The China iPhone Challenge
I just returned from a quick trip to China. It was my first time there & I found it impressive in terms of its’ urbanism and sheer mass of humanity. This trip was all business for me with little time for personal shooting. So I utilized my new iPhone camera to the max. I did this partly out of necessity, simply because most of what I saw was through a passing car window, but I also took this as a creative challenge.
As they say, “the best camera is the one that’s with you”, and this practice made me appreciate that truth more than ever….of course it also gave me a greater appreciation for a Canon 5D and a 50mm 1.2 …and that’s got to be worth something. Here’s a few of my iPhone favorites followed by some of what I learned…
Some friendly people in the Market.
I had the chance to interface with people in a way that I often do not when carrying my SLR. I got an overwhelming sense of awe at the 1-billion-plus unique personalities in China- let alone in the entire world. Not a one of them the same- just amazing!
This practice forced me to focus on “seeing” a good picture. Even if I couldn’t fully capture it with the camera in my hand, I actually “thought” about it, when normally I would just start shooting.
My friend Bill had his camera, so I was able to explain to him how I would shoot a scene. How often do I attempt to articulate that? Rarely.
With so little technical control, I was forced to consider what subjects I am drawn to photographing and why.
Walking through an Asian market at dusk with nothing but a cell phone camera made me strangely feel naked. I kept looking around and thinking, “If I only had my camera!” So what drives this compulsion to experience a foreign place through a camera lens? I’m not sure, but it definitely feels healthy to do so without one occasionally.
Strictly Business... that's me.