Uploaded byDavid McDonald
Shoot to thrill
The document discusses using the iPhone camera effectively, emphasizing that creativity and technique are more important than megapixels. It offers practical tips on shooting and processing images, highlighting the convenience of iPhone photography for spontaneous moments. The author notes that despite its limitations, the iPhone can enhance the photographic experience through its accessible technology and various photography apps.
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Shoot to thrill
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- 3. Shoot to Thrill Gettingthe best from your iPhone camera
- 4. It's all aboutthe image It's about making the best of the constraints of the iPhone camera NOT about high megapixel perfection A great shot is still a great shot, even if it's only 600px wide on your screen
- 5. The camera neverlies, or Once you point a lens you've already made a decision - to take a photo in the first place! Then you're choosing angles, framing, exposure control etc. Processing the final image to enhance, or change it is part of the same process - it's ALL selective There is no such thing as photographing something 'as it was'
- 6. The iPhone ismaking me a better photographer! I'm shooting more I concentrate more on what I'm looking at shooting I pay less attention to the mechanics of how I'm getting the shot It's faster and more direct, I feel closer to the image I'm shooting No auto-review - so no time wasted
- 7. The iPhone camera 3MP (2mp for previous versions of iPhone) 3.85mm focal length (equiv to about 37mm on regular camera) Sensor 1/4" CMOS Autofocus (on 3GS) 2cm to infinity Auto exposure & ISO from 70 to 1600 Aperture fixed at 2.8 Shutter speed fixed at 1/5th sec. (exposure controlled by auto-variable ISO)
- 8. But it's nota real camera! No such beast! Mostly camera marketing BS Any camera is as real or serious as YOU make it ANYTHING that captures an image is a camera, from a cardboard box pinhole to a Hasselblad A few short years ago 3mp cameras were top of the line for SLRs Quality of iPhone camera is more than
- 9. Constraints of the iPhone camera are far outweighed by its convenience, because...
- 10. The best camera you have is the one that's with You
- 11. iPhone is perfect for unplanned, or unexpected photo-ops
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- 17. F8 and bethere! Small, discreet, easy to take shots without attracting a lot of attention iPhone has a huge high-res preview screen, excellent for seeing the quality of what you've just shot It's also extremely efficient at directly uploading to the various photo-sharing sites
- 18. The Best Camera youhave is the one you have with you. Laterally relevant: This is a good case history of how to create, market and profit in the iPhone economy
- 19. Chase Jarvis andBest Camera Excellent and insanely dedicated photographer Totally comfortable in the digital realm, not just for the core photography, but the whole business Saw potential in the iPhone - even back in early 2009 with the 3G Started shooting with iPhone
- 20. Chase Jarvis andBest Camera Collected vast amount of images - remember shooting is cheap Used all existing iPhone camera apps, studied their strengths & weaknesses - thought he could do better Designed a new iPhone photography app based on his Photography experience & use of iPhone & R&D on apps Built a community website for the app Published a book to promote the app & website - using the photos he started
- 21. Physical aspects of iPhone shooting techniques
- 22. Holding the iPhone You have no control over the shutter speed selected so: Hold with two hands, if possible Hold close if you can, tuck your elbows in Remember on 3GS you also have to touch select focus too Brace yourself against a wall or support
- 23. The shutter release In case you haven't figured this out yet - the shutter actually takes the picture when you RELEASE your finger from it It's important to know this as timing is already tricky on these types of cameras
- 24. Tripod/Support Joby Gorillatripod Moviepeg Sellotape/Bluetack - anything that holds it still, or props it up You need a self-timer app for this (Joby made one)
- 25. Keep it Clean! Outer element of lens nearly always has oil from your skin on it, or other materials. Gross, I know! Always wipe the outmost glass on something clean (maybe a few times) before taking a shot. An optical wipe is great, if you happen to have them. Otherwise image quality can be
- 26. Touch to selecton 3GS A sophisticated solution for this type of device Makes for a much greater photo than more megapixels Take care how to use: try several areas in your frame, often a balance between extremes is needed, bracket plenty! This tech actually does three things: sets exposure, focus and white-balance. THIS ALSO affects how you're holding the iPhone for the shot - and not in a good way! For maximum hilarity try doing this while shading the lens from flare! ;-)
- 27. Lights, Camera, Action! Good light is critical
- 28. Beware of Flare When shooting towards any light-source always try to shade the lens if the source is out of frame, it makes a huge difference to the shot...
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- 31. Difference in lighting, photostaken about 1 hour apart © David McDonald 2010
- 32. Also bear inmind As with most small sensor cameras performance in low-light is not very good Careful of highlight burn-out in very bright areas (due to narrow dynamic range) No Flash, but you can still modify the light Use a reflector Move your subject into the light - OR into the shade
- 33. Be more Composed iPhone image quality is not great, go for strong composition, geometric, graphic, contrast - look at the shapes on the view screen, move around, re- compose if necessary The big iPhone screen is an advantage when used as a viewfinder - make the most of it Of course try vertical and landscape orientations - sometimes even an obviously vertical opportunity can
- 34. Be more Composed iPhone lens has a wide-angle lens & it does not zoom, that means YOU have to Get your lens in a different place! - Joe McNally (Easier to do with a small device like the iPhone)
- 35. Due Process Takingthe shot on the iPhone is only the first step Although you should always aim to capture the shot as best you can the iPhone Photography apps really allow you to make significant improvements to your images...
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- 42. Choose good, well- designedapps that best fit how you want to work Check out what other good iPhone photographers use
- 43. The Apps Iuse A lot of these offer fairly similar functionality: Autostitch Gallery Best Camera Pano Camera (I usually use Photos - often to the iPhone app itself select an image to take the shot, before working on it although other apps in an app can do this too) The Mill Camera Bag TiltShiftGen Flickr Tumblr iPhone app
- 44. Sharing is Caring Careful of auto-resizing when exporting or emailing Remember to tag, caption etc. - you are unlikely to do that later iPhone also records GPS data, very useful, but often stripped out on export/upload
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Editor's Notes
- #6 Notes will appear here. More here Third line position.