Mobile photography is a reminder that great images come from vision, not gear, and this week’s theme of shooting with just a phone camera puts that idea to the test. With no fancy equipment to lean on, photographers had to rely on strong lighting, thoughtful composition, and a clear story to carry the shot. Shooting with a phone forces you to slow down and really study your setup, since every choice in framing and light becomes much more visible without a big camera’s quality to hide behind. The five photos below are wonderful proof that creativity and good light beat expensive equipment every time, and we think they’ll inspire you to pick up your own phone and start experimenting.
Browse the full Week 40 Album on 52Frames →
“Waiting”
Why I liked it: Kristen goes with a story-first approach in this photo and you kind of have to connect the dots by looking closely at the details and clues in the photo. My interpretation is that this is a hospital setting and her caption implies that a young boy or girl has gone into surgery. Their teddy bear is waiting for them when they’re done. A poignant story, and just beautifully processed in this very soft contrast tone
Exif: Samsung S24 ultra · @7.9mm · 1/60 · ISO 320
Genre: Shot with a Phone
“Emerging”
Why I liked it: Eran intentionally lowered exposure to produce rich shadows and leaned into the shape and heavy contrast of the bright sun pouring into the underground train station escalator, just enough to show us the different shapes and details (but using the phone to create a satisfying extreme angle directly from the escalator railing). I think that’s a great use case for shooting with a phone to bring it very close to surfaces for dramatic angles.
Exif: @1.54mm · 1/320
Genre: Black & White, Street Photography
“WSY”
Why I liked it: I love James’ soft desaturated processing here and beautifully symmetrical framing to show us a normal slice of life in a very abstract artsy way. It’s a testament that the eye of the artist is more important than the gear in hand.
Exif: Apple iPhone 14 pro max · @6.764999865652793mm · 1/50 · f/1.8 · ISO 250
“Long exposure”
Why I liked it: Steven’s shot impressed him as well, as he said he never would have thought to try this with a phone. I’m not exactly sure what it is beyond long exposure but I assume it’s somehow the front of a train in a train tunnel. The result is just a really fun dramatic abstract depiction of motion.
“Leave it Be”
Why I liked it: Pam’s shot here is underrated, I think, as it’s muted and perhaps intentionally underexposed but the rich copper color of the leaves against the dark turquoise background really just intrigues my eyes as a viewer. It takes on an almost abstract metallic feel and although I’d normally flag this as underexposed, I think it’s just perfect the way it is and would make a really interesting print, especially on metal.
Exif: Google Pixel 6 pro · @6.81mm
Want to join us for the next photo challenge?
Click here to join 52Frames, it’s free!