how the iPhone is changing my photographic habits

Hey everyone, I’m super hip now and you can be my friend because I have an iPhone!

Desaturated black and white loveliness.

No seriously, be my friend, PLEASE? At least on Instagram. Because I’ve discovered something I didn’t expect: I LOVE my iPhone. Not because it’s a great phone, or because I can check my e-mail anywhere, or because I now have access to all kinds of marvelous apps and can sync with my computer files and live on the cloud, but because it’s a camera.

The iPhone is my first point and shoot camera EVER. I mean it. I’ve always ALWAYS always always had a single lens reflex, beginning with film cameras, and so the lack of control at first felt rather annoying and limiting. But it’s a lot like using a toy camera or expired and re-purposed film–you’re never quite in control of what you’re going to get, and everything you do get is a wonderful gift.

A collection of textures, shapes, and colors.

What I like most about having it with me, though, is that my camera is now with me all the time. I sometimes hate to admit it, but yes, I’m one of those photographers that sometimes left the camera at home. (You do need some time off, you know.) It’s difficult (with small children and just in general) to bring a heavy SLR with you wherever you go, and so opportunities were missed.

Typography and other inspiration.

Now, however, I can build a texture library, capture something that strikes my fancy, get goofy moments with my kids, or just plain dork around.

And I love it.

But I hate it, too.

Because now I can be lazy. Now, I can leave my SLR at home and not feel so guilty. Now, I have less motivation to perfect my skills with something that’s more difficult to use. Now, I have to fight a different kind of battle of momentum. I’m teaching myself to think photographically more. I’m teaching myself to pay attention to the light more often. I love that about the iPhone. But what I hate is that at times it’s too easy, too accessible, and doesn’t hold challenges that I know will stretch my technical and artistic abilities in new ways.

Catching whatever I see around me.

There’s a tradeoff to every choice you make. It’s just important that you know you’re making that choice. In the end, I’m truly happy I have this new device to teach me to hone my photographic thinking and live it every moment of the day.