Could The iPhone Replace Professional Cameras? - iPhone Photography
I have never been a big supporter of leaving your camera and relying solely on smartphone cameras, but times are changing and so are our views on different things. With new technology and the ever-increasing need for better cameras inside of smartphones, companies like Apple have really stepped up their game to create phones that people are buying more for the camera and less for everything else they offer. So the question is, will iPhones or other smartphones replace the professional camera? Or at least, will they replace the higher-end consumer cameras? They’re close to the same price, have comparable results, and offer more features than just a camera; so will the only people spending money on larger format cameras be professionals in the future?
The goal of my weekend was to have a good time in the mountains, catch some good views, a few fish, and maybe snag a photo or two. Rather than carry all the camera gear like normal, this time I was going to test the “new to me iPhone 11 Pro Max” and see if it’s really all it’s cracked up to be when really put to the test of taking quality photos. Before this, I used my iPhone to capture a moment, a moment that would be held on the camera reel for me and my family. Not something I’d share with the world via Instagram, Facebook, etc. because I only really publish quality photos and videos on my social media. This trip changed my mind on the iPhone and changed the way I will shoot photos in the future.
The iPhone surprised me and made some excellent images. Then with the right edits they are hard to distinguish from the same photos taken on the Sony A7sii. I don’t see this camera becoming a permanent camera for me or even a first choice camera but it will always be in my pocket so it’s always available when my other options are not. It also makes for an easy camera to take when out hiking, fishing, or whatever it is that you do for fun. I know I hate heading out for a day fishing and thinking well I want to take photos too, so I pack my fishing gear, a sandwich, a few beers, and now I have to add this camera. Oh and then when fishing you’re on the water so now we need to waterproof everything. So you grab something like a soft-side cooler, pack your camera gear, and now you’ve just got more junk to keep up with. When hiking maybe you don’t want to carry a backpack, you bring the camera, now you need a backpack to keep your gear. If photography isn’t your main mission but instead you’re heading out to get some fresh air or catch some fish and don’t want to carry a camera then you shouldn’t. Why? Because you have a camera already in your pocket and trust me, put a little work into the shot and you’ll get a great image. Composition honestly, in my opinion, makes up for quality. I could care less about having a photo shot with 176mp, that means nothing to me, the image looks good because it was composed right and you put a little effort into really capturing something. I have seen photos from disposable cameras better than what a lot of people shoot with a $6,000 setup. So there is no reason you can’t take a great photograph with an iPhone.
I am getting older and do this for work everyday. I don’t have to impress people anymore in hopes to find good work. I don’t have to take banger photos every time I step outside anymore. I go out to have a good time and take a break from the photography and videography. Though like any photographer, you see a good moment and wish you had your camera. In the beginning of this video you see me banging my head because I didn’t bring my 500mm telephoto lens and I drove right past one of the largest elk I have ever seen. He was standing in a field below a mountain with beautiful fog rolling and the sun peaking above the mountain. There were two things about this moment, one I hate, and one I love. The first that I hated was I didn’t get to photograph a moment that will be hard to ever beat. The second, the part I loved, I spent that moment, in the moment and didn’t photograph it. So there are times, when we left our cameras in the truck, that yes we want to take photos and we can just whip out the iPhone and shoot away. It’s hard to do because even though we may not need to impress anyone anymore you still want the best of the best because why have all those megapixels and not us them. Well, I am with you. I will never drop the camera and just use the iPhone, but I like having more options.
So to wrap it up… I wasn’t a supporter of shooting really anything on the iPhone but with age, growth, and technology I have been changing my outlook on shooting with the iPhone. Moral of the story is; enjoy the moments you’re in, shoot photos, and don’t stress about quality. Stress capturing the moments and find the other elements that make a great photo, not just pixels.
Stay tuned, we have “Monday’s with Mike” coming soon where we will be sharing quick tips to better photos and videos every Monday. Peace!
