SUMMARY
A photographer explains their continued use of an iPhone 8 in 2026, not out of nostalgia, but as a deliberate choice to avoid the 'upgrade trap' of modern smartphone photography. They argue that newer phones' focus on more lenses and processing leads to technically perfect but homogenous images. By using the iPhone 8's simpler camera and pairing it with the Dazz Cam Pro app for intentional imperfection, the photographer rediscovers the experience of looking and making choices before the shot, focusing on fragments of reality rather than technical specs.
TAKEAWAYS
Photographer uses an iPhone 8 in 2026, prioritizing intentional image-making over technical perfection.
Simpler camera features of the iPhone 8 encourage more attention to composition and exposure before shooting.
Dazz Cam Pro app is used to introduce intentional instability and break algorithmic perfection.
The choice to not upgrade is seen as a filter that removes distractions and emphasizes the act of looking.