Last night as I connected my Nokia N8 to our new LED TV, I was amazed to see how great the Leica M8-9 pictures rendered through the HDMI connection. What an amazing way to view pictures! Then I started to go through other pictures I had loaded in my phone and found a full series of Instragram-like shots ("Molome" on Nokia devices ) I had taken in India. Well, I was stunned to see the large difference in quality when viewed on a 32" screen. Contrast, sharpness, colors …. my Molome pictures looked like they were taken with a pinhole 1950 Fed camera. The fact that they were square did not help them as the 24x36cm is way better adapted for TV screens.
Obviously, nothing new here, yet it led me to the thought that one should shoot Instagram for what it is : a fast food like consumption of images through a tiny 4 inches screen. Thank you nostalgia filters for all the Likes you get me and for helping to hide my terrible compositions as well as my meaningless scenes.
Yet, if you actually plan to print your pictures in large sizes, sell them, organize an exhibition or simply view the trip of your life on your large TV Screen, then make sure you take along a real camera too. Because looking backwards, I wish I had taken all these pictures with my Leica M.
All pictures taken with Nokia N8 and Molome
It make more sense if the cellphone 1:1 photos were exclusively and consistently with one type of filter only. Our would become a project like experience and part of a style. I also found it difficult even just to go to a different camera.
After all, camera is just a tool right?
Hi Yanick, completely agree with you. Instragram style pictures are a like "fast food photography" sometimes. But I also think that I enjoy eating a burger (weird for a french guy) and feel it as an easy victory. No challenge but things are freezed: quick joy, quick souvenir.
The thing is "what do you do next with these pictures?". For my part, when travelling, I always take these kind of burger shots for small personal books. Even if not perfectly framed or composed, these pictures traduced a spontaneous state of mind and reality as it appears.
Finaly, as I've not the opportunity to bring my M9 everyday, my iPhone is a wonderful tool for my everyday journey to my job. Discrete and always ready to shoot, post-prod and share with friends… That way, I produce a Blurb book every year… And my colleague always ask me "taken with your iPhone?". Viewed on the TV screen, they surely not have asked the question ;)
Mobile or not, I love the colors of your pictures Yanick. Have a nice day (and sorry for the long comment).
Philippe.
Maybe you needed to have your X1 with you on the trip. Small and I like the look of the image quality.
while i do agree i think that these photos are really great shots no matter what camera was used.
best
s
i've had this same experience though with iphones…fun, but nonetheless seeing and editing images on a 32" tv, it is a reminder that there is a serious difference. t