Best Camera is one of the most common. It features a group of pre-set filters that allow the photographer to manipulate the image several ways. Occasionally I use three to four of the included pre-sets, then run the image through a few other processing tools. Sometimes I do very little.

All of these images were taken on a 2G iPhone camera and were processed in various apps and programs.

iPHONE PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN HOUSTON

The reality of having a fixed lens camera, with a wide angle view, is one that constrains the possibilities while freeing one of the choices. What do I mean? The camera has a fixed wide angle lens, I have no zoom, no telephoto. So the images take on the vision that I have for that camera specifically. So the constraint of the single view gives way to the freedom of that constraint. I KNOW what the camera can do and what it can do with a subject.

My iPhone camera is an extension of my internal vision. I love to just make images, and without having the kit(s) with me, I can easily make images that move me, entertain me, simply for the fun of it, and, to quote a famous photographer Garry Winogrand - "There is nothing as mysterious as a fact clearly described. I photograph to see what something will look like photographed." I love that... and it drives me as well.

iPHONE PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN MEXICO

I have found the camera to be quite sharp, and it can produce wonderful shots when held steady and carefully triggered for exposure. And it allows me to whip it out and 'see what something looks like as a photograph'.

It also helps train the eye into seeing how three dimensional worlds can appear as two dimensional representations. I see something and imagine it as an image, take out the iPhone camera and confirm what I thought or see something that is different from what I expected.

iPHONE PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN BALTIMORE

I also use the iPhone to make shots of setups, props, locations, models for casting, either/or, and before and after pix. Having a record with an image can be very important. The amount of time this camera saves me is immense.

iPHONE PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN NEW YORK

The fun tools that come along with the iPhone and the APP Store add a new level of fun for the images. I love old camera looks... always have. So I like to play with some of the Retro Camera tools to create images that 'look' like an old camera was used. Some people think that is weird, but I just like the look. Adding in edges and such in the digital age is no more strange to me than converting a digital image to black and white or retouching out a boring sky. It is all a part of the presentation and the emotional impact of the image.

iPHONE PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN TENNESSEE

Here is a list of the APPS that I use for my iPhone camera:

Best Camera
Lo-Mob
Antique Camera
ShakeItPhoto
Old Toy Camera
Camera Bag
PS Mobile
Old Camera
Gorilla Cam

And the grand-daddy APP, Hipstomatic. It is a suite of cameras, 'films' and 'flashes' that are mix and match. Pair this film with that camera and choose to flash or not... so much fun.

iPHONE PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN SOUTH CAROLINA

And of course there is the ability to carry a copy of my portfolios and share anywhere - which has resulted in meetings and gigs. Having tunes and other fun apps to make traveling and keeping organized easier are a great addition. And remember that the iPhone also works well on WiFi. So that makes it pretty powerful as a communication device if there is WiFi near (I use Skype).

Recently a client and I were having time issues to get some design work approved so I could get to the work. I found that shooting a picture of my screen and 'sharing' it instantly on the iPhone was efficient and we got it approved in with time to spare.

iPHONE PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN SOUTH CAROLINA

I know that many of you may not want to have a new phone account. I know I don't. And as I said, I am very happy with my Android at T-Mobile. However, you can get some older 2G iPhones for about $100 and there are 3G iPhones out there for around $150 - $200. I just got a (new to me) 3G from someone who was upgrading to the 4G. I love it. Bigger files, faster response, and more storage.

For photographers wanting to carry a little camera around, I prefer the iPhone to many P&S cameras. (No, I am not talking about high-quality P&S, I mean over the smaller, cheaper P&S cameras.) To be able to have music, a compass, Google Maps, FaceBook/Twitter, Google Docs, iBooks, Kindle and more - way more - in a camera that makes great images is such a boon to my workflow.

I wish my Canon had a music port, a large screen for showing my book, the ability to modify a doc, contact a friend, and share instantly the images I make, I would be an even happier fellow.

Thanks for coming along on this look at why I LOVE my iPhone camera.

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© Don Giannatti