I was standing outside a house in Northcliff last week, chatting with friends, when I glanced up at the sky. The clouds were especially dazzling, even by Joburg standards. I was struck by the way they contrasted with the house’s tile roof and skylight.

Two months ago I would have admired the clouds for a moment, perhaps pointed them out to a friend, and promptly forgotten them. But this time, I pulled out my iPad and took an Instagram.

Northcliff clouds at sunset.

I didn’t have my DSLR with me at the time. Toting a big camera around Joburg is just not feasible on a regular basis. An iPad, on the other hand, is much more feasible. (An iPhone or Samsung Galaxy would be even better. I need to get my hands on a photo-friendly phone, and soon.)

Since discovering Instagram, I see pictures everywhere. I love that feeling.

I have a lot to learn about mobile phone photography, but I’m excited to have found it. And I’m especially excited (stupidly excited, in fact) that one of my Instagram photos will be in an exhibition tomorrow. The exhibition is sponsored by IgersJozi  (the Jozi Instagrammers) and will feature mobile phone photos (iPad photos, in my case) from about 50 Joburg photographers.

The exhibition is at AREA3 in Maboneng. There are a million things happening in Maboneng tomorrow evening (when aren’t there a million things happening in Maboneng?), so if you live in Jozi you should come on down. There will be many amazing photos on display, all illustrating the beauty and creativity of the city.

Here is the photo of mine that was selected:

The Ansteys Building.

All of the exhibition photos will be available for purchase. I suppose it would be cool if someone bought mine, although I kinda hope no one does. Then I can keep it for myself.

(Okay, I don’t really mean that. But that’s what I’ll tell myself if no one buys the pic. Also, if anyone asks, I’m going to say that I shot the building slightly crooked on purpose. Because straight horizons are not part of my artistic vision.)

Hope to see you there.