My Camera

"Why do you have a DSLR camera when your phone can click much better photos?" Well, I can answer the question if you explain what you mean by Better. But, yes. I do understand on a broader scale, my phone works way better than a clunky camera. Turns on fast, clicks fast, shares fast. I agree with and support you as well; You shouldn't buy another device just to click pictures. But my reasons are different. So different, you might buy one after knowing them.

Another example of doing something different from everyone is, reading books. As I was telling people I was reading the Harry Potter series, they gave a smirk and said, "You could very easily watch the whole thing in the movie rather than spending time reading the same story." But, that is why I read. I read it because it's tough. I read it because it takes longer. I read because I need to put in more effort. I read because I carry the story with me for three months rather than for 24 hours. I get to live it more deliberately than just an experience.

To be frank, I bought my camera just to be the cool guy. That was the reason I bought the cheapest DSLR. Slow, not many options. Yet those reasons made me use my camera more deliberately.

Unlock the phone, turn on the camera app. frame the shot, click-click 10 pictures, and lock it. With my DSLR, for one, I need to carry it in a separate bag cause I have an extra lens. When I want to click a picture, I take it out, turn it on, set all the basics right for the lighting, manually focus the subject cause the auto-focus feature is broken, frame and click, and look at the picture if it comes as expected (as the picture generally doesn't come great the first time), change the settings as required, reframe and click. By then you would've clicked 100 pictures and moved on to the next location. But me standing there, alone, grasping the whole scene for a couple more minutes all to myself.

That also makes me a bad photographer. I never said I'm a good one. I just like clicking pictures on a device that is meant to capture memories. I like the textured grip hugging onto the palm of my hand making me click more pictures. I like the heft of the camera, making me hold it with two hands to click a steady shot. I like the uncomfortable viewfinder which I need to look into to frame the picture, which makes me sit at odd angles to click a shot. I like that the whole experience is slow and clunky because that makes me spend more time with my camera.

Does all this mean you should buy a camera? That I've already answered in the first paragraph. If you want good-looking, Instagram-worthy, likable photos, your mobile phone does the job. But, do you wish to slow down and be in the moment? I wish to.