Peanuts In My Pocket

I didn’t feel well yesterday. A persistent headache derailed my plans for the day. Writing was out of the question, as was photography. Instead, I spent my time listening to music and watching mindless YouTube videos. I did manage to take a photo and share it on Instagram, but that was the extent of my productivity.

As evening approached, the headache began to lift. I found myself sitting in the car while my grandson attended his karate class. Bored and looking for something to do, I noticed an interesting scene right in front of me. All I needed was a few quick shots, but unfortunately, all I had with me was my iPhone. I regretted not bringing my camera.

The first photo I took was intriguing because two shoppers walked through the frame as I was setting up the shot. I captured one image with them included, but I wasn’t satisfied with the result. It was one of those photos that looks better when viewed at a smaller size—exactly the opposite of what I aim for in my photography.

The second shot had no people in the frame and focused on the texture and mood of the abandoned storefront. However, I was dissatisfied again. This time, the issue was the reflection of my car in the glass, obscuring the view of the building’s interior. I tinkered with settings and tried post-processing tricks, but nothing worked until the lighting shifted.

The third attempt—well, more like the third through the tenth—finally revealed some interior details of the storefront. Out of these shots, I liked only one and discarded the rest. Still, the final photo fell short of my vision. It turned out dull and uninspiring.

This happens to me often in photography: creating images that feel boring and uninteresting. I rarely post such shots. Instead, I use these experiences as learning opportunities. I know why this attempt didn’t meet my expectations—my iPhone simply isn’t as capable as my Fujifilm camera, especially in low light. The iPhone struggles not only with dim environments but also with photographing people. Yet, I’ve learned that with enough practice, I can still produce decent results. I’ve managed to capture good portraits with my phone by working hard at it, and the same principle applies to low-light shots. Improvement takes persistence.

Over the last few days, I’ve taken numerous bird photos, thanks in large part to The Bird Nerd Project I posted on Sunday. I’ve faced similar frustrations with these shots—my bird photography skills feel rusty. To improve, I spent two hours reviewing every setting on my Nikon setup, hoping my next outing yields better results. I’ll find out soon enough.