8 ways to use your phone's camera
A list of the ways I use my phone camera in my work
Today's 5 minute tip is free for everyone.
Phone cameras have been getting better and better, and these days they easily rival pocket cameras, from a writer’s point of view.
If you have a phone with a camera, using it makes sense because you already have it with you: no need to lug around an extra camera unless you wish to have more creative control or you’ve simply become used to using a camera.
Here are some ideas for using the phone’s cam or video camera:
As an aide-memoir, to remind you of a scene, a building, a person, or an idea.
To record a stimulus picture, for helping you become even more creative when sitting down to write. See, for example, my Photo Prompts series.
To share a photo or video with friends, people in your social networks or even yourself, via email – immediately.
To record an interview with someone you meet.
To record an event you attend.
To record your thoughts about something, talking to the camera.
To take a photo of yourself with a particular sight in the background.
To keep a record of scenes, posters, and other odds and ends that may, one day, feed into your writing.
One thing to investigate: my phone allows me to stamp my pictures with my name and the date and time the picture was taken. This is useful for my records. Also, although it is easy enough for someone to steal my photos and then crop out the stamp, I like to think that the stamp does prevent casual ripping off. In any case, it’s worth checking your phone camera’s settings for this facility, if only for the record keeping alone.
You can see what the stamp looks like in the photo at the top of this post. On the left it has my name and the device I used; on the right it has the data and time.
You have a very versatile and powerful camera in your phone; why not use it?
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Great tips, Terry - thank you. I've been using my phone more than I used to - I've stopped carrying it my bag and now squeeze it into my pocket instead.
I was interested in your tip about using pictures to record information - on a visit to a museum recently I did this a lot, and am finding it really useful to still have access to this 'raw data' rather than just having the notes I'd taken as I went round the exhibits. I'm a sucker for an interpretation board and can get bogged down for hours in the text I'm offered! - so taking pictures of the blurbs that I found the most interesting was really helpful. I still cannot be separated from my notebook, but it's nice to have the phone camera for when making notes isn't achievable.
It's nice to see one of these posts for free.
My cell phone is 6 years old. It's not the best camera but it's not the worst either.
I use it to take photos of landscapes and for work. I take photos of things I see in disarray, so I can show the managers.