CRITTENDEN, Ky.–One of the rudest or dumbest questions to ask a photographer is, “What kind of camera do you use?” This query suggests the professional could not possibly capture a decent image without a quality camera.

Think about this: Would you ask a baker what type of oven was used to bake a cake? How about asking what type of gloves a NASCAR driver uses. My point is this, the result is the result because of the person, not the equipment.

My son who is a college baseball player on scholarship often says, “A one hundred dollar bat won’t fix a ten cent swing.”

In the world of photography, the best camera is the one you have.

In 2012, I was on assignment for WCPO 9 On Your Side as a staff multimedia journalist. My company issued camera, a JVC 790 HDV, powered down in the middle of the shoot. Instead of calling the office and saying I was leaving, because my camera didn’t work, I pulled out my iPhone5 and shot the story with earbuds as a microphone. The result? Nobody at the station noticed a quality difference and the story won numerous awards like an Emmy Award, Kentucky News Photographers Association Best of Show, Ohio Associated Press Media Editors 1st place for Best Photographer and Best Use of Photography.

Utilize your phone like a professional

1. get over the fact you’re using a phone
2. this is easier than you think
3. I’ll shoot the project for you if your still not comfortable

What your phone cannot do

You will not be able to zoom all the way into someone’s face from forty feet away. You will actually have to walk up to someone and invade their personal space for an extreme close-up.

Control the camera (see video) by manually setting the iris and focus on your phone. This is the how you achieve high quality professional footage.

iPhone camera tutorial, use your phone like a professional and get satisfactory results. This video was shot and edited on an iPhone11.

Manually controlling your phone’s camera

1. Open the camera app, select the “photo” option.
2. Before we take a photo, turn the phone 90 degrees to a horizontal position. This will give you more options for editing later.
3. Point the camera at the “subject” you want to capture.
4. Touch the subject on your screen. Notice the yellow box that appears. This controls the iris and focus of the camera.
5. HOLD the yellow box until if flashes twice. Your focus is now locked on target.
6. On the side of the box, you will notice a light bulb. Grab the light and pull it up or down. You will notice as you pull up, the image becomes brighter, and darker when pulled downward.
7. Your shot is now ready for capturing. Click the button to take your photo.
8. This is the same process for recording video, and the rest of the options your phone provides.
   (Editor’s note: Capturing an image that is darker than intended is easier to adjust than an image that has been captured to brightly.)