bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I'm a traditional photographer that has habits. I shoot with a camera that has lenses and process what comes out of them. It used to be film in a wet darkroom. Now it is Lightroom Classic because SD cards don't fit the tank reels very well. But, the workflow is familiar. My images are stored in computer folders, by date instead of sleeves by date. They are still stored by date. I have a screen with thumbnails instead of contact sheets. Instead of an enlarger, I have an inkjet printer.

A week ago I decided to step outside the box. I shot with a phone and let it store in the cloud. I wanted some arty, black and white prints of routine "parts" from my new retirement resort campus. Think valves, chains, locks, sculptures, benches, etc. They are for the next meeting of the photography club where I am the newest member. The assingment was to shoot the "inner workings" of the place.

The prints are so good that I'm pissed off. I don't want to use a phone. I don't want my images in the cloud. I don't want so much automatic processing. But I think the results are better than if I would have stuck to my old habits.

Am I too old to change? Too old to learn a new workflow? Do I mothball my cherished gear? Do I use the phone and pretend the results are from a camera?

My frustration is intense.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Use both. My Galaxy S9+ has the native ability to shoot RAW, and there is a time and place for everything. I also use my phone if I happen to be out and about without my camera to take a couple test shots (with GPS enabled) so I can re-visit at my discretion and with the light/weather I want.

As far as workflow, that is entirely up to you, but you are never too old to learn something new, in fact, it may spark some new creativity with your other gear.

MoT Loc: Barrington, IL

Use both to make images and if you still enjoy the processing of photos keep doing it as there is self satisfaction involved. I don't know how old you are but at 73 I am still adapting to new technologies and keep what I want and discard what I have no use for. Don't give up what makes you happy but also experiment with new technologies to enrich your process.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

As it happens, my phone is the S9 without the plus. I have the Lightroom app on it and, you are right, it does shoot RAW. It bothers me that the thing is so damn good at getting detail in the highlights and shadows. It just shouldn't be able to do that with such a small sensor.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

73! Me too.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

The + (plus) I think just adds a bit more screen, but the wife and I got a "BOGO Free" deal when we upgraded from our S7's, so we took advantage of it. And you are right, for a small device, you can get some decent stuff from them. I use other software, so I go through the trouble of downloading any RAW files from the phone to my computer for processing, but I'm sure your workflow with the Lightroom app really brings those photos to a new level.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Adapting is part of life. I adapted when mom took the breast away and have been adapting ever since. A Brownie Hawkeye with a flash reflector bigger than the camera and flash bulbs that would occasional burst until they put a plastic coating on them. An Argus C-3 where I adapted to Kodachrome because you can't compete in B&W without a dark room. A series of "Professional" cameras where I adapted to interchangeable lenses, through the lens metering and auto focus. I resisted for a long time changing from film to digital, but I finally adapted.

Now, instead of saving for a new lens, I'm saving for a new cell phone. I don't need the phone, but I want the camera. At 76 I'm adapting again.

JohnR Loc: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

I empathise! However I tell myself I'm creating a photograph not just using a camera/phone/tablet. Be pleased if you achieve your desired goal. Surely when you don't achieve that goal you criticize yourself not the tool you used.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"your workflow with the Lightroom app"

There is a complex linking/syncing system in place that puts images both "in the cloud" and on the computer "in" Lightroom Classic. Once set up, you don't do anything. Images are there ready to attack with the sliders.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

I use Linux at home, and therefore can't use Adobe products in a native environment. I'm not knocking Lightroom or any other Adobe product, they are fantastic, but I simply chose to stay with native programs for my system. But it does sound very enticing for those that didn't know about it, and hope others can use it.

Thanks for the education, I learn something new everyday

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Slow down and accept the changes. It's a whole new world for us seniors. Look at it like I do, we survived and graduated the school of hard knocks. You'll be fine!

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

You could take the shots from your phone as a challenge to improve your processes to equal or surpass the quality! Automation has its' limits. You don't.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

There is no question I've slowed down. So has my learning rate. I go over things a few extra times before it sinks in!

Speaking of hard knocks, do you remember we got to ride our bikes without helmets? There was a bike rack at my grade school. Parents actually thought it was OK to ride a bike to school -- without a helmet. Now the grade schoolers sit in the back seat with their phones in there face.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

That's the plan. I'm going to incorporate the phone as one of my cameras I actually use.

Don't be too sure of your "Automation has limits". We humans are using AI automation to expand beyond our limits.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Yes - but such AI requires a server, too big to put in cameras today.