I Agree The Camera Is Just A Tool
What matters is our perception, our perspective and our perseverance.
Choice at times can become the enemy of creativity. When we work under limitations, we have to remember basic fundamentals like composition, light, colour and storytelling. That’s why I favour mobile photography as mobile cameras, among other things, give us limited choice. It is useful to practice photography with a mobile camera. It improves the eye and observation skills. It helps in documenting important things for longer projects. It can take away slack and make photography a part of your routine and everydayness.
There are two ways to use the mobile camera. Professionally like these amazing photographers below:
Eric Mencher: http://www.ericmencher.com
Kathy Ryan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Ryan
Dmitry Markov: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2024/feb/26/dmitry-markov-russia-cartier-bresson-photographer
Julian Calverley: https://www.juliancalverley.com/iphoneonlybook
or just use it to enhance your photography skills on a daily basis. The photographers mentioned above chose to work with a mobile camera for their photography and the work they put out is absolutely spectacular! But those who prefer professional cameras also can consider the mobile phone to practice photography. Sometimes aspiring photographers wait to buy the ideal camera and then start photographing. At the end of the day the camera is just a tool. What matters is our perception, our perspective and our perseverance. If you have a good eye, you will make compelling photographs. Finally what matters is if your photo can draw the viewer’s attention and not where it came from.
On a personal level, I shoot a lot with my mobile as it is so easy and handy. But more than anything else, I find it less intrusive. Take the museums or public spaces where either the DSLRs are not allowed or people just cringe when they see a bigger camera. The mobile camera is non-intrusive and since everyone is anyway taking photos everywhere it just blends into the atmosphere. But some may argue that in spite of all the technology enhancements, the mobile camera has a small sensor and one has to go with provided lenses or else lose resolution with zoom. But the beauty of this limitation is that it teaches you to move closer towards your subject. The mobile camera is not versatile and you cannot operate it very well in bright light. And it may not give you mind blowing resolution, but what it does is it gives you the ease of taking photographs.
The phone camera can introduce you to the mundane and to everyday magic. You always have a choice to use it only for practice and share the photos on your social media platforms. It can help to enhance skills in different seasons through observation and documentation. One can understand light, colour, tonality and compositions with it. A mobile camera is also useful to scout for ideas. Ideas which can become long term photography projects. The best part is that one can post edit/ process the photograph immediately on the phone itself.
Ultimately, I think it is the photographer and the decisions one makes bring out a good image. Cameras should be used to visualise and put out our creativity. At some point one has to stop worrying about the quality and instead focus on the joy of taking photographs.
