The light meter in our camera's only read light bouncing off the subject. They can't read color or flash (unless it's from its own speedlight.) They also can't read light falling on the subject also know as "incident" measurement. Incident flash meters run from a low end of $200.00 to $750.00 for a pro version. Color meters are really pricey at $1700.00. Which brings me to a new incident meter that connects to iOS & Android smartphones via bluetooth. Introducing the Illuminati Meter Illuminati Instruments introduced a compact incident … [Read more...] about This Changes Everything, How to Accurately Meter Light-Flash-Color from Your Smartphone
smartphone
Apple’s New iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Cameras
Apple have just announced the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Of course, we're most interested in the camera(s) specs. iOS 10 Shoots RAW That's right, now you can shoot RAW photos on your iPhone, and it doesn't even require buying a new phone. Some other phones already shoot RAW, but this is new to iOS. Adobe Lightroom Mobile is already optimized for working on RAW photos, and Apple said these new phones are perfect for it. iOS 10 should be available September 13th. 12-Megapixel Sensors and Performance The iPhone 6s also had a … [Read more...] about Apple’s New iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Cameras
DroboAccess: Encrypted Connection to Remote NAS Drobos
Drobo has launched DroboAccess, an app that's part of the myDrobo applications available on its networked attached storage (NAS) devices. The 5 drive bay Drobo 5N and its big brother the 8 bay Drobo B810n using DroboAccess allows users to share files and folders by means of links. They can be read only or read / write and have password protection. Best of all it's a browser based solution that lets users get their files from anywhere on desktops, laptops, smartphones and tablets. It is available now. Getting to DroboAccess Check for updates … [Read more...] about DroboAccess: Encrypted Connection to Remote NAS Drobos
Shooting Raw on a Smartphone with the LG G4
I was recently given the new LG G4 smartphone to try out by my friends at ThreeUK. Theres a lot I could write about the software, shape etcetera, but Im a phoneographer so lets get straight to the camera. Go Manual The camera is good on this phone but really comes into its own when you opt to switch to Manual mode. Here you can opt to change; White Balance Focal depth Exposure compensation ISO Shutter speed All pretty cool and opens up some great photographic opportunities, but what really got me excited was the option to shoot jpg or DNG … [Read more...] about Shooting Raw on a Smartphone with the LG G4
Fun Skewing an Image
As the driver drove us from the Las Vegas airport to our hotel, I saw a billboard promoting a comedian's act for one of the hotels. That got me thinking of my comedian buddy Frankie Paul. We joked about him performing in Vegas. I thought how cool will it be when I see Frankie's act promoted on a billboard here. This gave me an idea. I can add Frankie to the billboard! By the time my camera photo was ready, I missed my opportunity. I waited for another billboard and quickly took a shot. To add Frankie to the billboard is actually really easy … [Read more...] about Fun Skewing an Image
Make your Vacation Cell Phone Photos Better
We took the day off to walk around Las Vegas before our scheduled filled work week at the Photoshop World convention began. People were everywhere taking cell phone photos of themselves and loved ones in front of Vegas landmarks. Every shot the same; they got as close to the landmark as possible then captured the image. That got me thinking. This will be a great article to write How I got the shot. To start with, these are cell phone images. We only had a few seconds to snap a shot before people walked into our frame. I tried to recreate a … [Read more...] about Make your Vacation Cell Phone Photos Better
Sport Portrait Composite part 1of 3 | How I Got the Shot
My son Alec's passion for lacrosse is contagious. You can't help getting excited when he talks about key players, the game, and what to look for when watching. His enthusiasm had me embark on a two year project of capturing the sport known as "The fastest game on two feet." First a little history. Alec's high school didn't have a lacrosse program. Lacrosse is fairly new in Florida. I teamed up with a few parents and we were able to raise enough funds, find a coach and raise awareness to create a team. The first year wasn't easy to say the … [Read more...] about Sport Portrait Composite part 1of 3 | How I Got the Shot
Turn Your Phone 90 Degrees (NSFW)
Vertical Video. Unless you're hanging a television set in portrait aspect ratio (think digital signage) there's likely no reason to shoot this way. Video is a panoramic medium (embrace it). Apparently it bothers other people too. Perhaps we can all share this movie with a few other folks who could benefit from watching. Just a little light-hearted humor for your enjoyment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqHZJe6306k ______ … [Read more...] about Turn Your Phone 90 Degrees (NSFW)
Thoughts on Smartphone Usage
Evgenia Tiplyashina Last week, we ran a poll on smartphone usage by photographers. If you haven't voted, we'd love to hear your opinion (click here). We're trying to better understand how photographers view smartphones. The Results So Far The results so far are quite interesting (people were allowed to vote on multiple choices, but only one time total). Here's where it breaks down (with my editorial analysis included). I Use It If It's The Only Camera I Have 31.17% No surprises here. A photographer will not let the moment escape. If a tool … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Smartphone Usage
How Often Do You Use Your Smartphone for Photo Tasks
We're thinking of adding more coverage for smartphone camera apps and photo tools, but we want to know more about how you're using your smartphone. Please respond to the poll below. You can choose multiple responses as well as leave comments below. We want to gauge what and how much to cover. ________ … [Read more...] about How Often Do You Use Your Smartphone for Photo Tasks
Shooting Long Exposure — Put Your Smartphone to Use
Does your camera offer a smartphone app? Many do and you might be surprised by what they offer. Here are a few, but there are more out there (just check your owner's manual). Some cameras have Wi-Fi built-in, others require an adapter. Canon EOS Remote Nikon Mobile Utility Olympus Image Share Note: While this article is primarily about the Olympus, you can apply the technique to most cameras that offer Wi-Fi apps or even a tethered remote. I recently picked up the Olympus OM-D E-E-M1. One of my favorite things about it is the great mobile … [Read more...] about Shooting Long Exposure — Put Your Smartphone to Use
90% of People Have Only Taken a Photo with a Camera Phone in Their Lifetime?
As I was browsing my Twitter feed... the following infographic popped up. Keeping in mind that infographics are created by marketing people most often, you have to take these facts with a grain of salt... The ad (I mean infographic) is for a new Windows model of a smartphone. Fortunately, they do provide sources for their claims (see the bottom of this page). 90% of People Have Only Taken Photos on a camera Phone vs. a Camera This report released earlier this year points out that there are 5.2 Billion mobile phones on the planet for a … [Read more...] about 90% of People Have Only Taken a Photo with a Camera Phone in Their Lifetime?
Apple Announces The iPhone 5S – It May Become The Most Popular Smartphone Camera Ever
Every day, more photos are taken with the iPhone than any other camera. This is a simple fact that even Apple's competition hasn't tried to dispute. With the announcement of the new iPhone 5S and a beefier camera, it's probable that there is less chance of that fact changing any time soon. I was honored to be invited by my old friend Leo Laporte to be a guest on his popular This Week in Tech (TWIT) show yesterday to discuss and critique the iPhone 5S announcement. We did the show live and like the rest of you, got bit by bit, the details of … [Read more...] about Apple Announces The iPhone 5S – It May Become The Most Popular Smartphone Camera Ever
Microsoft Windows 8X by HTC Phone/Camera Mini Review
So that all of you who are ardent fans of various phones won't feel slighted, I'll start this review by saying I own the following phones (In no particular order) 1. iPhone 5 2. Android Samsung S3 3. Windows HTX 8x Most of you who have followed me a while will be shocked to see anything other than an iPhone on this list, let alone a Microsoft product. But things change. And so do my needs and opinions. While I've been wrongly accused of being a Mac fanboy, the fact is, when I find something that works, I buy it, without regard for brand … [Read more...] about Microsoft Windows 8X by HTC Phone/Camera Mini Review
My HDR Smartphone Workflow
By A lot of photographers scoff at smartphone cameras. I on the other hand love having software and camera built into one with easy sharing. It lets me work when the inspiration hits. One of those areas is HDR. Here's how bad a normal smartphone image can look. This is from late on a Fall night. While working on an smartphone may seem less than ideal, it is still a common practice. You can choose to have the phone simply capture the multiple images, or use the software on phone to quickly process the image. Several smartphones now … [Read more...] about My HDR Smartphone Workflow
The Impact of Smartphone Cameras
While much justifiable criticism has been levied against the evolution of cellphone cameras, there is a tremendous beneficiary journalism. We know have a literal global network of camera operators with the ability to capture newsworthy events and transmit usable photos. Many photographers dismiss this technological shift. After all, how can a point-and-shoot (especially a low quality one at that) take the place of a modern DSLR with a selection of lenses? The answer is easy speed and mobility. Lets accept that a modern smartphone has a … [Read more...] about The Impact of Smartphone Cameras
The iPhone 5 As Pocket Camera
It's no surprise that cellphone photos are now the most popular on the Internet. Everyone I know carries a smart phone with a camera in it. The iPhone 5 sports an eight megapixel sensor made by Sony. Sony/Apple claim the camera is 40% faster than the iPhone 4s. I have no way to verify that claim but it does feel a little "snappier." Pun intended. The new camera also claims better low-light performance. It is in my opinion a full stop better - but some reviewers feel like there may even be a two-stop advantage. Perhaps I am a bit pickier than … [Read more...] about The iPhone 5 As Pocket Camera
Samsung Galaxy S3 Smartphone From A Photographer’s Perspective
I own an iPhone 4s and have owned every iPhone since the very first one. I like the iPhone. But I have recently tired of Apple's closed systems, PR policies which limit valuable and necessary information that consumers need to make informed decisions as well as other business practices. Accordingly, I have decided for the first time since the 1980s to venture outside the Apple eco-system. While I still own and use an iPhone, I wanted to take a crack at the newest Android phones. I ran a poll on Google+ and the Samsung S3 was most often … [Read more...] about Samsung Galaxy S3 Smartphone From A Photographer’s Perspective
Will The Compact Point & Shoot Survive In An Era Of Smart Phone Cameras?
If youve used an iPhone 4s camera phone, chances are upon looking at the image quality you got you said Wow! Smart phone cameras in general are improving quickly. The ability to snap and share in seconds is drawing millions of people to these devices. Its fun, fast and highly addictive. Hooking up something like Instagram to an iPhone allows connectivity, coolness and fun in spades. Since these phones are getting better cameras, falling in price and becoming more available, its getting harder and harder for casual shutterbugs and even … [Read more...] about Will The Compact Point & Shoot Survive In An Era Of Smart Phone Cameras?
The Smartphone/Camera of the Future
The NPD Group's new "Imaging Confluence Study" shows that the percentage of photos taken on a smartphone grew from 17 percent last year to 27 percent this year. What does this mean for those of us who are serious about photography? Is there going to be a time when a smart phone (please remember these next words) OR SOMETHING LIKE IT replaces the traditional real camera? Will technology like light field or holography be a factor? Will stills be replaced by movies? There are many possibilities. If you went back to my grandfathers generation, … [Read more...] about The Smartphone/Camera of the Future
When does a camera stop being a phone? When does a phone stop being a camera?
Behold, the new 8-megapixel Samsung Memoir. Let me tell you about how my day is going. I wrote an Automator workflow yesterday that would download the latest editions of 90 different comic strips every morning, slap them inside a PDF, and upload the file to both my home media server and my iDisk every morning at 7 AM. Every morning when I awake at the crack of noon (-ish), I can turn to the PowerBook on my nightstand and catch up on Mary Worth before I even get out of bed. But it didn't work. Apparently I'd passed a faulty parameter to the … [Read more...] about When does a camera stop being a phone? When does a phone stop being a camera?
