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From Photography to Videography
Photography has been a huge passion of mine for many years but I had never really tried or been interested in videography with my phone (or any other means). However as I started leaving my big girl camera at home more often and using my phone more and more for photography, I also started taking more video.
I have never been very good though at getting the right clips, narrowing things down, putting things together, etc. Yes, I’m a photographer but videos are a whole other realm and I wasn’t sure I was cut out for it.
But…I decided to try and I’m so glad I did. I looked up several online courses and decided to go with DIY Family Films. Yes it’s geared toward Family Films and memory making, but I believe the lessons are pretty applicable overall. Not gonna lie – my creative juices are flowing!
While my first video isn’t perfect I’d say it’s a good start – especially since it was all done on my phone!! To protect my phone for the underwater shots I used this waterproof case I purchased from Amazon.
As I’m sure you have heard many photographers say – the best camera is the one you have with you.
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Today I chose to make a Facebook post about two items on what I call my Happy Shelf. A small Amethyst, and a Tree of Life Charm.
I posted more as a reminder to myself as to why I added some of the things to my shelf, but as people commented on my post it made me pause and think about this past weekend.
The day I was so disappointed in myself because I was already in the first week of January seeing myself on track to FAIL at one of the goals I had set for myself. That goal? To post at least once a week on this blog and I hadn’t written anything during the time I scheduled.
What does my Happy Shelf Facebook Post have to do with not meeting my blogging goals you may ask?
As people started commenting on my Facebook post I started to observe a few things.
I don’t always realize how much people appreciate the small things (like me sharing my Happy Shelf!), and I maybe need to write about those more
I have learned so much about blogging over the years and I am so Type A that I have been immensely intent on “following the rules” as far as creating a “successful blog”. But…the typical blogging type that fits into the rules does not fit with my personality. This makes it difficult for me to be inspired to write.
It’s time to say Fuck it and start doing this blog my way. I’m not really a “fit in the box” kind of person so I’m not sure why I ever thought my blog should be.
As my brain worked through all of those thoughts, I continued to look at my Tree of Life Charm. Yes, I WILL let my light shine for all to see.
Then I wrote this blog post.
And now, as my Tree of Life instructs…
“Celebrate Life’s victories, no matter how small they may be.”
My Amethyst and Tree of Life Charm
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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.
When I first got into photography one of the first things I was taught was that the best camera is the one you have with you. These days for almost everyone that is a cell phone.
Yes, there are always going to be things that I will break out my big girl camera for – sports of course, and professional portraits. But in so many cases I am loving the photos I am getting with my phone, and you certainly can’t beat the convenience. If you just happen to be driving down the road and the sun looks like this how could you not stop and take a picture?? This is just one of the many times I was thankful for my cell phone camera.
And cell phones are not just for landscapes. While you may not have the ability to have the flexibility you do with a ”real” camera, Moment Lenses can help you up your creative game – here are some photos I took with my Moment Macro Lens with my iPhone 11 ProMax. (Note you will also need either a Moment Case / drop in lens mount, and/or a Moment Lens Mount to use them).
I upgraded to the iPhone 13 ProMax in December 2021, and haven’t yet used my Moment lenses with it, but here are a few of my favorite recent shots taken during my ODT Challenges – Maizie during the ODT Lights Prompt in January and the Chelsea Clocktower for the ODT Frozen Prompt for February.
My beautiful Maizie Blu
Chelsea Clocktower reflection in a frozen puddle
For proof that you do not need the latest and greatest phone to get good pictures – check out this picture of a grasshopper that I took with an iPhone 4 and no additional lenses back in 2012. Still not sure why he cooperated, but I was happy!
iPhone photo of a Grasshopper
There are times that I wish I had my professional camera with me, but I know that if I take the time to go get it the moment will be lost so I can’t take the chance – especially when you randomly encounter nature that is cooperating with you. How often do you get a garter snake or crayfish to pose??? Yes, both of these images were taken with my iPhone.
For the record (and full transparency) I do edit my cell phone photos, but I also do that on my phone. Most of the time with PS Express, as it is included with my Photoshop subscription. However I don’t do anything too fancy – usually just brighten and contrast adjustments, sometimes clarity if needed. Snapseed is also a great editing app, and is free.
So in a nutshell – yes some cameras are better than others. But the best camera will ALWAYS be the one you have with you, even if it’s your phone!
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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.
2021 was…interesting to say the least. I won’t go into a lot of detail because well, no one wants to hear all that LOL. What I will say is that after a lot of soul searching I am going to make a more concentrated effort to start moving forward with adding more things to my days that make my heart happy, and less things that don’t.
As I move into 2022, I am looking forward to more adventures, more creative pursuits, more laughter and more time with the people I love.
For now though, I will start with sharing my favorite photo for each month of 2021.
The interesting thing about these images is that they range from Selfies, to landscapes to macro to sports photography. I love them all the same regardless of whether they were taken with my DLSR, Mirrorless or iPhone. It makes me incredibly thankful for the strides made in cell phone cameras, and that I always have a camera with me now.
On a fun note – can you tell which of these images were taken with my iPhone and which were taken with a “real” camera (DSLR or Mirrorless)? Some may be obvious, but are they all? Hint: only 4 of the Jan-Dec photos were taken with a “real” camera, the rest were all taken with my iPhone.
JANUARY – me walking with my best friendFEBRUARY – my first time trying to create and photograph frozen bubbles!!MARCH – a shell on the dock in FloridaAPRIL – one of my favorite hiking and nature partnersMAY – sometimes me and bestie have to get fancyJUNE – an amazing Rainbow over Chelsea, MichiganJULY – the most beautiful dragonfly (damselfly?) I have ever seenAUGUST – I’m not a landscape photographer, but when you go to Colorado you can’t really go wrongSEPTEMBER – a garter snake POSED for me! And his eyes were blue!OCTOBER – and just when I thought I got lucky with the garter snake, a Crayfish with blue eyes posed for me!NOVEMBER – snow on a spiders webDECEMBER – my #32 doing what she does
And a few extra pictures, just because I want to share.
1. Me flexing after climbing the mountains (thank you for the pic Amanda H) 2. The beach at Hotel Breakers Cedar Point 3. A slug on my shed porch
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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.
His grip tight on the bottom of my T-shirt, Robby walks close to my back with his freckled face peeking around my arm. We shuffle together around a corner and…
**AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!***
THUD
I am almost pulled to the floor on top of Robby as he stiffens and falls to the ground at the sight of the hollow eyed zombie that appeared out of the darkness ahead.
Giggling, Robby accepts my offer of a hand to help him up, and he resumes his place behind me, gripping my shirt as the zombie disappears back into the darkness…
A conference designed to help you grow as a writer, increase your social media reach and to set and achieve your blogging and social media goals, Bloggycon is also great fun for the whole family.
During the day while I am absorbing the wisdom and inspiration of engaging speakers, my family happily leaves me behind to conquer the rides at Cedar Point.
In the evening, I join them for a haunting good time in the spine-tingling scare zones of the park – scare zones that become ever more intense after dark…
When was the last time you took a selfie with a zombie?
Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point
Just steps away from the fun on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, our suite at Hotel Breakers welcomes us after an exhausting day of fun. Beautifully remodeled, the suites include two double beds and a pull-out couch in the living room area. To save a bit of money, we also bring meals and snacks with us to store in the mini kitchen.
Hotel Breakers gets our vote for comfort and convenience.
Bonus: Bloggycon attendees who stay at a Cedar Point resort for 2 (two) nights during the conference will receive up to 6 (six) 3-day passes valid for Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores that weekend. The number of tickets you receive will be based on the number of registered guests per hotel room (per Bloggy Conference ticket).
Double Bonus: Guests at Hotel Breakers enjoy a 1-hour early entry into Cedar Point!
Boardwalk to Cedar Point
Interested in Bloggycon?
I’m not a person who attends a ton of industry conferences – I mean really, when would I find the time? However, Bloggycon is one that I don’t like to miss.
Always great to see friends made in previous years!
2018 will be my fourth year attending and without fail, I leave the conference inspired and bursting with creative energy. I have also connected with many other bloggers who continue to inspire me on a daily basis, and who I look forward to seeing each year at the conference.
