In my experience, photographing with a camera that isn’t spotless can surprisingly add an authentic and intriguing character to shots. Rather than striving for perfect clarity, sometimes the smudges and dust contribute to a dreamlike, vintage vibe that can make your images stand out from typical sharp photos. This effect can work well for certain themes, like moody portraits or nostalgic street photography, where a softened, imperfect look complements the story you want to tell. Instead of immediately cleaning the lens, experiment by gently wiping only selective areas or leaving some fingerprints to see how subtle distortions influence the photo’s ambiance. Furthermore, this approach challenges the norm of digital perfection, showing that flaws can be intentionally embraced to evoke emotions or memories. It’s important to balance this with your creative goals and ensure the artistic effect doesn’t compromise too much image quality or obscure the subject. Beyond manually dirtying the glass, some photographers use post-processing filters that mimic these effects, but capturing it naturally through your camera lens can produce a more genuine and satisfying outcome. Ultimately, it's about experimenting and observing how different levels of dirtiness impact the mood and story captured in your photos.