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iPhone Camera vs DSLR quality?
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Jul 18, 2019 06:36:55   #
GailConnorsPhotography Loc: Holbrook, MA
 
Not if you really get the right info... of corse the manufacturers don't want us to hear this.
I know that sounds silly, but..

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Jul 18, 2019 06:38:15   #
yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey
 
I used to think cell phones were okay for snapshots, but not much else. My son-in-law was telling me about Island Beach State Park and suggested I visit it. He emailed me some pictures taken with his iPhone X, and I couldn't believe they came from a cell phone. The attached image had minor adjustments in Photoshop and easily printed at 18x12. Double download for better detail.

I was flat out wrong - these newer phones can definitely produce print worthy images.


(Download)

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Jul 18, 2019 06:41:46   #
GailConnorsPhotography Loc: Holbrook, MA
 
All I'm asking for is your option/incite thx

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Jul 18, 2019 06:42:41   #
Collhar Loc: New York City.
 
GailConnorsPhotography wrote:
Hi, new but been with you forever, & am sure this has been answered before... I'll be teaching an IPhone Camera Course soon, so I shd know this! Need your help - I'm from the film days, made the trans to digital, trying to come to terms with phone photo. Need to know how to explain/understand the difference of quality. I am a purist by heart but sometimes you have to go with technology, I'm trying,. Some say they are very close & that it's not the "tool" it's the user. I have taken several courses on iPhone Photography & am amazed at the controls that are available. I'll stop now and ask for any advice or views. thx in advance
Hi, new but been with you forever, & am sure t... (show quote)


Cell phones are the new 600 pound gorilla. They are lightweight, portable and take good pictures. They fit the currant need and wants of the buyer and its audience. They can take a picture and in an instant share it and move on to what ever suits their fancy before you get a DSLR to your eye, check the various settings that are required before you can take the picture. They and their audience will not waste time nit picking over the stuff people with DSLR's involve themselves in. They have no need for "pros" pontificating their status. It doesn't matter if you like it or not, it's here. Their effect on camera sales should not go unnoticed. How many young people and those with families do you see using DSLR's vs cell phones?

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Jul 18, 2019 06:46:50   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
GailConnorsPhotography wrote:
Hi, new but been with you forever, & am sure this has been answered before... I'll be teaching an IPhone Camera Course soon, so I shd know this! Need your help - I'm from the film days, made the trans to digital, trying to come to terms with phone photo. Need to know how to explain/understand the difference of quality. I am a purist by heart but sometimes you have to go with technology, I'm trying,. Some say they are very close & that it's not the "tool" it's the user. I have taken several courses on iPhone Photography & am amazed at the controls that are available. I'll stop now and ask for any advice or views. thx in advance
Hi, new but been with you forever, & am sure t... (show quote)


Gail, a very large number of pictures are not actually printed anymore since people find that sharing on social media is both convenient and a lot cheaper. There is barely a difference between a picture taken with a cellphone camera and a DSLR/Mirrorless/Bridge/Point and Shoot/MILC camera for a vast number of pictures - when displayed on a UHD, up to 4K screen. However, many Luddites here will complain and say that cellphone cameras are ok if you are making small (4x6, 5x7) prints, yet I have printed up to 16x20 with no complaints about sharpness or image quality.

But in driving home the point that cellphone images can be printed large, Apple has an ongoing ad campaign that shows billboard-sized images taken with their 8 and 12 mp cellphone cameras.

I found this great article from among the 1000s of similar articles on cellphone photography:

https://photographylife.com/camera-phone-photography

One day in 2016 I left the house and forgot to pack my batteries. So I used my phone. The first three images below were taken with an iPhone 5S.


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

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Jul 18, 2019 06:48:52   #
GailConnorsPhotography Loc: Holbrook, MA
 
Thank you! for at least coming out & saying all things are possible...

Maybe we just have to merge: FILM/DIGITAL/PHONE before it's too late!!!

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Jul 18, 2019 06:49:53   #
Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina
 
Part of it is ease of access and perception of low or no cost. You can buy the phone for a dollar a day or less hardware cost. It does what 10 or more tools did 20 years ago and it is extremely portable. Most people would never conceive of buying a DSLR camera for the same dollar a day but it certainly can be done. But we don’t really see any camera companies trying to sell in that way.

Collhar wrote:
Cell phones are the new 600 pound gorilla. They are lightweight, portable and take good pictures. They fit the currant need and wants of the buyer and its audience. They can take a picture and in an instant share it and move on to what ever suits their fancy before you get a DSLR to your eye, check the various settings that are required before you can take the picture. They and their audience will not waste time nit picking over the stuff people with DSLR's involve themselves in. They have no need for "pros" pontificating their status. It doesn't matter if you like it or not, it's here. Their effect on camera sales should not go unnoticed. How many young people and those with families do you see using DSLR's vs cell phones?
Cell phones are the new 600 pound gorilla. They ar... (show quote)

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Jul 18, 2019 07:02:27   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
GailConnorsPhotography wrote:
Hi, new but been with you forever, & am sure this has been answered before... I'll be teaching an IPhone Camera Course soon, so I shd know this! Need your help - I'm from the film days, made the trans to digital, trying to come to terms with phone photo. Need to know how to explain/understand the difference of quality. I am a purist by heart but sometimes you have to go with technology, I'm trying,. Some say they are very close & that it's not the "tool" it's the user. I have taken several courses on iPhone Photography & am amazed at the controls that are available. I'll stop now and ask for any advice or views. thx in advance
Hi, new but been with you forever, & am sure t... (show quote)


Hi, Gail! Welcome to the forum.

You did not mention the length or content of your course or anything about the level of knowledge of your students. For the purpose of your question and this post, I'll assume the students are not advanced photographers and will expect a basic course in maximizing the use and results with their cell phone cameras.

I'll preface my suggestions with a brief overview of this and many other photo forums. There are many talented, knowledgeable, helpful, and enthusiastic photographers that contribute to these forums and much of there participation is helpful and well-meaning.Some, however, are so busy and preoccupied with expensive, equipment, "big" lenses, and trying to define their "art" , . their philosophy as to whether the are purists or whatever, or their pining for the "good old film days", that seems that they have no energy left just go out and have fun TAKING PICTURES! Sometimes the snobbery and accompanying worry and arguments take the fun out of the hobby, and even for advanced workers and professionals. You might start off your course by explaining this attitude to your students so they don't begin their adventures into photography with an inferiority complex about their equipment and feel defeated before they start for lack of more sophisticated gear.

Don't dwell on the olden days of film- we are in the digital age of image-making and the iPhones, Smartphones or cell phones are wonderful devices to get folks interested in better picture-making. Folks who did film photography or more advanced work in the past can certainly apply what the already know and any artistic principles to modern digital photography. The thing I love about cellphone cameras is they are accessible and turns a lot of folks onto photography that perhaps have never experienced the fun, joy, and satisfaction of image-making.

Alright, so an iPhone is NOT a complex system camera with all kinds of interchangeable lenses and accessories but let's see what it can do. This should be part of your teaching approach.

The first segment of your course should be to simply familiarize everyone with the BASIC operation of their device as to using it in both automatic and manual modes. Each person should examine the features of their individual device and know how to access them. If the phone has any built-in special effects, filters, zoom, feature or can simulate the effects of a telephoto, fisheye lens, shoot in monochrome or sepia, selective focus, video options, etc. each student should be aware of these options if they are built-in to there devices. Some devices can do selective focus, high-speed action capture, and other effects.

A basic primer in manual mode can follow, if there is enough time, especially if the course is spread over several sessions. The principles and functions of aperture, shutter speed ISO settings, white balance, focus, and focal length change should be explained.

Emphases should be placed on the aesthetic and artistic possibilities as to composition, and the use of light. Even with the device in point-and-shoot mode, exceptionally and surprisingly nice images can be derived when the photographer employees good aesthetics. Many of these devices have a "grid" that assists in teaching and learning the rule of thirds and other basic elements of composition. Each stude shod SET UP their camera for convenient operation as to things like using some of the control buttons as a shutter release, enabling auto-rotate. etc.

Suggest projects such as making portraits of families, children loved ones, pets, etc. Talks about landscapes, vacation shots, photograhy their other hobbies, cars, visits to museums and points of interest when touring, etc. Most of this device can focus in surprisingly close and great images of flowers and other detailed small subjects are possible. Interesting still life images can be made with simple window light.

Folks keep their devices in there pockets so talk about keeping the lens and screen clean and adjusting the screen brightness to accommodate ambient light.

Next! Introduce them to POST-PROCESSING. There are a plethora of incredible apps whereby they can crop. sharpen, adjust, and add special effects to any of their images. I will recommend Snapseed, Tool-Wiz Photo, and Prisma. Theses are like carrying a "darkroom" in your pocket. You can dodge, burn, color correct, sharpen, diffuse, retouch, add textures and all kinds of fun special effects. Theses apps offer free downloads. There are also lite versions of PhotoShop and Lightroom!

Don't ddwell on the limitations or what a cellphone camera CAN"T do but emphasize what it CAN do!

This is a great introduction to digital imaging. Some folks will just become better snapshooters and others may venture into more advanced gear and techniques if the so-called bug bites them.

Start off with "nuts and bolts" instruction- simply how to operate the device. once the know wah they are doing, the artistic, creative and fun aspects can be introduced.

I am a full-time commercial photographer wit over 50 years in the business. I have all kinds of heavy gear- the operative word being "heavy" and I can't take it wherever I go a just want to have fun and so some casual spontaneous shooting. I even take my device assignments to record setups for teaching and training, scouting locations, and transmitting rough ideas and concepts to clients and art directors while I am out on location.

A few weeks ago, we took a day off to make a family visit to the countryside and stopped at a picturesque village and a museum site. The attached images were made with my Samsung Galaxy.













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Jul 18, 2019 07:03:17   #
Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina
 
And these images demonstrate the importance of understanding lighting principles in producing fine cellphone photos. I see way too many terrible photos on social media because the snap shooter is not taking into account the lighting situation at all. Maybe the best thing we can do for cellphone photography is to help teach some basic lighting and composition principles.

Gene51 wrote:
Gail, a very large number of pictures are not actually printed anymore since people find that sharing on social media is both convenient and a lot cheaper. There is barely a difference between a picture taken with a cellphone camera and a DSLR/Mirrorless/Bridge/Point and Shoot/MILC camera for a vast number of pictures - when displayed on a UHD, up to 4K screen. However, many Luddites here will complain and say that cellphone cameras are ok if you are making small (4x6, 5x7) prints, yet I have printed up to 16x20 with no complaints about sharpness or image quality.

But in driving home the point that cellphone images can be printed large, Apple has an ongoing ad campaign that shows billboard-sized images taken with their 8 and 12 mp cellphone cameras.

I found this great article from among the 1000s of similar articles on cellphone photography:

https://photographylife.com/camera-phone-photography

One day in 2016 I left the house and forgot to pack my batteries. So I used my phone. The first three images below were taken with an iPhone 5S.
Gail, a very large number of pictures are not actu... (show quote)

Reply
Jul 18, 2019 07:15:41   #
Collhar Loc: New York City.
 
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
And these images demonstrate the importance of understanding lighting principles in producing fine cellphone photos. I see way too many terrible photos on social media because the snap shooter is not taking into account the lighting situation at all. Maybe the best thing we can do for cellphone photography is to help teach some basic lighting and composition principles.

"Maybe the best thing we can do for cellphone photography is to help teach some basic lighting and composition principles."
Are people who use DSLR's fully aware of what you think cell phone users need?

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Jul 18, 2019 07:29:17   #
machia Loc: NJ
 
GailConnorsPhotography wrote:
Sorry, Didn't mean to ruffle so many feathers!!! thought I got out of that old crowd after I was a WAVE in the US NAVY and so many were determined not to change their ways... Still the same O'l gang!

What are you trying to say ?
I’m ex-Navy too.
Some people are consumed by change for that sake of change. Not always a good thing.

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Jul 18, 2019 07:33:18   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
There are:
DSLRs, medium format, bridge, compact, cell, ......
Each camera with its own size, purpose and capabilities, and operational process.

Cells have caught up to DSLRs in image quality,
but to me not in ergonomics due to their physical dimensional format.

It just depends on one's requirements and desires as to which type one would favor,
or hate in some cases.

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Jul 18, 2019 07:45:25   #
Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina
 
I’m not really sure what your point is... Certainly I have no way to understand what DSLR users think about my comments or their level of awareness unless they read my comments and respond. That would require me to get inside their thought process which is impossible. I do believe that many photographers can better understand lighting and compositions including me. But personally I am more of a documentary photographer than trying to make artist images.

Collhar wrote:
"Maybe the best thing we can do for cellphone photography is to help teach some basic lighting and composition principles."
Are people who use DSLR's fully aware of what you think cell phone users need?

Reply
Jul 18, 2019 08:07:17   #
jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana
 
GailConnorsPhotography wrote:
Wow! I didn't know how thin skinned my fellow photogs were... sorry!



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Jul 18, 2019 08:09:50   #
GailConnorsPhotography Loc: Holbrook, MA
 
Your photography is beautiful & all of your input is very welcome. Sorry, did I mention I've been in photography officially since graduating from "Rhode Island School of Photography" 1973. "Medical Photographer" for the USN, 1975-1979 . Scientific & Research Photographer, Army Research Labs, Wash, DC. with the Federal Gov't. for 40 yrs @ Fort Meade MD.

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