Here is a picture I took with my iPhone. I used the panorama option. The scene is the Asbury Park, NJ boardwalk in August, 2013.

I was admiring the pretty color of the sky and wishing I was in Asbury Park right now. I love that town.

Something in the photo caught my eye. Actually, something NOT in the photo caught my eye. Here it is. Or should I say, here it isn’t?

THAT MAN’S LEFT LEG IS MISSING BELOW THE KNEE!

He is not using crutches. He has no prosthetic device. His leg is simply gone from the picture. Chopped off by the amazing Apple amputation app!

As far as I can figure, it defies the laws of physics for a one-legged man to casually stroll along the Asbury Park boardwalk at sundown in August, apparently swinging his arms and enjoying himself, without toppling over. I feel nervous for him every time I look at the photo. And I feel just a tad guilty because I suspect that he was fully-legged before my camera got a hold on him.

So, be careful with your phones, people. You wield a mighty power.

(Now go examine your panoramic photos. Let me know if you’ve also mangled anyone.)