In a remarkable demonstration that the best camera is often the one you have with you, legendary professional skateboarder and visual artist Ed Templeton has been crowned the winner of The Guardian's prestigious 'How to Make the Best' phone photography competition. His winning entry, a profoundly atmospheric portrait, was captured not with a high-end DSLR, but with the sophisticated lens of a Google Pixel 8 Pro.
The image freezes a moment of quiet contemplation, featuring Templeton's friend, Jack, bathed in the soft, ethereal glow of natural light filtering through a window. The play of light and shadow sculpts Jack's features, creating a mood that is both intimate and universally resonant. It’s a masterclass in using available light to create depth and emotion.
What makes this victory particularly compelling is Templeton's admitted relationship with technology. He confessed to the judges that he is "not a tech person," viewing his smartphone merely as a modern replacement for the simple point-and-shoot film cameras he used for decades. This win proves that artistic vision and a keen eye for a moment far outweigh sheer technical prowess or expensive gear.
For Templeton, the phone has become an indispensable tool in his artistic arsenal. He lauds its constant presence, which allows him to document the world around him with immediacy and authenticity. His winning photograph stands as a powerful testament to the idea that compelling art can be created anywhere, with the device that sits in your pocket, provided you have the creativity to see its potential.
The image was selected by a panel of expert judges from a formidable shortlist of entries, ultimately chosen for its striking composition, exquisite use of light, and its ability to tell a story and evoke a feeling in a single, perfectly captured frame.
