Travelling with a Canon DSLR camera offers unparalleled advantages. Firstly, superior image quality allows for detailed and vibrant captures, especially in challenging conditions. The range of interchangeable lenses provides versatility, adapting to various scenes and distances. Manual controls give me the power to fine-tune settings, fostering creativity. DSLRs excel in low-light situations, ensuring quality shots even during dusk or dawn. Furthermore, DSLRs offer optical viewfinders for precise composition. While bulkier than my phone camera, my Canon R6 is my preferred choice for exploring diverse landscapes.

Having said that, there have been times when carrying around my Canon camera has been challenging. For example, when hiking a glacier in Alaska I had to leave my camera kit behind in the helicopter because the terrain was too slippery and uneven. Opting for a phone camera over my Canon made more sense in that situation.

Portability

The main advantage of a phone camera over a DSLR is portability. Our phones are always with us, ensuring we never miss a moment. User-friendly interfaces empower us to capture professional-quality shots effortlessly. Connectivity is seamless, allowing instant sharing and editing. The compact size enhances discretion, perfect for spontaneous shots. Additionally, constant software updates continually enhance phone camera capabilities, making it a versatile tool for both amateurs and enthusiasts alike.

Modern phone cameras have evolved far beyond mere point-and-shoot devices. Manual controls, creative modes, and features like night mode contribute to a more nuanced photography experience.

Learning what my phone camera can do

In my quest to learn how to maximize what my phone camera can do I started researching other bloggers. I also looked at YouTube videos. The one YouTube video that changed my attitude towards phone cameras is Scott Kelby’s video called “Using Your iPhone As Your Second Camera for Travel Photography”. I would encourage you to take a look at it. In the video he makes some great points about how convenient phone cameras are. He also listed features of the camera that I never knew, such as being able to shoot in raw as opposed to jpeg which is much better for editing images. This might not be a feature important to you but I can assure you there are many other tips and tricks he speaks about that will benefit you, such as the benefits of using grids. I have posted Scott’s youtube video at the end of this page.

Lightroom app for phones

I also learned that Lightroom has a free app for phones. Lightroom is similar to Photoshop and gives you to ability to professionally edit your photos. Lightroom does take some time to get used to. If you are completely new to editing photos there are lots of online tutorials that will teach you the basics, and to be honest that is all you need to get you started. Spoiler alert, all images posted online are edited. Some images just need a little bit of tweeking and some need more attention. I have been playing around with the Lightroom app and below are some examples of before and after.

The first photo did not capture the beautiful blue of the sky and lake nor did it highlight the warm fall/autumn tones in the grass. I was able to bring those colours out using Lightroom. I was also able to remove the dust spot that was on my lens. Can you spot it? It’s just above the horizon line on the left of the first image.

The photo below was taken in the basement of a winery in Tuscany. The lighting available was challenging so I used my iPhone to capture the shot. I then used one of the presets in Lightroom to bring out the rich colours of the walls and floor. I also sharpened the image a bit. I was going to discard this image until I watched Scott Kelby’s video.

The image below was taken at dust from my front door. While the image will not win any awards, the purpose of taking the photo was to show how we can make a phone photo look like the scene we see with our eyes. How many scenes have you captured only to be disappointed that the photo did not do it justice? Editing will help you show what you see.

This photo was an impromptu shot of a beautiful sunset in Tuscany. The landscape was covered in the golden glow that was cast from the sun. The edits reflect that glow. This is why this time of day is called the “golden hour” by photographers.

As you can see some minor edits can really enhance your photos. The enhancements take your photos from flat to alive. Editing is a personal choice. The look you want to achieve will be different from mine. My aim is to enhance colours and create mood in my images. If you are not comfortable or familiar with Photoshop or Lightroom you can start with other editing tools such as Snapseed which is great for new iPhone users and is free in the AppStore. Many editing tools come with presets that let you select a look with the touch of one button. Of course, to get comfortable with editing images you can always start with the built in editing features on your phone. Although basic, they will still transform your photos.

Shooting video and selfies

I have also been experimenting with using my phone for shooting video. Of course I have shot videos with my phone before. These were mostly videos of my grandchildren doing something cute. In the past when I wanted a more professional video I used my Canon camera. For those situations where it is not practical for me to use my Canon using a phone camera is a great option. Other bloggers make it look so easy. This, I have discovered, is an art form and, like anything else, takes a lot of practice. Nordic_Scott, who can be found on instagram and through his website www.nordic-scott.com, has great ideas for selfies that don’t involve looking in a mirror or holding the phone at arms length. His tips, if executed well, make the shots look natural. I still need a lot of practice but here is my first attempt at a video reel I put together using some of his suggestions. I have never used myself as the subject before and with a lot of trial and error I got enough semi-decent shots to work with.

Below is a short video showing before and after edits. My goal here was to sharpen the video, enhance the colour, and set the mood. I took this video on a beautiful fall day. I wanted to show that, therefore, I used a fall/autumn filter.

A well edited video, and photos for that matter, should invite the viewer to want to take the same journey.

Selfies that did not make the cut

Having never taken a selfie before, I found taking photos of myself really challenging. My goal is to take photos without holding my phone. I do not have a tripod for my phone and have been using logs, rocks, trees, and benches to lean my phone against. I travel alone a lot which means I don’t have anyone to take that epic shot of me sitting on a rock or overlooking a beautiful scene. This is where Nordic_Scott’s tips will help me master those shots.

Here are some of the selfies that did not make the cut.

In Conclusion

I have learned that practice really does make perfect. I have also learned that taking selfies feels weird, especially if someone happens to pass by while you are posing. As I get older I have a tendency not to get hung up on what people might think. I have missed out on so many opportunities in the past because I was afraid to fail or be rejected. I encourage you to just go for it. Get out and take those awful selfies. Trial and error is key to success.

I have also discovered I need a tripod for my phone!