Smartphone photography for outdoor writers | Pinnacle Newsletter #6
#6 Smartphone photography for outdoor writers
This week, I published an informal comparison of two cameras: the Fujifilm X-Pro2 (a pro-level mirrorless camera) and the iPhone SE. In my newsletter this week I'd like to go a little deeper, and ask if outdoor writers can use their smartphones for their imaging needs on the mountain or on the trail.
This is a longer newsletter than usual. Let me know what you think of the format: too long? Not long enough? Keen for feedback!
Modern smartphones have highly capable cameras, but most outdoor writers rely on heftier setups. DSLR or mirrorless, they're all massive compared to a smartphone, and that's because they include a comparatively gigantic sensor, a big chunk of quality glass, and precision manual controls – often all packaged in a rugged and weather-sealed shell.
A favourite image from my Haute Route Pyrenees section hike, 2016, captured with a Moto G3. The auto-HDR is maybe a bit excessive, especially in the top-right of the frame.
The advantages of a real camera all matter. But smartphones have big advantages for outdoor writers too:
A smartphone is far lighter and more compact. It's also a multi-use item. On a trip where every gram counts, this is a huge deal.
The tiny sensor of a smartphone yields massive depth of field, meaning that everything is in focus from a few inches away right to infinity.
A smartphone is far better connected than a dedicated camera, and allows you to immediately email images to your editor, post them on Instagram, or edit them with sophisticated processing tools (even in RAW).
While true telephoto is still beyond smartphone capabilities, dual-lens flagship phones give you a wide-angle and a standard prime all in one pocketable package.
The iPhone SE is capable of rich detail and realistic colour when conditions are appropriate.
When a smartphone camera won't be enough
If you regularly take photos in low light (astrophotography, for example).
If your work is intended for anything beyond editorial or web use. A well-exposed smartphone image will look great online or in the pages of a magazine, but other clients may reject it.
If you need to print big.
If you need a wide variety of focal lengths from superwide to tele. Faffing with clip-on smartphone lenses is more trouble than it's worth, and they often degrade image quality.
If you want the reassurance that your camera can cope with any situation you put it through, you won't want to limit yourself to a smartphone that only yields good image quality in optimum scenarios.
If you're heading somewhere with extreme conditions. Trying to shoot with a smartphone while wearing gloves is frustrating. A real camera will also be more resistant to cold and moisture.
This image plays to a smartphone's strengths, with massive depth of field.
When a smartphone camera will cut it
When pack weight is an absolute priority.
When the images you're looking for are landscapes in good lighting with lots of depth of field, and you won't be attempting any low-light or astro shots.
When you don't anticipate extreme shooting conditions.
How to make the most of your smartphone's camera
Use a camera app that supports manual controls and RAW capture, such as Manual (iOS).
Shoot in RAW+JPEG. It'll give you more editing flexibility later on.
Turn auto-HDR on. You can always disable the effect later if it looks overdone, but it can help to overcome exposure issues in some high-contrast scenes.
In low light, use a tripod, tripod mount, and remote release – just as you would with a real camera. Use manual settings to keep ISO low for maximum image quality.
Wipe your camera lens!
While there's nothing wrong with editing images directly on the phone, also try editing them in Lightroom on your computer. You might be surprised what you can achieve, especially with your phone's RAW files.
Technically if not artistically, this image is good enough to make a double-page magazine spread. Content is the important thing.
Right now, no smartphone can completely replace a dedicated camera for most outdoor writers – but it can take on a portion of the work in some circumstances, and that's pretty incredible.
Take a look in this Dropbox folder for high-resolution versions of the smartphone images above.
Recently published
Ten things nobody told you about winter mountaineering
Giant footsteps: Snowshoes in the Scottish Highlands with Alex Nail
TGO featured videos: February and March (some good ones this month!)
Links of interest
Boots on the Ground by David Lintern (a very interesting piece looking at our photographic footprint)
From my Commonplace Book
On your deathbed, will you regret not having made a few more bucks on your photography? It's more likely you will regret not creating more art. Stop buying into the assumption that your goal is to make money from photography. Your goal is to create photographs that you love.
- C.J. Chilvers, Go Pro? Maybe what you need is to go amateur
Until next time,
Alex
www.alexroddie.com