Camera

Chicago Sun-Times fires photo staff, now training reporters in iPhoneography

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

You've probably noticed that we have been talking a lot about iPhoneography here on iDB lately. It's a popular topic with a lot of folks. It seems like the better the iPhone's camera gets, the more people are willing to ditch their standalone shooters.

And perhaps there's no better example of that than what's going on right now over at the Chicago Sun-Times. Just a day after it fired its entire photo staff, the newspaper has reportedly begun training its reporters in the basics of iPhone photography...

Review: Analog Camera, from the makers of the popular Clear to-do app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 3, 2017

Realmac Software's highly anticipated photography app, Analog Camera, has finally landed on the App Store this morning.

Drawing from Analog Camera for the Mac and the company's user interface skills honed developing the popular Clear to-do software, this brand new iPhone photography app gets rid of the clutter to focus on just a few barebone features.

But even though its undisputedly polished and effective interface signals an interesting new direction for iPhone photography software, is less really more in the case of Analog Camera? Read on for the full review...

Olloclip releases companion iPhone app for popular lens accessory

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

In the world of iPhone photography accessories, there's perhaps no better known name than Olloclip. The 3-in-1 clip-on lens started out as just a Kickstarter project, but it has since become a mainstay in Apple Stores and shutterbug bags alike.

Fans of the Olloclip will be happy to hear that the team released a new iPhone app this weekend, also named Olloclip, designed to work with the popular accessory. The app features a mesh editor, useful modes like Video and Macro, and more...

Take better low-light selfies with FrontFlash

Cody Lee ∙ May 27, 2013

When Apple unveiled the iPhone 5 last fall, it touted the fact that it could take better low-light photos than its predecessor. The improvement came by way of a new "dynamic low-light mode" that was built into the handset.

Unfortunately, the feature only works with the iSight (rear) camera, meaning low-light pictures taken with the FaceTime camera still look terrible. But don't worry, you can fix that with the new jailbreak tweak FrontFlash...

Apple patent links iDevice cameras for ‘social flash’

Ed Sutherland ∙ May 16, 2013

The iPhone is quickly becoming (or already has) the hottest digital camera on the planet. Not only does it have terrific imaging power, but with its screen is able to easily compose attractive shots. Knowing the power of the iPhone and other iDevices, Apple continually tweaks its photo-imaging capabilities.

The latest evidence being a new patent application describing a way to combine the resources of multiple devices to provide what's being called a 'social camera flash.' The idea isn't new. So-called slave flashes that act on the command of a main camera have been in professional photo studios for years. However, Apple's patent application envisions iPhones, iPads and iPods linked wirelessly to illuminate a scene...

The Y-cam HomeMonitor boasts free cloud storage

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

As many of our frequent readers know, I am a fan of connected home products. In particular, several home Wi-Fi cameras are covered through our review section and today I take a close look at the Y-cam HomeMonitor system.

Developed by Y-cam Solutions, the 2005 startup company strives to create simple and affordable products for home and small business protection. In addition to hardware, software and firmware are also continually improved, according to the company description. I can vouch for their efforts having already received a firmware update since installing the unit.

Setting HomeMonitor apart from the competition, is the ability to store a full week of motion captures on company servers for no subscription charge. However, while offering a good benefit package, Y-cam HomeMonitor struggles on some basics...

Clear app creators unveil the snappiest iPhone photography app, Analog Camera

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

The popular Clear to-do app (currently free for a limited time) won us over with the minimalistic, clean and flattened user interface and its delightful use of multitouch gestures.

And now, from the same guys who made Clear comes a brand new iPhone photography software called Analog Camera. As you could imagine, it's built with the same principles that made Clear such a hit.

Specifically, this photography app features a beautifully simple and uncluttered user interface that will no doubt prove as delight to use as Clear's. It remains to be seen whether Analog Camera can revolutionise taking photos just as Clear revolutionized to-do lists, though it packs in core features you've come to expect from a decent photography app, including a set of filters for post-processing.

I've included a promo video and more tidbits after the break...

How the iPhone camera has improved over the years

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

The iPhone may be one of the most popular cameras in the world today, but it hasn't always been like that. The original iPhone (and the iPhone 3G) had just a 2MP camera, with no flash, putting the handset well behind the competition in terms of photo-taking.

Since the 3G, however, Apple has made sure to update the phone's camera with ever iteration. It went from a 3.2MP sensor to a 5, and then to 8. And wouldn't you know it, someone has created an image showing its improvement in picture quality over the years...

Alleged next-gen iPhone circuitboard part suggests optimized camera design

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 9, 2013

As WWDC 2013 draws near - and with supply chain increasingly pointing to Apple's procurement of components for production of a next-generation iPhone - small wonder various parts are now cropping up on the web. It's the very nature of the game: Apple just can't control each and every one of its suppliers in Taiwan and China, let alone their individual employees.

A Japanese parts retailer, which recently leaked a next-gen iPhone components, is back at it, having published Thursday an image believed to depict a motherboard component, presumably belonging to an upcoming iPhone refresh...

Apple product photographer talks tradecraft, gear and more

Cody Lee ∙ May 8, 2013

Apple is well-known for its minimal, yet seemingly flawless product shots. With their realistic lighting and signature white backgrounds, the images of iPhones and iPads scattered across the company's website almost look like they were computer rendered.

But as photographer Peter Belanger can attest to, that's definitely not the case. The longtime product-shooter spoke with technology blog The Verge recently about his experience working with Apple, and what kind of preparation goes into each photo shoot...

New iPhone commercial: Photos Every Day

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoVW62mwSQQ

Apple has posted a new commercial on its website and on its YouTube channel, and it's one of the better ones I've seen in recent memory. The video — entitled Photos Every Day — is a montage of the many ways that people use their iPhone's to take photos in everyday situations. The commercial ends by saying: "Everyday, more photos are taken with the iPhone than any other camera."

FocusTwist: boost your iPhone photography with refocusable photos

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 24, 2013

There is no such thing as too many photography apps. Being an avid iPhone photography fan, I've found that every single photography app I downloaded from the App Store - and boy did I download ton of these - serves a slightly different purpose, letting me go the extra mile adding something unique to my photos.

Enter FocusTwist, a new iPhone application from Arqball which gives you ability to capture your snaps now and focus later. The software achieves refocusable photography by taking several images rapidly, each at a different focus setting.

The clever software then combines those snaps into a single image that can be posted online for your friends to interactively refocus later...