Did you show him a print or onscreen? And did you challenge him to do it?
Very nice foreground that shows off the clouds and rays of light.
There's no question in my mind that the image could have been very successfully taken with a cell phone camera, perhaps just as successfully. However, the print you could make from it would not be as large. Even so, there is no point in my mind of suggesting that a cell phone would have made a photo that is just as nice even when that point is true.
As I see it Maurice, has your friend taken such a well composed picture as your picture on his camera phone.
It is not just about the equipment one has, it is also about having the foresight and the imagination to produce a quality image, as you have done.
Surely the reply should be: "prove it".Showed this to a friend and what he said "ten a penny could take it with any camara phone".
I suspect a cell phone shot might take more processing to get close, but not all phones are equal, I doubt mine would get anywhere near it.
I think it's a little better than ten a penny! It's true that cell phone cameras have improved enormously over the past few years, but as Dave said, ask for some proof....
My brother sent me a picture over the weekend of his improved view off his front porch. He recently had to cut down some trees that were dying. His picture leaves no doubt in my mind that a cell phone can capture such an image. I'm not sure which phone he has, I am sure mine can't do it though.
Nice shot, Maurice. Why don't you take the challenge. Next time you're out take the shot with your dslr and your camera phone, then put them both on computer and see how different they are?
Art is not created by the tools used. Your friend must run with a very artistic crowd if he/she thinks this is humdrum and any given individual could create it.
Probably right about the cell phone aspect as a tool. Give Michelangelo a basting brush and a tin of cheap watercolours and see what happens.
Phone cameras have many in built features like one click HDR etc. So in recent time of advanced technology your friend may be right, especially when what is photographed is a nearly still thing. But in the case of moving things he may be disproved. Keep critical friends only, not cynical ones
I guess in a few months I can join the discussion of some cell phone photographers here. At the moment I only have an industrial type of cellphone and never really want to go into the smart phone market for a while. But it has been awhile, so I am choosing a smart phone smarter than yours truly this weekend. Perhaps I can let go of my P&S and give it to one charitable institution around here called "husband's new acquisitions".
Anyway, explanation about ignorance of cell phone technology taken cared of, I will say, your shot here is very nicely composed. I guess that is the only way you can utilize cell phones as to picture quality -- composition.