I realized my obsession a few years ago when I was attending Midsummer Night Swing at the Lincoln Center in NYC.

We were not allowed to take anything on the dance floor that was not attached to you; of course I had my "camera" in my hand, no holder, no strap...no admittance. After a panicked moment and choosing my phone over swing lessons, my good friend let me borrow her waist clip. I never did master the swing step but I made a few fun photos from the night that I liked.

   (Both photos from Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center, NYC. iPhone 3)

I spent many years as a professional photojournalist. I covered the White House, traveled, went to Superbowls, worked on long-term projects and carried heavy bags of gear and film everywhere. I was never without a camera. When I became a DOP for a large online company, I put my gear down. My mission became building staff, creating templates, setting budgets, hiring photographers and making sure the staff had the support needed to create great visual presentations. I was so excited when our photo staff created an iPhone app to display all our great photography presentations. I was obnoxiously showing everyone our new app, "Look I have an iPhone app!" Until one day my daughter said, "No. Mom, you have a blackberry with a photo of an app." Two weeks later my family gave me my first iPhone for Mother's Day. I have hardly been without it since. (photo taken in Red Square, Moscow on November 9, 1989 with a Nikon F-3)

I know it is not the same as "real gear", but it is always with me. Years ago in photojournalism school I learned, "The best camera is the one you have with you." This particular "camera" has been with me for graduations and weddings, visits to the family farm and Spain, carnivals and reunions. It has opened my eyes to seeing again. I enjoy experimenting with photo apps, as much as, I loved printing B&W photos. Recently, I started carrying a small bag along with my iPhone, it contains a small tripod, my old iPhone for added lighting and a very cool new toy, the Olloclip. (Celebrating graduation from College of Charleston, SC. iPhone 3)

I know, carrying a "bag of gear" defeats the purpose of only needing a phone but it adds a whole new element of fun. The real challenge and reward for me is making the image. Besides, the "bag of gear" is still small enough to fit inside a small purse or backpack.

   (The Rock of Gibraltar made on the iPhone 3s with ProHDR app.)

Someone recently asked. "Don't you feel guilty that you are making photos on your phone?" My reply, "Don't you feel guilty that you aren't making photos?"

    (The Manhattan Skyline at Sunset, iPhone 4 with Photoshop Express.)

    (Visitors watch construction for the new World Trade Center.  iPhone 3s.)

    (The midway at the Erie County Fair, Buffalo, NY. iPhone 4 HDR)

I love being a part of the JPG community for that reason, we make
photos, we share photos and we celebrate life with photos.  As it says
on our about page, "JPG is for people who love image-making without
attitude. It's about the kind of photography you get when you love the
moment more than the camera."

   (Aspens in late evening light, North Pole, Alaska. iPhone 4)

   (Granada, Spain. iPhone 3s using ProHDR app)

There is something nostalgic about a bike.  It brings back joyful memories of our childhood, exhausting journeys to work, a romantic picnic on the side of a country road or the exhilaration of a bike race.  Many of us have memories of learning to ride a two-wheeler, taking a spin to the country store to get a cool drink on a warm summer day or searching for a place in the bike rack at the university. Remember clipping cards to the spokes of your wheels, streamers on your handlebars or taking your pet for a ride in the basket.

Bicycles can be a lifeline to the outside world and an escape from the rat race. Whether you live on a country road or on a city street, a bicycle can be an important part of your livelihood. It can be your ride to the office or a ride to the beach, a trusted means of transportation and sometimes a lawn decoration. 

A bike is so much more than a way to arrive at a destination, it lets you hear the birds, wave to your neighbor, smell the new mowed grass and feel the warm sunshine on your face, it is an experience,.

Round and Round by Cindy Armanini

Stopped for tea by Mike D.

bike race by Joseph Rasch

Clyde's New Ride! by Ryan Hebert

Amsterdam parking lot by juan felipe rubio

red bicycle and rice fields by A Rhaditstya Putra

Bike by Sarah HoffmRyan Hebert 

On your bike... by Phil Clarke

bicycle on the beach by Victoria Perelet

handlebars by Pietro Zuco

Green transport by joe navin

In 1923, the first Bike Week was held in England. May is National Bike Month in the United States. Many cities and communities across the US are holding special events to celebrate biking. Join us in celebrating the bicycle, share your photos and wear a helmet.

Here are your JPG staff selections for best of Photo Challenge: April Rain.

The Red Umbrella by Nicolas Zonvi Photo

Untitled by sagarika suri

You're Never Too Old to Play in the Rain by Barbara McLendon

Rainy Days by Dominic Meily

Venus de Milo by Rem Zamora

The real beauty in each drops of a rain by sujith p r

Rain in Vienna by Kyle Burrows

Supernova by Leah Garton

Into rain, into light by Kyle Anstey

Reflections of Rome by Steve Cozort

Luoping by Attila Balogh

wall of water by Vincent Cinque

new found feather by Rene Damen

" Improvise " /April rain by Michael Asaro

burberry rain by Tony Day