By Dewi Yuliani | ເຕັກໂນໂລຊີຢູ່ໃນອາຊີ
Even with so many good mobile phones hitting the Indonesian market and showing off their high quality cameras, the iPhone still has its own loyal fans. This is proven by iPhonesia, arguably the biggest (and most famous) iPhone photography community in Indonesia.
Started from a Twitter account in 2010 as a medium for iPhone-based photography – “iPhoneography” – discussion, iPhonesia founder Aries Lukman Tasmin then created a mailing list in 2011 to engage more with its followers. As time passed, he saw that iPhone photography fans are on the rise (supported also with many popular photo editing apps that hit the market) so he gathered them all into one community. Now, iPhonesia has a blog, mailing list, and an Instagram profile as the gathering places for its members.The mailing list (iphonesia@yahoogroups.com) records 2,800 registered members and its Instagram account has more than 16,000 followers to date, with around 500 new members so far this year.
Big on Instagram
Aries says that Instagram gives a huge boost to IPhonesia’s image – not only for its growing follower base, but also for the popularity of the photo posts. The members also like to have a meet-up called Instameet Virtual where IPhonesia members will upload their theme-based pictures at the same time and support each other with “likes.” This is done so that posts from iPhonesia’s Instagram can enter Instagram’s ‘popular’ page. Aries also added that from Instagram they can relate with many members across Indonesia and it becomes a crucial photography media to inspire others.
iPhonesia’s blog is now the hub for the group’s events and stuff related with mobile photography, including tips and tricks, reviews, and tutorials. iPhonesia holds various events including a photowalk (a regular photo hunting event), an iPhonesia League (a monthly themed photo competition), iPhonesia of the Day, mini gatherings, exhibitions, and charity works. iPhonesia is now busy developing its own website to help fulfill its members’ needs.
Snapping pics with Indonesia’s President and the first lady
This month, Aries was asked by Indonesia’s first lady, Ani Yudhoyono to join her and President Yudhoyono on a photo hunting session. By having an opportunity as good as this, Aries and iPhonesia’s upcoming plan is to hold a global mobile photography week filled with expos, workshops, and exhibitions. He met with the first lady and he hopes that this event can get her support since she is also an active Instagram user.
Thanks to strong grassroots iPhone communities like iPhonesia, I think it’s unlikely the members will move on to other smartphones with good quality cameras, like the Samsung Galaxy 4’s 13 MP snapper or the new Nokia 1020 with its 41 MP image sensor camera.
(Editing by Steven Millward)
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