Ben Barnes

I saw a t-shirt recently that said “Real Cameras Can’t Text”.. I felt that. Truly. I know that cellphone cameras have come a long way. I also know that my phone (the iPhone 16PRO which took the photos on this page) can do a lot. I shot this show in RAW and I readily admit that I have much to learn about how to do that with a cellphone and if I had to shoot the show again, I would go back to standard mode more often vs the few times I switched over at random times during the show. Coupling my admitted shortcomings with how well this phone camera operates (understand that this was my first time using this phone at a concert and also, I had only been in possession of it for about 3 weeks) and the subpar lighting at this venue, I was immediately met with a challenge. How well could I shoot this show on a cellphone?

I got some shots that aren’t too shabby considering and I am sure that being front row definitely helped. Is it possible to get decent photos at a concert with a cellphone? YES. Do I enjoy shooting a show with a cellphone. NO. NO. Have I said, “NO?”. But I’ll do it… if I have to.

Bucket list: photograph Ben Barnes in concert but with an actual camera!