As I mentioned previously, I upgraded to an iPhone 5S. Here are some recent shots taken in different light situations:
Chicken and avocado enchiladas at a restaurant in very poor light. Pretty good detail for an iPhone. . . much better than the iPhone4 I was using before.
A vintage sweater at an antiques emporium with overhead fluorescent lighting. Again, decent detail.
Then we went to the botanical gardens.
I don’t know the name of this yellow flower, but I like it a lot. Dappled shade here, which seems to be a good condition for iPhones.
The always-strange Giant Dutchman’s Pipe vine in full sun.
This was a disappointment. The colors of this agave were so rich, and they looked good on the phone, but not here. Will have to go back with the Nikon soon, if I can. It would have picked up the finer nuances.
This was so true to life I couldn’t believe it. The colors and light looked exactly like this. Again, light shade is the iPhone’s friend.
When I have to shoot in bright sun, there’s so much glare, I can hardly see the display. I basically look for a basic outline and hope for the best. I’m not looking for award-winning photography here, but I do like the challenge of shooting with a phone.
As is often the case, there was a wedding about to take place.
Very happy with the amount of detail in this shot of sea lavender and succulents. I’m lucky enough to have a steady hand, but I still get one of my fingers in the shot from time to time! One of the disadavantages of having long digits.
Finally, my new favorite tree, the Cape Chestnut:
The “pom poms” are nice enough in the distance, but up close they are something else . . . .
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
Both the iPhone 5S and the photographer are most impressive. I am particularly taken with the amount of . . . well, I’ll call it activity . . . in the cape chestnut pom poms. (Or is that final one more appropriately denominated a “pom”?). Great work, Ms. Pearl. Thanks for enriching our lives.
Thanks so much for the kind words. 🙂
Good looking pictures. I’ve got a Blackberry Z10 which is considered to have a very good camera. The only problem for me is that I hate it:)
Ha ha! I know nothing about the Blackberry camera, but I’m thinking it has to be the problem, because it can’t be you.
Impressive shots – those iphones just can’t be beat !
They seem to just keep getting better, Susan.
It does take nice pictures.
I love that Cape Chestnut. Not something I’ve ever seen.
I never saw one before moving to California, Caroline. If it weren’t so big, I’d love to have one in our yard.
I think it is not only the IPhone ( where I really don’t know much about those advanced techniques) it is you that you used the right light on your subjects, because you have developed an eye for good light!
Oh, thanks, Cornelia. It has taken a lot of trial and error to figure out what works with an iPhone. I’m still constantly surprised at the results.
You mentioned the exact problem I often have taking photos with my iPhone — I often can’t hold the phone steady enough while pressing the screen to take the shot.
Is there a significant difference between the 5 and the 5s?
It’s not easy, Jackie–I had to practice a bit. You have to barely touch the button. I tend to hold the phone with both hands to make it steadier, but I do have to be careful not to get one of my fingers in the shot.
I’m not enough of a techie to answer your question, but I’ve read that there isn’t that much difference in photo quality between the two.
I just noticed this post. I’ve been talking about using your phone for photography that I had to read your article. Love your images, fun, fun! That Giant Dutchman’s Pipe is amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a flower like that.
Thank you! I’d never seen the Dutchman’s Pipe either. It’s rather bizarre in person. 🙂