So here's what I know about iPhone-ography.

People like to take photographs.  They would like to take photographs that are really, really good.  But some people are really, really lazy.  They don't want to work very hard at doing most things.  They would also like an "automatic" way to do things that would otherwise take: talent, vision, hard work.  They'd like a camera with lots of controls.  They'd like a camera that offers a wide choice of lenses.   They'd like a camera that shoots fast.  They'd like a camera that can make files that can be printed large and still be of high quality.  They'd like a camera with raw files. They'd like a camera that puts them in total control....etc.

But some people are very lazy.    So they really want a camera that isn't hard to carry around.  They think their pockets are really camera bags.  They would love controls but are too lazy to use the controls so they really want a camera that DOESN'T give them control.  They want to be unique so they use the same program 800,000,000 other people use to make their camera phone photos look acceptable, in a 1960's, distressed, piece of crap, way.  Like everyone else.  But if it's fun and nobody gets hurt....

If they decide to use a cellphone as a camera then they have a ready ally in their excuse about their photos looking like hammered crap.  They can blame the "camera."  After all, "it's only my iPhone."  The lens is short (and fixed) the sensor is tiny and the ergonomics suck.  But if it's fun and nobody gets hurt....

So, like the Lomo cameras that promise magic by taking away most choices, "iPhone-ography" is just another way to abdicate control over your images, and your vision.    But if it's fun and nobody gets hurt....

And who benefits?    The people who profit from making unwieldy crap to glue to your phone, or clip to your phone in an attempt to help you try to wrest back some modicum of control.  The people who have photo sharing websites that depend on you to create free content to wrap around their advertising delivery system to sell online ads and make money from your friends fulfilling their obligation to go look at the crap you did on your phone that could have been so much better if you hadn't been too lazy to use a real camera.  The people at AT&T who sell you unlimited data plans so you can upload crap that you would have been too embarrassed to show back when you had the  energy to actually carry your camera around with you.  The stockholders at AT&T.  The people at Hypsteriagram who sell you, and millions of others, software to make your "one of a kind" images that look like everyone else's "one of a kind" images.

I know that Apple worked hard to make their phone adequate at taking documentary images.

So what do I know about iPhone-ography?  It's a lot like playing Solitaire.  And just as rewarding.  Buy a phone for talking.  Text if you absolutely must.  But, if a subject is worth photographing then pull out your "A" game and go for it.  Or put your multi-tool back in your pocket and get on with your life.  Don't crawl when you can run.

Someone will write to rebut.  And I will agree in advance.  Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci could make great art with an iPhone.  They could make great art with mud on a stick.    Use the right tool for the right job.