OK so the iPhone doesn’t hold a candle to a DSLR in terms of “proper photography” with only 5 megapixels, a small sensor, and no manual controls. BUT despite its’ many limitations, amateur snappers, enthusiasts, and even pro photogs are embracing the iPhone as a useful part of their kit. iPhone photography is definitely on the rise, and in many cases, the iPhone is replacing the every day point &amp; shoot, hands down, for simply being more convenient.

<a title="Collaboration between an iphone 4 and canon g10 by HanaP227, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30289012@N04/4796388844/">[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="600" height="450" alt="" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/iPhoneography.jpg"]</a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Collaboration between an iPhone 4 and Canon g10</em>
Photo by HanaP227</p>
The iPhone camera, (4 in particular) does have many strengths and it performs really well in many different shooting conditions. When you are looking for decent quality, with lots of features, convenience, photo management, and connectivity, the iPhone will surely be ranked at the top. So not only can you shoot with your iPhone but  you can also use apps to enhance the image, and share it instantly to your friends via Facebook and other sites. It’s qualities like these that make the iPhone stand head and shoulders above other smartphones, and certainly above the basic point &amp; shoot which in many cases does only that, point, and shoot.
<h4>iPhone Photography Applications</h4>
There are absolutely tons of photography applications available from the App Store that make iPhone photography more exciting and fun. They add new dimension to your shooting experience helping you to achieve great images that are occasionally on par with what a dedicated camera can produce. And what’s better is you can produce these images without photo-editing programs - everything is in the palm of your hand!

There are all kinds of apps available – those that function as a replacement for the built-in Camera app, those that help you improve your photos with post-processing apps, and those that are designed to improve the aesthetic appeal of pictures. Whether you are an advanced photographer or just starting out there’s an app for that. Heh, see what we did there?

<h4>Some of the top iPhone apps for photography are:</h4>
[two_columns  ] [list style="orb" color="grey"]<ul>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instagram/id389801252?mt=8">Instagram</a> </li>
<li> <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hipstamatic/id342115564?mt=8&amp;ign-mpt=uo%3D2">Hipstamatic</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/camerabag/id291176178?mt=8">CameraBag</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/classicinsta-free/id406898059?mt=8">ClassicINSTA – Free</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/retro-camera-plus/id403503545?mt=8">Retro Camera Plus</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shakeitphoto/id302926603?mt=8">ShakeItPhoto</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/idarkroom/id411843682?mt=8">iDarkroom</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pictureshow/id324243655?mt=8">PictureShow</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/classictoy/id360555240?mt=8">ClassicTOY</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pocketbooth/id385145330?mt=8">Pocketbooth</a></li>
</ul>
[/list]
[/two_columns] [two_columns_last  ] [list style="orb" color="grey"]
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photogene/id287273856?mt=8">Photogene</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tiltshift/id299782692?mt=8">TiltShift</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/100-cameras-in-1/id408481287?mt=8">100 Cameras in 1</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adobe-photoshop-express/id331975235?mt=8">Adobe Photoshop Express</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photopad-by-zagg/id364758617?mt=8">PhotoPad by ZAGG</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fx-photo-studio/id312506856?mt=8">FX Photo Studio</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/camera-genius/id304169579?mt=8">Camera Genius</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/procamera/id300216827?mt=8">ProCamera</a>,</li>
<li> <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/image-blender/id414544492?mt=8">Image Blender</a></li>
<li>...plus many many more!!</li>
</ul>
[/list] [/two_columns_last]

<h4>Notable iPhone Photographers</h4>
Regarded as one of the best iPhone photographers today, <a href="http://www.chasejarvis.com/">Chase Jarvis</a> is a professional photographer and videographer who has recently written a book about iPhone photography titled The Best Camera Is The One That's With You: iPhone Photography.

What is impressive about Jarvis’s work is the fact that he works within the limitations of the iPhone using them to produce interesting images. Many of his photos look great even with imperfect focus, noise, blur, and incorrect exposure. Talk about getting the best out of the camera you have!

Another name that has been creating a buzz in the iPhone photography field is Greg Schmigel. A respected street photographer, Schmigel runs the website <a href="http://justwhatisee.com/">Just What I See</a> where he showcases a handful of his inspiring works captured using his iPhone. There is some really incredible not-to-be missed photos there!

For those of you who already own an iPhone – spend some time getting to know your iPhone camera it’s a tiny, yet incredibly powerful little gadget. And for those of you who have yet to get onboard the iPhone train – all aboard – the train’s leaving the station without you! Oh and I think you left your point &amp; shoot at home!