Iphone Photography and why I love it
Inside of 1st battalion. I was a member of Alpha company for all four years of college. It could be pretty depressing and beautiful at the same time
Technology has advanced immensely over the last 10 years.
I still remember when the Motor Razor came out, and I was in awe of how you could flip a phone. Now, with the introduction of smartphones such as the iPhone and Samsung S-series. You could do things such as browse the internet, call your uncle Kenny, order a meal through UberEats, or take photos.
Gone are the days when you have to develop photos and wait three-five days. Now you can instantly take a photo with your phone. However, even with the ability to snap shots of your dog or your best friend’s wedding. The quality will not be on par with full frame digital cameras or 35mm film cameras. At the end of the day, most people pay professional photographers who are experts on composition, editing style, and manipulating light.
One of my first photos on my Iphone of the Charleston Sunset.
Midtown Atlanta during sunset. I edited with VSCO and Lightroom
Photo of 2nd Battalion of the Citadel. Cadets participating in BVA training are in the left side of the photo.
Today. I use either my film or digital cameras to do paid photo-shoots. Nevertheless, I still use my iPhone to take photos and why? It was where I started my passion for photography. I went to college in Charleston, SC where the beautiful low country sunset was on full displace in the barracks of the Citadel. Since we cadets couldn’t really leave campus until the weekends, we were essentially trapped. While it could be sobering, seeing the Charleston sunset made me want to take photos of it. I didn’t have money to buy a DSLR, however I was determined to take photos. So I started to just take photos on my iPhone. Over time, I started to develop an interest in photography. I started to watch videos on editing, how to do composition, and doing events such as Rec Day (2015,2016,2017).
One of the first photos I took on the Project. This photo was when we were working in Mammoth Lakes, CA
After I graduated from the Citadel in 2017, I worked in a nationwide project that took me from California to Indiana to Texas. While I bring a Nikon D5300 with me, I mainly used my iPhone because of how simple and small it was. I used this time to know how to develop my style of editing and mood. The simplicity of it compared to my DSLR which was heavier made me prefer to shoot on my phone. Working 12 hour shifts could be tiresome so I wanted to edit on the spot which my phone let me do.
Taken while working in Champaign, IL
Sunset in Sandy Springs, GA.
While I have more gear and experience. I will never forget the lessons I learn taking photos on my Iphone. It allowed me to be creative and create my editing style. While it doesn’t make the MP or quality of full frame cameras. It allowed me to start. Which I believe is the most important thing. Anyone can become a photographer. The question is.. where will you start?
Somewhere in the middle of Texas.