Best of iPhone street photography in 2021.

This is not a sponsored post, just sharing what helps me creatively and why I started shooting more with my iPhone.

Quite often, when I’m feeling uninspired or not very creative, simply leaving the house without the extra weight of a dedicated camera for walk seems to really help. I think It’s the thought of going out without the specific intention or pressure of having to capture something.

When I started shooting and experimenting more with my iPhone in 2017, I started to feel like the pressure for perfection was greatly reduced. I can edit with much more freedom in whatever place I found myself at and experiment with pulling colors and shadows a little beyond what I usually do with images.

Although I still regularly use and appreciate my mirrorless cameras and their huge sensors, there’s a special place for smartphone photography in my creative toolbox.

Here are some of my favorite Observations from 2021. All were shot on iPhone 11 or 13 and edited using VSCO & Snapseed.

For more work you can check out my Instagram

Instagram - @ericvannynatten

New York City Street Corners

A favorite subject I enjoy shooting is New York City’s vibrant street corners.

There are many things that make it an attractive subject, from the way light falls on detailed signage to the ease in people watching as they wait to cross the street. There’s a lot of character and storytelling to be found even on quiet side streets.

Here’s a collection of some New York City street corners captured in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Shot on iPhone 13 pro max.

For more work you can check out my Instagram

Instagram - @ericvannynatten

Finding and photographing reflections on the streets of New York

Seeking a more abstract view of your surroundings can make a familiar scene seem fresh and exciting.

In these images taken across New York City, I’ve practiced looking for colors and subjects of interest reflected through surfaces like puddles and vehicles.

I find that even just looking for these kinds of compositions boosts my creativity and ability to see compositions differently. Its a great exercise for any photographer.

For more work you can check out my Instagram

Instagram - @ericvannynatten

Street Photography in Tokyo, Japan.

Tokyo stands out as one of the most memorable trips I’ve taken. The frenetic pulse of the city is overwhelming for most people, more so for a jet lagged person stepping off a 16 hour flight from New York.

While getting completely lost multiple times attempting to navigating the streets and subway system, I realized that being disoriented strongly improved my creative output and approach to candid photography. I found myself in unexpected places observing life in areas outside the main touristic spots.

Here are some of my favorite images from that trip. All images shot on iPhone except one. Can you guess which one?

For more work you can check out my Instagram

Instagram - @ericvannynatten

Blog: Observations part 3

I revisited these images recently from a photo walk I did back in winter 2018.

I had wanted to photograph the court houses in downtown Manhattan during a snowstorm for a while. I didn’t know exactly how I would approach photographing this location or what exactly I’d find but It’s alway a bit of an adventure and exploring options is what fascinates me most about this kind of photography.

This a walkthrough and a bit of the thought process behind each image.

All images shot on iPhone 8 Plus and processed using VSCO and Snapseed.

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It didn’t snow as heavily as I wouldn’t liked but the area was empty and quiet.

A closer look at the pillars. I wanted to include them in the composition but that will prove difficult.

Moved on from trying to include the full height of the structure. Decided to shoot from behind so the pillars could ‘‘frame’’ the subject instead.

A little more pulled back. I love the ridges and shadows so this composition gave a closer view of them which I thought worked quite well. My issue now was the fence that I didn’t like being in the shot.

Wide lens view. Waiting for different subjects to walk past as usual.

Wide lens view.

I notice the snow accumulating on the base of the pillars and it works quite well. How to incorporate it into the composition?

Closeup view of the snow. Fixes the fence problem too.

Then three subjects with colored umbrellas come by.

Got my shot!

Another option with a lone subject but I tend to prefer a pop of color.

Moving on to another spot further down the street. I always see if the same composition concept applies at another spot too. I love the Woolworth Building and I can’t help but photograph it every time I’m near.

A little more pulled back

Love the arches just around the corner.

I love the the City Hall subway entrance, especially the old steel lettering. Hard to incorporate it into a workable composition but here’s my quick attempt.

Hope you enjoyed the walkthrough and a little peak into my process. 

For more work you can check out my Instagram

Instagram - @ericvannynatten