In this linked video I talk about using the right camera for the task at hand. I made it mostly on a whim with the help of two older average specification smartphones. There are a few similar videos on the channel.
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| Use what camera makes sense in the moment. |
I get a lot of questions like: “What is the best camera?” without any context about what the person is trying to do. Without knowing, I can rarely give any type of useful answer because most gear these days can work well enough. The line between what can work fine and what can work really well is thin.
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| Using a smartphone for photography. |
It’s the details and subtle features, or ways a feature is implemented, that can make a world of difference in a photographic tool. The topic is important and I was also able to give everyone that watched it a better idea of what I’m trying to do with this channel. Here is my slightly enhanced list on that…
- To be a facilitator of photography and videography.
- To promote casual photography. Though, I do mix things up with videos and articles that touch on the professional side when I’m able.
- Using photography as therapeutic. Using it as a means to get out there and do things. It’s a great hobby for that.
- Focus on gear aspects such as ergonomics. I consider that one of the most important aspects of a piece of equipment. Even if a camera has amazing specifications, it’s not worth fighting with the interface and wasting time trying to find a hidden setting.
- I want to somehow reach that feeling in my videos like I’ve gotten throughout my life for PBS or related shows like the “Joy of Painting”, “Mr. Rogers”, “Yan Can Cook”, and others. I’m not sure how to get there, but I want to keep iterating and producing work that’s enjoyable, fun, educational, and thoughtful for viewers. Again, to facilitate others.
I’m about casual enjoyable photography, but sometimes I’ll get more serious when opportunity arises. That’s the great thing about photography. It can be the spark of motivation to get out there and create something or go somewhere. My goal when I started getting serious about photography wasn’t to produce the skills needed to get paid work in photography. My true start was with wanting to do cosplay photography and it grew from there.
My main plan for the day I made this video was to work on talking-point notes for a hands-on equipment video. After a hint of this vlog idea, I switched things up. I also was able to get a really enjoyable, yet cold (~19 F), walk in at the same time.
With the two smartphones, I use my main one that has a data connection to type out notes and a second older phone to display footage I had recorded. It’s a nice mobile way to get some casual work done while I have lunch or dinner out at a restaurant. I had brought along a flexible tripod just in case I decided to do any type of filming that day. So there was definitely some intent to avoid the more menial task at hand, haha.
The idea came while I was driving to the restaurant! So instead of working on the other notes, I wrote down a few topics to talk about in this video. This flexible way of doing work is enjoyable and can be productive if it’s managed well (yeah, I consider it work now. Though, sad to say, I’m no where near having a survivable income from all of this… yet).
Part of the point of this video is to show that you don’t need some special expensive gear to make something. I used two old phones here. Not amazing quality, but the audio turned out okay and the photos did too. I think the tools were able to get my point across well enough.
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| Photographing a tree with the LG Stylo 3 smart phone. Exciting times! |
With my LG Stylo 3 phone I use the Open Camera application. It allows me to record the photos in DNG RAW format. That gives more flexibility to edit the photos.