The Very Best Camera in the World

This is a picture of a bald eagle. 

 

  

Not that you could tell by looking.

 

Does this help?

 

 

The reason for this excellent photography is the only camera I had with me was the one I call the fu*kin phone.

 

I live up a canyon in the mountains of Montana. I saw the bald eagle flying down the canyon, fairly low over the creek. Couldn’t keep up with him, but coming around the corner, there he was perched in a tree. I stopped. I usually at least have an action cam with me, but not today. Plus they have no telephoto.

 

Now, the fact that I had the phone sitting in its holder beside me encouraged me to stop and shoot stills then video so that credit goes to the phone. Also, the 365 day project I did a year ago has me more attuned to what I see.

 

Driving down the mountain to get to town, I’ve seen wolves, bears, mule deer, whitetail deer and mountain goats. Just a week ago I made this picture -- Once again with the camera at hand -- phone.

 

  

A better picture could have been made with the Nikon or Olympus that stayed home. My bad.

 

At a craft fair a couple of weekends ago, I visited with a photographer with art to sell (I bought this one.) 

 

Used with permission. Tom Pallach Photography.

 

We commiserated about how everyone was a photographer now. Yay. But what was most often used was a cell phone. Bummer. He mentioned how he advocated for a camera vs phone to people but cells are just too damn convenient.

 

Feeling guilty, I built a small, so-easy-to-take-along camera bag.

 

  

Small - really small - sling bag from Timbuk2, Olympus camera no longer available (benefit of being old) pen, pencil and notebook.

 

Today’s trip down the mountain, did I see any of my varied multiple wildlife neighbors?

 

Nope. 

 

Saw where the bear got into one of my human neighbors garbage can. Didn’t inspire any art.

 

So, the best camera is not a contest between Nikon, Canon, Sony or Lumix.  

 

The very best camera in the world is the one you have in your hand when a picture making opportunity presents itself. 

 

I guess I have to say, even if it’s just the fu*kin’ phone.