Wait, let me correct myself. A lot of the gear I can afford, and yes, it would be totally worth it, but I seriously cannot fathom spending $2,500 on a camera...does it wash dishes and fold clothes too?
One day, when money is no object and I'm not obligated to pay rent and bills and other mindless "perks" of being an adult and a business owner, then I may possibly consider it. Until that day, I'm sticking to what I got.
Great gear doesn't make you a better photographer...it's all in knowing how to use your gear.
And sometimes, on a rare occasion, I'm without any professional gear at all.
What's a photo loving photographer/blogger to do?!
Bust out that trusty iPhone of course!
Obviously, the iPhone camera doesn't compare to a Nikon or Canon, but as Chase Jarvis said, "the best camera is the one that's with you." And I will be putting that to the test over the Christmas holiday.
1. Instagram - This app need not be explained. It's simple to use and apply retro filters and its a great way to build an audience. BUT, I am ashamed to admit that I just started using it. I didn't understand what the fuss was all about, but now, after having used it, I'm in love. Not like serious let's-make-out love, but a love like when you pass a Krispy Kreme and the HOT FRESH NOW sign is on. And yes, I just sort of insinuated that I would kiss a doughnut. I have no shame.
2. Slow Shutter - This is just an app that I downloaded on a whim. Used it once and promptly forgot about it. I'm hoping that it will come in handy for those long exposure photos, that I'm thinking about taking at one point, when time allows. It allows the user to adjust various settings, which is pretty awesome, if you know what your doing.
3. InstaBokeh - Bokeh is that blurry beautiful background that you see in photos. Sometimes, though, bokeh is hard to achieve, especially on a cellphone camera, insert InstaBokeh! A lot times, you can tell that it was added after the fact, but then sometimes it adds a whimsical magic-ness to your photos.
4. Photoshop Express - God bless you Adobe. The little app has all of the best features of Photoshop rolled into a small mobile version. And I love it.
5. Camera Awesome - This app provides the ability to focus and expose different areas of an image. And there is even a self timer for those group shots without the whole go-go-gadget arm aspect.
6. Tadaa SLR - Is a handy app that lets you create depth-of-field effects after you take your photo for that dreamy background. Using the app is super easy. Open a photo and use your finger to define a mask. Thanks to edge detection, you don't have to be exact. Anything you mask will remain in focus, while anything outside the mask will blur. The next step gives you the ability to adjust the out-of-focus parts, crop the image and adjust things such as saturation and contrast.
7. VSCO Cam - not only gives you better camera control by allowing you to lock focus, it also lets you edit your photos in the same app, and then share them, from that same app. Sometimes when we take photos, we forget how many extra steps you've got to take to get it to where you need it to be. VSCO Cam manages to do this without being overly complicated.
I'm sure there are better apps out there, but for me, these work. And they are free. Yep, FREE! I'm all about a bargain now. The one tip/piece of advice that I can offer (other than these great apps!) is to always use your built in camera, not the ones added into the apps. I just like the simplicity of using the built in camera. Hit the camera button, take a photo. Take 10 more. Then upload to one of the above listed apps for edits. Perfect!
Again, this list is nowhere near inclusive, but these are the apps that I use and enjoy and find user friendly.
Happy shooting (and editing and sharing!)
Post a Comment