On having a good camera. Or not.

So here’s something that really bugs me: I show someone one of my nature photographs and they say, “Wow, you must have a really good camera.” Or I finish a slide show presentation, and the first question is, “What kind of camera do you use?”

I mentioned a while back that I would put up a post with photos that I took on Dave’s phone. So here we go…

Honestly, these days, pretty much any camera – or phone! – is capable of taking a really good picture. Sure, sometimes I lug around 20 or whatever pounds of equipment. But, like they say, “It’s not the size of the boat, it’s the motion of the ocean.” Or something like that.

Yes, of course, if I am heading out for the purpose of photography, I lug the gear.

But if I’m out just for a training jog or something quick, I leave “the gear” behind. If I come across some stunning scene and I don’t have my camera (and of course I don’t carry my phone – I hate my phone!), then I grab Dave’s phone (it seems to be surgically attached).

That’s what this post is: examples of photos I have taken, not with some amazing camera gear, but with Dave’s phone.

These are straight out of the camera, not touched up with Photoshop or anything. And I’ve loaded them up full-size, so you can click on them to see them larger.

Having an amazing camera, with quality glass and a range of lenses, not to mention extras such as a tripod, can give you many additional options. But on the other hand, travelling light – and not having to use up precious time while that gorgeous light changes on you as you are trying to set everything up – can give you a lot of options too.

The real key, no matter what gear you have, is knowing how to work it.

Remember: the word “photography” is photo (light) and graph (painting/drawing). Photography is painting with light.

If you pay attention to the light, and devote a little bit of thought to sharpness (hold the camera or phone still, and manually focus it on the actual thing you are trying to photograph, like this wild orchid and not the background), you can get amazing photos just from a simple camera or a phone.

So – click on these pix, check them out full-size, and tell me what you think!

And, by the way – I have lots of cool projects on this year. If you want to receive an occasional update about my exciting adventures and projects, head over to my Contacts page and drop me a line. (Don’t worry, I will never share your info or spam you).