I’ve had this idea that I should upgrade my phone for no reason other than the better camera. I have the now ancient iPhone 3G. If Apple follows its normal pattern and releases a new version of the iPhone next summer, I will most certainly upgrade then. I’m trying to hold out until then. The little devil on the shoulder, though, keeps telling me I need a new phone now, now, now.
Here’s one of my attempts to silence it (yes, I did post this pic earlier today):
If I can’t get the new phone with the slightly better camera, I’ll just have to settle for new photo apps on the old phone. I used the Retro Camera app in this case. Fun stuff.
This makes me think I can possibly pull off a photo-a-day project for 2011. I wanted the better phone cam because I knew I couldn’t do a photo every single day without relying on my phone. My heart does belong to my Canon Rebel T1i, but I can’t lug the big SLR everywhere I go. I can’t take “serious” pictures every day. In truth, I probably can’t take serious pictures ever. I’m not a professional. I’m not even a skilled amature. I’m just an enthusiast.
Thus, my goal for 2011 is to do a photo-a-day, but to do it by relying heavily on funtography. Phone apps with built-in effects are just the ticket then.
Also, I think some light editing of T1i pics might be called for. I played around with the online photo editor Picnik today. This, I think, was my favorite variation of the “Wild Things” shot:
Funtography.
I want to do the photo-a-day project for the levity, for the relaxation, for the chance to practice the craft, and for the artistic discipline. I’m not sure why I think funtography and discipline go together, but somehow it makes sense to me.
Still, I have the guilt. If I’m going to sink money into cameras and lenses, I tell myself, I need to take it more seriously. I’ve had the T1i for nearly a year now, and I still don’t understand all of the functions. I’ve just been playing with it.
Playing. Just playing. Should I let myself get away with that? Who cares that I bought the camera as a relaxation tool? I spent money on it. I use it often. Shouldn’t I make myself study it? Shouldn’t I make myself learn more about it before I allow myself to buy new lenses or new editing software or anything of that nature?
Um…yeah, probably. But I have neither the time nor the energy to get too worked up about that. I do have a goal to learn more about the functions of my camera in 2011. I do have a goal to learn more about the techniques employed by serious photographers.
I also have a goal to keep the camera as something that is simply for my own pleasure. It’s an expensive toy, but it’s still cheaper than therapy.
Today’s Reverb 10 prompt is “let go.” What I’m going to let go of in 2011 is the idea that every art form I adopt has to become a competitive sport. Funtography. That’s all I know and all I need to know.
