anotherview Loc: California

This comment more or less describes present-day photography at the popular level. Users of cellular telephones with a built-in camera enjoy their snapshots in their own way. They also share some of these photographs.

One deficiency I've noticed among these users: They do not organize their photographs. So they spend minutes searching manually among their thousands of snapshots for a specific one to show or share. A second deficiency exists in their activity: They do not download (save) their collection of photographs to another location, although some users do put their photographs in the "cloud."

I believe that the practice of photography employing cellular telephones with cameras has developed a new sub-field of photography covering primarily snapshooters who document their everyday personal life via their "cell phone camera." The introduction and popular use of the Kodak "Brownie" camera pointed in this direction, but the advent of digital photography has begun the fulfillment of this potential.

As an offshoot of this side to photography, a fraction of these snapshooters has emerged to take the craft of photography more seriously. This emergence can only benefit the furtherance of photography.

ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland

What business is it of ours to judge how others choose do do with their photography? Their pictures have nothing to do with us. It is similar to judging what food tastes “best”.

nj53 Loc: Canon City, Colorado

to each his own is my motto. there's a place for iphone photos and that tech has steadily improved over the years.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

We simply prefer different tools.

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

In watching the US Open Golf tournament yesterday I was amused in seeing hundreds of spectators taking pictures with their Cell Phones. Cameras are now allowed, if fact photographs are not allowed to be taken during any of the 4 days of the tournament. It must have been that those spectators were not taking photographs, but snapshots. For sure the PGA doesn't have a handle on their use nor a definition of photography. :)

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

It’s all about how each of us wishes to capture the moment.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Don’t judge before you check out Emil Pakarklis on YouTube for his iPhone videos. You will be impressed what a "good" photographer can do with these techno-wonders. I’m using mine more and more for adding short video clips to my Pro Show photo shows. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it as they say.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Family and friends; what I see is lots of snapshot posts on social media, or mini videos of mostly stupid adventures (you know, "Hey watch this", and something poorly thought out happens), lousy sunrises/sunsets, cute animal shots, all of which look fine on little screens......a very few look good on a large (20" and up) monitor, and even fewer (I'm talking a really small amount) can stand up to any scrutinization as a quality photo. I do see the occasional quality shot, where the "phonephotog" has taken the time, set-up the shot, and produced something worthy of sharing.

And the "selfies", my god, how many shots do folks need of themselves standing in front of what would have been an interesting photo of a monument/park/scenic/etc., ruined by yet another shot of cousin/friend/etc. Joey/Sally riding their ego bike. Providing they don't fall off the cliff, or off the pier, etc. etc. Selfies have to be the "Modern Ego Trip", shared!!

Face it, the phone (some have good camera systems) is always with them, is easy, and they really don't have any need or ideas of composition, claritry, exposure, etc. - it's like carrying around their personal recording device, and they feel the rest of the world is on pins and needles till the next selfie, or crap shot of whatever. Now, a nice (some time taken for a good photo) photo of my son holding my newest grandchild is a fine selfie, or fine posed shot. I would have liked it better if he used one of the Nikons I gave him, but that is too much trouble!!

I do love the technology, not a phone hater, do love the instant sharing capability, but what is shared needs to be metered (and a whole lot should not be shared). I can imagine a modern family photo album being primarily phone owner selfies in front of interesting subjects, and a few composed shots.... yawn.......... yawn again. ............. lost in the cloud, or on dead social media. Put your whole life on FB, what happens when that fades or disappears...lost.

Now, where'd I put my flip phone..............

pauldh Loc: Melbourne, Australia

I too have many in my family only using smart phones for taking photos, I feel primarily because they are readily available and easy to share on social networks and image quality is quite good for viewing on Tablets and Smartphones. I feel the mainstream camera manufacturers are trying hard to make their cameras more seamless in integrating with phones to transfer images but could bring some of the software smarts the phones have to their DSLR & Mirrorless cameras to encourge more "smartphone photographers" to migrate to more creative photography. I do feel slightly self concious when lugging my mighty 5DMkIV around but feel a snob, definitely no!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Many of people prefer the convenience of a phone as opposed to a bulkier SLR/DSLR.

A good portion of these people could be compared to the "Instamatic" users of the 60's & 70s and would not purchase a DSLR. Some may get hooked though...

It's just a choice of camera!

Cabriodad Loc: Sacramento, CA

The saying goes “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The auto focus and auto exposure on cell phone cameras far exceeds the auto correct function in messaging. I’d rather look at a poorly composed photo than read through a thousand words of bad grammar.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

No, many can't get better pictures with a camera so they are better off with a cell phone. I just advised my friend to invest in a great cell phone instead of a camera- she will do better with a cell phone and it will always be with her unlike a camera.

Allison Kashon

A wise and wizened old camera buff once shared with me these words of wisdom: the best camera is the one you have with you. The best photo is what comes through you, your connection to the space and the grace that is there. So show up, be still, point and shoot which whatever you have at the reasy

Dannj

Same thing happens with a lot of my DSLR shots. I upload them and then.....

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I have to go through considerable effort to get a decent picture in our dark aquarium with my DSLR. With my iPhone, I point, compose, and shoot. And video clips are a snap.