Words of Wisdom

Anticipation
Anticipation

More than once I’ve thought of a statement I’ve heard on many occasions, “The best camera you have is the one that is with you.” Several people have been credited with saying this, or some variation of this statement, but bottom line, it’s the truth! Especially important today, in this new world of cellphone cameras, and pretty darn amazing, compact or mini-DSLRs!

Coming from me, this is a pretty bold leap, as I’ve always, always considered myself a purist of sorts. Someone who cherishes each and every one of my film cameras, and who loves the experience in the darkroom. I’ve grown to love my DSLR, too! What an amazing tool, and how much fun I’ve had using it, especially to photograph my dogs. But, what about this iPhone camera? You know, it’s easy for people like me, yes, I admit it, to look at those cameras as less than. Less than what? Less than a traditional process using silver halides and light sensitive emulsions? But then, I say, heck Angela, you shoot with a $20 plastic Holga and enjoy the heck out of it. Oh, and don’t try to buy a Holga today for $20…that was in 1991. Today, you can expect to pay closer to $40. But, I digress. Yes, the iPhone can produce amazing images and sometimes it’s the only thing on your person!

Like, take for instance, this wonderful image I attached. We were headed to Denver to pick up our newest addition to the family, a 5 month old Dalmatian we named Brooks. Olive and Maggie went along for the ride, of course, to check out this brother-to-be. We made a stop and I was sitting in the drivers seat waiting on my husband, and I looked up and saw this perfect shot! Now, I didn’t have a film camera with me, nor did I have my fancy, cool DSLR with me. What I did have though was my iPhone! So, I used it! What a great shot!

So, there, I said it, iPhones give us the opportunity to capture images we would otherwise miss when all our awesome gear is tucked away back at home. So, take that sage advice, and remember, “The best camera you have is the one that is with you!”

And, to take it a step further, I recall a class day when a student mentioned that the prior weekend wasn’t a good shooting weekend, for whatever reasons…weather, etc. I simply said any day you shoot is a good day. Forget the weather, forget the mood you’re in, and use whatever camera you have on you!

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