One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far in these 30 Days to document My Unexpected Everyday is this: I need to take my Nikon DSLR with me everywhere I go. Everywhere.
This is why: Photography isn’t one of those things that you can learn at a desk. It’s not something you just suddenly get how to do. It takes practice and patience and repetition. It’s hands on.
Sure. You might master the settings to shoot amazing photos in your living room, maybe you even know the different settings for the light in the morning and the evening. Maybe you know where to put your white balance so that the colors are just perfect in any picture you might take all day long.
But you don’t fully understand photography yet. Because anywhere you go, your approach to the shot is going to change. The light will change the settings. You’ll find a better composition to frame and shoot your subject. The clouds will pass overhead and maybe your white balance will need to be tweaked.
And you can’t learn those changes, differences, and variations unless you take your camera with you.
It’s something I struggle with though. I always have my iPhone, because, well, it’s my life line. And it’s so convenient to take pictures with it too. But the pics are never exactly what I want them to be. They colors aren’t as rich and the depth of field isn’t perfect. It’s not the same photo that I’m learning to take with my DSLR.
Yes, it’s bulky, and big, and fragile, and I’m already carrying snacks and drinks, tissues, matchbox cars, and whatever else my kids throw in my bag. But I know that if I really want to shoot quality photos with my Nikon, and that’s the whole point of this month following Click It Up A Notch‘s lead, if I want to consider myself a photographer, then I need to be ready to carry my DSLR with me where ever I go.
Tell me, do you take a DSLR with you when you leave the house? Do you rely on your cell phone’s camera?
Ugh, I’d LOVE to take my camera everywhere with me but it weighs a ton! Coupled with my huge purse (which admittedly, I probably need to pare down a little), and the briefcase I carry to work, I’m starting to need a pack mule! So…. I rely on my cell phone camera more often than not. I think I’m going to at least start carrying my camera on weekends, if nothing else. 🙂
cynthia says
I need to carry mine too. Especially since I’m about to start a blog.
Fae Laume says
I say this all the time, That I need to have my camera with me my phone is never good enough.
Mine rarely leaves the house. Definitely something I need to work on.
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It’s hard when my iPhone does a decent job. And I get self-conscious whipping my DSLR out at, say, the grocery store. I’ve done it, but it still makes me feel awkward.
Velvet says
So grateful I came across your blog and this post in particular. I’ve been feeling the same way about improving my photography and you’ve inspired me to take that step.
I’m starting my own little 30 day challenge.
http://velourslife.blogspot.com/2014/05/30-days.html
Chris says
I have just bought my first DSLR and have made a commitment (to myself) to take it as many places as is feasible. Although, I think I’ll have to get over feeling self-conscious carrying a big camera around all the time.
You’re right that the phone just doesn’t cut it.