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A Journey of Simplified Photography Our photographs tell a story, whether in our backyard or some faraway location. On a recent trip to Venice and other countries along the Adriatic, I made the difficult decision to leave my expensive mirrorless camera at home for this vacation, instead using only my iPhone 16 Pro. This decision, based on the photographic capabilities of the iPhone 16 Pro and convenience, turned out to be the right one for this trip. I wanted to prove that you can tell my story of this trip well with a mobile phone. The Decision to Simplify: The thought of carrying my mirrorless camera, lenses, and accessories felt overwhelming. I sought spontaneity and a sense of lightness. The iPhone 16 Pro, with its advanced camera capabilities and compact size, was a natural choice for Venice’s historic architecture, landscapes, and the region's cultural richness. This decision may be different on future trips, such as a planned visit to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu. However, for this journey, the iPhone made sense. Besides, I teach iPhone Photography, so taking only the iPhone with me would tell a compelling story.  Taking Advantage of Technology: What set the iPhone 16 Pro apart was not just its ease of use, but the sheer technological power packed into its design. Here are some standout features that helped make the iPhone ideal for this trip:
Example the "Clean Up" function Mindfulness: I teach Mindfulness in Photography, which is a discipline to “take fewer yet better photos”. Initially, I failed, as there were so many photo opportunities in Venice. It took a few days to find my mindfulness rhythm. Yet, having only the iPhone gave me more freedom and allowed me to “see and experience” Venice and the other countries on this trip. Another way to think of Mindfulness is enjoy where you are, be in the moment, with photography being a second consideration.  Challenges: The iPhone 16 Pro offers fine photography; however, mirrorless Cameras, like my Nikon Zf, are better for some subjects. Certainly, some scenes made me wish I had my Nikon, but overall, I was pleased with the decision to leave this camera behind. However, I found the iPhone screen challenging in bright sunlight. At times, I found the camera accidentally in video or other modes, or different settings. In a few cases, I missed the shot or clicked the shutter and hoped I would get the picture. In future releases, I understand the camera mode will be a menu choice, which will be helpful. Even with extended battery performance, long days of shooting and navigation drained power quickly. I carried a portable battery charger and a camera grip that had a built-in charger (see Recommended Accessories). Recommended Accessories: For this trip, I decided to purchase a phone grip and found one that had a battery charger built in. The grip had a Bluetooth shutter release. The battery charger was nice to have, but the Bluetooth connection was inconsistent. If it didn’t have Bluetooth issues, I would recommend this product. Secondly, I was interested in a wide-angle lens, but I returned this item before traveling. The iPhone lens is sufficient, and the lens accessory was cumbersome. Returning the lens was a good decision. The third accessory was a portable battery charger. This was unlike the Grip, and some could connect to multiple cell-phones for cafe recharging. The last accessory was inspired by nightmares I had, in which I dropped my phone into one of Venice’s canals, ultimately ruining my photography venture. A simple ring placed between the phone and case, with a lanyard that I can place on my wrist, solved this fear. A New Way to See the World: Using the iPhone 16 Pro exclusively for photography wasn’t just a practical choice; it was a philosophical shift. It reminded me that photography isn’t about equipment, it’s about the stories we seek to tell. The device’s portability, versatility, and power encouraged me to spend more time “seeing”, being mindful, and enjoying my travels.  Conclusion:
By the end of my European adventure, I felt liberated from the weight of my mirrorless camera and equally empowered by the capabilities of the iPhone 16 Pro. It proved itself to be more than just a substitute—it became an artistic companion, a tool that adapted to my vision and brought my experiences vividly to life. Would I leave my mirrorless camera behind again? Maybe. There are places I would bring my Nikon, such as the previously mentioned Galapagos Islands. However, the iPhone 16 Pro has redefined the boundaries of mobile photography and reshaped the way I travel and tell my story. For anyone considering simplifying their photography gear, I wholeheartedly recommend trusting the smartphone; the results may surprise you in ways you never imagined. PS: Please purchase/upgrade to the Pro or Max version of the iPhone 16. This version has all the features you want for your travel and creative photography.
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Acadia National Park in Maine offers plenty of hiking trails of various levels, beautiful vistas, and of course, lobster. We visited the park in early June staying at a centrally located Airbnb in the town of Bar Harbor. National Parks are treasures, yet planning your visit in late May or early June is perfect for avoiding the crowds.
For the hikes, moderate for me and more challenging for the younger people in our group, I carried my iPhone 14 and a small/lightweight Lumix DC-GX9. I used the iPhone more often, which says a lot about the current mobile phone cameras. We highly recommend a drive to the quieter south harbor and visits to the Flying Mountain and Ship Harbor hiking trails and the Thurston Lobster Pound, offering beautiful views of one of the lobster fishing inlets and delicious lobster rolls and blueberry cake. Further, rent e-Bikes and ride the carriage roads, a 40 miles crushed stone trail that threads itself through Arcadia. This was a great way to see the park and the hills are easy to ride on with the e-bike’s turbo mode! Unfortunately, our visit to the highest peak in the park, Cadillac Mountain was on a rainy cold day, yet the 360-degree views were amazing. Arcadia National Park was amazing as was the town of Bar Harbor, a recommended destination. In August 2022, we visited Glacier National Park in Montana, one of the most scenic places in the United States. The park is open to the general public from late July to early September, other times it is covered in snow. The Going-to-the-Sun Road through the park is snow-covered until late July. We venture to the Canadian section of the park (Waterton) was cold and snow fell shortly after we left, in early September.      In the park, you can hike (all levels), bike, kayak and take boat rides. We saw grizzlies and black bears, and mountain goats, and one moose from far away. The hiking was phenomenal, yet I wish I visited the park when I was much younger and in better shape. We saw Glaciers from a distance, there are not many left. Of the 120+ glaciers in the early part of the 1900s, there are only 23 left, and they are expected to be gone by 2034.    The sunsets were amazing, as were the various park lodges. The Milky Way was easily visible. While taking photos of the Milky Way at 2am, I could hear the growls of hungry grizzly bears, reminding us we are the visitors to their land. Note the Bear Spray on my backpack below.  If you plan to visit the park, planning and reservations need to be made a year in advance. For photography,
Hiking with heavy equipment is difficult, so I recommend carrying lighter camera equipment. I bought a lightweight Lumix DC-GX9 for the trip and used my iPhone 11, since our intent was mostly hiking. And now we are planning our next National Park trip for 2024. Do you love decay? Old buildings, rust & dust? Toss in some history and you have the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. Home briefly to Al Capone and Willie Sutton, ESP was closed down in 1971 and left to decay. It is this decay that is a powerful lure for creative photographers.  Walk down the long cell block hallways and explore the various cells. Some still contain old desks, chairs, a barber chair and prisoner belongings. Examine the bricks and locks close up for their textures. Try taking a long exposure with a friend walking through the image - ghostly!  And then explore the exterior in the setting sun, to capture the golden light on the tall imposing rock walls. Imposing, yet not escape proof!
For this location, I strongly recommend a 10-12mm wide angle lens. A telephoto is a nice addition for dramatic affects along the long cell block hall ways. Most of the interior is dark, lite by skylights and breaks in the roof. A tripod is a must (small extra fee). And be sure to recharge your camera battery (and carry a spare) and an extra SD card. View my images of the Eastern State Penitentiary on Flickr and add the Eastern State Penn. to your photography destination list. What could be better than wine and waterfalls? Add in rural scenes and automobile racing and you have Watkins Glen NY, at the tip of Lake Seneca. One of the Finger Lakes. Recently, we made an off season visit to this region exploring nearly a dozen waterfalls and wineries. We stayed at the wonderful Glenora Inn, which is 8 miles north of Watkins Glen, on the west short of Lake Seneca. The rooms overlook the vineyard and lake and offer a nice winery experience. Drive behind the Inn towards the lake and you encounter Glenora Falls. Amazingly it is located in the backyard of a private residence. What a view each morning, and the sounds of the falls at night must be amazing.  Enjoy a visit to nearby Miles Wine Cellars, tasting their wines (quite good) while learning of the tragic tale of a newlywed couple that died shortly after buying the home. And how they have not left this world, haunting the home and winery. Apparently they are friendly. Buy a bottle of their Ghost wine (see our YouTube video of this special - Miles Wine Cellar - Ghostly wine bottle). Back to the waterfalls; visit the Watkins Glen Gorge for a beautiful hike along the river (which was closed when we arrived due to the dangerous ice). Drive down Main Street in Montour Falls, where you cannot miss the magnificent falls right in town.  Drive up to the top and cross the falls above for a fantastic view of the area.
We highly recommend a side trip the inspiring Taughannock Falls, near Lake Cuyoga. Visit the Thirsty Owl Winery and drive past the very small Black Diamond Diner, made from the cab of a train. Lunch at the Little Venice Ristorante in Trumansburg was a nice surprise. Lastly, explore the rural side roads to Keaku Lake and (highly recommended) visit to Bully Hill Winery and the Pleasant Valley Winery. Stay for lunch at the Bully Hill restaurant, excellent! During racing seasons, a visit to the storied Watkins Glen racetrack is a must. We have spent many a summer day and night at this track, camping in the infield. If you love racing, this track offers many unique photographic experiences. Consider adding the New York Finger Lakes region as one of your photography (and wine) destinations.  New York City has many wonderful parks, yet this one is quite innovative - The High Line. Running from Chelsea to West 34th street, this park built along the old NYC Central Railroad spur never disappoints. Thirty feet above the street, this destination offers excellent people, art, flowers and architectural photography. The High Line is approximately 1.5 miles, providing glimpses of different neighborhoods and views of the city. The High Line opened in 2009, with the latest segment (the third) to West 34th street, opening in 2014. The latest edition is Hudson Yards, featuring the Vessel.  Originally in an industrial area it is now among the most desirable locations to live and work in the city. Spend a few hours and then descent into the city, from one of the a many access points, to explore and dine. One of our favorite destinations is the vast and diverse Chelsea Market.
We offer a photography workshop at the High Line a few times a year. Come along with us or explore this ever changing park on your own. |
