Can cell phone photography be considered real photography? In a word, sometimes. To start we need to define the difference between a “photograph” and just another “snapshot.” In my opinion, a picture becomes a photograph when there is deliberate thought behind it. Similar to the point where murder becomes first degree murder. It is premeditated. Premeditating a photograph has much less to do with the camera than the photographer.
There are times when a picture taken with the most advanced DSLR is just a snap shot. If all I do is quickly point and shoot on full automatic mode I can turn any camera into a point-and-shoot. Conversely, if I take the time to compose and think about my subject, finding the best angle, light and composition, then I can create a photograph with any camera. It has less to do with all the advanced features of the camera (although these features can be a tool for the photographer to use for improving the quality of the photograph) and more to do with technique.
These photographs were taken with my cell phone camera. The white balance settings and ISO options up to 400 as well as 5 scene modes make it possible to compose some decent photographs with a cell phone camera. Due to resolution limitations the end quality of the image is not going to be as good as with a full size camera. But for on the fly shooting you can use your photographer’s skills through a cell phone camera lens just as much as you can through your DSLR and create photography.
Colourscape Studio Backgrounds
on November 6 2009
I completely agree.I am a photographer, with some quite high end gear that I use for professional work. When I am out and about and don’t have this gear with me,I quite often capture images on my phone. Although not the best in terms of quality, it allows me take photo’s that I would normally miss. Some of these images have even been published.
admin
on November 6 2009
Thank you for your comment. I think as cell phone cameras get better and better (I think there is an 8 mp one out now) the quality will become less of an issue. But like you said when you don’t have your gear with you the cell phone camera works great to capture images you might otherwise miss. And then you at least have a reminder of someplace you may want to go back to with your full gear.