Europe through the Lens of the iPhone 16 Pro

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.                     

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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:

• Night Mode: Ensured low-light shots retained clarity and natural colors.
• Portrait Mode: Using the Aperture feature to “blur” backgrounds.
• Flexible Editing: Powerful editing, especially the “clean-up” function and RAW for more exquisite shots.
• High Power Zooms: Bringing far-away shots or details in closer subjects with good clarity and focus.

Example the "Clean Up" function

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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.    

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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. 

Jackery Giant+ Premium $22

Niteize.com $15

Shiftcam Snapgrip $70

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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.

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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.