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Best iPhone photos announced in 2021 iPhone Photography Awards

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The IPPAwards page is now showing its pick of the best iPhone photos of 2021, with a surprising winner in the top category.

Transylvanian Shepherds was awarded the Grand Prize, shot on an iPhone 7 by Istvan Kerekes. It’s an interesting shot, but to my eyes doesn’t have an especially great composition, and the subjects are very underexposed …

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Hands-on: LiteChaser Pro photo and video kits for iPhone 11 [Video]

Today PolarPro launched its LiteChaser Pro photo and video kits for the iPhone 11 with special introductory pre-order pricing. The kits feature a specialized case that can accommodate a detachable grip, along with either a circular polarizer or variable ND filter.

If you currently use or aspire to use your iPhone for serious photography or videography, then these kits might come in handy. Watch our hands-on video walkthrough for more details.
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Fuzion app for iOS brings effortless double exposures and image blending to iPhone Portrait photos

iPhone Portrait image blending

A new photography app for iOS called Fuzion is set to be released this Thursday, January 23. It uses TrueDepth camera data from new iPhones to seamlessly create stunning images by automatically taking the silhouette from Portrait mode photos and removing the background. User’s can then easily blend the silhouette with another image and even add overlays.


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Improving iPhone videography with the Beastgrip Pro camera rig [Video]

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By itself the iPhone has proved to be a more than capable photography and videography camera. And just like with standalone cameras, when combined with the right accessories, you can enhance the quality of your photos and videos.

For a lot of videographers in particular, a good camera cage marks the beginnings of a flexible video-taking rig. The same can hold true with the iPhone. When paired with an accessory like the BeastGrip Pro — a smartphone-centric camera rig and lens adapter system — you can bolt on additional accessories that allow you to do even more.
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DJI drops the built-in optics in favor of your smartphone on its new Osmo Mobile

This morning at IFA in Berlin, DJI announced its latest creation for smartphones: the DJI Osmo Mobile. Today’s news comes just a week after it took the wraps off the upgraded Osmo+. DJI is focusing on smartphone users with a passion for cinematography on this release. The integrated stabilization system tracks a subject with just a touch of your iPhone or Android’s screen, eliminating shaky footage.


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13 tips for getting the best results from your iPhone camera

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Tim Cook’s embarrassment at the Super Bowl seems a timely opportunity to put together something that’s been on my to-do list for a while now: a quick guide to getting the best results from your iPhone’s camera.

As a keen photographer, I’ve been amazed just how far cameras have come in the past few years. Where I once used to carry a compact camera with me everywhere just in case, my iPhone has for several years now been my ‘always on me’ camera (currently the iPhone 6s). And where I used to carry a DSLR for travel photography, I now only carry my Sony a6000.

Since low-light was the problem Mr. Cook had, I’ll start with some tips specifically designed to help in low-light situations.


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Apple offering creative iPhone photography and iPad art workshops worldwide in the new year

Apple will be offering two new workshops at Apple Stores in the new year, CNET reports, each designed to help customers bring out their artistic side. One is geared to creative photography techniques on the iPhone, while the other is about using iPads for sketching, drawing and painting.

“We’ll help you try out various accessories and techniques — like long exposure for light trails, using Time-lapse to show progression, or getting up close with nature using a macro lens,” Apple said in a statement. “Then, we’ll explore artistic ways to adjust and edit your photos, so you can create a work of art, find your style, or just improve your skills.”

Both workshops are part of Apple’s Start Something New campaign, first launched a year ago by using retail stores as temporary art galleries


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CES 2015: Olloclip debuts 2X telephoto lens + CPL for iPhone 6/6 Plus, Seek shows 3X zoom thermal camera

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Having released an updated iPhone 6/6 Plus version of its popular 4-in-1 Lens late last year, Olloclip arrived at the 2015 CES with two important new items to show: a new iPhone 6/6 Plus version of its previously excellent Telephoto and Circular Polarizing Lens for iPhone 5/5s, and completely redesigned versions of its lens accessory-compatible cases for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Separately, Seek Thermal – maker of the $200 Seek Thermal Camera reviewed on 9to5Mac last month – has just shown a second version of the temperature-sensitive camera that’s set to be released in the next few months. Currently unpriced but planned to sell for a small premium over the original model, the Seek Thermal Camera with Zoom will be capable of zooming in up to three times by using a twisting front lens. More details and photos follow…


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The secret behind the time-lapse function in the iOS 8 Camera app

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[vimeo 106877886 w=800 h=450]

People these days have short attention-spans, so although time-lapse videos can be very appealing, most of us would probably prefer to watch one for 30 seconds rather than ten minutes. Thanks to a clever feature which Apple simply refers to as “dynamically selected intervals,” almost any time-lapse video you shoot in the default Camera app in iOS 8 will end up as 20-40 seconds, whether you shoot for 10 minutes or two hours …


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Mini-review: Lensbaby LM-10, a fun if pricey accessory for iPhonography fans

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It took a while for Lensbaby’s Kickstarter-funded selective focus lens for the iPhone to make it into production, but the LM-10 is now here and I took it out for a play.

For those not familiar with Lensbaby, the company makes lenses for DSLRs with a bellows lens that provides a small in-focus area, with the rest of the image out of focus. It’s not the same effect as the shallow depth-of-field achieved with a wide-aperture lens, but a less-controllable effect designed to provide fun and unusual images … 
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Mini-review: StayblCam, the poor man’s Steadicam for iPhone, Android & GoPro-style cameras

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-GBfJ3Xork]

Getting smooth handheld video as you pan around isn’t easy, and professional Steadicam solutions run to four figures and up – perhaps just a little OTT for an iPhone (though Apple doubtless used them).

But the iPhone has a very capable camera, and the StayblCam is a $75 device designed to give you some of the benefits of a Steadicam at a rather more iPhone-friendly price. Available for pre-order now for delivery in September/October, I tried out a prototype to see how well it performs … 
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Camera+ 5 launches with iOS 7 redesign, wallpaper composer, more

Coincidentally with the debut of Photos+ (and no affiliation), popular photography app for iPhone Camera+ released a major overhaul of its app today bringing an all new design optimized for iOS 7 and a handful of new features.

Aside from the new flatter app icon and icons within the app, Camera+ now features what it calls The Lab, which is a suite of additional editing features including the ability to edit and crop images for an iOS 7-style wallpaper.

Camera+ 5 for iPhone is a free update to existing users and $1.99 on the App Store for new customers. Full release notes below:


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Is iPad photography finally gaining social acceptance?

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(via <a href="http://www.oliverfluck.com/blog/" target="_blank">oliverfluck.com</a>)

It’s no secret that people love taking pictures with their iPad, but it has always been a somewhat out of the ordinary behavior publicly considering the sheer size of the tablet in general.

It’s also true that Apple has made great improvements to the camera system on the iPad, and its large, vibrant display makes for one heck of a view finder when capturing an image.

Based on anecdotal evidence, various scenes from Apple’s iPad event yesterday, and data collected by photos shared on Flickr, I think it’s finally time we accept iPad photography into our lives with open arms. Responsibly, of course.


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Olloclip updates clip-on iPhone lens system, 3-in-1 becomes 4-in-1

Olloclip has updated its neat clip-on lens system we reviewed back in 2012, adding a second, more powerful macro lens and improving the optical quality of the others.

The olloclip 4-IN-1 is a quick-connect lens solution for the iPhone that includes Fisheye, Wide-Angle and 2 Macro lenses in one small, convenient package that easily fits in your pocket – and the palm of your hand. It connects to the iPhone within seconds so you’ll be sure to capture the image you want. If you don’t see the picture you’re looking for, just flip it over to switch lenses.

The original 10x macro lens has now been supplemented with a 15x lens. The lens is compatible with both iPhone 5 and 5s, and is available for pre-order at $69.99 with delivery expected early next month.

Phil Schiller tweets links to iPhone 5s photos in National Geographic

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Apple’s Senior VP of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller tweeted a link to a National Geographic feature in which photographer Jim Richardson used his iPhone 5s for a photo feature on Scotland in the definitive landscape photography magazine.

iPhoneography http://t.co/1MYjDgV2sj

— Philip Schiller (@pschiller) October 8, 2013

Richardson said that the transition from his usual Nikon kit wasn’t an easy one.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t struggling to make pictures. Walking down the Royal Mile surrounded by all things Scottish nothing seemed worth a picture. Out of desperation I took a few glib shots. Awful! Surrounded by great subjects I could see nothing. Made me feel worse.

But that using it over four days, he came to be impressed … 
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Gorgeous demo of iPhone 5s slow-motion video capabilities

There have been a number of demonstrations of the new 120fps slow-motion video capabilities of the iPhone 5s, but this one is the most beautiful I’ve seen.

Normal video is shot at 30 frames per second, a rate fast enough that the action looks smooth to the human eye. By filming at 120fps, four times faster than normal,  the footage still looks beautifully smooth when slowed down by the same amount.

The effect was used in footage shot at the Burberry London fashion show, shot entirely with the iPhone 5s.

Via Daring Fireball

2013 iPhone Photography Awards showcase some stunning photos

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There’s an old adage in photography that it’s about the photographer, not the camera. By phone standards, the iPhone camera is a decent one, but it’s not the most obvious choice for creative photography. The annual iPhone Photography Awards show just what can be achieved in the right hands.

I’ve picked out my three favourites, above and below. Think you can do better? Post some links in the comments … 
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Dual-color LED ‘SmartFlash’ on next iPhone could mean dramatically better low-light photos

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Image via<a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2013/06/24/apples-prototype-iphone-5s-based-on-new-a7-chip/"><em> MacRumors</em></a>

In addition to a likely improved processor and camera sensor, it appears that Apple’s next-generation iPhone will include a dual-LED Flash. In light of reports and part leaks pointing to this new feature, it is worth taking a look at how dual-LED flash parts compare to single LED flashes (as found on the current iPhone 5) in real-world use.


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As Apple’s built in camera gets filters, Instagram planning to move into Vine territory with Video?

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Just as Apple introduced iOS 7 equipped with Instagram-like filters built-in to the redesigned camera app (although not for video), word has it Instagram is looking to move into Vine’s territory by adding video features in an upcoming update.  According to a report from TechCrunch, Facebook’s event later this week won’t focus so much on that rumored news reader, but more so on integration of a Vine-like short video feature for Instagram:
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Preview of Analog Camera for iPhone by Realmac Software

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Analog Camera for iPhone by <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=jZ6GP8Fu9UU&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=3909&RD_PARM1=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fnl%2Fartist%2Frealmac-software%2Fid310591643%3Fl%3Den" target="_blank">Realmac Software</a>

From the wonderful folks who brought you Clear for iPhone and Mac, Realmac Software announced today it will bring a few of its stunning filters from Analog for Mac to the iPhone with Analog Camera.

Analog Camera for iPhone resembles the simplistic, gesture based UI of Clear for iPhone, featuring soft square or rectangle buttons that pop up upon contact and prompt fun, clever sounds.

Check out my observations of the app and a teaser video below:
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Review: iPhoneography gear series: $49 Photojojo Lens Set

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As part of 9to5Mac’s ongoing iPhoneography gear series for the holiday season, we got our hands on three special effects lenses— wide and macro, fisheye, and telephoto— crafted from solid aluminum and equipped with sturdy, premium-definition glass to guarantee pro-like, optical perfection.

First of all: Yes, iPhoneography is an actual name (it even has a Wikipedia page). It essentially, as one might guess, involves shooting and processing with an iOS device. Photojojo.com offers an impressive, mouth-watering catalog of photography and videography gear for the iPhone 5 and older generations, so we decided to take some of the site’s hottest accessories for a spin. And, over the next two months, we will test and review only what’s best for helping creative folks step up their iPhoneography game.

Check our first review on the tiny, yet ever-so useful, Easy Macro Cell Lens Band.

(Left to right: Wide/Macro, Fisheye, and Telephoto)

Go below for a hands-on review of the $49 Photojojo Lens Series.


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Use Bluetooth headphones as an iPhone camera trigger

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Macworld reminds us of a cool trick for iPhone photographers that will enable steadier shots than using the volume button on their iPhone. The trick is related to the volume trigger button on your iPhone’s Remote Earbuds, where you open the camera app, and then use the volume button on the headphones as a trigger. This is already helpful for steadier shots, or taking a better front-facing shot.

However, this trick can even be used with a Bluetooth device, as a sort of wireless remote, once paired. Interested in more iOS 5 camera tricks? Check out the iPhone’s built-in panorama mode.


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