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The Best Camera is the Camera on You

Yesterday the whole family went to mainland for a day and two nights – the first time for all of us since we came to the island. We had an appointment with the person responsible for immigration in our area to get the permission for me to stay in Norway for a year. Dealing with the immigration bureaucracy of any country is like trying to get past a Sumo wrestler. I am all sorted now, thankfully. More about this later.

The trip is a 2.5-hour boat ride plus an 1.5-hour car ride each way. I’m neurotic about traveling light, so I didn’t take my SLR. On the boat to mainland, a double rainbow grew out of a town flanked by mountains. The most vivid rainbows I’ve ever seen. I kicked myself hard a few times and hustled to the window with my iPhone. And then on our way back, I kicked myself again looking at stunning crepuscular rays spilling out of the sky.

Here’re the photos. Rotated and cropped only. No retouching.

Morning

Lessons learned:

  1. Always take your best camera when traveling in this area.
  2. The best camera is the camera that’s with you.
144 Comments
  1. Hakan Sarbanoglu #

    I’ve seen quite a few double rainbows myself, but this is in a different class. Re ‘best lenses with you’, maybe we should invent a chip to store what our eye lenses see to download it later 🙂
    Looking forward to hear about the immigration battlefront.
    Enjoy

    September 9, 2011
    • Lorrie Elliott #

      I recently lived in a woman’s shelter during some hard times….. One of my best memories was coming back from church one rainy day and seeing a double rainbow overtop of the shelter. Our housemother told us it was Gods promise to never flood Earth again, it was very moving… This is definitely an awesome picture!!!

      September 28, 2011
      • I love that story, considering that rainbows show up after heavy rains. Thanks for sharing your story.

        September 28, 2011
  2. Spectacular — what a capture!

    Absolutely beautiful … I’m jealous of your adventures.

    🙂

    September 26, 2011
  3. Wow! You really do have an “eye” for beauty. Congrats on being freshly pressed.

    September 26, 2011
  4. Great pics!

    September 26, 2011
  5. Great life lessons there. And lovely pics.

    September 26, 2011
  6. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos. Beautiful rainbow shot. Connie
    http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/

    September 26, 2011
  7. Nice scenery. It’s true, a camera that’s not with you is worthless. I fear risking my DSL on some excursions, so I like to have a decent point and shoot avaliable.

    September 26, 2011
  8. I am psyched to see your photos of double rainbows on Iphone. It’s usually the “best camera I have with me” too. But your pics are great! As an aside, I loved your use of the word crepuscular. That is one of my favorite words.

    September 26, 2011
    • I was giddy that I had a chance to use that word. I have a few other words that I have to work through my blog somehow. Thanks.

      September 27, 2011
  9. nice lessons. always take your iPhone everywhere…:D

    September 26, 2011
  10. You took these amazing photos with your iPhone!!? Impressive! I’m motivated by your demonstration of lessons learned: I’m determined to never leave the house sans camera (any camera). Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    September 26, 2011
  11. itsnowandthen #

    Ahh if only you had use a Samsung Galaxy S II… The quality would be God like… I never like a iPhone camera it sucks.

    September 26, 2011
  12. Ha! Love the title.
    Great photos.

    September 26, 2011
  13. Wow…A Picture is worth a “Thousand Words” I am Speechless!

    September 26, 2011
  14. wow – so pretty

    -grace

    September 26, 2011
  15. That is just absolutely gorgeous–and possibly the best ad for an iPhone I’ve ever seen! So glad you got freshly pressed so I could see this…

    September 26, 2011
    • You know the head of marketing at Apple?

      September 27, 2011
  16. This was taken with your iPhone?! Wow, I’m impressed!

    September 26, 2011
  17. What great shots and even greater philosophy! Have fun! Visit Finland if you have a chance 🙂

    September 26, 2011
    • Finland is on my list. Thanks.

      September 27, 2011
  18. oooh my gosh!! your pictures are sensational!! 😀

    September 26, 2011
  19. Jim #

    Working to get the most out of the camera that’s on you can be a lot of fun. Sure, your DSLR can do remarkable things, but it sure feels great to get a wonderful shot from a more limited camera.

    September 26, 2011
    • Thanks for your comment. How I covet the Leica M9…

      September 27, 2011
  20. So beautiful and the air so crisp. Congrats on getting your paperwork sorted! I once walked thro a moon-bow, v eerie and striking but not as majestic as these shots.

    September 26, 2011
  21. Gorgeous pictures – I wouldn’t have believed that you took them with an iPhone! Makes me question my blackberry – well done! Sounds exciting that you are going to spend a year in Norway.

    September 26, 2011
  22. Lovely – and congrats on being Freshly Pressed. I even forget my phone has a camera, sometimes.

    September 26, 2011
  23. So true! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve kicked myself for forgetting my camera! Well done– beautiful photos 🙂

    September 26, 2011
  24. Incredible photo of the double rainbow!! Almost surreal! You have a great eye, no matter the camera!

    http://arabianmusings.wordpress.com/

    September 26, 2011
  25. Image_0994 is absolutely stunning. Give it a good name.

    September 26, 2011
    • I will. Next blog.

      September 27, 2011
  26. Witchmountain #

    They are lovely pictures. I don’t have a camera, only my phone ( my film SLR was always too cumbersome to capture these surprize moments anyway) . I recently posted some pictures of a beautiful double rainbow that appeared here on Witchmountain in North Yorkshire, it made my day. x

    September 26, 2011
    • I still love my SLR. With a 50mm 1.4 lens I can get stunning shots. But nothing like a camera that’s always in your pocket.

      September 27, 2011
  27. It doesn’t look like it was taken with an iPhone. Maybe you don’t need an SLR after all. The photos are really nice

    September 26, 2011
  28. I AGREE!! 🙂 I think asking a photographer what kind of camera they use is like asking a painter about the paint…..it doesn’t “create” the masterpiece…..the heart does!! 🙂

    September 26, 2011
    • Or, in my case, luck created a good picture.

      September 27, 2011
  29. choward86 #

    That first picture is breathtaking. Amazing!

    September 26, 2011
  30. looks like fantasy! i think that nothing beats seeing it personally 🙂

    September 26, 2011
  31. You know, the best camera is no camera at all. The good look you take and experience and let go. But these are fantastic images, and you must have a wonderful ife.

    September 26, 2011
  32. Fantastic photographs!

    September 26, 2011
  33. Fnatastic pictures. And you are soooooo right about the camera that is with you!

    September 26, 2011
  34. really beautiful scenery! i’m a firm believer that no matter how great the camera, a really magical view can be captured by anything…including a memory. thanks for sharing!

    September 26, 2011
  35. Brilliant photos and great post!

    September 26, 2011
  36. Oh my! These photos are unbelievable!! The first one is my favourite…how did you even get that shot?? Just beautiful! 🙂

    September 26, 2011
    • It’s not the shot – it’s the scenery. It was taken through a window, on a boat, with an iphone.

      September 27, 2011
  37. When double rainbows appear it means that whatever is coming to you has great meaning in your life and that one good thing will lead to another good thing. I really rejoice in your happiness and good fortune. The rainbows are a sign from the cosmic universe that you are about to have something great fall into your lap! Learn more here http://www.lunamusika.com/blog/?p=3616

    September 26, 2011
  38. Up High Lullaby #

    omg it looks soo beautiful …sounds like a nice trip

    September 26, 2011
  39. This is a sight to see. and I have to agree with you, use what you have because that’s a capture that is unforgettable.
    Beautiful Shot!

    September 26, 2011
  40. yooch #

    Great pics. you should look into the fuji x100. Its about 1200 bucks but its tiny and has been getting pretty good reviews.

    http://www.stillperception.wordpress.com

    September 26, 2011
    • Or the Leica M9.

      September 27, 2011
  41. Tattered Butterfly Arts #

    What fantastic shots!!!!! And thank you wholly for offering the concept ‘of the best camera is the camera within you’. What a gorgeous idea – and I think it’s true! Keep on snapping and sharing.

    September 26, 2011
  42. Fabulous photos, congrats on “freshly pressed!” A drummer friend once replied, when asked what was his favorite drumset: “the one that is already set up!” My version of what is your favorite camera is “the one I have with me” – usually, my iPhone. No camera, no photo.

    September 26, 2011
  43. That is a really nice moment! You are so right, it´s only interesting with the camera you have with you!

    September 26, 2011
  44. Oh wow! I’ve never seen a double rainbow before! Except for the double rainbow youtube video. Great pics!

    September 26, 2011
  45. Awesome pictures! Thank you for sharing!

    September 26, 2011
  46. i love how the sun just splashes out of those clouds…

    September 26, 2011
  47. Iphone pics huh? I’m impressed.

    September 26, 2011
  48. Beautiful!
    Nice double rainbow!
    http://www.thecameraangle.wordpress.com

    September 26, 2011
  49. I hate not having my camera with me, but I am also scared of leaving it in the car or having it get stolen, paranoid much?! Yes I guess I am, but I do so love my camera!! My fiancee took it down for a weekend of V8 racing and I swear the photos he scored… it looked like the cars were still… crazy stuff!!!

    September 26, 2011
    • Never be afraid of anything. With wisdom what is yours in your mind cannot be taken away. A great mantra to keep in mind: “No weapon formed against me will prosper.” – Isaiah 54:17

      September 27, 2011
  50. Haha… that’s how I feel. Always felt guilty leaving the DSLR at home. I use the iPhone camera a lot cos it is convenient… even took a beautiful rainbow recently… the composition is everything… but sometimes I wish I wasn’t so lazy with the DSLR…

    September 27, 2011
  51. my camera is like my car keys. i go nowhere without it! you never know when a moment will come that needs to be captured! great pics!

    September 27, 2011
  52. Still lovely photos. I always have my p & s with me but don’t always like to haul my DSLR around but I have been happy to have a camera with me a few times, too. Congrats on FP! I made it, too, today.

    September 27, 2011
    • Thanks! Congrats to you on FP, too. Really helps with the traffic, doesn’t it?

      September 27, 2011
  53. Well said!! Stunning photo’s by the way 🙂

    September 27, 2011
  54. Timothy Mager #

    What nice pictures you have!

    September 27, 2011
  55. Double rainbow! You’re so lucky to have seen one–and captured it, too!!!

    September 27, 2011

  56. Sorry, I just had to link it.

    Nice shot though!

    September 27, 2011
  57. Paul Heck #

    It’s always a challenge to fit a landscape vista into the viewfinder, whatever the camera or capture device. I guess that’s whay we are so fascinated and intrigued by beautiful and wide open horizons. Nice work btw.

    September 27, 2011
  58. Magnificently beautiful! I didn’t know iPhone is this powerful to capture such natural wonder.

    September 27, 2011
  59. aparnanairphotography #

    Magnificent! I think it’s a good omen that you captured a rainbow! Congrats on fp!

    September 27, 2011
  60. Beautiful shots! I agree with you, while having a DSLR/SLR camera will give you the best image quality compared to an iPhone, in the end, the best camera is always the one with you because you’re still managing to capture the moment. I’m like you, I don’t enjoy traveling heavy for short trips so I usually debate whether I should bring my DSLR or my P&S. Usually my P&S wins and it still produces great images!

    September 27, 2011
    • I don’t have a point-and-shoot any more. It’s my iPhone and SLR. My iPhone I always have with me. And for special occasions I bring my SLR. But now, during my year off, I’m going to make a good effort to bring my SLR everywhere I go.

      September 28, 2011
  61. Lovely! And I agree with your message! Did you know one of the photographers for sports illustrated uses a disposal camera. Nothing fancy just the disposables that we all have used.

    September 27, 2011
  62. Wow!

    September 27, 2011
  63. tom1112 #

    Wow~!
    ……………………….. Wow~!…

    September 27, 2011
  64. awesome! congrat on being freshly press

    September 27, 2011
  65. The guys on MacBreak Weekly are always saying that the best camera is the one you have with you (pretty sure it’s Andy Ihnatko). I agree completely.

    Current generation iPhones, BlackBerry, and Android phones all have better built-in cameras than my first two digital cameras.

    September 27, 2011
    • It’s a great saying. You’re right — I’m didn’t invent it.

      September 28, 2011
  66. Ron Armacost #

    Well done and congrats on achieving freshly pressed. An iPhone, that’s incredible.

    September 27, 2011
  67. agree! and great captures here ❤

    September 27, 2011
  68. Fabulous!

    September 27, 2011
  69. i personally think that the iPhone has an amazing camera! (so no worries) Great pics!

    http://www.regularteenageworld.wordpress.com

    September 27, 2011
  70. Beautiful Photos! And we agree with you, the best camera is the camera that’s with you. We believe that much depends on the one taking the picture, his eye for seeing the beauty in a scene and capturing it in stills.

    September 27, 2011
  71. nw. pixelling #

    absolutely agree!!

    September 27, 2011
  72. BEAUTIFUL… there are certain pics which make you feel peaceful….

    September 27, 2011
  73. I like your #2.

    September 27, 2011
  74. You’re right about the best camera being the one that is with you, but I would love to learn settings to be able to take advantage of night shots and so forth. Thanks for the blog though

    September 27, 2011
  75. Exodus #

    totally agree.

    September 27, 2011
  76. Wow..awesome! great pictures

    September 27, 2011
  77. Wow, amazing. Nive photos, great shots.

    September 27, 2011
  78. The Inside Lens #

    Great story and pics! Its so true what you say, the best camera is the one you have with you. Better that than finding yourself looking at the perfect photo opp with no camera on you…something I have done way too often.

    September 27, 2011
  79. scaza101 #

    Very nice. I am love it very much.

    September 27, 2011
  80. Very nice photos and a true talk.

    September 27, 2011
  81. great captured in camera!!!
    grea people great nature!!

    September 27, 2011
  82. Cool pics. like it.

    September 27, 2011
  83. Wow! Spectacular photo!

    September 27, 2011
  84. Jonathon Murphy #

    I know how you feel . About not taken your camera when you should missed many great shots myself that way!
    and I agree best camera is the one with you . Putting that aside a great shots! like em both .

    September 27, 2011
  85. well done for freshly pressed. Not only this but its not just the camera, its the photographer behind it, you surely show you have a great eye for a photographic moment whatever lens you are looking through. i will agree an slr may have been a better piece of equpment but you were lucky to have some photographic technology with you or you would have missed this completely.

    September 27, 2011
  86. damn!
    what a spectacular photo. it’s so beautiful.
    I’m very like this photo and i’m very jealous with your adventure
    Love it!

    September 27, 2011
  87. Awesome!

    September 27, 2011
  88. Darn the iPhone – merely a phone yet it STILL takes gorgeous photos. But I know you also had to have exquisite timing and setup to get it. Gorgeous photos no matter what, and definitely a good phrase to keep in mind!

    September 27, 2011
  89. Rai #

    Clever advice, and your pictures are wonderful…even from an iPhone.

    WOOO FRESH PRESSED CONGRATULATIONS

    September 27, 2011
  90. Gorgeous – and a great reminder that whatever we do have is enough

    September 27, 2011
  91. I don’t know why but the first point makes me think you’re actually not referring to the second one instead talking about technically the best camera one owns.

    September 27, 2011
  92. These pictures are so Beautiful!

    September 27, 2011
  93. Amazing photos, the double rainbows especially!

    September 27, 2011
  94. Wow! Absolutely stunning pictures you got in there! Can’t help but admire your perfectly- taken shots! Looking forward to be mesmerized once again and again and again and again… ! 🙂

    September 27, 2011
  95. Can’t agree more!

    September 27, 2011
  96. The photos are simply awesome! If you haven’t mention it, I would thought that they are taken with DSLR. I’m impressed with both your skills and iPhone. 🙂

    September 27, 2011
  97. Crepuscular rays! Now I know what to call that kind of light, the word geek in me thanks you! =D Congrats on being FP-ed. 🙂

    September 27, 2011
  98. Great pictures, regardless, and reflection. I have to remind myself sometimes when I’m traveling that I don’t need a picture of everything because I’ll remember the parts that were important.

    September 27, 2011
    • oh and here’s my blog with pictures from my travels around ghana: http://ghanaseewhaticansee.wordpress.com

      September 27, 2011
      • I spent 2 months in Africa: Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, and South African. The most memorable trip in my life. I’m sure when you come back, give it a year, and you’ll look back on your time in Africa with pride and fondness.

        September 28, 2011
  99. Stephen Siregar #

    THat happens to me a few times! I saw the most beautiful view only to regret that I hadn’t bring a good camera with me. THanks for sharing!

    September 27, 2011
  100. ferniie #

    I often find myself not taking my best camera with me ( because it adds so much bulk) But I almost always run into a situation where I wish I had it, so now i take it everywhere. (usually) haha.

    Thanks for sharing, love this pics !

    September 27, 2011
  101. Wow that is awesome! Love the sunlight over the mountains, looks so peaceful. We are studying abroad next summer and we just can’t wait to capture photos like this! It truly is amazing to catch these moments on camera.

    We just started a blog about our journey to studying abroad! We would love for you to follow us as well! http://adventuresofbrittania.wordpress.com/ We hope you enjoy!

    September 27, 2011
    • Yes I did. Best wishes to you in funding your adventure!

      September 28, 2011
  102. Amanda #

    Very beautiful pictures! The double rainbow is amazing!

    Amanda
    http://bullfrogsandbulldogs.wordpress.com/

    September 27, 2011
  103. Nice. Proves you don’t need a fancy camera–just a good eye.

    September 27, 2011
  104. creativecatherine #

    That is absolutely stunning, I love it.

    September 27, 2011
  105. Well said!

    September 27, 2011
  106. larosson #

    The number of times I’ve not taken my DSLR with me and then kicked myself only to find that my Instagram photos are stunning is unbelievable. And I’ve only got a crappy 3GS iPhone camera! I totally relate.

    September 27, 2011
  107. Breathtakingly wonderful!

    September 27, 2011
  108. Gorgeous!! Also, I know what you say to be true. There have been many times (too many to count) that I wished I had my camera with me. I don’t have an iPhone, so I can’t take nice pictures with my phone. Congrats on Freshly Pressed!

    September 27, 2011
  109. That’s a great story and a great lesson. If you want to take pictures with a certain camera, especially when travelling, don’t make excuses and not bring it. On the flip side, use whatever you have to capture the image – it doesn’t matter if all you have is an iPhone to take the photo, it matters that you have something to take the photo with in the first place.

    September 27, 2011
  110. cristinacole23 #

    Beautiful photo!

    September 27, 2011
  111. Whatever camera you have is fine (within reason), because there will always be two pictures that are better than any camera you have, no matter how good it is: the image you see while you’re there, and the memory you have in your mind’s camera when the moment passes.

    September 27, 2011
    • I agree, but sometimes your memory needs a reminder. I used to never take photograph but I thought — keep it in your head. But as I’m getting older, I find that I remember things that I have photographs for better.

      September 28, 2011
  112. porcelinbear #

    I always kick myself for not bringing my SLR when taking photos for blog, but you’re absolutely right. Afterall, better the camera that’s with you than no camera at all, right? Thanks for sharing, you gave me a bit of a revelation. 🙂

    September 28, 2011
  113. Beautiful photos. I always carry my camera with me, and to me it IS the best camera 🙂

    September 28, 2011
  114. I totally agree! Some of my best pictures came from my cellphone, and yours are great 🙂
    Btw, how come you ended up at Rødøy? I’m from Norway myself, and find it interesting that a family from Boston chooses to live there, so far away from.. everything? 😛

    September 29, 2011
    • I think great experiences in life are often the ones where many things are taken away from you, voluntarily or involuntarily. It allows you to focus on one, or a few things. So, far away from everything is what I wanted.
      As for Rødøy, my wife and I met in Lofoten 11 years ago. A year on an island in the northern part of Norway seems just right.

      September 29, 2011
      • Wow, it sounds like a dream. People like you are what inspires me to follow my heart and never believe I’m too old, too young or doing the wrong thing when I’m just doing what I feel is right. Thanks!

        September 30, 2011
  115. It always happen to me, I’m quite lazy bringing my SLR since it’s bulk compared to a phone camera. I love the photos, they are stunning. Wish I could be there someday.

    Thanks for sharing your place. God Bless

    Jay&Zei

    October 1, 2011
  116. Absolutely breathtaking! Good thing you at least had your iPhone with you to capture the moment!

    October 1, 2011
  117. It’s really a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

    January 16, 2012
  118. Fantastic submit, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite specialists of this sector do not understand this. You should continue your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!|What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its helped me. Great job.

    February 3, 2012

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