I’ve had a pretty significant interest in photography since I was 19. The summer I turned 20, I was going on a mission trip to Kenya, Africa. At the end of the trip, we were going to take a two day safari and make a 36 hour stop in Paris, so for Christmas that previous year, my mother gave me my first real camera.

A sweet and simple point and shoot camera with the ability to manually change some features. It was a perfect beginner camera that, I’ll be honest, I never grew up from. I knew how to use the basic functions, but never explored much beyond that.

As cell phone cameras became as advanced as they now are, I learned how to be a very good cellphone photographer. In fact, when I went to Honduras on a mission trip a few years later, I didn’t even take my big camera. I only took my cell phone. And since then, I’ve taken most photos from my cell phone only.

Here are a handful of cellphone pictures, just a sneak peek to get to you come back for more later!

But now, seeing as I have embarked on a journey to learn new things, I figured it would be as good a time as any to try to figure that camera out. In fact, I thought this might make for a great series activity piece.

So, what are the goals of the series?

Goal #1 – I will learn to use my “real” camera. Pretty simple enough, in theory.

Goal #2 – I will compare my “results” (aka photos taken) to photos I’ve taken with my cell phone to see which one gives me a better final product.
*Disclaimer- To real photographers- I am not discrediting or arguing that photography with a real camera is a more artistic style. I am only trying to find what suits me best personally!*

Goal #3 – Share my results! And in true not-being-afraid-to-suck fashion, I will include the terrible, shaky, dark, awful pictures I am sure to take as well!

So, where do we start?

I think the best place to start with this series introduction is to meet our competitors.

*Best WWE Announcer Voice*
“In one corner, we have the small, but mighty cellphone camera!!! Don’t let this little guy fool you, given the right angle and lighting, this little guy can pack quite the punch. In fact, with just a little attachment, you’ll get way more than you bargained for!”

Okay, what that means in normal people language is I use my Andriod, the S8+ to take my pictures now. When I’ve planned to take pictures, however, I bring along my camera lens extender. There are all kinds of brands, but I use the Xenvo extender. It can be purchased on Amazon and was super affordable! It is a two piece lens that clamps on to my phone. One piece takes very close up photos and the other takes wide-angle photos. Here is what it looks like (attached to my husbands phone for size reference):

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*Resumes ridiculous voice*
“And in the other corner, looking much more legitimate and professional, we have the Nikon Coolpix L120! With options galore and a pretty epic zoom, you are guaranteed to snap a good picture or two, even if only by luck!”

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“So here we go, ladies and gents! In a battle of true artistry and talent, but mostly luck and a tiny bit of a photographer’s eye, these two competitors will go head to head. You won’t want to miss this!”

I hope you will come back to see how the series develops… Get it?