Today’s smartphones pack impressive imaging capabilities into astonishingly compact sensors. While they might not rival the resolution, depth, or dynamic range of a DSLR or mirrorless camera, smartphones can still capture surprisingly good images. More importantly, they’ve become essential tools in my photography workflow—not so much for the final image, but for the planning that makes that image possible.

As a landscape, seascape, and wildlife photographer, my smartphone is less of a camera and more of a high-powered pocket assistant. Let me walk you through how I use it to scout, prepare, and set up the shots that eventually make it into my portfolio.

Scouting the Scene with Satellite Precision

Before I ever set foot at a location, I’m already exploring it—from above. Using apps like Google Maps and Google Earth, I scout terrain, shoreline access points, elevation changes, and even the direction of light across different times of day. Satellite and topographic layers help me find compositions I might otherwise miss. Sometimes I’ll mark locations with pins and notes, creating a personalized shooting map for future trips.

Chasing the Right Conditions

Once I’ve found a promising location, I need to know if the conditions will cooperate. That’s where weather apps come in. Windy.com, Ventusky, and ClearOutside are favorites because they offer detailed forecasts, including:

Cloud cover and cloud type
Wind speed and direction
Wave action on the coast
Rain or snow potential
Visibility conditions

For seascapes, I’ll pay particular attention to wind direction and swell data—especially when hoping to catch dramatic waves against the rocks. For wildlife photography, I’ll factor in wind direction to help avoid being upwind of my subject.

Aligning Light and Timing

If conditions look promising, I take it a step further with Photographer’s Ephemeris and PhotoPills. These apps are invaluable for understanding how light will interact with the landscape at any given time and place. They help me predict where the sun or moon will rise and set, the angle of shadows, and even plan night photography by tracking the Milky Way or upcoming celestial events.

With just a few taps, I can see whether the golden hour light will skim across a ridge or leave it in shadow. If I’m hoping to catch a moonrise aligned with a lighthouse or a starburst sun between mountain peaks, these tools make the planning surgical.

Technology as Preparation, Not Replacement

While my smartphone helps me plan with incredible precision, it’s no substitute for being there. The real work happens when I arrive early, with the right gear, and the skills to use it well. No app can tell you exactly when a heron will take flight or how a beam of light might cut through coastal fog—but they can ensure you’re in the right place when it happens.

In the end, smartphones are just that—smart tools. Used wisely, they amplify creativity by improving preparation. And in photography, preparation is half the battle.

How I Use My Smartphone to Create Better Photography

Why I Still Use a DSLR in a Smartphone World