It’s 2021, everyone carries around a smartphone that allows them to have access to technology that would never have been possible 30 years ago. With phones like the new iPhone 13 having up to 3 cameras, why should you listen to a random person on the internet telling you to buy a dedicated camera?
A camera usually possesses a sensor more than 3 times bigger than one on a phone would certainly trump on dynamic contrasts, detail retrieval, and background blur naturally achieved without the use of software (which phones usually use to create an unnatural transition from the subject and background).
But at Photo Your LIfe, I’m not here to just explain how a dedicated camera obviously has better camera capabilities than a phone, you could simply read about specifications on any other comparison blogs for that.
Having to only use a camera for photographic purposes showed me many other benefits that I would only know from experience.
So in this post, I will show you what they are!
1. Distraction kills the moment
You probably have several apps on your phones, whether it is Instagram or Messenger, or Clash of Clans, that constantly are distracting you from your daily lives. Whenever you use your phone to take a picture, there will be messages from sally complaining about her annoying boss, notifications reminding you to collect your free gold, or suddenly getting phone calls about upgrading your insurance.
These distractions will be the reasons why you will miss the moment when your child makes a cute face, or when your friend falls on their face. Okay, I may be exaggerating just a little bit, but the point is that having a dedicated camera means 1 less barrier between you and capturing the decisive moment.
A dedicated camera has only one function, to take photos (and videos as well).
2. Be More Observant
Adding on to the previous point, having spent more time taking pictures on my camera instead of a phone showed me how much more stuff there is to photograph.
Having a camera will make you see the world with the eye of an eagle, you are able to observe life like its prey ready to be eaten with a snap of your camera.
Holding a camera puts you in a state of mind where your sole purpose is to try to take as many photographs as possible, trying to hunt as many preys as you can and not miss any crucial moment.
Using your phone will limit you to photography whatever has distracted you, but using a camera allows you to capture minimal details of life that you would’ve missed if you weren’t paying attention.
3. Photo becomes more valueable
Have you ever wondered why you highly treasured something you bought that was paid for with your hard-earned money? Like a toy that you bought from all the pocket money saved in your piggy bank, or that car that you bought with the paycheck money that you saved.
You would feel very proud every time you use that thing because you decided to be sacrifice comfort in the short-term so that the end result will be 10x more gratifying. This is also the reason why it is hard for us to stop watching a movie at the cinema (even if it’s bad) because we spent our money on it, but easier to stop watching a bad YouTube video.
The same ideology goes towards using a dedicated camera, as carrying one on yourself may be an inconvenience since it is not as pocketable as a phone. However, if you were to sacrifice a bit of comfort/portability in the short term; The end result of using a camera to take a photo would suddenly have more value.
The value being is not just the final photograph itself, but also the value of the inconvenience of carrying a camera to take a high-quality photo. Not to mention the added value of having spent money on the camera.
4. Throwback to the past
Whether it be film or digital, for most people (in 2021), your baby photos were probably taken by your parents with a camera. There is always a nostalgic feeling whenever I look at old photo books of myself, or even of my parents when they were younger, that is taken on a dedicated camera.
So whenever I use a camera to take photos, I always remember how photos were taken back in the days where it wasn’t so easy to just whip out a portable phone to take a quick photo. I want the feeling of actually using a camera, like how people did back in the good ole days.
5. Becoming the cameraman
If you remember being in school, there will always be that one kid (or you yourself) that is known for something they do/have. Whether it be the kid who always has gum and would be sharing it with the whole class or a smart kid who will get asked for homework answers.
Well, you can be known as the cameraman, because you will be the only person who possesses a professional-looking camera in your friend group and will be in charge of the photography.
You may think that it’s a bad thing that you are being forced to take pictures of your friend, but in a couple of decades, you will not regret the hundreds of high-quality photos that you took of your friend Brian doing something funny.
So take the opportunity and make as many memories as possible with your friends while it last, with your dedicated camera.
6. Choices for smaller cameras
When you think of photographers with cameras, you often think of big DSRL cameras with gigantic lenses and flash on them and they just look bulky and heavy. Whiles this is true for very professional cameras, there are plenty of smaller-size cameras that don’t compromise on image quality and capabilities.
Mirrorless cameras like the Sony a6000 series and even smaller point and shoot cameras do as good a job as big bulky cameras, and as technologies improve, we see features on big flagship cameras be available in smaller form factors.
One of my favorite (and only) cameras is the Ricoh GR series, as it is a small compact size that fits into my pocket even though It possesses a sensor as big as ones on cameras that is twice the weight and size.
7. Aesthetics
The word “aesthetics” hits a lot of young teens nowadays. Social media has created a platform where we can constantly share photos of ourselves easily, with the showing of outfits of the day is one of the common posts is see.
Some cameras above do make for a good accessory for your outfit. Especially some camera tries to replicate old film cameras would look quite “aesthetics” around your neck.
Cameras like the Olympus and Fujifilm create vintage-looking cameras that are inspired by film cameras created 50 years ago, with chrome painted tops that will complete your vintage-inspired outfits.
Final Note
Just go out and take photos.
The world will be a better place if we would take and shares more photos of our lives from everybody’s different point of view. This may be contradicting to what this whole article is talking about, but whether you take photos on your phone or camera, it doesn’t matter. If you’re satisfied with the image quality and portability of your phone then so be it (no hards feelings).
But if you think having a dedicated camera would inspire you to take more photos (with the reasons stated in this blog), then a dedicated camera will be your next best friend.
Now to you: How do you feel about using a camera for photography instead of a phone? What are the benefits/disadvantages?