> can create a vanishingly rare, one of a kind image
Early in my photography journey, I captured some photos of a stunning sunset. “WOW, this is what I’ve been missing” I thought to myself, and also thought I could capture similar photographs regularly.
It took me some time and experience to realize just how rare or unique many conditions actually are. I’ve gone back to the same spot for years and have never seen a sunset quite like that early one.
But photography did really clue me in to what I’d been missing. The subtle and continuous change that is always happening and is never not happening. It expanded my perspective and opened my awareness. Even when I’m not carrying a camera now, I see things I never would have noticed before.
It took me many years of carrying the camera to get close to what you describe and realize how even changes in air quality and humidity can create a very different view at different times. There are many factors that no post-processing can help, even if you have the finest raw from your sensor. Processing is important, I strongly believe, but only insofar as it amplifies the scene and your impression of it.
The days of carrying a camera coincided with lots of exploration and memories (and many good shots and bad), and the days when I could not be bothered tended to be moody and gloomy. I don’t think the causation is strictly one way or the other, but for people like me (and maybe yourself) when there is a right frame of mind then the camera at least contributes to a virtuous circle, if not acts as the source of it.
More recently, without a dedicated camera (which got stolen) I find it more difficult to snap into this appreciation of reality. Phone camera’s main issue is that it’s extremely slow when it comes to a changing real-life scene (I lost light many times while opening Halide and waiting for it to become operable), and that it is part of a distracting multi-purpose device in other regards.
> when there is a right frame of mind then the camera at least contributes to a virtuous circle, if not acts as the source of it
100% this has been the case for me. I think the key is to not go looking for shots, but to immerse myself in the environment and then click the shutter button when something in the environment inspires me to do so.
Sorry to hear about the stolen camera. This recently happened to me as well, and one of my top priorities right now is replacing it. Thankfully I have some backup options in the meantime.
There’s definitely something completely different about shooting on a dedicated camera vs. the phone. Hope you’re able to get your hands on another camera soon. The used market on mpb/keh is really strong.
Early in my photography journey, I captured some photos of a stunning sunset. “WOW, this is what I’ve been missing” I thought to myself, and also thought I could capture similar photographs regularly.
It took me some time and experience to realize just how rare or unique many conditions actually are. I’ve gone back to the same spot for years and have never seen a sunset quite like that early one.
But photography did really clue me in to what I’d been missing. The subtle and continuous change that is always happening and is never not happening. It expanded my perspective and opened my awareness. Even when I’m not carrying a camera now, I see things I never would have noticed before.