It’s funny, but I just never think about pulling out my phone and using it to take photos. Last night our friends Edgar & Ann, both photographers, were at our place for dinner, drinking wine, eating food and talking about everything under the sun. Ann started it, although she might say otherwise, but she remarked about the patterns on the light fixture over the dining room table and asked me if I had ever photographed it. I admitted to having looked at it numerous times and thinking that it might make an interesting photograph, but I had never actually taken a photograph of it. Isn’t that weird?
I guess the thing for me is that I just don’t generally have my phone at the dinner table, and when I do my manners usually prevent me from playing with it at the table. Yes, that probably shows how Old School I am.
Like most people, when I do take a picture with my phone I’m often tempted to share it, or at least do something with it. But since I don’t share stuff on Facebook, Instagram or any other “share on the run” websites, I often just don’t bother taking a photo. But when I do I realize that it’s a great way to take photographs without the pressure of needing to Make Art and without the constraints of needing to be technically perfect – all “requirements” I tend to have when I use my Real Camera – it can just be a way to have fun.
I’ve stated before that I have gotten to where I don’t process my photos when I travel because I like to continue enjoying my travel and not feel compelled to start looking at my photographs. The same principals apply when I use my phone to take pictures. I usually just take a picture and forget about it. But once in a while it is fun to just play around with a different tool. I need to get better at remembering that. Sometimes I just don’t realize what I’m missing!
Tom, obviously you have been missing something because these are wonderful. 🙂 I love to take photos with my phone! Sometimes, I’ll pull it out and take photos with it even when I have one of my “real” cameras with me. I did this while I was in Guanajuato, Mexico because, quite frankly, it was easier to take the pano with the iPhone. Sometimes, I’m looking for a specific look and the phono provides that. Don’t forget about it! 😀
Thanks, Paul. And welcome back! We’re overdue for some shooting around town. Let’s see if we can get something on the calendar for later this month or May.
I agree! Let’s do it, man.
I’m like you in that the phone stays in my pocket unless it vibrates (have the ringer off). I just don’t think about using it and I usually have one of my other cameras with me. A good photographer will be able to use the camera phone to its fullest. Nice set of images. So, was the food cheese and crackers?
Thanks, Monte. I think the problem I have with using my phone for other things is that it is full of unwanted distractions. Like you I keep my ringer off, which annoys some people but allows me to determine when and how much I use it. And the camera has failed me just often enough that I recently vowed if something was important enough to need a photograph I need to have a real camera.
Cheese and crackers? Nah, more like big-a$$ ribeyes, potato salad and chocolate!
One of my favorite features of the iPhone is DND, Do Not Disturb. The phone won’t ring or vibrate at all. It won’t even light up. All calls go directly to VM, text messages give no notifications. It’s a very peaceful existence. 🙂
That must be like the OFF setting on my phone. It’s also the call sign of my favorite TV network! 🙂
Cool photos Tom. Like you and the other commenters, my phone is always on silent and the only notification I have is text since the only people who text me are my kids. Thinking about my primary use for my phone I would have to say it’s to view other people’s photos when I’m out or when I take a break at work. An other thing I use it for would be music. The camera would be third. Thinking about it, it seems weird to call it a phone at all 🙂
By the way, the second photo (the one that “started it all”) has a real steam punk quality about it which I like.