New iPhone; Camera Improvements; Will It Become My Primary Camera?

Pouring the footing for our new house.  (click to enlarge)
iPhone 8+; 3.99mm lens; 1/2300 sec. @ f/1.8; ISO 20

Anytime a new iPhone, Samsung, or other new mobile phone is announced the debate re-emerges and re-energizes as to what effect the camera in the new phone will affect the general photographic industry.  This new iPhone 13 is no exception.

Recently, a fellow photographer friend and I were having a texting discussion about phone photography, this new iPhone and Kirk Tuck's post on how this phone will change everything.  You can read Tuck's post here.  Tuck's headline for that post is titled, "The iPhone 13 Pro is the final, critical piece in phone photography's near total dominance of the camera market. Not a satire."  After reading it you may agree or disagree with him.  I can only speak for myself.  Back to my friend's and my discussion...

My friend recently upgraded from a rather ancient iphone (in technology terms) to an iPhone 12 mini.  He has been amazed at the improvements in the camera and the images he is making with his phone.  And I agree.  From what he has sent me, they are rather remarkable.  I have an iPhone 8+ and I've never felt the images I've made with it have been remarkable in any way.  Maybe if I upgrade to a new phone I would change my mind.  But using a phone versus a proper camera goes beyond just upgrading to get a better camera and software in a mobile phone.  

I use the camera in my phone primarily as a visual notebook.  It comes in very handy for documenting things that I want to remember.  I used my phone extensively documenting the recent construction of our new house.  (I used my Fujifilm X-T4 even more and the documentary images were much better.)  I use it to record brands, makes, model numbers, prices, colors, etc. when out in a store so I can remember what I saw.  Recently I rented a truck to move some of our belongings.  I used the camera in the phone to document the mileage, existing damage and outside condition of the truck.  I use it at times to make a record of something interesting that I've seen.  On occasion, I do make an artistic photo or two because the camera in the phone is what I have with me.  

That said, I still don't agree with the now tired phrase, "The best camera is the one you have with you."   The best camera for any particular situation is the best camera, whether you have it with you or not.  The best hammer is the best hammer whether it is at the job site with you or not.  You may have a tack hammer with you but if you need a framing hammer, you're pretty much out of business.  The camera in the phone is handy and convenient.  I'll readily admit that.  However, right now for me, it cannot take the place of my 'proper' camera and lenses.  It is just too lacking in too many abilities.

Everything changes.  The camera market has shifted dramatically.  I guess my heart still tugs towards the traditional photographic processes.  I would still have a darkroom if it were possible.  To me, photography is not about convenience.  My 'photography' has never been a visual notebook about my life.  (I don't call using a phone as a visual notebook photography.)  Many do just that kind of photography.  I have never really practiced that kind of photography.  To me it is not about the ability to slip a camera in my pocket, whip it out and quickly rip off a couple of shots now and then.  I really don’t mind carrying a larger camera and several lenses. 

My photography is more about satisfying my need to create using the camera’s variety of controls and a bevy of lenses to make photographs that reflect my visualization of a scene that has emotionally struck a chord with me.  I like to then, using different perspectives and different lenses with their different qualities, explore that scene.  Taking time.  Really looking at it and see what I can make from it.  

I find myself setting my camera to manual mode much more often than in the past.  I guess I have returned to the point where I want full control of the resulting image.  With a phone I still won’t be able to photograph wildlife and birds-in-flight.  I won’t be able to photograph my granddaughter playing soccer across the field in a way that captures her expressions up close.  I won’t be able to get crisp, detail textures in the stamens of a poppy flower.  (I understand the new iPhone 13 can now do macro, however.)  I guess when I no longer want to capture those kinds of things or can’t successfully think through operating a camera’s controls, I will change too.

I think using a camera in a phone is great.  When I do occasionally use my phone for 'artistic' photographs I never seem to get the fulfillment I desire that I want.  It never seems to satisfy me—yet.  Stupid way of thinking?  Probably so.  But that is just me and what I still want out of my photography.  All that said, whenever I get an updated phone with a better camera, I will probably use it more as well.  Everything changes, but I’m not ready to change quite yet.

As I mentioned, during the house build process, I used my phone’s camera a lot.  I used it as a visual notebook to document some of the names, models and colors of materials used in our house.  I used it when I stopped by the construction site and I didn’t have my X-T4 with me.  However, whenever I had the Fuji I always used it.  The resultant images were always much better and better served the documentary purpose.  Although the iPhone 8+ images served their purpose, I was restricted at times by not having a telephoto lens when I couldn’t get close to something.  The times the phone’s camera was most convenient was when I made a ‘progress’ shot and then could easily immediately share it with family members or friends.  That precluded me from having to send the photo to myself, upload it into Lightroom, edit it, then send it out.  I still had to straighten verticals, etc., but was able to do that on my phone as well.  Very convenient, but editing on a tiny screen was not something I would like to do frequently.  The phone companies seem to put a lot more emphasis on software image processing than do the camera companies.  I think that and the way photos can be easily shared are the major reasons phones have capture so much of the market.

Could I see myself using a phone for most of my photography?  Not right now, but as I age, phone cameras acquire more focal lengths, more controls, more computational photographic features and my photography needs and style changes, yes it is a possibility.  But, for now, I love creating images using all of the resources, controls, haptics, feel, dials, menus, knobs and lenses of full-fledged cameras.

However, in the end, everything changes.....

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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