After spending a couple of months experimenting with different camera apps, 2 apps seem to Jive with how I take photos:  ProCamera and Camera+2.  Keep in mind as you review this article that my preferences are biased because I started my photo explorations in the world of film, then digital SLR, and now the iPhone.  So, I have lots of biased and pre-conceived notions based on cameras not Smartphones.  It makes a difference.

Overall, my biggest complaint about my iPhone is that it really a camera that encourages "snaps".  It's almost like the days of the Brownie camera, long ago. Create a situation and an associated technology that allows everyone to become a great photographer.  The iPhone and other Smartphones provide that opportunity.  Smartphones do a great job of capturing moments that are close to you and involving people.  They weren't designed for having the reach of a true SLR with a telephoto lens..  But not everyone aspires to be a National Geographic photographer.  They want to capture the moment in a way that creates great memories that they can show friends and family easily in the future.

So, I explored different modes on my iPhone and different camera apps.  I was wondering what works and what doesn't.  My standard, however, is a digital SLR.  Difficult comparison,I know.  And probably unfair.

Macro capability, I love the app, Camera+.  I could capture the fissures of my hand close up easily.

Feb 3 The Macro Shot of my Left Hand

The spirit of this photo is to show what the app can do.  I appreciate the level of detail and it's ability to show all the wrinkles of my hand.  Needless to say, this is not something that I would make a print of and hang in my home.  It was proving a concept....the ability of the app, Camera+2, to create a macro image.

The other app and probably the app that I use the most on my iPhone XS is ProCamera.  I like the layout.  I like that I can create settings that I can use again and again.  

Here are a couple of examples of photos created by ProCamera.  Keep in mind that my challenge during the month of February is to focus on my left hand.

Feb 3 Playing my Piano

And then I just used a few apps for creative expression using my left hand.    A combination of Snapseed and Pixelmator.  Probably a bit more in Pixelmator.  

So,

I appreciate what I can do in capturing images in the native iPhone app, but I prefer ProCamera and Camera + .  These two apps provides me the creative freedom that I enjoy with my digital SLT.

And for post processing, Snapseed, Enlight, and Pixelmator are my go to apps for creative expression.

More to come on this as I spend more time with my iPhone apps from the future.