The Best Camera Is the One in Your Pocket

How a phone, a low angle and a little patience created this portrait of a Canberra water dragon

One of the most common questions I hear from people who admire a photograph is: “What camera did you use?” The assumption is that a great image must come from expensive equipment. But the photo you see above, a water dragon perched on a rock like a miniature dinosaur surveying its kingdom, was taken entirely on a phone. No DSLR, no mirrorless body, no telephoto lens. Just a smartphone and a willingness to get low.

If you live in Canberra, you have almost certainly crossed paths with an Australian Water Dragon. They bask along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, sun themselves on rocks at the National Botanic Gardens and lounge beside suburban creeks as though they own the place, which, in fairness, they probably did long before we arrived. They are also remarkably tolerant of people, which makes them wonderful subjects for photography practice.

The key to this image is proximity. Phone cameras have small sensors and wide-angle lenses, which usually produce deep depth of field, meaning everything from foreground to background appears sharp. That is fine for a landscape, but it rarely makes a portrait feel striking. The trick is to get as close to your subject as the lens will focus. When you do, even a phone can produce that creamy, blurred background. Photographers call it bokeh, which separates the subject from its surroundings and draws the viewer’s eye exactly where you want it.

For this shot, I crouched down to the dragon’s eye level, held the phone steady, and waited. The low angle gives the animal a sense of presence and authority that a top-down snapshot never would. Composition matters far more than megapixels.

A word of care, though. Getting close does not mean getting intrusive. Water dragons may look calm, but they are wild animals in their own habitat. Move slowly, avoid sudden gestures, and never chase or corner them for the sake of a photograph. If the animal shifts away from you, let it go. A respectful distance will still reward you with a good image, and the dragon will remain relaxed enough for you to try again another day.

So next time you spot one of Canberra’s resident reptiles on your morning walk, resist the urge to pull out an excuse about not having the right gear. The best camera is already in your pocket. All you need to add is patience, a low angle and a little respect for the creature in front of you.