Snapdragon Insider means getting exclusive access to incredible opportunities — like going on a photography excursion with Condé Nast Traveler. In October 2022, one lucky Snapdragon Insider partnered with professional photographer Bree Rose (@eyeofshe on Instagram) and headed off to the scenic Sagamore Resort on Lake George in Landing, New York for a foliage-filled photo shoot. While they were there, they took beautiful photos on devices with Snapdragon® technology and shared some tips on mobile photography.
Now, we’re catching up with Snapdragon Insider Jeffrey Riley (@jeffrey_jpeg on Instagram) to hear about his experience.
The following conversation has been lightly edited for clarity.
What was your reaction when you were asked to be a part of this project?
Jeffrey: There was shock. I didn't think I’d be selected, so when they reached out to me — out of everyone — it was a pleasant surprise. I was excited to do it, and even more excited when I learned that I’d be working with Bree and using different Snapdragon powered Samsung devices throughout the project. So it was a mix of shock, excitement, joy, and a little bit of nervousness because I wanted to live up to expectations. But it was a blast. I genuinely had such a good experience.
What most impressed you about using the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra with Snapdragon?
Jeffrey: I was most impressed by the various focal lengths and what you can achieve with it. Having a macro lens, an ultra-wide lens, and then the 3X zoom and the 10X zoom lenses, as well as the 108 megapixel mode — those were all things that wowed me because you can get so many different perspectives using just one device. With a standard camera, I would have to change out the lens depending on what I wanted to capture, but this smartphone camera offered far more versatility and captured great quality pictures.
What was your biggest takeaway from the experience?
Jeffrey: I had two main takeaways. One was the lessons I learned from Bree. She gave me tips on composition, portraiture, and recording video. It gave me a better understanding of photography and I’ve taken those tips with me into other projects.
My other takeaway was that it’s great to be able to work with people that are so passionate about what they do. Working with Bree was really inspirational, not only seeing how she works, but also just having fun and enjoying photography together.
How would you describe the Snapdragon Insiders community?
Jeffrey: It’s awesome. There are so many people that are creative, passionate, and know their stuff about vast amounts of tech. The community is such an incredible group of some of the kindest people who are dedicated to tech. And it’s not just the fans — the employees I’ve encountered have been absolutely phenomenal people, too.
I’d encourage anyone to reach out to fellow Snapdragon Insiders, be nice, and witness how everyone has each other's back. There are times I’ve made tweets just saying how great this community is and people have reciprocated that with ease.
What do you love most about being a Snapdragon Insider?
Jeffrey: I love the community, but I also really love the tech that powers everything and makes this community possible. It’s given me the ability to go and create and then share my enthusiasm and whatever I capture with other people. So it’s a combination: Snapdragon enables you to do something — photography, gaming, whatever — and also enables you to find and cultivate community. Ultimately, the tech and the people that are passionate about it is what makes the experience as a whole for me.
Do you have any final thoughts on your experience with Condé Nast or Snapdragon Insiders?
Jeffrey: I hope this experience shows people that, with their Snapdragon powered devices, they’re just as capable of capturing amazing photos. My experience overall was great, with plenty of takeaways and more creative insights than I could have asked for, so I hope it inspires others.
You can see more from Jeffrey’s experience in this Condé Nast Traveler article. And check out #ShotOnSnapdragon on Twitter for more incredible mobile photography. For your chance to have an inspiring experience like Jeffrey, become a Snapdragon Insider today!
Have any tips for perfecting your #ShotOnSnapdragon pics? Head over to Discord to let us know.
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