Here is a cut n paste response I did a few days ago:

In the January 2024 PSA Magazine there are two articles dedicated to smart phones. One of the articles is entitled, "The Freedom, Versatility, and Capability of Today's iPhone Photography." The other is a documentary about a photographer's journey towards using an iPhone as a primary camera. Both articles display exceptional photographs. One author points out differences between his dlsr and iPhone 13 ProMax. There is not a lot of difference, but he does point out some situations where the little iPhone simply would not work.

While some may not care or want to ignore the advancements of the mobile phone as a camera, the fact is that it is here and quite capable. While people on UHH can argue, ad nauseam, about FF vs. this or that, IQ of each system, 31 pages and counting on the latest drivel on RAW vs. JPG, the fact is that that the phone is a very capable system. The photographs in the articles far surpass all but a few photos in the Gallery of the UHH. One author notes that the use of modern processing capabilities, including AI and algorithms to reduce or eliminate noise also benefit the iPhone camera. He also notes that the versatility of the phone is amazing...during a course he was teaching people did panoramas, macro photography, underwater photography and light painting...all with the little ol' camera. Of course, the phones cannot do birds in flight well or sports (except video is quite good), but as a general shooter or for travel, it may be all that is needed by the rational open minded person.

In my case, I do not care to use the iPhone as a camera replacement. The ergonomics and the rapidity at which I can deploy the phone camera are a problem. But, that could well be my problem rather than the device. What I do know, and will be teaching to my camera club, is that the iPhone can be a very capable mini-computer when I use a regular camera, edit the pics in LR Mobile on my phone, sync with the cloud and later polish up editing on my home computer. Now I come home from a vacation with nearly fully edited pics, all avail on the cloud with my raw and side car files for incorporation into my beloved LR Classic. Its downright voodoo.

What is clear is that the money behind phones is far greater than the money behind cameras. The computational capabilities, meshing with the cloud and so many other capabilities far eclipse our traditional cameras.

What is a universal truth is that using a camera as an artistic implement is the key to success. To paraphrase the adage that, "amateurs talk tactics while soldiers talk logistics," I believe amateurs talk gear while photographers talk art.

I have no idea. But a question (sincerely trying to help). If you have and use LR, why not use it to its fullest potential? I am flummoxed by people using multiple ways to manage files, folders and the like. In this case you have apparently competing programs with incongruent folders and files. This created chaos, more work than necessary, difficulty in backing up and finding files. In my former life we called this FUBAR.

I use LR exclusively. My folder layout, if I look in Explorer, is exactly like what I see in LR. Simplify simplify simplify.

John Bogle, perhaps the greatest influence on personal finance ever, said that investing is simple…but it may not be easy. Bruce Lee said that the Way is to simplify by taking the unnecessary away. Was it Ty Cobb who, when asked about his batting success simply said, “hit it where they ain’t.” Simple. Not easy.

Seek the elegant solution and skip the rest. Suggest you use LR, do all file movement in LR and only LR. Simple, but not necessarily easy. Don’t synch with bridge or anything else. Problem solved.

In the January 2024 PSA Magazine there are two articles dedicated to smart phones. One of the articles is entitled, "The Freedom, Versatility, and Capability of Today's iPhone Photography." The other is a documentary about a photographer's journey towards using an iPhone as a primary camera. Both articles display exceptional photographs. One author points out differences between his dlsr and iPhone 13 ProMax. There is not a lot of difference, but he does point out some situations where the little iPhone simply would not work.

While some may not care or want to ignore the advancements of the mobile phone as a camera, the fact is that it is here and quite capable. While people on UHH can argue, ad nauseam, about FF vs. this or that, IQ of each system, 31 pages and counting on the latest drivel on RAW vs. JPG, the fact is that that the phone is a very capable system. The photographs in the articles far surpass all but a few photos in the Gallery of the UHH. One author notes that the use of modern processing capabilities, including AI and algorithms to reduce or eliminate noise also benefit the iPhone camera. He also notes that the versatility of the phone is amazing...during a course he was teaching people did panoramas, macro photography, underwater photography and light painting...all with the little ol' camera. Of course, the phones cannot do birds in flight well or sports (except video is quite good), but as a general shooter or for travel, it may be all that is needed by the rational open minded person.

In my case, I do not care to use the iPhone as a camera replacement. The ergonomics and the rapidity at which I can deploy the phone camera are a problem. But, that could well be my problem rather than the device. What I do know, and will be teaching to my camera club, is that the iPhone can be a very capable mini-computer when I use a regular camera, edit the pics in LR Mobile on my phone, sync with the cloud and later polish up editing on my home computer. Now I come home from a vacation with nearly fully edited pics, all avail on the cloud with my raw and side car files for incorporation into my beloved LR Classic. Its downright voodoo.

What is clear is that the money behind phones is far greater than the money behind cameras. The computational capabilities, meshing with the cloud and so many other capabilities far eclipse our traditional cameras.

What is a universal truth is that using a camera as an artistic implement is the key to success. To paraphrase the adage that, "amateurs talk tactics while soldiers talk logistics," I believe amateurs talk gear while photographers talk art.

Dont want to get jacked? Stay out of DC, which I am sure is close by your loc. India is the lest of your problems.

As for India...I carry an RX 100 for travel these days, but I think if I went there, I would bring my bigger gear. It is such a vast photo opportunity. Would I worry about losing my camera? Not really...it happens, but one cannot live a full life in fear of such things.

I would, however, get very familiar with that new baby before going. It is possible to do...as others said, carry it and use it frequently.

BTW, the 60D was my starter camera...what a great camera it was.

As much as I hate to admit it, size matters!

But, as a micro 43 user and a Sony RX100 user, I can attest that the sensors do pretty well. What has helped these little dynamos is the up-scaling capabilities of LR, PS and Topaz. Add AI to that and you have pretty good capabilities.

You purchased a Sony camera about 2 years ago..and seem to be searching for something missing. Is the squeeze worth the juice for your birds in flight pics? Maybe just buy faster SD cards and see how that works?

Great point. I just looked it up and there are dongles that do the iPad / SD / CFE as well. I should have thought of that.

I use this device I purchased from Amazon for about $17.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088FGM6KK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

It works perfectly. Because I use LR on my iphone and ipad I can simply take my sd card from my camera, insert into this installed card reader attached to the apple product and import the photos directly. I then can edit the photos, save those edits to the cloud and subsequently open the entire collection (album) up on my desk top. It is a very smooth, elegant system. If you just want to use the Apple Photos app then you can import into that as well.

This device works on USB, FireWire, USB Type C. It reads SD cards and the micro sd cards. Pretty cool for the price.

That’s exactly what we have. My storage is 99 cents a month.

Ok, I'll settle it as the minister of truth...or is that tooth?

I do not use Canon gear. But that R8 looks pretty sweet for a nice price. Get that bad boy, save some $$ for some nice (used) glass over time, and one would have a great system.

When I was getting into shotgun shooting, I was all excited to maybe purchase a high-end shotgun. Olympians shoot Perazzi or Kreighoff or some such thing so I would too. I would even fly to Italy to have the gun fitted! A very accomplished shooter laughed and said at my skill level an old Browning would suffice...I could not possibly operate that the extreme end of the capabilities of the guns. He said use the old gun for a few years before dropping serious cash into a high end custom gun.

He was right...it was a goofy thought....except for the travel to Italy. Just skip the $20,000 price tag for the gun and fitting. I bought a very nice mid-priced gun and have used it ever since. Same with cameras...people think they need cutting edge stuff and really, they don't. Not many can use the gear to its fullest potential. And, if one enters the hobby thinking they are going to be a BIF photog, it is likely they will change down the road to another interest. I quickly got bored with landscapes. Your interests may well change.

So, to the OP, that R8 looks pretty sweet. Save your pennies and get upgraded glass, go shoot, have fun, and ignore the rest. You (and I) are not pros and never likely will be.

Totally agree. It's an embarrassment. Over a camera selection. Wow.

UHH is unique in that it encourages discourse and keeps interest in photography flowing. But the lack of a active moderation coupled with lack of scruples of some of the users, is a real problem. A lot of wasted potential...and IMO, commercial success. Too bad.

If you do nudes or semi nude, you better be damned good. Maybe 1% on the nude section of UHH are good...artistic. Great lighting, posing, etc. The rest is a peep show. I have not tried, and am not really interested in nudes...way out of my league.

R8 for sure...but with out good glass you may be kissing your cousin. Glass is where its at. As noted, you asked a very specific question about Canon FF...so that would be my answer. Canon is great gear and may well be my go to when and if I change from my travel-centric micro 43 gear.

But at least it’s a decent discussion focusing on art, for once, and is a diversion from filters vs no filters and such!

Since you asked. There are rules of thirds, etc. But rules really are guidelines. Of course there are great photos that are exceptions to those guidelines.

Other guidelines that may be considered are that every photo have a main focus/actor and potentially a supporting cast. Or there has to be something of interest in the photo to make it compelling. Another is that the subject somehow ties the photo together or grounds it in someway.

Bluntly, neither of these photos have interesting subjects that caused me to stop, look, find it interesting or compelling. I looked hard but didnt find anything. What is compelling? Interesting? What captures the viewer’s attention that makes them want to look more? Is it the light, a boat, the waves? I simply do not see anything compelling.

Burke has some good ideas. I’d add to always run eye on perimeter of the shot. Does something stop the eye and is it interesting or does it interfere? The brush in the right part of the second shot is an interference.

Before people lambast my bluntness, this is opinion only, of course. And I am my own harshest critic. Very harsh. For example I attached a shot that, at one time, I thought was very good. It is ok, but not great, in spite of getting a high ranking score from a judge. You will notice that there were people on the escalator. But I failed to capture them meaningfully. A better approach would have been to slow the shutter and get people closer to me but blurred. It would have been excellent then. I lost my main subject! I was in a rush to catch a train and botched the shot. It’s a nice memory but not something I would display as best effort.

In this camera club I would first ask who is doing the review and do they have the chops to do a righteous review? I belong to one club where we use visiting pros and/or very accomplished amateurs who are very often dead on. (I’ve been thrashed a few times. And once in a while get praise.). Do I always agree? Nope. But usually do.

I belonged to a club where members with marginal accomplishments critique their own stuff and it was an endless loop of self fulfilling mediocrity.

Congrats on seeking improvement. Remember that a criticisms are opinions only. Take what you think is valuable. Be open to criticism. Wash, rinse and repeat.