Orel Robert stands beside the roots of a tree that fills almost the whole frame. Elsewhere in Orel Robert’s selection, a cat looks towards the camera, a street opens between buildings, and a flower and a lizard invite a much closer view. The subjects change. The habit behind them is to stop when something catches his attention — and sometimes to stay with it until the image takes shape.
Orel shares his photography as ORX Visuals. He describes himself as an enthusiast, working in another field and making photographs alongside the demands of his regular job. His current camera is an iPhone 14 Pro. The work is a practice he is still developing, with room to try different subjects and ways of seeing.
For the tree photograph, Orel set up his iPhone, adjusted the framing and used the timer before stepping into the picture. His presence gives a sense of scale to the tree and its roots. It is a self-portrait built around the size of what surrounds him.
Beginning with what catches the eye
Orel’s interest began with noticing moments, details and scenes around him. Over time, the habit became a creative passion and a way to express his view of the world. Light, shadows, colours, people and places can all give him a reason to make a photograph.
“Photography is a way of seeing and preserving a feeling, not just recording what is in front of me.”
He wants a viewer to pause over something that might otherwise pass unnoticed. That response can be modest: curiosity, a brief sense of calm, or attention to the detail that first drew him in.
Waiting for the cat
The cat photograph came from spending time watching a small movement. Orel noticed the way the cat moved its tongue to the side and wanted to catch that expression. He made several exposures, continuing until one held the moment he had been looking for.
The gesture was spontaneous; recognising and photographing it took patience. What matters to him is that a small moment survived because he stayed long enough to notice it.
Leaving the subject open
Orel does not want to limit his photography to one genre. Trying different subjects is part of how he learns what he connects with. He is also experimenting with composition, light and mood as his style develops.
The five images he chose for this conversation reflect that openness. A broad tree trunk and a row of balconies sit alongside close views of animals and a flower. Rather than presenting a single finished project, the selection offers several points along a practice still taking shape.
Finding time to keep practising
One of his main challenges is making room for photography around work and other responsibilities. It is a personal passion, and he continues learning when he can. Each photograph becomes another opportunity to practise and experiment.
For now, he works with the tool available to him. He considers creativity and observation as important as equipment, and uses his iPhone to keep developing his pictures. That is the approach he describes for his own learning, rather than a prescription for what someone else should use.
A portfolio that can keep changing
Orel wants to continue exploring different photographic styles and build a portfolio that reflects his growth. He also hopes to connect with other creative people. ORX Visuals is the space in which he shares that process.
His starting point is accessible: a subject that sparks curiosity, a tool he already uses and time found within ordinary life. He is still discovering which pictures feel most like his own. The next image is another chance to find out.
Questions about Orel’s photography
What camera does Orel Robert use?
Orel says he currently photographs with an iPhone 14 Pro. The work featured here is digital photography.
Is photography his full-time profession?
No. He works in another field and develops his photography as a personal passion alongside his job and other responsibilities.
Does he concentrate on a single genre?
He keeps his subject matter open, exploring different compositions, light and moods while discovering what he connects with most.
Explore ORX Visuals, Orel Robert’s photography website, and follow ORX Visuals on Instagram.
Read more conversations about the people and experiences behind photographs in Developing Stories.
Photography and interview responses: Orel Robert / ORX Visuals. Copyright © Orel Robert. All rights reserved. Interview and editing: Emiliano Vittoriosi, Berlin Photo Studio.
