This morning, I splurged on an iPhone app called “Wood Camera”. It cost me a full 99 cents and was reviewed to be more powerful than Instagram, so I thought I would take a risk and try it out. I love it. If you are into smartphone photography, I highly recommend it. It has also made me revisit my guilt for using technology over time honoured traditions.

I have really enjoyed using my iPhone to take, edit and share fun and interesting pictures. I have also felt quite guilty when I take and share a photograph that, in my opinion, turns out quite nicely. The great photographers of yesteryear spent years mastering their craft, studied fine arts and spent thousands of dollars on their equipment. Who the heck do I think I am, taking to the streets (or wherever) with a phone in my pocket thinking I can compete with them? When I do get a picture that I’m really proud of using my phone, this question spurs pangs of guilt.

Am I a cheater? Do I know nothing? Am I contributing to the death of D-SLRs and highly skilled photographers? The answers are: a little bit, no, and no. Technology still cannot overcome poor composition or complete lack of creative observation, but more and more, it is helping, and has certainly transformed some of my uninteresting snapshots into share-worthy images. Take, for instance:


That said, filters and effects won’t overcome impossible composition, even if it will mask it slightly. Some of my pictures may not have turned out as I had hoped, but I was still thinking about composition, colors, shapes and light when I took them. This helps a great deal. While it is fun, artistic and certainly breaking down barriers from the 35mm days, I highly doubt I would rely on my smartphone-savvy cousin to replace a professional photographer at my wedding. National Geographic still sends people with a lot of skill and gear out on expeditions, at least until they invent smart-sat-phones.

I believe we are entering a new era of technology-assisted art. As with most art, the best will come from photographers with a practiced eye, knowledge of composition, familiarity with their software and the occasional genius. I will continue to invest in gear and strive to get more familiar and fluid with my D-SLR, but will feel less and less guilty when I take a picture with my iPhone with an eye to digitally apply filters and textures. After all, art is either an inspired moment or planned aesthetics, is it not? Either way, photography, in most of its forms, is there for both.

What are your thoughts?

By the way, I made this post from my iPhone.