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“When I am not working I am taking pictures. Photography is like a great escape to another world, a world where you are the painter and you brush reality with a piece of your soul.”

Although his diploma says that he’s an engineer in telecommunications, this week’s Lumia Instagramer Mihai Andrei, who gave us that great quote above, says that he likes to think of himself as a web designer by mind and a photographer by heart. And what does Mihai believe makes photography such a great escape? Simple. “You don’t need to be special, you just need to want to take part in this epic journey. Because, believe me, once you get a taste of photography and the wonders that can bring you, there is no going back.” Well put! Continue reading for more wise words from , Mihai and don’t forget to check out his soulfully creative down below photos.

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Which Lumia do you have and what do you like most about it?

Currently I own a Lumia 1020. Yes, it’s the 41 megapixel beast, always ready to snap outstanding pictures. I like the 1020 because it’s unique from the design perspective, and it has that great feel in the hands. With it I feel loose and confident because I know that I can take great pictures in every situation.

Where do you shoot most of your photos and what sort of photos do you like to take best?

Well I shoot anyplace, anywhere, anytime (just like the song). For me, photography is like a spark in the routine which makes me constantly aware of the beautiful things that are happening around me, things that need to be captured and remembered. As for the “sort of photos I like to take” this is very much related to my mood. For instance, if I want to relax, I will take a walk in the park and capture a nice sunset. If I want to interact with other people, I’ll throw myself in the hands of street photography. The beauty of this incredible passion is that it has a lot to offer to your inner satisfaction.

What are your top tips for taking Instagram photos on your Nokia Lumia?

It’s funny that the first thing that comes through my mind when reading the question is one of Bruce Lee’s quotes: “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water.” So, yeah this is my first tip for taking pictures. Let go of any constraints and remember that photography is a matter of the heart, not the mind. You don’t shoot for others; you shoot because this way you are feeling relaxed and joyful. Second, blend in. Be a part of your photos, not just a shadow. That way, your pictures will be worth a 1000 words, because they will have a story to tell. And third remember that with your Lumia you can go manual. It’s very important to shoot in manual mode often, because then you will learn the right exposures, shutter speed, color composition etc. for different situations.

Which five Nokia Lumia instagramers do you recommend everyone to follow?

This is hard because there are a lot of great inspiring people out there. You just have to search for them. I have a great respect for Husain Ujjainwala, Rob Mulally, Ana Puzar, Aloysius Ting, David Detko, (they’ve all been featured here) and many other Lumia veterans, but I want to recommend some new Lumia Instagrammers, so that we can share more #lumialove. I recommend:

@lumiapuppet
@svab00
@adrianfratiloiu
@wanzerty
@mr_international_sensation

Andrei Mihai 1

Street Photographer – I was just wandering on the streets of Bucharest when I saw this girl taking pictures at an intersection. I grabbed my Lumia and shot with manual focus (I was actually pretty close but she didn’t notice me)

Andrei Mihai 2

Tear from the rain – Just went outside after a great rainfall and saw this beautiful tear drop. Had to immortalize it.

Andrei Mihai 3

Making honey – Had to admit I was very scared of bees until I took this shot. There were lots of them in search of honey ingredients. With manual focus and zoom all the way I was close enough to snap this. And yeah I am not scared of bees anymore!

Andrei Mihai 4

Old Hague by Night – I was on a trip at a good friend of mine, visiting Den Haag. We were coming from Delft by bike and while passing by the old Hague center, I saw this beautiful reflection. The fact that it was almost very dark made the photo so atmospheric.

Andrei Mihai 5

Up, Up – One of my favorite photos, shot also in The Hague, Netherlands. I was riding the bike with my friend and my wife when I saw this car on the side of the flat (yes it’s in natural size). We were heading for Liden. It was some scene, I was very impressed. I think the meaning is, “We the Dutch, are bike lovers so be careful how you park your car”

Andrei Mihai 6

In Time – I think this capture represents one of the harsh realities of mankind: “live together, die alone”.

Andrei Mihai 7

Fagaras Fortress – A place that you should visit when coming to Romania. It’s got a great history and it’s great for sightseeing.

Andrei Mihai 8

The Great Sunset – I was relaxing on the streets of Sibiu, Romania, with my wife Alina, when she showed me the sky and said: “Well, what are you waiting for, Christmas? Just find a good spot and shoot!” Which I did.

Andrei Mihai 9

Mountain Mirror – Or the mirror of Balea Lake. I find this picture very nice because it shows how nature can reflect its beauty through beautiful moments.

Andrei Mihai 10

Field and Fog – nothing like capturing a great foggy morning while stopping the car in the middle of the road. The things I do for photography!

We think Andrei is spot on with his idea that photography is an escape to another world, and the proof is in his pictures. We hope you enjoyed them as much as we did, if so be sure to follow him and let us know in the comments which is your favourite. And as always, if you’d like to see your work showcased here, you can either follow us on Instagram or share your best pics with #Lumia…or both!