Monday, August 4, 2014

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

I’ve done a few walking tours in London and it’s one of my favorite ways to explore this city via food, transport, history, or photography.  The tour guides are eager to expose you to things you may not otherwise have noticed.  I always learn so much.  A few weeks ago, I was invited to join a Street Art London Tour of East London by Three Mobile.  This one had a twist.  They wanted me to try out and review the Samsung Galaxy S5, particularly the camera capabilities.  We posted throughout the tour to instagram and twitter using #urbanS5snapshots.  

The tour was terrific and, pardon the expression, very “hip & young.”  Obviously, the fact that I just used that phrase reinforces the fact that I'm neither.  I was the oldest in the group by several years, but was happy to keep up.  I even found myself climbing under a fence at one point.   

The guide was extremely knowledgeable in the street art scene.  (In fact, he was so cool that he asked me not to mention him in any of my social media shout outs.  I’m sure I would have been detrimental to his street cred.)  But he knew his stuff.  In just a few hours he managed to show us loads of pieces by about forty different artists, some commissioned and some rogue street art.  We saw a few of the more well-knowns, Banksy and Roa and some really interesting and beautiful stuff.

I, unfortunately, don’t know a lot about the various artists.  But, I do love the art.  Here are some of the many photos that I took with the Samsung Galaxy S5.  I did tweak them using Picasa, as I do with all of my photos, but no more than usual.  I think they turned out great, what do you think?  I’ve pointed out a few of my favorites. 

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5
This was amazing. It was done in relief with the wall painted white and then the color removed to expose the image.

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5
Roa is a Belgium artist from Ghent and leaves the most amazing animals all over London.

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5
More from Roa.  His work is very distinctive.

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5
Another favorite, I believe by a Spanish artist. 

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Urban Snapshots with the Samsung Galaxy S5





















You know I have a love affair with my Nikon D90, but it can be cumbersome to carry around a DSLR.  There are some times when I choose to leave it at home and just use my camera phone.  I was curious to see if the Galaxy offered me a better option than my current iPhone.   

I found the Samsung light and easy to use.  I really loved the large screen, much bigger than my iPhone.  I was also pretty impressed with the camera.  I’ll definitely consider changing over when my next upgrade is due.  Obviously, it will never replace my DSLR, but it’s nice to have an easier option that I can trust to give me decent photos. 

Which piece of street art is your favorite?



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I was a guest of Three Mobile for the walking tour and returned the phone afterwards.
All photos, writing and opinions are my own.   
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers. 
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  

6 comments:

  1. I leave for London in the morning and I'm really battling with myself on what camera I should take, I have 3 to chose from and of course I will have my galaxy s4. I like my camera like I like my phone ... very small and light, in fact... I would say that I actually prefer my under $150 camera, takes gorgeous shots and I don't have to worry about all of the adjustments, it's just point and shoot... Also, Was most of this tour in the East End of London? I'm guessing it was? I have seen Bansky and Roa both in the East End... I hope to see you at some point in the next 10 days, but please forgive me if we can't hook up, I know you work and you're busy and I have to cram in as much of my gorgeous London as possible in 10 days! I'm also doing some volunteer work while I'm there! Much love to you and Matt!! You're awesome and so is your blog!
    Tammy x

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  2. how are you Selena? Havent seen you for ages! I'm seriously in the market for an S5 at the moment - and with THREE too because they have a very interesting service for those of us who travel...Love that part of london too!

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  3. Love these photos, Selena! All of those gorgeous murals...is it bad that I automatically thought of the amazing posts I could do with these? hehe. Great work!

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  4. The galaxy did a great job! I love pictures of street arm your examples are lovely!

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  5. Some of these are new to me, but those walls are constantly changing! I do love that tiger one though! I've tried to convince hubs to do a street art tour with me, but he hates planning over the weekend. Sigh.

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  6. those are great pictures for a phone camera! I love street art, I had no idea they had walking tours for it, it sounds really neat.

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