And it is difficult to describe, but sometimes I see something in front of me and I think, "Hey, this is a perfect iPhone shot" and I use it. I also think of it this way on occasion; iPhone is a "reactive" approach. I see something and immediately want to see what it looks like a photograph. And there are some images I see that I alreadty KNOW what they will look at, and I call that "responding" to what is in front of me.
Asking for more than that sort of feeling, I probably could not explain it any deeper.
Even though you asked Don this question and not me, I took the liberty of answering it :)
I choose not use my dedicated camera when photograph people in the subway. Not because I'm afraid they might kill me, but because once the see someone with a real camera they either begin to pose or pretend they don't give a shit. Either way their behavior changes from dramatic to theatrical. And I'm after the former.
I agree. Some places just scream for the iPhone. Social situations, especially those where I do not want to draw attention to, are perfect for the phone camera. I also like to use it when I am on the run... no focusing or fiddling with knobs sometimes is a plus in quickly moving situations where I am not really in control.
Numbers 2, 5 and 7 are my favorites. I've been carrying around my Canon M6 mk ii lately when just going for walks. Time to carry it all the time. Thanks for the reminder, Don.
My go to camera is a Lumix DMC - ZS 100. It has a decent zoom lense and a full size sensor. The software and controls on this camera are intuitive for my mindset so I don’t have to think about adjusting the settings….I just do it instinctively.
I usually grab shots on the fly…..so my camera has to be compatible to meet requirement.
I think the Lumix controls are so incredibly intuitive. I don't have to think when I am using my little friend. I am hoping to get a few more years out of it before it expires, but not worried at all about image quality.
I carry a Canon G5X - when hiking. Its small, and I can easily fit spare battery and SD card in a pocket someplace. It replaced a smaller P&S Canon which was a lesson in what to do when hiking on sand dunes with a camera - in high winds. (Don't). It has passed thru a lot of miles and states, has a few spots on the lens and I'm still trying to find a replacement. Looking forward to seeing what the new V line might offer. Someone suggested Leica's PS - but that was about twice what my pocket book can afford. Also carry a Google Pixel 6 Pro. I usually take it along for trail maps and logging miles - but the other things it can do (time lapse, night vision, astro mode) sometimes create surprising results. I usually use it in comparison to my big boy cameras. That it works at all surprises me, and the results are sometimes surprising,
Yes. I love my iPhone's ability to do so many different things. And I love my camera's ability to do similar - but different things as well. It's in the edges where it makes a difference.
Why all of these words to only produce simply the ordinary?
I agree with your sentiment, wholly. I carry my $100 Nikon FE, on aperture priority, with a 55mm manual prime lens, with me everywhere — not solely in my bag, but in my hand.
This practice, while increasing my chances of pressing the shutter at the opportune moment, also requires, as Burk Uzzle says, to “be there”.
So, I suppose my question for you, and other photographers — can a mundane experience of life produce more than mundane images? Or, is there even any merit in encouraging one to carry a camera, if they do not possess the ability to take mundanity and produce something deeper?
"Why all of these words to only produce simply the ordinary?"
I dunno. I'll get back to you.
"... can a mundane experience of life produce more than mundane images?"
Of course.
Every day.
From Steichen to Kander, there are myriad examples.
"Or, is there even any merit in encouraging one to carry a camera, if they do not possess the ability to take mundanity and produce something deeper?"
Not sure how to answer this, as it seems entirely too arrogant, condescending, and demeaning. Perhaps it is how it is phrased, but I am not going to delve into the elitism found here and try to decipher what may be "something deeper". Your deeper and another's may be totally different.
Great post, Don! This is the sentence I wish I had written: "I'm not just reacting to scenes like I do with my phone; I'm responding to them, creating a more intimate connection with what I'm photographing." I too carry a dedicated small snapper everywhere I go (in my case it's a Ricoh GR-3) in addition to my iPhone. Sure, mobile phones take good quality photos these days; but it's not quality I'm after, it's what my camera sees (and my iPhone doesn't) that interests me.
A dedicated camera offers a unique perspective on the world around us. The lights, the shadows... it interprets them in ways that challenge our perception, inviting a more thoughtful approach to composition. When I use my camera, I feel like I'm not just observing but actively engaging with my surroundings, creating a visual dialogue between myself and the world.
"... but it's not quality I'm after, it's what my camera sees..."
This.
So hard to explain to somone who doesn't see the difference. And that is not a bad thing, it is just a thing.
I ride a motorcycle and can tell people all about the exhileration of riding Bearstooth Pass, or the twisties of Lolo Pass, but if they have never ridden a motorcycle, so much of it is lost.
Cameras see differently than we mere mortals, and it took me 30 years to begin to notice the sublime subtleties of that transformative experience.
Completely agree. I’m very glad I have my cell phone but I rarely leave the house without my little Nikon Z50. More often than not it has my 26mm pancake lens but there are a couple of different zooms I’ll use too.
Yes. My phone is always on me, and always ready to make a photo. But when I see something, that is, how do I say this, already a photograph in my mind, then the camera is uo to the job. All that said, I do use my iPhone to make some images I like very much.
As expected, Don, a most valid and helpful point. With a serous camera I think one does see things differently, it's more purposeful and not just a grab shot. I carry my Sony RX100 VII when just beyond the normal route, but when on a serious walkabout I use my Cannon EOSR7. It's a different and more dedicated mindset and tool. My iPhone for emergencies and my grocery list...yet for the unexpected surprise ,,,it's great. Looking very forward to Spring, getting out and about and 'seeing' in new ways.
Photography is a physical act. We make a million mental calculations, but in the end it is physical. And our tools matter.
I believe one makes different photographs on a large, tripod mounted camera than on a small, fast, handheld one. There is overlap, but there are areas that become the domain of the tool BECAUSE of the tool.
I can’t agree with your sentiments more. I actually tried quitting photography. It wouldn’t let me. I kept “seeing” and my habit just wouldn’t shut up. So, here I am still doing it. Currently working to dust of my big cameras to start shooting tabletop stuff (I have so many ideas) also getting my film cameras ready for 24 Frames in April. This is a practice run for May. So sick of saying I’m gonna do it and end up not doing it.
Contax TVS with fake panorama feature 😆. Since I can not afford X-Pan, this is my daily carry on. It broke so its in service now, but cant wait to go again with it 🥇
Excellent post - I find carrying a dedicated camera on short walks slows me down and brings a more mindful connection to my subject, than a phone ever can.
Right on. I wonder, are there situations where you actively choose the phone even though you are carrying a separate camera?
Absolutely.
And it is difficult to describe, but sometimes I see something in front of me and I think, "Hey, this is a perfect iPhone shot" and I use it. I also think of it this way on occasion; iPhone is a "reactive" approach. I see something and immediately want to see what it looks like a photograph. And there are some images I see that I alreadty KNOW what they will look at, and I call that "responding" to what is in front of me.
Asking for more than that sort of feeling, I probably could not explain it any deeper.
Even though you asked Don this question and not me, I took the liberty of answering it :)
I choose not use my dedicated camera when photograph people in the subway. Not because I'm afraid they might kill me, but because once the see someone with a real camera they either begin to pose or pretend they don't give a shit. Either way their behavior changes from dramatic to theatrical. And I'm after the former.
Oh yes.
I agree. Some places just scream for the iPhone. Social situations, especially those where I do not want to draw attention to, are perfect for the phone camera. I also like to use it when I am on the run... no focusing or fiddling with knobs sometimes is a plus in quickly moving situations where I am not really in control.
Numbers 2, 5 and 7 are my favorites. I've been carrying around my Canon M6 mk ii lately when just going for walks. Time to carry it all the time. Thanks for the reminder, Don.
Thanks, Mike.
Great Post!
My go to camera is a Lumix DMC - ZS 100. It has a decent zoom lense and a full size sensor. The software and controls on this camera are intuitive for my mindset so I don’t have to think about adjusting the settings….I just do it instinctively.
I usually grab shots on the fly…..so my camera has to be compatible to meet requirement.
I think the Lumix controls are so incredibly intuitive. I don't have to think when I am using my little friend. I am hoping to get a few more years out of it before it expires, but not worried at all about image quality.
Thanks for the comment.
I carry a Canon G5X - when hiking. Its small, and I can easily fit spare battery and SD card in a pocket someplace. It replaced a smaller P&S Canon which was a lesson in what to do when hiking on sand dunes with a camera - in high winds. (Don't). It has passed thru a lot of miles and states, has a few spots on the lens and I'm still trying to find a replacement. Looking forward to seeing what the new V line might offer. Someone suggested Leica's PS - but that was about twice what my pocket book can afford. Also carry a Google Pixel 6 Pro. I usually take it along for trail maps and logging miles - but the other things it can do (time lapse, night vision, astro mode) sometimes create surprising results. I usually use it in comparison to my big boy cameras. That it works at all surprises me, and the results are sometimes surprising,
Yes. I love my iPhone's ability to do so many different things. And I love my camera's ability to do similar - but different things as well. It's in the edges where it makes a difference.
Forgive me, but I must offer a word of protest.
Why all of these words to only produce simply the ordinary?
I agree with your sentiment, wholly. I carry my $100 Nikon FE, on aperture priority, with a 55mm manual prime lens, with me everywhere — not solely in my bag, but in my hand.
This practice, while increasing my chances of pressing the shutter at the opportune moment, also requires, as Burk Uzzle says, to “be there”.
So, I suppose my question for you, and other photographers — can a mundane experience of life produce more than mundane images? Or, is there even any merit in encouraging one to carry a camera, if they do not possess the ability to take mundanity and produce something deeper?
"Why all of these words to only produce simply the ordinary?"
I dunno. I'll get back to you.
"... can a mundane experience of life produce more than mundane images?"
Of course.
Every day.
From Steichen to Kander, there are myriad examples.
"Or, is there even any merit in encouraging one to carry a camera, if they do not possess the ability to take mundanity and produce something deeper?"
Not sure how to answer this, as it seems entirely too arrogant, condescending, and demeaning. Perhaps it is how it is phrased, but I am not going to delve into the elitism found here and try to decipher what may be "something deeper". Your deeper and another's may be totally different.
As it should be.
Sure, I can see it being read that way. But as a point of clarity, I'm responding to your elitism in the original post.
"Being stuck with the crunchy phone shots is not always acceptable for me." -- to me, this sounds like elitism.
As Lennon once said, "I'm an artist, man. Give me a tuba, and I'll get you something out of it".
Great post, Don! This is the sentence I wish I had written: "I'm not just reacting to scenes like I do with my phone; I'm responding to them, creating a more intimate connection with what I'm photographing." I too carry a dedicated small snapper everywhere I go (in my case it's a Ricoh GR-3) in addition to my iPhone. Sure, mobile phones take good quality photos these days; but it's not quality I'm after, it's what my camera sees (and my iPhone doesn't) that interests me.
A dedicated camera offers a unique perspective on the world around us. The lights, the shadows... it interprets them in ways that challenge our perception, inviting a more thoughtful approach to composition. When I use my camera, I feel like I'm not just observing but actively engaging with my surroundings, creating a visual dialogue between myself and the world.
"... but it's not quality I'm after, it's what my camera sees..."
This.
So hard to explain to somone who doesn't see the difference. And that is not a bad thing, it is just a thing.
I ride a motorcycle and can tell people all about the exhileration of riding Bearstooth Pass, or the twisties of Lolo Pass, but if they have never ridden a motorcycle, so much of it is lost.
Cameras see differently than we mere mortals, and it took me 30 years to begin to notice the sublime subtleties of that transformative experience.
Thanks for the note.
Thank you!
Completely agree. I’m very glad I have my cell phone but I rarely leave the house without my little Nikon Z50. More often than not it has my 26mm pancake lens but there are a couple of different zooms I’ll use too.
Yes. My phone is always on me, and always ready to make a photo. But when I see something, that is, how do I say this, already a photograph in my mind, then the camera is uo to the job. All that said, I do use my iPhone to make some images I like very much.
As expected, Don, a most valid and helpful point. With a serous camera I think one does see things differently, it's more purposeful and not just a grab shot. I carry my Sony RX100 VII when just beyond the normal route, but when on a serious walkabout I use my Cannon EOSR7. It's a different and more dedicated mindset and tool. My iPhone for emergencies and my grocery list...yet for the unexpected surprise ,,,it's great. Looking very forward to Spring, getting out and about and 'seeing' in new ways.
Photography is a physical act. We make a million mental calculations, but in the end it is physical. And our tools matter.
I believe one makes different photographs on a large, tripod mounted camera than on a small, fast, handheld one. There is overlap, but there are areas that become the domain of the tool BECAUSE of the tool.
I can’t agree with your sentiments more. I actually tried quitting photography. It wouldn’t let me. I kept “seeing” and my habit just wouldn’t shut up. So, here I am still doing it. Currently working to dust of my big cameras to start shooting tabletop stuff (I have so many ideas) also getting my film cameras ready for 24 Frames in April. This is a practice run for May. So sick of saying I’m gonna do it and end up not doing it.
Good to hear, Jeff.
Contax TVS with fake panorama feature 😆. Since I can not afford X-Pan, this is my daily carry on. It broke so its in service now, but cant wait to go again with it 🥇
Excellent post - I find carrying a dedicated camera on short walks slows me down and brings a more mindful connection to my subject, than a phone ever can.
Mine is a Lumix LX100, super sharp and it loves me!
your words ring true, start to finish. right on!