How technology can change the world: A camera-phone journey through Post-Katrina and The Big Easy
By Niki Andre
2 February 2008
I bring my camera with me everywhere. I mean everywhere. I shoot on a Canon Rebel 35mm and as much as I hate to say it, I'm a sucker for the film camera world. It's creative, it's fun, and everything I do is literally done by hand.
My close friend (and amazing photographer,) Kim and I made a pact that no matter what we were doing in life, or where we happened to be, that we would always find time to meet up in New Orleans at least once a year. It was her favorite city, and from the moment I stepped out of the taxi on that first visit, I knew it would be mine too. To say that there is so much to see, would be an understatement. I spent most of my time with a camera glued to my face. It was almost too easy. As we neared the end of our trip, my mind was buzzing with creative ideas about what things I could shoot the next time we came.
The idea that I came up with seemed impossible. I was so much of a camera snob at that point, that the idea of point-and-shoot anything was almost laughable. However I really wanted to test my ability, without the use of the fancy schmancy (heavy) equipment, and just rely on my eye as a photographer. I really wanted to try something new. So the second trip we made, the following February was huge. This would be a long awaited visit to the Lower ninth ward. I brought one item for shooting pictures: A Samsung D508. A slider camera-phone.
A stress-free existence of fearing nothing but camera shake, was almost zen like, and almost anyone can do it, but there are a few tricks.
-First of all, whether you're shooting in color or black and white, avoid direct light in the frame. Lamps, street lights, flame, and sunlight are a few examples. Few camera-phones are higher than a few megapixels, and this makes it really hard for the camera to dispurse light attractively or naturally.
-Shooting in color v. Black and White is entirely at your discretion, however I've noticed that color has a harder time in certain lighting situations (it almost has to be overcast for any type of acceptable results,) and can be a pain in the ass when using a digital darkroom. I prefer using the grayscale feature if you have it, because not only do the pictures come across more dramatic, it's easier to control the light affecting the camera.
-Most camera-phones have a brightness/contrast feature. Use it. Do NOT however, use the zoom. With only 3 megapixels to work with, the zoom feature will distort the picture most unattractively. And remember to set the camera to the highest resolution possible
-Cleanliness is important. For some reason, the tiny camera is very sensitive to any kind of smudge or dust. It severely affects the lighting intake. I like to keep lens cleaning cloths with me anyway, so I had them handy for my phone
-Angles. The rule of thirds definitely applies in this case. Move that vase just a little to the left in your frame. See how that feels. There is no depth of field involved, so you have to get creative. Taking a picture from higher up may give it just the push it needs to say exactly what you meant it to. You have to remember that what you see is a completely different perspective than your camera. The great thing about it is, if you don't like the angle, or you're just not feeling it, deleting the picture takes about one second, and then you try again.
-Subject, subject, subject. Professional photographers rely heavily on lenses, filters, flashes, and enough gadgets to make Ariel blush. But if the subject isn't happening, neither is the picture, plain and simple.
Well there you have it. Enjoy yourself and have fun getting creative.
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