Cellphone photo exhibit stretches limits of creativity

Nowadays, if you aren’t obsessed with taking pictures of your kids, your food and even yourself, you’re in a vast minority. The camera phone has turned nearly everyone snap-happy. But how many adorable babies or lunch plates can we admire?

Those with a yen for fine photography should check out "Phone Camera Photos 2013," a collection of about 50 shots that illustrate the artistic potential of the camera phone. The shots were captured by more than 20 photographers ranging from newbies to those long established in the field. The show, now in its third year, runs at the South Street Gallery through Feb. 15.

"We use the camera phone all the time. It’s a great device for a quick shot to tweet or put on Instagram," said show curator Karen Jones, a food stylist and graphic designer. "I use my camera phone for reference shots when scouting for locations.

"But I asked the photographers to go beyond (the practical) to show what individual photographic vision can add to the parameters of the mobile device."

Jones said she hopes the show will illustrate that while camera phones are practical and fun, they can also facilitate creative exploration.

"They’re a means of personal expression," she said.