On September 9, 2024, many VIPs, influencers, and journalists from around the world gathered at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, for the Apple New Product Launch Event. Among them was Japanese photographer RK, whose photos taken with the iPhone have quickly become the talk of the town, and we asked him about the iPhone 16's camera functions and other topics. We asked him what he thought of the iPhone 16 from his unique perspective as a photographer, including his impressions of the hands-on experience, camera controls, and design. This is a report from the Apple Park Visitor Center in the evening.
PROFILE
Born in 1982 in Ibaraki, Japan. While working at a design company, he started his career as a photographer, and his iPhone photos became a hot topic on SNS, and he quickly became a person of the moment. 2017 he held an event at Apple Ginza, and in 2018 he became a freelance photographer. He currently has over 765,000 followers on Instagram.
Instagram:@rkrkrk
My career as a photographer began with an iPhone.
I heard that you were the only photographer from Japan invited to the Apple Park event this time, and I assume you were selected because of the high evaluation of your past works taken with the iPhone.
I am simply happy to be here (Apple Park) again since I was invited to the new iPhone launch event five years ago. I have been using the iPhone since the first generation.
RK, you were a pioneer of the iPhone-enabled photographer.
At the time, I was shooting so that I could complete the process with my iPhone. I shot and edited everything on my iPhone. Later, however, I started doing more printing work and needed an SLR camera, but until then, an iPhone was enough.
Why was it the iPhone again?
I had been an "Apple" believer even before that. When I was working for a graphic design company, my mentor was using an iMac, and I learned illustrator and Photoshop there. I was familiar with Apple products, which led me to start shooting with the iPhone. The iPhone's high design quality was also attractive to me.
How did you feel when you actually started taking pictures with your iPhone?
At that time, most people were still using Galapagos. The picture quality was not yet good enough. The iPhone's picture quality was outstandingly beautiful, and I thought, "What the heck! I was like, "What the heck is this? Of course, it was inferior to today's latest iPhones, but from that time, it felt like a tremendous evolution. And you could even make phone calls.
It's like a camera with a phone function.
If it could take such beautiful pictures, I thought I would try to take proper pictures with it. I was asked to do a running photo shoot right around that time, so I thought I would try taking pictures using only my iPhone. Besides, running with an SLR camera is heavy and uncomfortable (laughs).
Then, when I started shooting, I realized that the iPhone was more than enough. I think I was probably the first person in Japan to hold a photo exhibition using only photos taken with an iPhone. Besides, there is a world that can only be captured with the iPhone.
What exactly do you mean by "a world that only the iPhone can capture"?
One thing that is often said is that it is easier to bring out the subject's smile. With an SLR camera, the subject will inevitably be ready for the shot.
And the mirror world. Because the lens is located right in front of the body, it is possible to get very close to the mirrored world. With an SLR camera, you can't get close at all, which makes it difficult. But with the iPhone, for example, you can take a picture of a rainstorm from 0cm above the ground. The way the photo looks is totally different depending on whether you are close enough or not. If I were to publish a photo book called "0cm above the ground," I would have to take all the photos with my iPhone (laughs).
I would like to see RK's photo book "0cm above ground" someday!
The instantaneous power to shoot instantly when the moment strikes and the 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens are appealing.
Now that you were among the first to see and touch the iPhone 16 today, what are your honest impressions?
First, the ultra-wide angle lens on the iPhone 16 Pro / iPhone 16 Pro Max has been upgraded to 48 megapixels (MP). That was a bit of a bad idea. Because you no longer need a wide-angle lens on the main camera. And the telephoto is now more powerful, too.
I saw a picture taken with the iPhone 16 displayed in a frame at Apple Park, and the image quality was beautiful enough to be printed. I thought, "With this, I can do work that requires printing in the future. I may not need my SLR anymore (laughs).
iPhone 16 Pro / iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro / iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone has a sturdy, lightweight body made of grade 5 titanium and the largest display of all previous iPhones, and is equipped with Apple Intelligence, a proprietary AI developed by Apple, which is expected to support all aspects of writing and image creation in the future. The new camera control from the iPhone 16 is also expected to be a key feature of this new model. In addition, a new camera control has been added to the iPhone 16, making the photography function much more powerful. Available in four colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium. 159,800 yen and up.
The iPhone 16 has a new camera control.
It is easy to use when tilting the iPhone horizontally to take pictures, but it may take some getting used to when holding it vertically. However, it is attractive that the camera can be activated by pressing and holding the camera control while the iPhone is locked. It's more intuitive.
You can take a picture instantly when you think of it.
The iPhone has always been intuitive, but now it has become even smoother. The ability to take pictures with a smartphone is extremely important. I can take a picture on the spur of the moment without having to type in a password, and I can even take a video. It's great.
How did you like the double-tap, half-press, and slide controls for the camera controls?
It was something unique that had never been seen on the iPhone before, but once you learn it and get used to it, I think it will become easier.
iPhone 16 / iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 / iPhone 16 Plus
Like the Pro, it features "Apple Intelligence" and camera controls. The major difference is that the two camera positions are now aligned vertically. This allows for spatial recording, which enables users to take 3D-like three-dimensional photos and videos. An action button has also been added. The main camera is 48 MP, with a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and is available in five colors: black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine. 124,800 yen and up.
Are there any design aspects of the iPhone 16 that you are interested in? The bezel is even thinner and more refined, and the look has changed with the addition of the camera controls.
Personally, I'm curious to see what kind of case will be available. I have heard that the genuine Apple case will have the camera controls covered, and I am looking forward to that since it will be a part of the operability of the device.
The color lineup is also unique.
For the iPhone 16 Pro, definitely Black Titanium or Natural Titanium, and for the iPhone 16, maybe White. Personally, I like basic colors.
What do you recommend for people like us to use the iPhone 16 for daily use?
Yes, the video supports 4K120fps, so I think you will enjoy the clearer picture quality. And the slow motion feature looks interesting too.
Slow motion would be fun to use in an insta-reel. Personally, I also like the fact that the camera control is on the side, so when you take a picture, it looks as if you are holding the camera. I think it makes taking pictures more fun. The picture quality is beautiful and you can really feel like a photographer.
The iPhone's enhanced camera functionality has made it possible for anyone to become a photographer in extreme cases. Moreover, compared to the past, people are overwhelmingly more concerned with photography. There are more people taking pictures, and social networking sites have become so popular. I feel that everyone is getting better at taking pictures.
Finally, what would you like to shoot first when you get the iPhone 16?
I would like to take wide-angle photos and videos first, and I would like to experiment with the compatibility with SNS in my own way. I also want to get a case for my iPhone as I like accessories and gadgets around the iPhone.
The staff at Apple is truly amazing. Without the accumulation of small changes, the realization of ideas, and the constant pursuit of "I want to do this, I want to do that," such groundbreaking products would never be born.
