The iPhone as a photographer's tool

Peter Denniston was a long-time PC user who just last year switched to a Mac for his home computer. A keen and accomplished photographer, he has recently embraced an iPhone 3G as both a communications device and as a photography tool.

He also uses free podcasts in iTunes, available to both Mac and PC users through the iTunes store.

This is what he has discovered (in his own words):

Apart from the obvious advantages of the Apple iPhone 3G with its slim design, superb touch interface, transparent integration of applications and synchronising ability, the device offers several advantages to the serious photographer. But I am not talking about the low-resolution built-in camera, though it has its uses, as you will see later in this article.

First there are many great tutorial podcasts on iTunes and having some videos or audio on the iPhone means I can recheck an instructional technique or tip in the field and not have to memorise it back at my desktop computer.

The built in GPS combined with the Map app is a real help if you are navigating and searching for a specific shoot location. Also in built-up areas it's a great way to find your way around various points of interest you wish to shoot.

Having the iPhone with me almost everywhere I go, I can share my photography portfolio with others in an elegant manner. The iPhone's 3.5-inch screen is a very nice size for viewing, and new photos are automatically updated when I sync to my Mac's iPhoto galleries.

As my DSLR does not support location tagging, I take a quick pic with my iPhone to log the GPS coordinates. I can then paste the EXIF data into Aperture later so my photos are geotagged. So I simply use the iPhone camera to take a quick snap shot of the scene I am shooting.

There are many applications available for the iPhone with new, well written programs appearing in the iTunes App Store regularly. I have listed a few which I use for enhancing my photography in the field using the iPhone:

Handi 5D

This is a complete condensed manual and guide for my Canon 5D. It allows me to check up on any settings etc. There is also a reference settings guide for specific lighting situations and scenes.

PhotoBuddy

This app gives you a total range of useful functions including Sun and Moon rise and set times, exposure calculations, depth-of-field calculator, flash exposure and guide number calculator plus a 'more' section which includes bracketing, angle of view, a distance guide, a grey wedge, a timer for bulb exposures and bellows compensation. You can set it up for your camera; most common models are listed.

PhotoCalc

This app offers depth of field, a flash exposure guide, sunrise, an exposure reciprocation calculator and a reference section offering Glossary, Zone system Sunny F16 Rule, Film and filter guides.

GrayCard [sic]

If you need a quick and simple grey card for metering difficult situations, this is it. You just point your camera at your iPhone screen, which displays a grey card. Meter off it. Daylight and Tungsten balance options are included.

Expositor

This exposure guide has a clean, colourful sliding display covering all brightness levels. It covers exposure compensation, too.

Find! NZ

Need to find an ATM, café or hospital etc while you're out shooting? This database helps locate things near to you in the field.

Bokeh:

A Hyperfocal/DoF Utility which is clear and easy to use and understand.

iHandy Level

For levelling the camera on a tripod for landscape shots.

Geotags

This app lets you mark spots of special interest of your current location on a map. You can add images from your iPhone camera or from your library to add to the pinned location. This is great for recalling those locations you want to revisit to shoot again.

Coleman Lantern

Useful for finding things during night shoots. (I admit there is novelty value here, and there are several other simple free torch apps out there.)

The great thing with these apps for the iPhone is that lots of really useful ones are free, and the most I have paid for an app so far is just NZD$4.29.

You can find these in the iTunes app store by searching on the names I have shown.

As a footnote, the iPhone 3G is just plain cool. It's a piece of hardware that just excites me. It integrates into all of my interests and pastimes flawlessly.

Mark's notes

I'm not sure about metering off GrayCard as the iPhone screen is producing light. I'd be interested in seeing how it compares to a cardboard grey card in the same lighting conditions.

iHandy Level (there's also a handy level in the free 9-toolbox) is also good for hanging works, when you don't trust your own levelling judgement - both are best once calibrated against a real level.

DSL Remote is great for some Canons as it lets you control them to a greater (the paid Pro version) or lesser (the free version) extent from your iPhone and iPod touch.

There are also photo modification apps like PhotoCurves and PhotoSharp, that let you change the exposure and colour values of images right there on your iphone, or sharpen images.

Please tell me by email (or in the comments) if you, too, have found useful apps for your photography or any other professional or amateur pursuit.

- Mark Webster mac.nz