Phone Photography Workflow
No excuses with the most common EDC at your disposal.
The phone goes most places with you. It’s the definitive EDC. The classic image of people holding dog lead, vape, handbag, another hand on one side, then the other palm surgically attached to a mobile phone is all too common.
But despite the obvious negative connotations, the quality and possibilities with phone photography are crazy advanced.
Sunset in Nova Scotia
Back when I was in high school the flip phone hand landed. From recollection it did have camera capabilities, but we are talking single-digit mega pixels - the main feature was split between text messaging and playing snake.
Fast forward to 2025 and the computational photography outputs are crazy real. We’re now shooting raw and ProRes Log. We're able to edit raw files on the same device and then upload directly to social media in JPEG format.
Having the capability we do now there is no real excuse to not be taking images. The EDC can do so many things so well. There really is no excuse.
CN Tower
Toronto Skyline from Toronto Islands
I find my phone photography workflow is most utilised when I am traveling. The times I don’t want to - or simply can’t - get the Fujifjilm out the bag are when I most use the iPhone 15 Pro for my photography.
It’s in these moments I know I can shoot in raw, edit on Darkroom and export in JPEG for upload - with scaled border - to Instagram seamlessly. The phone can be more discreet when it needs to be, everyone is holding one up so why not just blend in.
My approach is pretty straight forward; shoot in raw, edit in Darkroom, export straight to socials, OR if I’m feeling more creative, knit together a series of images on Unfold for Instagram stories.
I’m not expert but this approach works well. I can edit my images in a tight spot, like on public transport or waiting at an airport, and uploaded when I’m next connected to WiFi - like waiting in the hotel room before heading out for the evening. It’s all so convenient.
Some of my favourite images have been taken and edited on the phone. I put that down to opportunity - the phone is an EDC that can be whipped out at a moments notice to catch a few fleeting seconds of interesting light.
Frozen Waters below Niagara Falls
I have been somewhat nudged into more phone photography this year, largely because all my camera gear took 4 months to ship across to Canada from the UK. This is why you’ll notice several wintery images from my iPhone - nothing to do with the fear of frostbite, I promise!
Be default I have tested a few different apps and approaches, but ultimately I think I am settled on my current workflow. It’s uncomplicated and achievable on the move.
Downtown Toronto
Whilst I sign myself up to this approach, naturally, I also do like to be zoned out from the phone. To its detriment, doing everything is not necessarily conducive to the flow of creativity.
A barrage of WhatsApp messages or app notifications is enough to distract you from the act of photography. It is why I’d never sync my smart watch with my phone - I don’t want to get every message on my wrist. The phone is tool for many things, not just photography.
Its greatest asset is also the thing that, in my opinion, can hold it back. While I might have some favourite images taken on the phone, my favourite moments taking images has been on a camera.
Last Light in Nova Scotia
My Apps
From left to right (below) the apps I use most in my photography workflow: Darkroom, Unfold, Instagram and Foto. I also use VERO for sharing photos and links.
Substack
I have started sharing images and posts on Substack. If you’re not familiar, it’s a social media platform aimed at creating. So far, my experience has been pretty positive - a refreshing shift in the current social media landscape!
