Handy Dandy Mobile

“The best camera is the one you have with you.”

I would die for my Fuji—really I would. I always tell my friends that I’d let a car hit me before it hits my camera. If I fall, then know I’m making sure I break bones before anything is broken on this little camera. I love my camera, and we have memories and chemistry together. But sometimes I don’t want to bring my little x100f along for the ride. Sometimes it’s too much of a risk—my camera isn’t weather sealed and though I like testing my limits…this camera is my livelihood. She was an arm and a leg at launch and I’m not losing her just cause of a little rain or I’ve dinged her a little too hard that she kicks the bucket. Other times it’s out of sheer inconvenience. Like my not fitting in my pockets. Which is why I don’t want to bring out my camera from my bedroom just to take a photo of my morning coffee. So what do I do?

A photographer can’t help but see something and think wow this looks nice. At least thats me. There isn’t a lot of nice looking things in the world but when there is something nice then yes, I will undoubtedly stop and take a quick photo. Sometimes my camera isn’t there with me to share the moment but it’s okay, I have the next best thing.

I bring out my trusty, handy dandy—phone! You know? That thing that’s always playing music (I’m hooked on 6LACK right now) and in my pocket or sitting in front of me.

I don’t have the latest phone as of 2022. I’m the type to always shoot beneath the best on the market when it comes to upgrading (mostly cause I’m cheap). And I never upgrade until my phone is dying and struggling every hour. Which explains why I’m still with my Iphone Xs…its not even a MAX. Just an Xs (my hands are small). We’re great together, we got a connection and it’s affectionately named Louiiam. And Louiiam takes good photos. They’re not the best quality compared to…say the Iphone 13 pro that’s out but I would gladly pit myself against someone with a 13 for a photography competition. Blind confidence everyone it’s all about blind confidence and a little fun.

I take more photos on my phone than I do with my camera. Mostly because I’m not always out shooting and Louiiam is just right there all the time. I pick up Louiiam, tap the screen, and Louiiam takes photos. People are often surprised when they learn that a certain photo is taken on my phone. Yeah, I’ve been made fun of for taking photos on my phone when my perfectly good camera is right there but it’s whatever.

For example check out the images below, all taken on my phone.

You can take great photos.

It doesn’t have to be on the best camera out there. This is something I’ve learned through the years. Granted, my little x100f is a great camera, but she’s not the best—theres a new version of her out. The x100v and boy is she nice. Oof. Essentially they’re the same thing, but the new girl is 26mp and that weather seal on her? Hello. Yes. Nice. I want.

But all of that aside, I’m not hell bent on buying the newest. Like I said, my x100f and I? We got chemistry. I’m more than happy taking photos on my one little camera and my phone together. They have their limitations yes, but they can take shots—great shots. Great photos are produced by the person behind the lens, and its because of practice that they look nice. You can give someone the latest and best equipment with little experience and compare their images to someone with a lot of experience on a disposable camera. No hate on the disposables, I know theres a whole community out there all about it and you guys are cool.

What I’m trying to say is that most likely the better images is going to be from the one with the experience. Quality might lack (sharpness) but the depth is there, the tones, story and composition and whatever else. It’s all there, and that’s all thanks to practice. You have to practice. Practice, practice, practice. I hate saying practice but practice works. My most used camera is undoubtedly my phone because it lets me practice photography with convenience. I’m learning everyday because of it. All the mundane things of daily life that I find interesting, that I want people to see the way I see them, its done on my phone. My phone keeps me polished, keeps me practicing even when I find myself at times in creative slump. Like when I don’t feel like going out shooting with my camera. So when I’m at home, and something looks nice (like the lighting on morning coffee) then I pull out my phone and quite literally, shoot my shot.

But would I die for my phone like I would for my camera? Pft, no, it’s just an Xs and that camera? That is an x100f. I’ve only got one life and its not going towards my phone. Still, handy dandy Louiiam can get inside a concert hall without issues—x100f isn’t doing that. My phone’s ability to go just about anywhere is why it’s so good. On call, and all it takes is unlocking the screen and clicking the camera app. I aim for what I want then I tap. The time that it takes for me to upload photos right after shooting them? Fast, faster than uploading from my camera to my laptop, its hella fast. It’s that convenience that makes it easier to shoot on than with my camera—I shoot, I edit and then I upload.

Rinse and repeat.

So don’t feel bad that you’re taking photos on your phone. Theres photographers out there who take photos exclusively on their phones. Don’t feel bad that your camera quality isn’t the best.

A photograph taken is only as good as the photographer taking it.

If you want a high quality camera go for it! I’m not against that either, heck even I’m looking for another camera as a back up.

Just shoot, just go out there and shoot. Shoot around your house, shoot when you’re with your friends—just shoot.