For this month’s 12 of 12 I decided to set myself a bit of a photographic challenge. I have already used my iPhone for 12 of 12, back in January, but I cheated a bit then because I also manipulated the images to create sepia “old photo” effects, and so you weren’t seeing the iPhone as a pure camera. I’ve used the iPhone’s camera on other occasions and found it lacking in several major areas: it’s grainy, it’s automatic (so you have no control over—or even information about—exposure settings), I find composition difficult on a screen, and it has only a digital zoom (and for a while I hadn’t realised it even had this). In short, I didn’t feel like a photographer when using it, although I could see its usefulness if I had a desperate need for some sort of camera in an image-requiring emergency.
So, this month I decided to see if I could be a photographer with the iPhone, and look for images worth taking (even within the confines of an ordinary day in a non-spectacular location).
I’m not sure I succeeded.
The iPhone really is crummy for photography. I like using a viewfinder since I can concentrate on composition, I like controlling exposure, and I like my zoom lens. I like the instant response of my SLR’s shutter instead of the unpredictable delay.
Of course, the other difficulty is that I suspect I am not a particularly good photographer (even with a good camera). I enjoy taking photos (and the commentary with some of today’s photos discusses what I like photographically), and some of my pictures turn out passing fair, but I really don’t have that gifted eye for good shots that is the hallmark of an artist (and I have seen some good photos taken by such people even with an iPhone).
Anyway, you can see for yourself.
Nice set! I like all the textures and lines.
I think you’re being too modest about your photos – you’re very talented. I’m a point and shoot girl myself and given what you know of my mathematical abilities, you’ll see why exposures, apertures etc are all a bit beyond me. I’ve taken some speccy shots with my little digital camera though but wish I had more creative ability. Some of my friends use an app for their iPhones (called, I think, Histamatic) that gives that old Polaroid look to their photos. They’ve created some very good effects.
This fellow takes some great photos – and I suspect he’s not using an iPhone – and I also like his little quotes and the way he thinks. He lives in Geilston Bay and works in New Town and I enjoy seeing familiar surroundings in new ways through his photos.
http://thiswillhurtme.blogspot.com/2011/04/fundamental-concept-in-social-science.html