Kevin Spargur Photography

In this article, "Making The Best Of Your Smart Device Camera", we look at the subject of storage and discuss the differences in removable memory cards and built in storage.

I've been a little busy and haven't been able to sit down and "write". Hopefully, I will have a little time to pick back up with my ramblings on how to improve your photographic images.

This is not going to be a treatise on why you shouldn't use your device's camera as your primary memory catcher. In fact, it needs to be an integral part of your photographic arsenal! However, recognizing your smart device's limitations is the first step in being able to improve your overall photography and the quality of your smart device photos.

Recently, I have heard quite often how someone can't take anymore photos with their phone:

"I can't take anymore photos; it's too full."

"I don't know what's wrong but it won't let me take anymore photos. I've tried deleting to make room but it won't let me."

And on and on and on the comments and disappointment manifest itself in their words and faces. I cannot begin to count the number of times or the degree of varying comments I have witnessed lately. I'm not surprised either!

Don't misunderstand me; integral cameras in phones and tablets are a great idea and work for the short term. But, like everything else, they have limits which are more quickly reached than an SD card in a camera. An actual camera has sooooo many more benefits when it comes to photography.

For example; with a phone. Once your storage is full, you have one of a few choices:

1) upload to social media account(s) then delete images from your phone to free up storage;

2) delete photos to free up storage;

3) wait until you can connect your phone to your computer so you can offload images and free up storage.

With a camera... purchase several quality, high capacity SD cards (or whatever memory storage media your camera uses) and a small memory card wallet. When one card reaches max capacity, pull that card and replace it with another card. Then, when you get to your computer, you simply transfer the photos from the cards to the computer without tying up your phone.

(continued at top of next column)

(continued from previous column)

I have no less than three different types of memory card wallets that I use to carry memory cards in. Each one is capable of storing at least two different types of memory cards. They are as follows:

1) Pelican memory card hard case: MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! I have two of them and they each store up to 12 SD/XQD memory cards. They will store up to three or four different types of memory cards and are water and crush proof. Though they can be purchased at stores like Best Buy, I bought mine off of Amazon. I have these reserved for my game camera memory cards but, I will use them when flying.

2) Case Logic Soft wallet: (carried at nearly all Wally Worlds) This one is handy from the stand point that you can store a variety of memory storage media; jump drives/sticks and most every actual memory card ever created. The downside is that they are NOT waterproof or crush resistant.

3) Small business card type wallet. Had it so long I can't even remember who made it; probably Case Logic as well. Upside, throw it in your shirt or pants pocket and forget it. Downside? Other than limited to number and type of memory you can carry... *throw it in your shirt or pants pocket and forget it.

(*CHECK YOUR POCKETS THOROUGHLY BEFORE PLACING IN WASHING MACHINE! I speak from experience!)

Pelican Memory Card Cases

Inside view

Match your memory card to your device