So, I told myself, let’s embrace the concept of “the best camera is the one that’s with you” and try posting a new picture every day no matter what.
That lasted 4 days.
Why?
Two things.
First, the camera on the iPhone, the camera I nearly always have with me, is terrible. At least the camera on the iPhone 3G is terrible. I’ve heard better things about the iPhone 3GS, but then, only slightly better things.
But, more importantly, I felt very limited by the digital darkroom software available on the iPhone.
Now, I know, anyone other than the hardest core of geek is shaking their head against me. I concede that it does sound a bit insane to complain that the “digital darkroom” tools available to me on my phone, my PHONE, are limiting. Who would have thought such a thing just a handful of years ago?
But the iPhone, and similar phones, have potential for more robust cameras and software. They just aren’t there yet.
More limiting than my tool, however, is that my old nemesis, “perfection”, has crept back into my brain and is limiting my satisfaction with the images I create.
It isn’t exactly that the phone cannot make interesting images. It’s that the interesting images I manage to create with it were so much more in my mind.
It was a fine hamburger with fries, but I was trying to make a sublime steak tartar with quail’s egg.
Maybe I just need a better camera at my side?
Or maybe…
I don’t want to make an image a day and expect it to represent my skill set behind the lens.
Maybe…
I know I can do better with more time and attention.
Maybe…
A picture a day is just an excuse to push the shutter and not actually create, well, something great.
I want great.
I would rather work for the next 20 years and create only 20 great images.
Great images… Images that don’t come around every day.
It ain’t humble, but…
I need to be great.
Tags: photography, POTD
