Why I've Changed My Mind About Camera Phones
I've changed my mind about camera phones. Being someone who makes my living as a photographer and having thousands of dollars of equipment, I used to dismiss camera phones as nothing more than a toy.
This all changed last month when a Photowalking Utah mishap forced me to upgrade my Blackberry. My new (non-soaked) Blackberry Curve has a 2 megapixel camera. The reason that I've altered my opinion is that I now find myself using my camera phone for taking quick notes. I will frequently see something that gives me an idea for a future photograph and in place of making a paper note I will take a photo with my Blackberry. I used to frequently carry my Canon G7 for this purpose, but now I have another option.
Any other photogs finding themselves using camera phones? How are you using yours?
RIM BlackBerry 8320 - exposure unrecorded
8 Comments:
I hear ya!
I still can't bring myself to use my new cell phone's camera (too proud?!?), but compared to lugging around all of that equipment just to get a quick picture ... and I *always* have the cell phone.
Perhaps it is just the quality of camera phones I have (or lack thereof) but I haven't even used it for notes. Only in desperate situations where I want a snapshot and no better camera is available have I used mine. The new SmugSmut app on the iPhone with Geolocation data would definitely change my mind in that respect, but as of right now I still haven't been able to get in a groove of using it even for note taking. Perhaps this is something I should consider trying again.
I started photo blogging about 2 years ago for two reasons: 1) I realized that my memory was not as good and taking photos helped me remember things and 2) it forces me to take more pictures and become a better photographer.
I use my camera phone for the first one. I can't take my camera everywhere because of its size but I can take my phone. The quality in cell phone cameras is getting better and with good light and web optimization most of the time you can't tell it is a cell phone picture.
As for blogging to become better at photography, I think the cell phone camera might help with improving composition, but that is about it.
not bad at all, but camera phones are hit or miss it seems to me.
also rich, i remember from an old post you said you kept a Mamiya lens (with canon adapter) in your bag but I don't see it in this one? what's the purpose of a medium-format lens on a "regular" camera like the 5D?
"also rich, i remember from an old post you said you kept a Mamiya lens (with canon adapter) in your bag but I don't see it in this one? what's the purpose of a medium-format lens on a "regular" camera like the 5D?
Thanks for the comment, Tucker. It wasn't a medium format lens, but a 35mm slr lens (50mm f/1.8). I liked the manual feel and it was good glass. It has now been moved to my secondary bag to make room for other gear.
Like you I have never used a camera phone... “its not a proper camera!”, rather I carried a 5MP powershot with me as much as possible. I think I am however going to follow your lead and get a camera-phone for location note taking.
With the release of SmugShot I think the iPhone will be my choice, taking quick photo notes (geotaged with keywords) wherever I am will be very cool and will help me grow my collection of shoot locations.
I have used my camera phone (LG Envy) to price shop different retailers. There's no denying the price when I show a manager. They get a kick out it and it is descrete.
Now a days cellphones also have powerful cameras which can be used for high quality pictures.
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