IPhone
Using your smartphone to improve your photography
24/01/12 22:01
Using your smartphone to improve your photography
by Kristin Bishop
I have been shooting Nikon DSLR cameras since 2004, and added the iPhone to my gear list a few years ago. I have always believed the adage that “it’s not the camera, it’s the photographer,” and smartphone photography has clearly proved this beyond all doubt. There are many sites and forums devoted to iPhoneography/Droidography and associated apps for photographers to explore. Apps provide many advanced functions, including the ability to stitch panoramas, use layers, and merge HDR images. These functions and more can be done on the mobile phone, but add an iPad to the mix, and all can be accomplished with much more ease. Additionally, there are many iPad-only apps.
© 2011 Kristin Bishop
The Marines weren't going to let a little thing like a 5.9 magnitude earthquake stop them from putting on their last Tuesday night Sunset Parade of the summer season at Iwo Jima... so I had to go as planned. Drum & Bugle Corps ("The Commandant's Own") was terrific, and the silent drill team was impressive, as always.
I first began using the iPhone camera gradually, because I originally didn’t see the utility of it. But inspired by some of my friends’ iPhone work, I slowly began using it when scouting locations for later shoots with my DSLR. Then I was invited to join an iPhone Pic of the Day group on Facebook for 2010. Previously, I had never been able to envision a 365-day project (or even a 52-week project) because I just couldn’t commit to carrying my “big girl camera” around that much. But then I had the iPhone – “the best camera is the one you have with you.” (Chase Jarvis) So I successfully completed my Pic of the Day project for 2010 and later accomplished a less demanding iPhone Pic of the Week project for 2011.
© 2011 Kristin Bishop
The Discus Thrower, located in Edward R. Kelly Park (Wash, DC), was a gift from the Italian Government as thanks for U.S. help in recovering stolen pieces of Italian art during WWII.
Another advantage to using the iPhone for the Pic of the Day was that it forced me out of my comfort zone. My preferred DSLR subjects are wildlife and landscapes, for the most part. Having to take a photo every day encouraged me to vary my subject matter, and I had to rely on my “foot zoom” to get the compositions I wanted.
© 2011 Kristin Bishop
The White House
The bottom line is that my iPhone has helped me improve my DSLR photography, because I’m shooting more often and continuing to improve my eye. I would encourage any photographer to try it for at least a month, since I know a year is a big commitment. Take a photo a day with your smartphone, even if you don’t publish it. (Posting them does help keep you accountable, though – I post mine to Facebook.) I think you’ll find it a valuable exercise.
Kristin is an avid photographer living in the Washington DC area. You can see more of her work at: http://kbishop.smugmug.com/ .
Coming Up Soon on So You Bought a Camera: Kristin introduces us to an inspirational iPhone artist and we get to take a look at some of his legacy.
by Kristin Bishop
I have been shooting Nikon DSLR cameras since 2004, and added the iPhone to my gear list a few years ago. I have always believed the adage that “it’s not the camera, it’s the photographer,” and smartphone photography has clearly proved this beyond all doubt. There are many sites and forums devoted to iPhoneography/Droidography and associated apps for photographers to explore. Apps provide many advanced functions, including the ability to stitch panoramas, use layers, and merge HDR images. These functions and more can be done on the mobile phone, but add an iPad to the mix, and all can be accomplished with much more ease. Additionally, there are many iPad-only apps.
© 2011 Kristin Bishop
The Marines weren't going to let a little thing like a 5.9 magnitude earthquake stop them from putting on their last Tuesday night Sunset Parade of the summer season at Iwo Jima... so I had to go as planned. Drum & Bugle Corps ("The Commandant's Own") was terrific, and the silent drill team was impressive, as always.
I first began using the iPhone camera gradually, because I originally didn’t see the utility of it. But inspired by some of my friends’ iPhone work, I slowly began using it when scouting locations for later shoots with my DSLR. Then I was invited to join an iPhone Pic of the Day group on Facebook for 2010. Previously, I had never been able to envision a 365-day project (or even a 52-week project) because I just couldn’t commit to carrying my “big girl camera” around that much. But then I had the iPhone – “the best camera is the one you have with you.” (Chase Jarvis) So I successfully completed my Pic of the Day project for 2010 and later accomplished a less demanding iPhone Pic of the Week project for 2011.
© 2011 Kristin Bishop
The Discus Thrower, located in Edward R. Kelly Park (Wash, DC), was a gift from the Italian Government as thanks for U.S. help in recovering stolen pieces of Italian art during WWII.
Another advantage to using the iPhone for the Pic of the Day was that it forced me out of my comfort zone. My preferred DSLR subjects are wildlife and landscapes, for the most part. Having to take a photo every day encouraged me to vary my subject matter, and I had to rely on my “foot zoom” to get the compositions I wanted.
© 2011 Kristin Bishop
The White House
The bottom line is that my iPhone has helped me improve my DSLR photography, because I’m shooting more often and continuing to improve my eye. I would encourage any photographer to try it for at least a month, since I know a year is a big commitment. Take a photo a day with your smartphone, even if you don’t publish it. (Posting them does help keep you accountable, though – I post mine to Facebook.) I think you’ll find it a valuable exercise.
Kristin is an avid photographer living in the Washington DC area. You can see more of her work at: http://kbishop.smugmug.com/ .
Coming Up Soon on So You Bought a Camera: Kristin introduces us to an inspirational iPhone artist and we get to take a look at some of his legacy.