On a warm June day in Brighton, photographer Bertram Greenhough captured a striking minimalist image of a lifeguard shelter, using only his iPhone 13 Pro. The photograph, taken while he was walking with his six-year-old daughter Audrey in search of an ice-cream, has become his best phone picture, embodying what he calls "a decisive moment."
An Unexpected Opportunity
Greenhough, a Brighton-based photographer known for his SLR film camera, was playing tourist in his own city with his daughter. They had just visited an upside-down house near the i360 observation tower and were heading towards the Palace Pier to fulfill a promise of a Mr Whippy with a flake. The beach was crowded, but amid the chaos, he spotted a calm, minimalist scene: a lifeguard shelter suspended above thousands of people.
"I often walk around Brighton with my SLR film camera – very hipster of me. However, that day I only had my phone," Greenhough recalls. "But, as the adage goes, the best camera is the one you have with you. I saw this calm, minimalist scene suspended above thousands of people and I remember saying to my daughter, 'Oh, look at that, I need to take a picture!' She had no idea what I was talking about!"
A Fleeting Composition
The composition was ephemeral. Just a second later, the lifeguard moved, and the harmony was gone. For Greenhough, this emphasized the importance of seizing the moment. He describes it as "a decisive moment," a concept familiar to street photographers.
Later that evening, after the ice-cream was secured and devoured, Greenhough used presets in Adobe Lightroom to enhance the image. "I tend to use them as a starting point," he explains. "I often find how I see a scene and what the camera actually records can be quite different, so I increased the vibrancy of the yellows and reds, and adjusted the hue of the blue sky to complement the other two colours."
Artistic Intent and Emotional Impact
The final photograph is a study in color and simplicity: the bright yellow and red of the lifeguard uniform against a clear blue sky. Greenhough hopes the image evokes a sense of peace and security. "Perhaps, like me, they can feel the warmth of the sun," he adds.
The photograph has been featured in a series on smartphone photography, highlighting the capabilities of modern phone cameras. Greenhough's work demonstrates that even without professional equipment, a keen eye and timely capture can produce art.
His approach to editing—using presets as a starting point and adjusting specific hues—shows a deliberate process to translate his vision into the final image. The increased vibrancy of yellows and reds, and the adjusted sky, create a complementary palette that enhances the scene's tranquility.
Greenhough's story is a testament to the adage that the best camera is the one you have with you. It also underscores the importance of being present and observant, even in familiar surroundings. His daughter may not have understood the moment, but the photograph captures a slice of Brighton's summer that resonates with many.
