John Hafner’s Tips for Great iPhone Hunting Photos

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July 02, 2012  |  By John Hafner

As a full-time freelance outdoor photographer, I rarely put down my camera. But every once in awhile I get to trade it for a rifle or shotgun and get to work. It can be difficult to pack photo and hunting gear on the same trip, so lately I've relied on my iPhone to capture all the memories and moments that stand out to me while I'm hunting. The quality of iPhone and other smartphone pics (and video) is impressive -- definitely good enough to publish in your favorite hunting magazines. Plus, they're lightweight, portable, user-friendly and offer all kinds of apps to give your pics a unique look. 

For this axis deer hunt, I traveled to San Angelo, Texas to hunt with my friends Chad and Tausha Elliott. They own a ranch a few miles outside of town, and their generous offer to spend a few days chasing axis deer was one I quickly accepted. Even though I packed my cameras and lenses, I opted to shoot the entire hunt with my iPhone. Here are a few of my favorite pics from the hunt, and the story behind each shot.