“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” – Ansel Adams
As a frequent traveler and photo enthusiast, I’ve always taken hundreds and hundreds of photos wherever I’ve gone with traditional cameras yet always felt like there was something lacking from the images that I brought home. Tried to improve my technique, tried to learn more about the cameras I was using, but still…a vast majority of my shots somehow felt incomplete.
Enter iPhone. I didn’t even know what I was getting into when purchasing my first few photo apps, but I knew that it was good enough that I would stick with an Apple phone regardless of how long it would take me to get used to its “complicated” touch screen. At the same exact time, my old and trusted point-and-shoot was falling apart and not delivering anything better or even as good as the shots I was getting on my iPhone. So I just stopped using it. Invested in a few more solid photo apps, spent massive amounts of time playing around with said solid photo apps and photos from my travels (mostly while in transit), and finally began to realize—hey, I’m looking and I am really liking! All of a sudden I could add to my photos the things that I thought they were missing and all of a sudden I found an unexpected yet fulfilling way to express myself creatively. It was magic.
Haven’t really looked back since then, only forward, and am happy to see that this art form/hobby just keeps getting bigger and bigger, especially amongst travelers. It’s convenient, it’s quick, it’s covert, and it’s the ability to showcase your travels with a bit of personality and expression if you so choose. I am in love.
Check out my published work:
What gear do I need to start: iPhoneography on Matador Goods
What gear do I need to start: iVideography on Matador Goods
10 awesome apps for iPhoneography on Matador Goods
10 more awesome apps for iPhoneography on Matador Goods
Istanbul through an iPhone lens on Matador Trips
A first timer’s guide to Transnistria in photos on Matador Trips
20 iPhone portraits of Kiev on Matador Trips
Some more useful sites where I’ve found good app reviews, tips, and inspiration in general:
Really cool Larissa. I know exactly what you mean when you say traditional cameras can be “lacking”. Your images have a better quality to them than most blogs I have seen, where people use huge expensive DSLR’s.
Keep it up, yo! ;)
Thanks so much, Nate. That really means a lot coming from a great photographer such as yourself. I will keep it up, yo – and you better do it too!
Gorgeous pictures and some great links here. I’m always looking for new apps to experiment with. Do you ever use lenses for your iPhone? I’m thinking about buying one.
Thanks! I don’t use one though I love their results. I’ve got my eye on the Schneider Optics iPro but it’s a little pricey. I’ve heard the Ollo Clip works pretty well, too. Let me know if you end up getting one, I’d love to hear how you like it.
I love your photos! It really is so convenient, quick and you get the most fantastic results! I’m glad I found your blog :)
Thanks, Veronica – I’m glad you found it, too! :)
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