Upping Our Game

 

On a recent trip to the beach, I purposely left my DSLR behind. I do it more and more these days as I fall back on knowing that I’ve always got my iPhone. In this instance I was doing a photo shoot, but instead of doing the shooting, I was being shot. I figured taking the camera wasn’t necessary since it wasn’t really the plan for me to shoot.

Did I mention it was right after a storm and it was golden hour?

We get to the beach and it’s gorgeous. Not just any gorgeous. The gorgeous that doesn’t come along every day. And there I was, without my camera. But, I chose not to dwell on that little detail. Instead I was heightened to the experience. To the way the sky was perfectly covered with clouds, like paint on a canvas; each stroke, highlight and shadow placed by the artist’s brush. To the reflection of light and color on the water’s surface. To the cool, moist air blowing in my hair and across my skin. I didn’t want to forget everything I was seeing and feeling. I was photographing it in my mind.

And then I reached for my iPhone. How could I ever do this landscape justice with a mobile phone? Although I love what my iPhone does, I do know that there are limitations. For some reason I doubted that anything I captured in those few minutes could ever rival that of my DSLR or better yet, of my own eyes. But, I was determined to try my best. To capture the light and texture and water and sand. To paint the scene with my camera, as simple and small as it seemed, I took the time, and made the effort to up my game.

I am in love with the dozen or so images I captured that evening. Each one represents a shot I had etched in my mind. Because I could only rely on what I had with me, I used it to the best of its ability. It was intentional and I pushed myself not only to see things more clearly but to document them like that as well.

Are there times when you feel you’ve had to up your game? What was that like for you?

And speaking of upping your game; today we are giving away a spot in my soon-coming class The Art of Composition. All you need to do is leave a comment here on this post before Thursday at midnight EST for your chance to win a complementary registration to the Standard Version of the class, which begins on Jan 3rd. YAY! Winner will be announced on Friday. Good luck!

CONGRATS TO ALISON! SHE WON! Thanks everyone for your comments.

Todays prompt: sky

Comments

[Rebecca Stees]

gorgeous detail!
such smooth stillness.

[Sue McB]

I cannot believe that photo was taken with a mobile phone - it is gorgeous! I would love to join your class, and if I was the lucky one to win a place, I would be over the moon! My fingers and everything else are crossed.

[Marcie]

What a stunning image - amazing that it is an iphone one!
And - yes - I know that feeling of being without your equipment of choice. Happened to me when I came upon this scene:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2012/12/2/faded-hues.html

[Caryn]

Beautiful photo! As for the prompt, here's my sky photo: http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/329366/

[rakusribut]

hi tracey! talk about coincidence/synchronicity/serendipity....lol

http://exploringwithmycamera.blogspot.nl/2012_12_01_archive.html

[Tiffany]

This is breathtaking. I need to be more intentional with my iPhone captures.

[flutterbymama]

I love this photograph. It reminds me of watching the sunset on Fraser Island, off Queensland's coast. So beautiful and peaceful.

[Lynne]

Like a beautiful painting! Here is my sky this past September just before a thunderstorm.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnylu/7970297562/

[Misty]

I have been lacking the interest lately in photography and your post today has inspired me to up my own game a bit and bring out the camera again to see what I can capture. Thanks!

[Pamela]

What a gorgeous photo! Looking at it, it's easy to imagine myself right there. So serene.

I would love to join your class! Thank you for holding this giveaway. Good luck to all!

[joanna]

Amazing beauty in this image. great capture!

[beth lehman]

what a great shot... upping my game at this point means working with ideas in my head until they turn out the way i imagine. for me, this means a lot of practice and play... whether it's the iphone or my regular camera.

[Alison]

What a stunning scene. I am sure I too would have felt the same unpreparedness - missing one of "those" moments and being forced to improvise. Well done! Thanks for holding this giveaway!

[Karen]

Lovely beach shot!! What a treat it would be to take your class!
I love taking sky shots with my iPhone! This awesome sailboat is here for the winter and I so enjoy photographing it!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80357694@N06/8240356909/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80357694@N06/8241419072/in/photostream/

[Suzanne Kreitzberg]

Your image is beautiful! I am often amazed at what my iphone can produce and what fun it can be to play with the bazillion phongraphy aps that are available!

That being said, I find that in those moments when I am confronted with something so breathtaking, I almost prefer to experience it without a camera. (Please notice the word "almost"!!) When I look through a lens, I can become distracted with the function of shooting--even with an iphone. I want that image! But when I just stand there and let the experience become an imprint on my spirit...well.... that moment.I carry with me forever.

Thanks for sharing both with us.

[Leslie]

The colors and reflections here are fabulous! I rely so much on my iPhone, but I've begun to think I use it a little too much! It has been a blessing, though, in many situations where no other camera was with me, and for that it is priceless.

[Cheryl]

What a lovely photo. You captured the feeling so well.

[teri pieper]

Love that shot! I have taken to going on walks with only my phone for a camera and have been delighted with results. It has helped me pre-visualize images more clearly.

[Laura Smith]

Gorgeous! That is amazing...
Here's my sky photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37393365@N02/8240543421/in/photostream

[anngeedee]

Upping my game by trying to shoot in something other than F2.8. Here's a sky shot for today's prompt. http://www.flickr.com/photos/anngeedee/8239463685/in/photostream/

[claudia]

gorgeous shot! I think I have not gotten into iphoneography mainly because I only have used an iPod, I have seen shots from the new iphone and I'm amazed! Maybe some day. In the meantime I have my trusty dslr and photoshop ;)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/8181216075/in/photostream
I cheated a bit on this one but I still like it :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/8199180414/in/photostream/

[Mary Underoow]

Beuatiful image. love the colors

[Valerie]

Lovely photo and great post! Recently I upped my game by overhauling my home office. I know that sounds dull, but it brought a flood of creativity...
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2012/12/downsizing-part-2-of-2.html

[Jen]

I too am surprised by the quality of the pictures from my iPhone. That's a lovely shot; it's a nice one when trying to ease back into a hectic work schedule on a Monday. :)

[Elsie]

Beautiful sky, like the colors amazing what you can take with a phone.

[Sue]

A goal of mine is to try to learn to use my iPhone camera for more artistic purposes. Thank you for the inspiration to 'get on with it' sooner rather than later!

[Barbara Paulsen]

I love using my iPhone, but sometimes I just like to look with my own eyes, too.

[Beth]

So beautiful. I get frazzled this time of year, and I love that this shot is so intentionally serene. I appreciate the way it makes me slow down and recognize the beauty in simplicity.

[Ghita]

So lucky for us, you brought your phone!

[patricia]

The beach is my "God Spot." The power of the waves, the beauty of the earth and the peace it gives me, are all there.

[Mary]

I say you nailed it! It's really a great shot!

[CEY]

We'd never know how high we are, till we are called to rise; and then, if we are true to plan, our statures touch the sky. ~Emily Dickinson

[Gail]

I pushed myself to take some photos on a foggy rainy night in Tuscany.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/felucca2008/8224857069/in/set-72157632116345703/

[chris]

It's not the camera in use which matters.

[annie]

This image made me so happy over here in chilly New England. Thanks, Tracey for all the inspiration. I would love to take your class.

[Rebekah]

This is so beautiful, and I love that you were able to capture it with your phone. It really is an inspiring example of using what you have on you at the time. :)

[Anna]

Here's my picture of beach sky from Sunday morning. I was in Galveston, down behind the seawall. I was having a great time, snapping away, when a surprise wave splashed up onto the rocks and got me!
http://2dayichoose.blogspot.com/2012/12/advent-beginning-of-end.html
I love the gulls in your picture. It's beautiful.

[Kat]

That photo is stunning, and I can feel the moist cool air when I gaze upon its beauty!

I only have an iPhone to use as my camera broke. However I have found that I can capture wonderful shots, as you also have discovered. I love my camera - oh, and the cool thing about it is if I need one, it has a PHONE attached! How cool is that?

[Sara K]

I have a DSLR and a really horrible old iphone which takes grainy pictures. But, when it's all I have when my kids are doing something cute, I try my best to get it ready ahead of time and use the sun to the best of my ability to make sure the picture is at least well-lit.

[Meghan @ Life Refocused]

Gorgeous capture, and damn the iPhone can do some justice (with the right photographer, of course!).

[Carolyn HP]

Wow thanks for the chance to win a class spot! This would be such a great way to start off 2013!

[Amanda]

Gorgeous photo! I've been trying to take more pictures in general and would LOVE to win a spot in the class. I've been looking at it for a while and really want to take it, but I'm afraid cash is a little tight this year. Maybe Santa will surprise me with it, but otherwise I'll have to wait until next time :)

[Donna]

WOW. Just gorgeous. I don't have a DSLR *or* an iPhone (still using an ancient Blackberry) - but may be getting an Android soon. But even without top of the line equipment, I know I could do a better job with my photos (the good ones are sheer accidents).

[Christine]

2013 here we come... great shot by the way.

[Debbie B]

I need a class in iPhone photography...my phone and I cannot produce anything like this. The quality I seem to get from my iPhone 4 is definitely lacking the "WOW" factor. Tracey, you have really "Upped Your Game"!!

[Rebecca Stees]

Mile High: Sky Perspective
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artyowza/5996603049/in/set-72157625946337559/

Sky Basket
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artyowza/4301036823/in/set-72157623151757675/

[Corinna]

I still (STILL!) feel like I'm cheating when I shoot my iPhone instead of my SLR. Photos like these remind me that I have to get over that. I am working on a new 365 right now, and there are lots of days when I don't feel inspired or don't have the time... and on those days even lifting the camera to my face feels like upping the game. Looking forward to getting out of the current work rush to give more time to the photo game (a timing that would coincide nicely with the beginning of AoC!)

[Suzanne Scheve]

Pick me pick me!! I have had those moments when I don't bring my camera because my daughter complains I take too many pictures. Then you have that moment of regret when you see a beautiful sunset or an unexpected rainbow and think gosh darn it what was I thinking? This reminds me of a photo I took earlier in the year of my daughter at a trampoline party with my phone. It's actually one of my favourite pics from this year, along with a photo I took in our pool with a $9.99 underwater camera. So you're right, you just need that serendipitous moment no matter what camera you use. And as I said earlier - pick me! pick meeeeee!!!

[Siobhan Wolf]

Yes, to feeling the need to up my game. Seems like sometimes it takes a technical bent (new camera, new situation) and sometimes it takes a more creative bent (needing to see the same old scene in a whole new way).

[Lindsay Lofthouse]

We just had another snowfall yesterday, so seeing this beautiful beach photo is making me long for a holiday down south this winter, and an iPhone!