12-16-11 Entering the world of iPhoneography
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 08:19PM When I moved to Japan in April 2005, I immediately fell in love with the amount of electronic stores at my disposal. It was within my first month that I bought a whopping 5 megapixel compact digital camera to upgrade from my 'paltry' 3 megapixel version. Still have that camera, somewhere in the closet, I think.
Two years ago, my wife and I made the big jump from clamshell-style cell phone (Japanese standard at the time) to the Apple iPhone 3GS. A smart-phone with a camera capable of so many great things. Upload pictures to facebook, emailing pictures with ease to family back in California. A cool phone with a 'good' camera, but I still was in the market for a higher quality compact camera.
Last week, my wife and I again made another jump forward and upgraded to the iPhone 4S. HOLY (insert chosen expletive here)!!! This camera cell phone could very well replace my need for a high-end compact camera, for now.
I have spent the past week reading up on "iPhoneography" and the people who have created awesome work with this device (check out Jack Hollingsworth, @photojack on Twitter). I spent a few more bucks on some apps for processing, minor gear and just went out shooting. Is it as good as a DSLR? I don't think it's meant to be, It's a breed of its own. Here are some images:
The apartment is an exapmle of the stand-alone camera (no apps used). The bicycle image was made using the the iPhone's native HDR setting.
Camera+ is a very popular app with many good effects and filters. The black and white "Friend" pub image was made using a filter effect known simply as "Ansel". Very cool!
The Grungetastic app turns everything bleached and gritty, like it belongs in a Nine-Inch-Nails video. A lot of fun and great in black and white.
Tonaltopia (a free app when I got it) can really boost contrast and allows you to put an "over the top" vignette on the image. I love the mysterious look.
SlowShutter is challenging to use and requires a tripod of some kind. I use the Joby Magnetic GorillaPod with a Glif adapter for the iPhone 4 and 4S.
I have finally discovered the appeal of iPhoneography. At times challenging but always fun!
See you next week!
Mike
Reader Comments (2)
Incredible! All with the iphone? You can't even tell. These are excellent shots.
Thanks Sandi! The new iPhone is pretty remarkable. Just when I thought I was going to get a new "point and shoot" this thing comes along. ;-)