When the first camera phones became available they were provided such poor quality images that anyone serious about photography as a medium still had to carry their camera around with them in order to get any decent pictures. All that changed with the launch of the iPhone. Although the camera itself left a lot to be desired, the possibilities for image manipulation via the newly launched ‘apps’ allowed the birth of a new art form.

iPhoneography or Mobile Photography (for those still holding on to the grief of selecting an HTC over an iPhone) is defined as photography which has been taken and edited entirely on a mobile phone. As the technology industry continued to improve mobile cameras, the possibilities for creativity became even greater.

The iPhone is now the most used camera on the online photography site flickr.com. The fact that everyone has a camera on them all the time allows for a constant stream of creativity, and the possibility to share the results with the public through social media gives anyone the chance to show off their work to the world.

The critics look down on the mobile phone as a photography medium just as they did when digital cameras first came about. But the beauty of iPhoneography lies in in its accessibility.

Anyone can use the apps to create beautiful images and enjoy the process; and by the vast quantity of people already involved, those that truly wish to excel in the field are forced to be more creative and experiment with new ideas to progress the art form even further.

Varsity's iPhoneography competition will be judged by MOMA featured iPhoneographer Miss Pixels. Entries must be taken and edited entirely on a mobile phone. Top prize: £25 iTunes voucher. Free apps for runners up. Send your entries to photos@varsity.co.uk