![thumb](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/thumb6.jpg)
What is phoneography?
![phoneography2](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/phoneography2.jpg)
The connection between photography and phoneography
![connection](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/connection.jpg)
Future considerations
![future](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/future.jpg)
The ease
Taking a picture with a camera is extremely easy. It has pretty much the same functionality as a point-and-shoot or digital camera. The benefit, of course, is the ability to change many different features such as ISO, aperture and such. With certain applications, you can add feeling or texture to your photo simply by pushing a button and applying it. Depending on your application, you can run into some cheesy presets, but imagine being able to snap a picture and knowing what it needs to look like in order to put a certain preset on it. That would be a sign of a talented phoneographer. If one isn't all about the presets there are some apps that allow you complete and total control over what you want to picture to look like. It's all right there—there's no need to upload photo's and use expensive programs.Sharing and social capabilities
With your high end camera's, most times you have to hook up your camera to your computer or attach the SD card and dump your photos. Heck, some photographers still believe in using and developing film. There's nothing wrong with these techniques, but phoneography allows ease with sharing pictures, whether it be via email with a pal or through social networks. Of course we all know Instagram is the social network for photos, so you have the ability to build that connection. Sharing and social relationships are almost necessary in being successful in today's climate. It doesn't seem like a big deal to dump pictures and upload, however, wouldn't you rather do it at the click of a few buttons?Less expensive
Smaller businesses are always looking to get the most bang for their buck. Sometimes they aren't even looking for bang at all, just their basic needs and depending on the strategy, there's nothing wrong with that. If you have a smartphone, you probably have a decent camera that can take a nice picture, especially one acceptable for the web. If I'm a small business on a budget that needs a few decent pictures for the web, am I more apt to hire a photographer or an alternative? Right now it seems farfetched to hire a skilled "phoneographer" but it's something that can be considered in the near future. Cheap equipment, cheap (or free) software, quick turnaround, and a useable to fair product. Sounds like a potential win.Technological advances
Of course, the newer the phone is, the better your camera will be. Companies are figuring out ways to really add some great features to phones. Not just that, but there are companies that have many additions to phones such as camera lenses that chance the look of your pictures (i.e., fish bowl) as well as products that you can connect to your phone that allows you to click and take your picture rather than have to push a button on your touch screen phone—adds that more natural feel. There are also tripods for your phone, as well as lens mounts that allow you to use your DSLR lens. It's no telling what will be next as far as advances to features and additions that can make phoneography better.Examples of Phoneography
I know you're thinking, this can be a hard pill to swallow or a weird thing to even consider—folks making a living off a camera phone? But here are some examples of good phoneography and phoneographers to perhaps persuade you or help you feel a bit more strongly. After all, seeing is believing. Cacralsivri by doctor-a![cacralsivri_by_doctor_a-d4uucio](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/cacralsivri_by_doctor_a-d4uucio.jpg)
![dogs](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/dogs.jpg)
![fall_3_by_eivaj](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/fall_3_by_eivaj.jpg)
![icy](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/icy.jpg)
Japanese Garden by DistortedSmile
![japanesegarden](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/japanesegarden.jpg)
![light](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/light.jpg)
![minicoop](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/minicoop.jpg)
![purple_wild_flowers](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/purple_wild_flowers.jpg)
![scraped_up_by_texasguitarslinger-d4t3cv6](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/scraped_up_by_texasguitarslinger-d4t3cv6.jpg)
![sunn](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/sunn.jpg)
![untitledcat](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/untitledcat.jpg)
![vantagepoint](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2012/04/vantagepoint.jpg)
Is this the future?
The short answer, I believe is, yes. Again, don't misconstrue—there will never be anything better than a good photographer with a good DSLR or feature packed camera. While I also believe there's more a future in it for the 'little guys', you cannot erase the fact that many museums are jumping onto the trend by featuring phoneography visits. These are books being made featuring phoneography. And what if a major camera company such as Canon or Nikon decided to stand behind the phoneography movement, perhaps by creating apps as well as add-ons that benefited these hobbyists? The trend could move forward, quality could improve, and again, phoneography could be a legitimate alternative to other options that are out there. Understandably, "phoneography" is a great, forward moving trend and trends do sometimes fade, but this is one that could and should stick around for a while.Kendra Gaines
Kendra Gaines is a freelance designer from Virginia, USA. Connect with her.
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