Smartphones with cameras have many visually creative applications for photographers, including the ability to communicate and share images immediately through social media networks.

photo by: Mike Yoder

During a pond lotus blossom party, I did not have a camera with me but witnessed several photo opps. I used a favorite "retro" camera app on my iPhone to capture these adventurous rafters. The quality may not be equal to other cameras, but this low-tech approach provided an image that might be preferable.

photo by: Mike Yoder

The iPhone has a good macro lens capability built-in. With a digital single-lens reflex camera you would require a special macro lens for a similar shot. It is possible to enlarge a file like this to a 12"x12" print. .

photo by: Mike Yoder

The introduction of photo apps for smart-phones got me experimenting with the Hipstamatic app on my iPhone. The unique filters, square format and the fact that the phone is always with me leads me to take photographs I might usually pass by. While there may be debate about the validity of these in-camera processing apps for journalistic work, I enjoy the fact that these tools encourage me to photograph ordinary subjects and delight in the unexpected results.

photo by: Mike Yoder

I took a photograph of this book so that I could later look the book up at the library. I often use my smartphone camera as a visual notebook to recall data and information.

photo by: Mike Yoder

You need a wide-angle lens and computer software to create a panorama photograph with a standard digital single lens reflex. But my iPhone 5's built-in panorama mode stitched together a seamless photograph of multiple images from inside this lighthouse. I was also able to immediately send the photograph to social media sites online.

photo by: Mike Yoder

On bicycle tours of several days length, rather than carry a heavier camera or even small point-and-shoot model, I'll carry only a smartphone and use it as my camera. Since the phone is always with me it's easy to find reasons to use it and take more photos. The quality is plenty for my requirements and I can easily email or upload images to social media networks.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Responding to the light falling on my bandmate Jim Brothers, I quickly used my iPhone for a photograph. The benefit of using a smartphone as your camera is that it is always with you, enabling you to respond to any visually interesting subject.

photo by: Mike Yoder

On an evening walk and without a digital camera, I was still able to respond to this interesting visual scene using my iPhone camera.

photo by: Mike Yoder

I did not have a DSLR with a macro lens with me on a tour of a prairie landscape so I used my iPhone with its macro capability to photograph this prairie wild rose. The photograph quality was high enough to be published in the newspaper.

photo by: Mike Yoder

At the start of a hike I photographed this trailhead map with my iPhone so I could refer to it on my hike.