The apps are part of the charm and, dare I say it, magic of iphontography (I know "iphoneography" will win out, but I'm stubborn) and those of us who use them more than others learn quickly that the app must always serve the image.

It is sad when an otherwise fine image is over-processed, but I think it is usually due to immaturity and/or insecurity on the part of the artist. I've seen that with "regular camera" photographers and photoshop … diffuse glow anyone?

I often use two or three apps on an image. I've spent many hours experimenting with what works for me and for what images in terms of color, contrast, what happens if you use this app first and that app second, and vice versa, and what image will work with what app (if I've taken 30 pictures of the same thing).

It is easy to say "use as little apps as possible," but my own experience (in putting together a show and seeing regular people react to a vast array of images from many artists, most of which were definitely processed and listening to them say over and over, "I can't believe these pictures came off an iphone!") tells me that judicious use of apps is crucial to iphontography, an art form just now emerging from its infancy, in my opinion. So much great work happening!

That said, it does start with the image always. But I love Toy Camera, LoFi, and TiltShift still!!

This post was mentioned on Twitter by MartyNearDFW: #iphoneography New post: Technique: 7 Tips to Better iPhoneography: by Jeremy Edwards http://tinyurl.com/yjxvuu2…

Thanks for promoting #4. I tend to be a minimalist in post-production and usually react negatively to over-processed images.