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iPhone magic

lindo
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My daughter recently used her iPhone 17 to capture this shot of my fourteen year old grandson in a regional Under 16 tournament. His ambition is to become good enough to play American college basketball.

When I shared it with a professional photographer friend he was amazed that an iPhone could produce the image. I was too, and thought it good enough to share on OF.


IMG_2961.webp
 
Archer
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The phones are pretty amazing. I took these at the Australian Open in 2025 with an iPhone 14 Pro…

a5508ee0-bedc-41b6-b688-05ffcd8d0196.webp 12a79d36-1347-4f54-aeee-f2991e68ae82.webp 025725c0-5180-48d8-8e6f-a6139749fc62.webp
 
ghce
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lindo lindo
My daughter recently used her iPhone 17 to capture this shot of my fourteen year old grandson in a regional Under 16 tournament. His ambition is to become good enough to play American college basketball.

When I shared it with a professional photographer friend he was amazed that an iPhone could produce the image. I was too, and thought it good enough to share on OF.


IMG_2961.webp
Great composition and fantastic timing! as is often said the best camera is the one you have with you.

I am convinced however had you taken the photo with a full frame or even aps-c professional camera your subjects would be in sharp focus.
That said any sports photos are difficult with soso lighting and of course extremely fast paced action.

Certainly will make a memorable photograph but don't print it too large.
Edited:
 
lindo
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ghce ghce
Great composition and fantastic timing! as is often said the best camera is the one you have with you.

I am convinced however had you taken the photo with a full frame or even aps-c professional camera your subjects would be in sharp focus.
That said any sports photos are difficult with soso lighting and of course extremely fast paced action.

Certainly will make a memorable photograph but don't print it too large.
I agree. The iPhone was just not fast enough to ensure sharp focus in that light. If it were sharper I would get it enlarged as a poster for him.
Edited:
 
ghce
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lindo lindo
I agree. The iPhone was just not fast enough to ensure sharp focus in that light. If it were sharper I would get in enlarged as a poster for him.
Absolutely agree, the timing is exquisite!
 
pdxleaf
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Nice! Past four defenders! Did it go in?
 
lindo
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
Nice! Past four defenders! Did it go in?
It did - he rarely misses. I am not sure that professional basketball is a great career choice, but what do you say to a passionate fourteen year old?
Edited:
 
Donn Chambers
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lindo lindo
It did - he rarely misses. I am not sure that professional basketball is a great career choice, but what to you say to a passionate fourteen year old?
If his skills can get him a scholarship to a good university, it doesn’t matter if he can go pro. Just encourage him to also study something useful in case a pro career doesn’t pan out.

For example, one of my classmates in the aerospace engineering program at the University of Texas was there on a football scholarship. He was a starter on the offensive line, might have been able to get drafted and go pro (although would probably always be a backup), but he finished his degree and the last time I heard he is now a manager at Johnson Space Center.
 
vbrad26
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It is crazy how good phones have become.
I used to tote around a big body DSLR in a backpack with a handful of lenses.
What was at one time a hobby, sort of turned into a chore.
I realized I spent more time fiddling with my camera and trying to get the perfect shot than just sitting back and enjoying what I was there photographing.
So between that, no time or desire to post-process and the phones becoming so good/easy - I have not touched my gear in years.
Makes me sort of sad. But Maybe I'll get it all back out one day...
Here are some from our Paris trip that I don’t think would’ve turned out any better on the Nikon…
IMG_2787.webp IMG_2728.webp IMG_2836.webp IMG_2607.webp IMG_2696.webp IMG_2585.webp
Edited:
 
ghce
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vbrad26 vbrad26
It is crazy how good phones have become.
I used to tote around a big body DSLR in a backpack with a handful of lenses.
What was at one time a hobby, sort of turned into a chore.
I realized I spent more time fiddling with my camera and trying to get the perfect shot than just sitting back and enjoying what I was there photographing.
So between that, no time or desire to post-process and the phones becoming so good/easy - I have not touched my gear in years.
Makes me sort of sad. But Maybe I'll get it all back out one day...
Yes I am the same, these days I just about only use my cell phone which has a 1 inch sensor and optical zoom and a huge amount of processing power plus ai if needed. Xiaomi 15 ultra. Absolutely amazing and always with me, never further away than my pocket.
 
lindo
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ghce ghce
Yes I am the same, these days I just about only use my cell phone which has a 1 inch sensor and optical zoom and a huge amount of processing power plus ai if needed. Xiaomi 15 ultra. Absolutely amazing and always with me, never further away than my pocket.
I carried heavy SLRs and extra lenses around on many travels too, then smaller digitals with good optical telephoto capacity, but now they all mostly sit in the back of a cupboard. Phone cameras are so good for travelling photography that I just cannot be bothered with the old cameras, even though they are beautifully made instruments.
Edited:
 
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