How I get better at photography by leaving my camera at home
Taking pictures: It’s one of the most simple and yet most complex things we can do. You can set your camera on auto and just click the shutter with abandon or use manual settings and have to watch over white balance, shutter speed, ISO, aperture, posing, background, overall composition, and the list goes on.
There are myriad devices and approaches with all of us constantly looking for ways to improve our photos. But, sometimes, I think you should put down your camera, at least the dedicated one. Practicing taking photos with your phone a few times a week is a great way to improve your photography and here are 4 reasons why.
You’re focusing on just the photo (composition and storytelling)
Even with the best of cameras, the device and the process demands your attention. People who shoot with film, for example, use this as a value point to justify why they choose to do so. On the other hand, I believe that having to focus so much on metering, aperture, shutter speed, and maybe ISO will inhibit you from being able to focus things that we often overlook; mainly composition and storytelling.
Your mind only has a finite bandwidth to balance all of these various factors. Shooting manual obviously has many advantages and I think everyone should learn to, but taking those things off your plate now and then will allow you to just focus on what’s in the photos and learn what to include in the frame to tell a proper story. After all, would you rather look at a slightly fuzzy or underexposed version of a great photo or a perfectly exposed razor-sharp photo of something boring?
All of this being said, I don’t discourage people from shooting film and/or doing things a bit more meticulously at all. I have a collection of film cameras that I use on a regular basis.
2. Less inhibition
Perhaps it’s discussed more in street photography (my genre) than any other, but I think cameras often keep you from taking pictures. You pull it up to your eye and then wonder to yourself “does the person know I’m taking their picture?” or “maybe all of these people think I’m weird for taking pictures of X.” But, you pretty much never look out of place with a phone in your hand so these thoughts are far less likely to creep up.
Also worth mentioning is that the greatest photos in history were mostly taken while working the scene. With my a7riii, a camera I love using, I’ll definitely begin to feel a bit self-conscious taking 20-30 photos of the same thing as I wonder if people will think I’m doing something weird. With a phone though, it’s easier to just do your thing and feel like nobody is paying attention. After all, everyone else has a phone in their hand.
3. You’re going to take different photos
The side of a RiteAid I thought looked interesting
I also noticed I play around with still lifes a lot more on my phone.
Experimentation is a great way for us to learn and grow as artists, but I have to admit that I don’t do it enough. When I grab my camera, I’m doing so rather deliberately. I’ve charged it, checked the memory cards, and know that I’ll have to come home and post-process the photos I take. These requirements mean there are fewer times that I have my camera with me and I worry about my approach and ultimately my photos all becoming a bit repetitive.
Mobile photography can be a little more spontaneous and allow you to take different types of photos and try new things. The compositions you’ll get due to where you can place a camera, the wider field of view to manage, and the fact that you have it with you at all times contribute to this being one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal to grow as a photographer.
4. Decreased pressure and expectations
This, like a couple of previous entries, is strictly related to a mental barrier. I pick up my dedicated camera often with the intent of working on personal projects or doing client work. These situations come with expectations from myself and from others.
When I’m just shooting with my phone, I’m not saddled by expectation. I can go back and just shoot for the fun of it and fall back in love with the process of photography rather than pressuring myself to produce something.
Bottom Line
Photography has so many aspects to it and not thinking about some will allow you to concentrate more on others. Think of photography like exercise. Sometimes you have arm day and sometimes you have leg day. To really progress, you’ll have to work different artistic muscles. In the case of composition, leaving your camera at home and shooting with your phone is one of the best ways to practice and get better.
