I’ve talked a lot about how phones can never replace cameras for professional work. However, as photographers, we are also passionate about taking random pictures of things that simply look good. I have been looking for a camera for such work for the past two years, and now I have found one. That’s the unlikely star: the iPhone 14 Pro.
As a fashion and beauty photographer, I take great care of the images I provide. Cameras that can do that include my trusty fleet of DSLRs, as well as bodies that I rent for specialty jobs. However, photography is not 9-5, it is 24/7. As a frequent photographer, I needed a camera that could go with me wherever I went. That camera could be a new camera iPhone 14 Pro. It has everything that I am looking for in a camera for normal everyday photography: small size, good memory, raw images and many more features. As an added benefit, it’s always with me, because my camera is also a phone assistant that I use for everything from calling family to signing a contract.
The advantages of conventional cameras are not enough to overcome the disadvantages. The biggest one is that conventional cameras take up some space in a bag and are not always easy to carry around. This is especially true when traveling. I used to bring my 5D to work and out, even went hiking with one at times 5D and three lenses in three days. It was an adventure, but a rather unnecessary adventure, from a photographic perspective. The trip was supposed to be a challenge for my physique. Carrying around a full photographic setup for casual photography isn’t easy. If anything, it makes it harder. I can’t carry much of this gear in my pocket, and when it came time to take out my camera, I was too exhausted to even think about it. Just imagine how one feels after a day of hiking with not only hiking equipment but also photography equipment. I’m not alone. The group I was with had no other photographers. Asking 10 people to stop so I can take the time to take a frame is annoying. For me, this is no ordinary way of taking pictures. Causal photography should be easy.
There was a time when the camera became a tool that I didn’t use unless it was for work or personal projects. Maybe it’s a sign of burnout, but I don’t feel that way. I want to take pictures, but I am not able to do it easily. Why is that a problem? Let me explain.
I love to exercise and I’ve been trying to go to a better gym than where my gym buddies went. That gym is far from my office and apartment. That became a problem after the initial rush. I started to kick the habit and ignore more and more. Even though every component is there, it simply requires me to do too many operations. Human nature is lazy, and by increasing the number of steps I have to take to do good, I have reduced the number of steps I have to take to do bad. In other words, it requires too much effort.
If you’re so disciplined that these rules don’t apply to you, that’s fine, but for most of us, the fewer steps to implementing a good habit, the better. Casual photography is a good habit, but if it requires carrying around a lot of gear, I wouldn’t do it. Even with on-site production, I will submit a larger estimate. When it comes to casual photography, you can imagine how much I’d like to get a photo. 5D MarkIV with one 24-70mm outside. This is why I replaced the Canon 5D Mark IV and 24-70mm lens with the iPhone 14 Pro.
The iPhone 14 Pro has a great camera. I wasn’t planning on buying this phone, however. The purchase was quite unexpected, but it was a good one. I won’t go into phone reviews, as that has been done before and everyone knows the specs by heart. What I want to talk about is how easy it is to use this feature for general photography. I always carry my camera with me, it’s always fully charged and I can always share images instantly. For casual photography, this is the perfect device. The fact that it takes photos in 48-megapixel raw format is also extremely helpful, especially for those who are used to capturing everything in high resolution. I think I compose more when cropping than when taking the actual photo.
I take all kinds of photos with my phone, from landscape work to street photography, behind the scenes, to random snapshots. I even tried using my iPhone with the Profoto flash for fashion photography. In fact, there are some photographers, such as Russel Preston Brown, who only take photos with iPhone and Profoto flash. The results he achieves are truly astounding, and his work is well worth considering. My personal experience with the Profoto Camera App is more about causal photography if not done with the main Gen Z device: the disposable camera. I’ve used C1 Plus The flash works with the iPhone 12 as well as the 14 Pro for party shots, portraits, and even front-facing shots.
Stop thinking
So I replaced my DSLR with an iPhone for regular photography. Instead of spending money on a film camera or a Leica, I’d simply buy a better phone that will almost certainly do the job. Take pictures like that just for fun. It’s not professional or serious. The point is to take a photo of something that looks eye-catching. You really don’t need a separate camera for that. Besides, how many times have you failed to take a picture because you didn’t have a camera? Just don’t be afraid to use your phone next time.
