Portable and Effective
One of the most significant advantages of smartphones is their size and portability. As noted by photographer Denis Barbas in his project The Colours of China, smartphones offer unparalleled convenience compared to traditional setups. “There’s nothing quite like having a device as small as a smartphone that fits in your pocket and is capable of delivering high-quality, professional content.”
When traveling light is essential, such as when hiking to remote locations or traveling through the frozen landscapes of Harbin, carrying a full camera bag with multiple lenses, a gimbal, and other accessories can be cumbersome. Smartphones eliminate this hassle by combining many of the useful features professionals need in a compact body, allowing photographers to focus on capturing the moment rather than managing gear.
Barbas’s project, The Colours of China, was an ambitious endeavor to capture the culture and natural landscape of the country. From the peaks of Guangxi to the festivals of the Hani people in Yunnan, the project demanded adaptability and creativity. The use of the Vivo X200 Pro allowed Barbas to capture these locations and moments with a great deal more flexibility than what traditional equipment could have allowed.
Built-In Stabilization
Although in-body image stabilization has come a long way, many cameras often require external gimbals for stabilized footage when shooting video. This not only adds bulk but also consumes time. Barbas points out, “Imagine constantly switching lenses, recalibrating the gimbal every time you make a change, and by the time you’re ready to shoot, the perfect moment is already gone.”
In contrast, smartphones like the Vivo X200 Pro feature advanced in-body stabilization systems that rival the performance of dedicated stabilizers. During his shoot in China, Barbas relied on the phone’s stabilization to capture smooth, professional-quality footage entirely handheld. “The built-in stabilization is so good that most of the shots in my final video were handheld—just the phone in my hands,” he recalls. This simplicity allowed him to concentrate on the filming process rather than technical adjustments.
The project’s schedule also highlighted the practical benefits of smartphone stabilization. Barbas and his team were often up at 4 or 5 a.m., hiking for hours to reach locations, only to face unpredictable weather. The ability to rely on the Vivo X200 Pro for quick, stable shots was crucial to maintaining their pace and meeting requirements.
Multiple Lenses
Another key advantage is the ability to switch between multiple focal lengths with a single tap. Modern smartphones come equipped with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, allowing photographers to adapt to different scenes. Barbas describes this as a game-changer: “With a traditional camera, you’d have to carry three or four lenses and swap them out every time, which is a hassle. But with the Vivo, you can effortlessly switch between different lenses in seconds.”
The ability to quickly reframe shots without interrupting the flow ensured he didn’t miss fleeting moments. Composition is one of the most important factors in almost any kind of artwork, and quick control over focal length is extremely important.
Barbas’s approach to the project also emphasized storytelling through composition, and quick access to different focal lengths helped him manage different perspectives quickly. This kind of flexibility is not only important but also puts smartphones ahead of traditional or “proper” cameras.
Computational Photography
Computational photography is probably one of the biggest advantages smartphones have over traditional cameras. Although smaller sensors can be less effective in certain scenarios, the computational features of smartphones have improved enough over time to now rival results from larger-sensor cameras.
One standout feature is High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing, which balances the shadows and highlights in a scene. Barbas explains, “The Vivo X200 Pro’s HDR and software processing solve this problem beautifully. It balances the shadows and highlights, creating a well-exposed image with amazing detail.”
In one instance, a sunset shot in Guangxi captured with both the Vivo and a traditional camera revealed that the smartphone produced a more vibrant and compelling image. This capability allows photographers to achieve results that previously required lots of post-processing and the combining of multiple images taken from any given scene.
Additionally, the HDR processing in smartphones has come a long way from the oversaturated and unnatural look produced not so long ago. Now, images from smartphones lean more toward a natural and pleasing look.
Adaptability
Barbas describes the difficulties of trying to shoot in China’s varied climate, from overcast skies to harsh winters. He explains how the flexibility and ease of use of the Vivo X200 Pro allowed him to adapt quickly: “I had to retake many shots, trying different angles and experimenting with lenses. The smartphone’s limitations pushed me creatively and technically, forcing me to think on my feet.”
Being able to adapt quickly is an important skill for any professional photographer or videographer. If conditions are changing quickly, photographers need to adapt quickly too.
Barbas also noted the endurance required for the project. Many creatives will confirm that energy and morale can be affected simply by the kind of equipment you’re shooting with. Hauling large, bulky equipment around for long periods can quickly drain your energy. Barbas discusses how the team worked long days with minimal sleep, waiting for the perfect light or weather conditions. The Vivo X200 Pro’s intuitive interface and compact design reduced a lot of strain, allowing Barbas to maintain his focus and energy.
Smartphone Camera Misconceptions
A common misconception about smartphone photography is that it requires you to compromise on quality in favor of convenience. To counter this, Barbas goes on to say, “Many people still believe that you need bulky, expensive gear to achieve professional results, but in the right hands, that’s no longer the case.” With features such as manual controls, the ability to shoot in raw, and computational photography, smartphones are proving that the skills and capabilities of a photographer matter far more than the kind of camera you shoot with.
The Colours of China demonstrated how smartphones can offer professionals much more. In the right hands, a smartphone is more than capable of producing incredible results, and the video linked above is testament to that. Smartphones, such as the Vivo X200 Pro, continue to prove the point that it’s not the gear but the photographer that matters most.
Final Thoughts
Although traditional cameras continue to be the main choice for many creatives, adding a smartphone to the workflow can prove incredibly useful. In many situations, I have found that simply taking my phone out of my pocket and taking the shot is far more effective than having to set up cameras and gimbals.
Speed is an important factor in a lot of scenarios, and adding a smartphone to your list of equipment and workflow really does make a difference.
This isn’t to say that a smartphone will or can replace anything; it’s a different kind of camera, in the same way, you would look at a 360 camera or a drone. Traditional cameras remain indispensable for many tasks; however, smartphones have established themselves as practical, capable tools for professionals.
