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
7 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.
"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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