#SFGuide Featured Photographer: Avi Arora

Each week we select and profile a photographer from our #SFGuide community on Instagram. We believe these photographers capture the everlasting beauty of San Francisco and the Bay Area. For a chance to be featured on our Instagram feed, or here, on 49Miles.com, tag your photos with #SFGuide.

This week’s featured #SFGuide photographer is Avi Arora (@ephermxl), a high school student from San Jose, California. Scroll down to view Avi’s amazing work, and learn more about what inspires him as a creative in the Bay Area.

#SFGuide Featured Photographer
Name: Avi Arora
Age: 16 years old
Profession: Student in High School
Place of Birth: Bay Area, San Jose
Where I currently reside: San Jose, California
Something I’d like viewers to know: Multi-sport athlete (football and basketball) but photography is my true passion.

What is your favorite spot to shoot in San Francisco, and why?
I have two favorite spots. First, of course, has to be the Golden Gate Bridge, especially on the SF side of it. This is because it looks amazing from every angle, there are no bad angles on this masterpiece. The second is in the Financial District. This is because of all the different types of people which make for amazing muses. Also, of course, the beautifully built buildings that make any shot look amazing.

When and why did you take up photography?
I started a little over 2 years ago with simple phone photography just to capture moments but also to unleash my creative side. Now it is still for the same purpose. I just love creating something and showing my perspective on something many see every day.

What do you love about photography?
I love the part about sharing my vision with others. Something that they may not have seen, a different take on everyday things, as well as just capturing moments.

Usually, it comes from just walking around and if I see something that interests me, I’ll put a unique spin on it. Sometimes I will take some inspiration from Bay Area photographers for spots, but once there I try to capture whatever I find inspiring.

My favorite part of going out to shoot is first finding new places to shoot and new “hidden” corridors of where ever I am shooting. I usually also shoot with friends so it is always fun getting to do something I love with them.

Which location did you have the most difficulty getting to, and how did you do it?

Most locations that are very difficult to get to, including rooftops and the parking garage on Hearst Street. Rooftops are a struggle and unfortunately most buildings do not allow people to go onto rooftops even though they provide the best views of the city. One particular rooftop I remember was on a terrace in an apartment complex right next to the famous Hearst Parking Center. Getting up there was a struggle due to the fact that we had to sneak past the lobby man and some security.

What is your dream shot? (Where, what time of day, what’s in it / the subject?)
My dream shot would be the milky way over any cityscape with the silhouette of a person looking up in wonder. Unfortunately, due to all the light pollution, this is not completely possible but one day hopefully that shot can be captured.

My favorite editing on the go app is Lightroom on my iPhone. It provides most of the features of Lightroom incredibly quickly and right at my fingertips. My three favorite filters on Instagram are: Clarendon, Lark, and Juno.

How does Instagram and the #SFGuide community inspire you?
Instagram provides a lot of inspiration on how people frame their image and what the new trends are for photography it also sparks some creativity especially for things such as compositing. The #SFGuide community offers inspiration on spots in the city I have never seen or explored which helps me create more.

What are your favorite San Francisco-based Instagram accounts to follow?
My favorite ones include of course; @49MilesSF, @dillonsaw, @kxyvon, and @briannguyen.

What type of camera do you use? And what is your dream camera?
I use a Nikon D3300 but my dream camera is a Nikon D810.

My favorite settings in my ideal shot are(Usually shoot in the day):
ISO: 100
Aperture: I usually don’t worry too much about aperture
Shutter Speed: 1/500
White Balance: Auto

Focus: Autofocus
Image Format: RAW

For new photographers or those up and coming, I would say just keep shooting and shoot what inspires you even though it’s not something you think others will love. Create what you like!

My favorite part about living in the Bay is just how close all these amazing photography spots are and how everything looks like a movie set just waiting to be captured.