The Joy of iPhotography: Smart pictures from your smart phone

by Jack Hollingsworth

Forget all the tech-talk about workflow and archiving, Apple have given us all a camera that takes care of all this for us, so now it's time to take great photos.

This book will show you the best ways to approach every possible subject with your iPhone, offering tips as clear and simple as the iPhone's interface.

Additionally you'll see some great effects that you won't find in Instagram (but your followers will love).

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published January 3, 2017

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit torn when it comes to reviewing this book. On one hand the author is very enthusiastic about photography in general and iPhone photography in particular and he's very keen on encouraging everyone to get out there and have fun taking pictures but on the other hand it doesn't include much in the way of helpful advice for how to go about getting great results. There are lots of stunning pictures included but Jack Hollingsworth is a professional photographer with years of experience under his belt so it's very unlikely the average layman would get anywhere near the same results without years of practise.

I wouldn't be surprised if this book was actually sponsored by Apple because it's so overtly in your face that iPhones are the best thing since sliced bread and everyone should own one. What I REALLY wish is that the author had included tips on how the various camera settings work beyond not-so-helpfully telling you to "Invest a weekend of learning the technical aspects of the iPhone camera" without giving any clue where to find this information. Likewise there are many apps mentioned but hardly any detail given about what each app can be used for or how you'd choose which ones might be the best for the effects you're looking to achieve. You could spend a fortune buying all these apps (& extra equipment recommended like a tripod, additional lenses, bluetooth camera flashes etc) but if you don't know when or how best to use them it's just wasted money. Of course you can learn a lot by trial and error but you don't spend nearly £10 on a book just to be told the first 10,000 pictures you take will probably be rubbish but keep trying and you'll get good results eventually.

There are some interesting facts and figures included and flicking through to look at the photos included might give you some ideas regarding composition for taking your own images but don't expect much in the way of practical advice on how to actually take great photos with your iPhone or any other camera.

Source: Received from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review

[Geoff Battle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a DSLR camera and like I look at smart phones as cameras with disdain, at best. Right from the start, the author as this book put me at ease by making his story very easy to relate to. He is an established professional photographer who understands that the different technologies offer not just opportunities to take great photos in varying ways, but understands and actively promotes the very different approach culturally between the two types of camera.

So there are two main messages presented and at no point does he ever suggest a smartphone (and this is aimed at iOS/iPhones specifically) is going to replace a 'proper' camera, however he offers up plenty of ways ot get the most out of your iPhone for a wide range of photographic scenarios. I actually learned quite a few process tips - which are built in to the iOS, which has made taking photos radically different for me (such as locking exposure, shutter release options). I assume for selfie crowd they already new such "obvious" techniques, however I was grateful.

Technical tips aside he also covers many of the popular types of shot and how to get the most out of them. All presented in really easy to relate to language. I actually enjoyed not just learning, but the manner in which it was presented. There are plenty of colour images to highlight what potential the iPhone has as a camera.

If you wince at your friend or family's photos, then this book is an opportunity to steer them in the right direction. Or just try something new yourself!

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointed with the information quality of this book. Based on the title, I was hoping for some solid strategies and technical instructions that I could use to take better pictures with my iPhone. Instead, the author spends a lot of time taking about his passions, his philosophical approach to photography, his advice on how different general subjects (kids, gardens, skylines etc.) should be framed. There's very little instructional material. For example, on page 33, when the author provides a very short list of his favorite photo enhancing apps (mind you, these are his favorites, not the best reviewed or technically-acclaimed), each app is summarized in a sentence. Enlight is described as "I'm a huge fan of their Urban Filters. Flower power, baby!" Um. What? Why? There's no instructions on how or why you'd use this app, no explanation of what an "urban filter" is. This book is just enthusiasm and opinion.

[Faith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book displays the kinds of photos that you might see on a travel account on instagram and wish that you could do that. There are some gorgeous photographs here (that basically goes without saying), but some of my favourites are on page 21, 23, 27, 41, 68 and 69, 84, 89, and 92. There are some handy ideas for editing apps to download, but I felt that there wasn't enough on actual composition or anything.

I'm still debating on whether to give this a 3 or a 4.

[Andra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute and short. Can definitely say that as the iPhone has improved as a device this book still can offer you a pretty good grip on the basics of photography using it. Still, some references are outdated, especially the ones about the apps that Jack Hollingsworth recommends so take those with a grain of salt. But as an inspirational tool, if you are into photography, you should definitely have it close. It is full of amazing images and great advice.

[Marie limousin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book with good content, tips and examples of good photos. Very bad editing: lots of typos that should have been avoided by a simple rereading...
the content is wise ranging from technical to more esthetic style information. Overall, a useful book if you want to improve your iPhone photography technique and the quality of your pictures.
I’ve started following the author on Instagram too.

[JennLynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the book for you if you’re searching for a lot of technical details (though he does offer a good selection of app and website suggestions). It’s a great read nonetheless, though. His enthusiasm for iphotography is contagious. It will inspire you to want to get out and start snapping.

[Bret Legg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that focuses as much or more on the artistic possibilities of mobile photography as it does on the technical aspects of mobile photography. It’s filled with good photography tips, information on relevant apps, and a lot of encouragement to take great iPhone photos.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Starting Point

Friendly enthusiasm, encouraging the amateur photographer. It doesn’t give an exhaustive catalogue of ‘how to’ - although many hints and tips are present - rather, it’s about getting you going, which it does well.

[Lore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for someone starting with photography - not necessarily with an iPhone. The principles are the same for any phone camera as the sensors nowadays are good on most devices. I recommended it for the beautiful pictures with an iPhone and for the basic artistic principles it talks about.

[John Coates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful little book expelling the virtues of iPhone photography. Puts emphasis on taking pictures rather than the need for lots of very expensive equipment.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you own an iPhone, this is the book for you. Jack Hollingsworth’s simple, no-nonsense approach to digital photography will make your iPhone, not only your choice of camera but the one because of it’s close proximity that you will go to most often. Get the book and let the fun begin.