das
Well-known
As some astute folks have mentioned above, mobile phone cameras have some large advantages over both FF digital and 35mm film photography.
The most important of which is their "unobtrusiveness." Something interesting happens, everyone pulls out their phones to take pictures and/or take videos, but everyone only to seems to notice YOU, the person using a real camera. Although I am not into surreptitious "street photography," no one bats an eyelid if someone is taking photos with an Iphone, but people still get immediately suspicious if a "real" camera appears. This always struck me as ridiculous as an Iphone user can instantly share a high-quality photo accessible to every single person in the world at that very moment.
The second advantage involves its use in available light conditions. Mobile phones with their advanced correction software, can take photos that, at least on a screen, look as good as the f/1.2 lens or advanced flash set up you may have to use to imitate the effect. Or an incredibly high ISO on your FF.
The third advantage is that the phone's software algorithm can make automatic and quick image corrections that may take you much longer in LR and PS using a FF RAW file.
The fourth is that, for documenting simple things, it is much easier to use it rather than pulling out and setting up a digital camera to take the same shot. For instance, when I take photos of cameras for my IG, it is so much easier to use a phone than set up the tripod with the FF digital.
Finally, mobile phones are well-suited to today's social media environment, especially for monetizers. Many social media millionaires are using their $1,000 Iphones exclusively to create their content. Incredible.
Obviously, an Iphone shot is going to lack the resolution/etc. However, it will not for long. Software will just "fill the gaps" in an image to support a bigger enlargement or better quality video.
Mobile phones have done much to drown society in images everywhere. However, for the average person, combined with social media addiction, they are an absolute revolution that I think we still have not fully reckoned with yet.
The most important of which is their "unobtrusiveness." Something interesting happens, everyone pulls out their phones to take pictures and/or take videos, but everyone only to seems to notice YOU, the person using a real camera. Although I am not into surreptitious "street photography," no one bats an eyelid if someone is taking photos with an Iphone, but people still get immediately suspicious if a "real" camera appears. This always struck me as ridiculous as an Iphone user can instantly share a high-quality photo accessible to every single person in the world at that very moment.
The second advantage involves its use in available light conditions. Mobile phones with their advanced correction software, can take photos that, at least on a screen, look as good as the f/1.2 lens or advanced flash set up you may have to use to imitate the effect. Or an incredibly high ISO on your FF.
The third advantage is that the phone's software algorithm can make automatic and quick image corrections that may take you much longer in LR and PS using a FF RAW file.
The fourth is that, for documenting simple things, it is much easier to use it rather than pulling out and setting up a digital camera to take the same shot. For instance, when I take photos of cameras for my IG, it is so much easier to use a phone than set up the tripod with the FF digital.
Finally, mobile phones are well-suited to today's social media environment, especially for monetizers. Many social media millionaires are using their $1,000 Iphones exclusively to create their content. Incredible.
Obviously, an Iphone shot is going to lack the resolution/etc. However, it will not for long. Software will just "fill the gaps" in an image to support a bigger enlargement or better quality video.
Mobile phones have done much to drown society in images everywhere. However, for the average person, combined with social media addiction, they are an absolute revolution that I think we still have not fully reckoned with yet.
Oscuro
He's French, I'm Italian.
Darlings,
The mobile has many roots with view cameras. No dark cloth but you are looking at an image that is at least not upside down and other-way-around! Bellissimo! Not-so-expensive iPhones (7+ and since) have manual controls or you can go to third party app. Transfer to digital neg is very excellent at making images to print very large. So too Genuine Fractals (or what maybe they are called today!!).
But my best reason is JPG engine in iPhone is very good. I wish I could have it for selection in Nikon or Fuji. I am too old to spending time with RAW and monitor. (This is my preference; Bill asked.) Life is short. I would rather do many things: edit (no, no, no, no, YES! no, no, no...), cook something up with my beautiful husband (yes, yes, YES!!), or take more pictures...
I am content with content. (I make humour in the English!)
Ciao,
Mme. O
The mobile has many roots with view cameras. No dark cloth but you are looking at an image that is at least not upside down and other-way-around! Bellissimo! Not-so-expensive iPhones (7+ and since) have manual controls or you can go to third party app. Transfer to digital neg is very excellent at making images to print very large. So too Genuine Fractals (or what maybe they are called today!!).
But my best reason is JPG engine in iPhone is very good. I wish I could have it for selection in Nikon or Fuji. I am too old to spending time with RAW and monitor. (This is my preference; Bill asked.) Life is short. I would rather do many things: edit (no, no, no, no, YES! no, no, no...), cook something up with my beautiful husband (yes, yes, YES!!), or take more pictures...
I am content with content. (I make humour in the English!)
Ciao,
Mme. O
JohnWolf
Well-known
I enjoy my Pixel 3a a lot for color. I'm amazed by it's ability to nail exposure -- backlit, at night, whatever -- and render color so accurately. I don't use it for "serious" stuff, but for casual, take-anywhere purposes, it's wonderful. And loads of fun.
I recently took it and my Monochrom on a two-week roadtrip with my daughter and ended up using the Pixel almost exclusively.
I recently took it and my Monochrom on a two-week roadtrip with my daughter and ended up using the Pixel almost exclusively.
robert blu
quiet photographer
Sometimes film, sometimes digital, sometimes full frame camera, sometimes Polaroid, sometimes i.phone
Of course much depending on mood, desire and need of the moment.
It is nice to have choices
I.phone to take visual notes, for its unobtrusive look, for a sudden family snap, for a photo to send soon to a friend, to test a visual idea…
Of course much depending on mood, desire and need of the moment.
It is nice to have choices
I.phone to take visual notes, for its unobtrusive look, for a sudden family snap, for a photo to send soon to a friend, to test a visual idea…
hap
Well-known
Reminds me of a favorite Peter Thiel comment.....every decision should be least wrong.
hap
Well-known
Yes, it's nice to have choices but it's expensive. there is the idea, which seems occasionally reasonable, is that something better can emerge from limited choice....or at least boundaries.
Mackinaw
Think Different
I volunteer at our local arts council and take pictures of art, as well as art classes and exhibit receptions. The vast majority of pics I take are with my Pixel 4a. On occasion, I'll bring along my M240, but that's not really needed, considering that most folks, today, look at pics on their phone.
Jim B
Jim B
BillBingham2
Registered User
My almost new XE-3 sits somewhere. She and few other important items have yet to be unpacked from our last move (not for a lack of trying to find them). That's not to say they are not important. The ever changing top priority of life/work/family has several items in the "Missing but Not-Lost" category. This litter (one yet to go to it's forever home) my new iPhone 12 Pro did it all and with out exception, but there are a few things I wish I could change. For all the little things, it's with me all the time. I love the ability to capture images of what comes across the path. And the output is good enough. I think for Bill's walls it will be another two or three generations and he will convert.
I'm very happy that smart phone makers are using photography as a major differentiation. It makes life, for me at least, wonderful.
For me the biggest issue is the pain of using it in the sun at arms length. I'm hoping screen makers will figure out some new technology to make this a non-issue. They did back in the days of the first Macintosh Laptop. It's screen was WONDERFUL in bright light as well as dark.
We'll get you Bill, you just wait.
B2 (;->
DougK
This space left blank
I bought myself a Canon EOS M50 as a Christmas present in 2020 because I was taking so many photos with my iPhone 11 that I thought I might as well get a real camera and get better quality shots (which is not to say the iPhone photos are low quality; they most definitely are not). Fast forward several months and...I'm still taking most of my photos with my iPhone because it's the camera I have with me all the time. I do like having the M50, though, I just need to remember to bring it with me more often. Choices are good!
neal3k
Well-known
I don't mind shooting with my phone when it is all that I have but it is not actually fun.
For fun, it is shooting with Barnacks. That's all there is to it for me.
For fun, it is shooting with Barnacks. That's all there is to it for me.
Gregm61
Well-known
Cell phones are great…..for taking pictures of the sign on the parking lot at the airport so I can find my way back to the car when I return home.
robert blu
quiet photographer
willie_901
Veteran
There are several apps on iOS and Android that support raw file output (including DNG). Of course raw files can't take advantage of phone cameras' proprietary AI capabilities.
In the end a phone camera is no different than other camera. The photographer is just as important as ever. The AI capabilities alone don't guarantee an interesting photograph. The AI capabilities just assure images with perceived technical quality while avoiding inconveniences.
In the end a phone camera is no different than other camera. The photographer is just as important as ever. The AI capabilities alone don't guarantee an interesting photograph. The AI capabilities just assure images with perceived technical quality while avoiding inconveniences.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
It just came to my mind.
Here is one photog in Russia. Even posted here, known as POMO.
He overgrown cell as photography tool. On his earlier stage he used cell. Then he became member of Russian photoartists union. Active member who has his work on the display.
He clearly stated what dedicated camera is better over the phone for him. He does lots of heavy post processing and brings it on prints as well.
I see how the opposite is happening. Life changes, taking it easy approach. I quit from film. It looks great, but life... I do digital most now. Also I like to dump creasy cheese over-processed photos from my primitive non Pro iPhone on my FB page on regular basis. It looks ugly on big screen, but who is watching FB, IG photos big... Using dedicated camera for it is just waste of time. And my friends, relatives likes these photos.
Cell photography is very demographic. It is assessable for kids and back to kids stage age. Then you don't want, can't handle anything heavy and complicated. iPhone is king of all in auto. Would it be deep contrast sunset or low light indoors.
Here is one photog in Russia. Even posted here, known as POMO.
He overgrown cell as photography tool. On his earlier stage he used cell. Then he became member of Russian photoartists union. Active member who has his work on the display.
He clearly stated what dedicated camera is better over the phone for him. He does lots of heavy post processing and brings it on prints as well.
I see how the opposite is happening. Life changes, taking it easy approach. I quit from film. It looks great, but life... I do digital most now. Also I like to dump creasy cheese over-processed photos from my primitive non Pro iPhone on my FB page on regular basis. It looks ugly on big screen, but who is watching FB, IG photos big... Using dedicated camera for it is just waste of time. And my friends, relatives likes these photos.
Cell photography is very demographic. It is assessable for kids and back to kids stage age. Then you don't want, can't handle anything heavy and complicated. iPhone is king of all in auto. Would it be deep contrast sunset or low light indoors.
willie_901
Veteran
For still photography some of the time.
- I also do not enjoy smart phone ergonomics when making photographs. This will not change for a long time. So, almost all of my smart phone photographs are for documentation purposes or family snap shots.
- Smart phone AI impacts both acquisition and post-acquisition stages. AI based photography is useful and offers a significant advantage over current cameras. Smart phone AI impacts both acquisition and post-acquisition image
- Apps such as 645 Pro and Lightroom (the camera section) support raw and DNG files. Unlike Apple's iPhone 11 Pro app, these apps natively support 3:2 aspect ratio capture by cropping pixels during real-time. SO I can compose in in a format I'm use to. There are several other app options as well. I use these two. Raw files can make a difference and file transfer/availability is convenient. I don't use these apps often because of ergonomics.
- These days I am not working on new, candid, documentary projects. If I were working on candid projects using a smart phone with 645 Pro would be very attractive. Even the diminutive, old-fashioned looking X-100 occasionally attracts unwanted attention.
For photography II use a FUJIFILM X-100T when I need convenience and an X-Pro 2 when I need flexibility and low-light performance. It's not that much trouble to carry an X-100