As said by Chase Jarvis “the best camera is the one that’s with you.”

Where this is true and for the past few years, my iPhone 13 has been my faithful companion on this photography journey. It’s helped me capture everyday moments with remarkable clarity, and it’s taught me to look for creative opportunities even when my equipment is far from perfect. However, as my passion for photography has grown, so too has my longing for a camera that offers more control and flexibility. This is a story about making do with what you have, the challenges of limited gear, and why I’m so desperate to eventually upgrade to a proper DSLR.

There’s something truly magical about photography with your phone. The iPhone 13, with its advanced sensors and user-friendly interface, allows me to capture spontaneous moments wherever I go. Every day, whether I’m out with the middle child and the dog at dinnertime or exploring the bustling streets of my neighbourhood, my phone is always by my side. Its convenience and portability mean that no moment is ever truly lost.

Yet, as much as I love my iPhone 13, there are inherent limitations. The small sensor size, fixed lens system, and reliance on software processing sometimes mean that I have to work extra hard to achieve the image quality and creative control that I crave. For instance, when the background is too bright, I often have to take multiple shots just to get the exposure right, a process that disrupts the spontaneity of the moment. While I can achieve impressive results with careful composition and post-processing, I know there is a whole world of creative possibilities that a more advanced camera could unlock.

In my quest to upgrade my gear, I recently tried out a Lumix camera. I was hopeful that stepping up from my phone to a dedicated camera would provide a significant boost in quality and creative control. Unfortunately, the experience was a mixed bag. The Lumix, while promising in theory, turned out to be slow and rather sluggish in practice (It is a pretty old Lumix in all fairness). In situations where the background was too bright, I found myself having to take several images just to capture the right exposure. The delay between shots was frustrating, especially when I was in the middle of capturing a dynamic scene.

This trial with the Lumix underscored one important point for me: a camera should not only offer better image quality but also keep pace with the rapid-fire creativity that comes with being on the move. The slow response time of the Lumix made it clear that while it might be adequate for certain controlled settings, it simply couldn’t keep up with my spontaneous style. This experience has only heightened my desire for a more reliable tool—something that can combine technical excellence with the speed I need to capture life’s fleeting moments.

So here I am, daydreaming about a semi-decent camera. Ideally, I’d love to get my hands on a second-hand DSLR with around 24 megapixels. I imagine the sheer creative freedom that would come from manually adjusting focus, swapping out lenses, and having the control to experiment with exposure, aperture, and shutter speed. A DSLR would be a game-changer, opening up new avenues for exploration and allowing me to fully immerse myself in both the art and the science of photography.

I often joke that if anyone out there has an old DSLR lying around gathering dust, my inbox is wide open! I’m not expecting a brand-new, top-of-the-line model, just something reliable that will let me take my passion to the next level. The prospect of moving beyond my phone and that sluggish Lumix fills me with excitement. I’m ready to embrace a tool that matches my energy and creative vision, one that allows me to capture that perfect shot without compromise.

Immersing Myself in the World of Photography

Despite the challenges of limited gear, my obsession with photography continues to grow. I spend my free time devouring tutorial books, photobooks, online courses, and documentaries—all in the quest to learn more and improve my craft. Every new technique, every experiment, and every lesson fuels my passion to push the boundaries of what I can do with the tools I have. I’m always on the lookout for innovative ideas, whether it’s learning new editing techniques or discovering creative DIY solutions to mimic more advanced methods.

Photography isn’t just a hobby for me; it’s a relentless pursuit of a visual language that reflects how I see the world. The creative process—experimenting with light, composition, and post-processing—has taught me to view limitations not as obstacles, but as opportunities to think outside the box. Each new project is a chance to learn, experiment, and ultimately grow as an artist.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey is how photography has become an integral part of my daily life. Every day, as I step out with my middle child and our dog during our evening walks, I’m constantly looking for moments worth capturing.

Middle is LOVING photography too in all fairness and is snapping away with his phone also.

Whether it’s the soft glow of the setting sun over familiar streets, the spontaneous laughter of passers-by, or even a fleeting expression on someone’s face, these moments hold a beauty that I’m determined to preserve.

Even though I’m currently working with an iPhone 13, each photograph is a lesson in creativity and resourcefulness. I’ve learned to appreciate the art of making do, to find beauty in constraints, and to use every limitation as a spark for innovative thinking. The thrill of capturing a spontaneous moment—knowing that it might never be repeated exactly the same way—keeps me motivated and constantly on the lookout for that perfect shot.

I must admit, I’m still in the process of finding my unique photographic style. While I have many ideas for projects from smaller 30-image series that allow me to experiment and learn, to bigger, more ambitious projects that I dream of building over time, I know that the journey to a distinctive style takes patience and continuous learning. Right now, I’m exploring various themes and techniques, trying to identify what resonates most with my creative vision.

One of the things I’m truly enjoying is the process of interviewing photographers whom I admire. These conversations are a treasure trove of insights and inspiration, and I’m excited to share these interviews on my blog soon. By picking their brains and learning about their creative processes, I’m slowly piecing together my own aesthetic and approach to photography. These projects—small and large—are part of my ongoing evolution as an artist, and each new image, lesson, or interview is a stepping stone towards finding that signature style I’ve always dreamed of.

Every day, I remind myself that photography is a continuous journey—a blend of learning, experimenting, and evolving. The limitations of my current gear have only served to ignite my determination to progress, and I’m committed to pursuing every opportunity to improve my craft. I’m learning, I’m experimenting, and most importantly, I’m passionate about every step of this creative process.

In the end, my photography journey is defined not by the gear I use, but by the passion and creativity that drive me. Yes, my iPhone 13 has its limitations, and yes, the experience with the Lumix has been less than ideal, but these challenges only fuel my determination to learn, grow, and ultimately upgrade my setup. I remain utterly obsessed with photography—it is my way of connecting with the world, of capturing life’s fleeting moments, and of expressing my innermost creativity.

When I started this site, it was about photography, screenwriting and cinematography but photography has become my sole and main focus and not only am I loving it, to have found something I love doing so much makes me ridiculously happy.

Every step I take, every photo I capture, and every lesson I learn brings me closer to that dream of owning a proper camera. And until that day comes, I will continue to immerse myself in the art and craft of photography, drawing inspiration from every experience, every resource, and every conversation with fellow photographers.

I’m excited about the projects I have planned—starting with a smaller 30-image series to test new ideas and gradually building up to a full-scale, big project. These endeavours are not just about taking pictures; they’re about discovering my aesthetic, defining my style, and learning what truly resonates with my vision. I can’t wait to share more of these experiments with you, including upcoming interviews with photographers I look up to. (Stay tuned for those articles!)

Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey.

Here’s to always chasing that perfect shot—even when you’re working with a little less than perfect gear.

Regards,

Alex