My appetite for capturing reference has decreased over time. Compared to reviewing photos and videos at a location - I feel drawn to panoramas scanning the horizon or gazing up to jog a memory loose with context through the periphery to what on earth was going on and what it was like to be there without any additional work. I also enjoy the inconspicuous form factor of a phone blending into the background when capturing as a live event 3CCD Videographer/Editor first then APS-C to Full Frame DSLR to cinema camera later on. I want as little gear as possible to attract zero attention as I work through a scene to keep it candid and interesting.
Panoramas are captured by many Google Pixel smart phones stitching multiple photos in whatever version of OOTB camera app was available at the time with no editing in post - I have been enjoying the artifacts and zero cropping since 2015. Over time I am finding that I am taking less video and photo reference and fewer panoramas to tell as much story in as few frames as possible - I want to spend as little time capturing, processing, editing, and outputting a final result. I like the “Where is Waldo” experience looking for fun artifacts, stories, or a moment captured in a series of frames - I am usually kicking myself for missing a moment or catching a passerby at the wrong part of the stitch.
I am currently experimenting with film using a Holga wide medium format pinhole camera - no results have been developed as of 2026. I am also interested in a future where the Wideluxx is available for sale on the shelf in any Portland, Oregon photo store for a more instant pan and scan compared to the pinhole.

Using the out of the box app limits you to a final stitched image captured in the moment - I prefer the phone for the immediate feedback and haptic guidance for “no look” pans. Discovering you were clever or aware enough to see beyond the screen to the scene and trust that something interesting is being rendered is pretty rewarding compared to stitching a series of photos later perfectly.
Panning across or up or over a scene I want to trick the app into cloning someone walking through or doubling a landmark - I am hoping a bit of story comes through a scan.
Thank you to those I travel with who wait patiently for me to snag yet another panorama along the way.
I have definitely gotten better at finding an interesting vantage point quickly and snagging a shot before a candid moment is soured.