Thanks for the link. I'm assuming the surprise is that he shoots with a cell phone or something?
Yes. I understand it shouldn't be surprising, but that's the effect it has had for me.
As I've understood, he's a pro usually shooting dslrs who has actually chosen to do that job with an iphone.
It's under "personal" in his site, but nonetheless a big documentary project.
For me it's surprising that the images have been taken with a phone. But the truth, possibly, is: he's a pro, he's chosen it because he knew what he was going to get from it. Think having a "vision" and choosing the hardware to accomplish it.
Being a pro, a good one, even the contrary might work: choosing an instrument and finding the way to squeeze the best out of it... But I don't think he would have ventured the use of a phone without a precise goal.
You're right: there are many qualities that count much more than the gear.
Hope not to have improperly used the word "pro". In the NYT article he's presented as a former guide in Nepal, but from his site I get he's a full time photographer, and an awarded one too.