Jaroslaw Marciuk

Just call me Jaro. I come from Poland, my hometown is beautiful Gdansk, by the Baltic Sea. My adventure with Instagram and Instagramers Community started there. I created the first local Igers group in Poland @IgersGdansk and was an admin from 2011-2014, co-admin 2014-2016. I am also a manager of IgersPoland where we have more than 20 Instagramers groups.

I moved to the U.K. with my wife five years ago (May 2014). First three years we lived in London. One of the first things I did – was coming to IgersLondon Instameets and PhotoWalks. I met many great people there. We have been living in Cambridge for nearly two years and every photo walk is magical. I was so surprised that Igers Comunity was not present in Cambridge, so decided to create one and integrate local mobile photographers.

@jaroslaw_marciuk

8 questions 8 answers

1. When you started your Instagram and what was the first photo you published?

I published my first photo in November 2011. I was laying in a bed and I just found a new application that allowed publishing square photos with filters. Instagram was used by only 14 million people around the world then. My first picture on Instagram was a lamp and ceiling. Very creative 😉 Since then I have published 3.500 posts.

2. What are the main topics of your photos?

I like to walk a lot and take pictures of famous places and find hidden gems. I have a principle during taking pictures – known places in an unusual way, unknown places in the usual way. I am looking for different frames, I can even lie down on the ground or climb to an inaccessible place. The final effect is the most important goal. My favourite topics are architecture and travel. I like photos of symmetry, puddles, reflections and staircases.

3. What are your favourite spots in Cambridge and Cambridgeshire?

My favourite places in Cambridge are colleges. I have seen more than 10 for now (what is not a big number, to be honest) and I’m excited every time I visit a new one. I always find details that will delight me or take a picture when it’s snowing or in the fog. I also like to take pictures of the Cam River and museums. I’m also a big fan of brutalist architecture. I can’t wait to explore Cambridgeshire in the very near future. And let’s not forget! In Cambridge, I am looking for the most beautiful stairs and staircases. My favourite one is situated at St John`s College.

4. Who inspires you or what are your favourite profiles on Instagram?

I like watching minimalism, symmetry photos and profiles promoting the best mobile photographers on Instagram. Of course, as a member of Igers Community, I follow many of our groups and its admins all over the world.

5. What are you proud of at your mobile photography adventure?

What makes me very proud is that I started the first Instagram community in Poland (Nov 2011) called IgersGdansk and the fact that I organised the first in Poland meeting of Instagram fans – Worldwide Instameet, which took place on 26 July 2012 in Gdansk. I organised a number of instameets and competitions in Poland. In 2014 I organised a visit of Phil Gonzalez, fouder of Igers Network, to a Social Media conference in Gdansk.

Here in the UK, I am happy that I can continue my adventure with mobile photography being an active member of IgersLondon group and creating @IgersMiltonKeynes and @IgersCambridge_uk groups. I want to share my passion and experience with other mobile photographers and Instagram users.

6. What is your dream related to photography?

I would like to organise new projects related to mobile photography but trying to move this magic beyond Instagram, to the real world.

7. Name your 5 favourite apps used in taking and /or editing photos

On a daily basis, I use SKWRT, Snapseed, Retouch and Recrop to edit and improve my photos. Also, Canva is very helpful in creating all the graphics for IgersCambridge Instagram profile.

8. The most important tip or a message from you to other mobile photographers?

Clean your lens before taking a photo 🙂 Try to find a different perspective, but make sure it is safe. Share your mobile photography passion with other people and teach them sometimes very basic and simple techniques to help them improve their skills.