Where on EARTH are the Beyond Snapshots girls : a post about the best camera for you

We KNOW it has been too long since there has been a post here, and let us be the first to apologize. We are hard at work on the book and with the whole thing due on December first, we are in a bit of a frenzy of writing, shooting and editing.

Since we are spending so much time at work on book details, it is hard to even keep shooting our own lives as well. Then again, it is next to impossible for us NOT to keep shooting. We feel there is something integral to daily life missing when we do not photograph for ourselves…it is what keeps us growing as artists and people. It keeps us sane.

We get asked all the time for camera recommendations. People want to know what the perfect camera is. Some of you may have seen Rachel talk at BlogHer and if you did, you will know that our thoughts on the perfect camera are in line with the old adage… “the best camera is the one you have on you at that moment.” If your camera is at home in the camera bag in the closet, it may be safe, but it certainly is not taking any photos.  This is not a new concept nor is it ours alone…this guy even wrote a book on it.

That said, we totally understand that at times you will just not be able to take your big fancy camera. We don’t always have ours. That is one of the reasons that it is so hard to compile just ONE post telling you what camera we recommend. So for all the reasons that fall under the heading “It Depends”, we want to begin a series of “the best camera for you” posts by focusing on the tiny one you have in your hand probably every day…

The camera phone.

Using a camera phone is not just convenient, but it is great practice. It frees you from the pressure to get the settings perfect and allows you to concentrate on composition and visual storytelling. Unfettered by the “right” f-stop and embracing the grain and unexpected colors, you can really learn to see the shots. With some phones, you can download apps that take the standard camera on the phone and turn it into a whole world of possible cameras from a vintage polaroid with expired film to a land camera loaded with black and white plates.  Some of the apps have “the rule of thirds” grid option for the camera’s viewfinder.  If you need help with composition, that tool will make it a no-brainer to put the subject in the most interesting position in the frame.  We will share our equipment and favorite apps with you now.

Get ready to let yourself go and create some instant art.

Peta uses the iPhone4.

hipstamatic - $1.99

- fun!
- change lenses/ borders/flash effects to create different looks
- based on different vintage cameras/lenses
- square format pushes creativity
- upload directly to facebook/twitter
- classic viewfinder mode captures the scene slightly differently than what you see in the viewfinder, just like vintage cameras
- cute vintage camera interface
- option to purchase more “lenses” and “films” to change things up

cross process – $0.99

- great vintage cross process effects
- can either take the photo with the app or use photos from library
- choice to save a “straight” version of the shot in the library
- different colour effects to try
- straight forward interface
- doesn’t affect the quality of the shot beyond the colouring, which is great for when you want a bit of pretty colouring without going too lo-fi with the effects
- choice of border or none

Rachel uses the HTC Desire, an android phone.

Vignette – £2.99 full version (free trial version that works on the tiny size only)

- completely customizable effects even after taking the shot and you can save your favorite combinations
- option to save a copy of your image and then apply new effects for many different versions of one shot
- frequent free updates
- self timer and time lapse options
- square just one of the many different crops available
- large selection of borders or the option to have none
- easy upload to flickr, facebook, twitter and other web sharing sites from app
- can import any other photos to the app and apply effects at any time
- works with flash if your phone has one
- geotag your shots…great if you are location scouting and want to easily remember where an image was taken

Apps are great fun, but do you want to get even more out of your little camera? You can buy these awesome little extra lenses from photojojo.

We really think that training yourself to photograph things on a daily basis will help you stretch your limits.  It will spark ideas that you can take further with your big camera.  You can finally tackle that 365 – photo a day project that you have been putting off because the thought of editing a photo a day is overwhelming…well, at least that is what Rachel has done!  You can follow her 365 self portrait project on flickr.

Peta and Rachel pin prints they do at home from their camera phones on boards as a visual sort of record for upcoming projects.  You can make your own with a blank canvas from the dollar store or a magnetic panel from Ikea.

Peta is framing small prints of her favorite shots in large frames with big white mats.  Rachel would, but she A) takes too many darn photos and B) totally forgets to frame anything.

Our only warning…get organized because you are going to take A LOT of photos!  Make sure you download the images from your phone on a regular basis so that you don’t lose all those shots if your phone goes missing or crashes!  Rachel has a folder on her computer called “phone-tography” where she keeps all of her camera phone shots in dated subfolders.  With her 365 project, she downloads her images daily.

Are you shooting your life with your camera phone?  We want to see!  Please link your sites, sets or just your favorite shot in the comments so that we can all watch your art grow.  Let us know what camera-phone you have and your favorite app if you have one.

For all of you wanting to buy a new DSLR, we will be having more posts coming up with our thoughts on Nikon options, Canon options and then the great gear from other brands!  This is just the beginning.  In the meantime, keep working with whatever you have!