#063: The Google Pixel 6
The best camera is the one that you have with you. So that saying goes, and true enough, the mobile phone is always on me, capturing moments when I don’t have the big camera out and especially when it comes to capturing candid moments with family and friends.
I’ve had the Google Pixel 6 phone for just over 18 months now, a constant everyday carry for all work/life matters. I received it from my amazing sister who had just upgraded her own phone to the Pixel 7. This too is an upgrade for me from the Pixel 5a. I’ve now had four iterations of the Pixel phone (Pixel 1, Pixel 3a previously) and it’s safe to say that when I do upgrade this current phone, it will most definitely be the next generation of the Google Pixel. Fingers crossed.
As we are all accustomed to right now, this tiny technological marvel has revolutionised how we capture, share, and remember our daily lives, making it unnecessary to lug around a bulky, expensive camera. Even people who were never into photography now have an amazing tool in their pockets, ready and available whenever the moment happens.
Think about it. How many times have you stumbled upon a breathtaking sunset while driving home from work, or watched your child do something adorable and wished you could capture that moment? With a smartphone, you’re always ready. No fumbling with lens caps or dialing in settings. You pull out your phone, point, and shoot. Before you know it, that moment is safe, ready to be revisited anytime you scroll through your gallery or social media.
Mobile/smart phone cameras have come a long way. To the average person, today’s smartphones are equipped with cameras that can rival the photo quality of traditional cameras. For them, these advancements mean that the gap between phone photography and traditional photography is narrowing every day. It is also more than good enough for all their photographic needs, sharing with family and on social media - the biggest reason for taking photos with the phone.
When it comes to the Pixel line of phones, I’ve really enjoyed the quality of photos coming out of it. However, for the purpose of this website and most of my social media posts, I have been constantly posting images from my main camera. This time I thought, for this blog post, why not show some of the photos that I have taken with the Pixel 6. I’ve used my smartphone as a visual diary for years now, and many shots I’ve taken I have truly liked, sometimes wishing I had the bigger camera with me to capture that moment, but in the end, I'm satisfied with the output of these smartphone cameras.
Yes, the smartphone cameras have their quirks and shortcomings, but knowing them and knowing how to manoeuvre around those issues, we can create some wonderful memories. Or you can just point and shoot and let the phone do all the leg work for you.
In embracing our smartphone cameras, we're not just carrying a tool for photography. We're carrying memories, moments, and a powerful means of creative expression. It's about capturing life as it happens, without the burden of extra gear. The real power of photography lies not in the camera itself, but in the eyes and hands of the beholder. It's about the stories we tell and the moments we save. The series of photos below is all about that, capturing the moments and scenes as they happen, as I see them, and how I intend to remember them. Below is a collection of shots from the past 18 plus months or so, taking in all the different places I have been and things I have seen.
So, the next time you witness a scene that moves you, remember, the best camera you can have is already in your pocket. Just point, shoot, and keep the magic of the moment alive forever in the cloud.
All photos taken with the Google Pixel 6, with minor adjustments based on my own visual style.
Cheers.
