This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
Thrifty Thursdays feature photographs taken with equipment costing less than $500.
[iPhone 4S - $330]
Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Alex is phoning it in today and posting a cat. And you'd be right. Sort of.
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I have reasons for featuring Cupcake on Thrifty Thursday, though. This photograph could not have been taken with my big SLR camera.
First, the dramatic paws-forward composition is the normal bugs-eye perspective of a phone camera lens. Paws are a lot more impressive when seen from a small lens than from a big one. Second, I simply can't drop an SLR low enough. Not without cutting a hole in the floor. Look at how much lower the iPhone lens sits than the Canon 100mm f/2.8 lens! The extra few centimeters makes a difference.
Phone cameras have their strengths. If you play to them, you'll take memorable photographs.