Why I, a pro photographer, use mobile phone camera?
I'll tell you a little secret.
To take pictures, I mostly use my mobile phone camera.
But I have three other cameras: a full-frame DSLR, a 35 mm film SLR, and my favorite medium-format film camera Mamiya RZ 67. It's the perfect camera for taking portraits. It's slow, it's simple, and it can take only 10 pictures per film roll. Because film isn't cheap and it takes time to develop and process it, I'd better make sure that all the technical aspects of photography are correct. Moreover, that the most important parts of portrait photography (and my process) are present: connection with my sitter, the mood in the room is matched, and the fake smiles and postures are absent.
For lifestyle, climbing photography, and people doing things, I prefer using my DSLR.
Which camera I use is a deliberate choice, but despite that, I mostly use my mobile phone.
Yes, a mobile phone.
Is it objectively better than a DSLR (film SLR or medium format)?
Absolutely no.
But it has a few benefits that, for someone documenting life using images, are hard to ignore.
- In the past, before digital cameras existed, when commercial photography was done on film, photographers used Polaroid to take a quick snap to see if lighting, frame, and other important elements were correct. These days, I use a mobile phone in a similar way. I freely take snaps to see what works and what doesn't before even thinking about my big camera. Sometimes when I like the picture, I'll come back with one of the good cameras to capture it better. Like when I scouted the location below for this article.
That's a commitment because the process is longer (and more expensive). - These days, mobile phones have software nicely helping with exposure—it'll pull highlights down and push shadows up—so the final image is close to what I see (try to take a picture of a sunset with a DSLR vs. a mobile phone...).
- Annoyingly, I carry the mobile phone most of the time, but, at least, I have a camera with me most of the time, too. Not my DSLR, which is big and weights, and I have to remember to keep space on its memory card, and ideally I need maybe two lenses, and I stress people out pointing that thing at them.
- I like the wide-angle lens in my mobile phone. I can get close to the action with it, and I won't get much attention as a photographer because people generally are used to seeing someone taking photos with a mobile phone.
By the way, do you want to take good pictures of people? Don't behave like a peeping tom and walk with your long lens everywhere. I know it can be scary to be seen taking pictures, but probably nothing bad will happen to you. Put on that wide lens and come closer to a person or to action. The pictures will have energy, character, and wit.
Do you only have a mobile phone camera, but you'd like to go on a photo walk in Coimbra with me? No problem.