Though I don’t have a favorite type of photography, I prefer to do “lens in my pocket” photography. I use a Samsung Ultra phone or a Panasonic Lumix camera that easily fit into a pocket.
Sometimes I like taking panoramas of scenes from afar with my phone, such as this photo of bison in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park.
At other times, I like a closer view of wild creatures. This Barred Owl in my backyard was photographed with my phone attached to a spotting scope. This is called “digiscoping.” The owl visited regularly last spring, feasting on the numerous Pacific tree frogs in our pond.
I bought an inexpensive phone case and glued on a universal mount for digiscoping. You can quickly pop in a phone, attach it to a scope or binoculars, and it’s ready to go.
As I’ve mentioned before, I like taking pictures of layers. I went for this slightly closer view of layered landscapes with my Panasonic camera at Arches National Park.
At other times, I like a much closer view of geological wonders. Here’s a closer view of crystals, from different angles, taken with my Panasonic.
I use a tabletop studio for close up work, such as the previous photos. It folds up flat when you’re not using it. Getting the proper lighting can be the biggest challenge for these types of shots.
I like photographing panoramic views, intimate portraits, memorable landscapes, and detailed close ups with my phone and pocket camera. The versatility of the small lens in my pocket allows me to be spontaneous or more deliberate, depending on my mood. Even though there are so many options for taking different kinds of pictures, sometimes I choose to take in a scene with just my eyes, and remember it in my heart.
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Wonderful photos and story about your pocket camera and photo subjects. Thanks.
Thanks, Ralph!
How cool!! Love the results you get with both. Nice set-up for the close-ups. And that owl ... swoon 💛
Thanks, Bonnie! The owl was an unexpected visitor, but we were glad to give it some of our many frogs. :)
Great examples of different photo perspectives. I've never heard of, or seen, a tabletop studio, so that's wonderful information, as is the phone case + mount for digiscoping idea. Thank you!
You're welcome, Becky! Both tools can expand your view of the world in different ways.
Impressive photos for a lens in a pocket.
Thanks! They can be tiny and impressively mighty. :D
Siobhan, your photo groove just proves the statement "It's not the gear, it's the photographer." Beautiful images with your pocket cameras. Well done and thanks for joining in!
Thanks for the challenge, Anne!
What a great post! Nice to learn more about your interests too! And I love your last line: sometimes I choose to take in a scene with just my eyes, and remember it in my heart.❤
Thanks, Lisa! Glad you liked my last line. 🙂 I almost didn't include it.
oh no, it's a great last line! Sometimes I find myself so focused on what I see through my camera lens, that I miss the big picture!!
Very clever idea
Thank you, Alison!
There's a lot to be said in favour of a camera that's easy to carry around. I often rely on my small Lumix too. As you've shown, you can get good photos with smaller cameras these days. Someone (I can't remember who!) said that the best camera is the one you have with you 😀
Yes, I agree, the best camera is the one you have with you. Thanks, Sarah!
Thanks for sharing your groove Siobhan, very interesting! I'm using my iPhone more and more for the reasons you shared. The quality has gotten better and better over the years. Your owl is amazing and I too love your closing thought. Terrific post
Thanks, Tina! That owl was impressive!
This was a great lesson for all of us. The lens in your pocket. So many of us love the convenience of our smaller camera phones. Me included. I love how you extended your wisdom with the lens. And I think I am going to try the tabletop studio. fun things ahead. Donna
Thank you, Donna! Yes, they are so convenient nowadays. 📸 😁