If the best camera is always the one you have handy, the iPhone is becoming that camera for journalists.
Photos snapped with iPhones have appeared in the New York Times and Foreign Policy, but the average journalist needs some guidance on shooting better ones.
IJNet attended an iPhone photography class from award-winning iPhone photographer Cindi Hobgood. Here are a few of her tips:
Watch your settings. When you use software applications, make sure the app settings are on the highest resolution possible. “You never know, you might get a masterpiece," said Hobgood, who notes that exhibitions or competitions usually require high-resolution pictures.
Avoid the built-in zoom. “Digital zoom is not real zoom," explained Hobgood. “It equals loss of quality.”
One app is not enough. Use more than one app to create your image. “I rarely use [just] one app when I work on my photos,” Hobgood said. She often uses several.
Leave your desk. Make sure you master your apps in the field.
There are scores of iPhone apps, but here are some of Hobgood's recommendations:
Hipstamatic Hogbood likes the black and white BlacKeys film setting found in this app, especially if you are taking abstract images.
Pro HDR merges your light and dark exposures to create one image that accentuates the lost details.
Perfect Photo sharpens up your pics.
AutoStitch This is a great app for taking panoramic pictures. Just take multiple shots of your wide-angle subject and then use this app to stitch them together.
Impression This one is recommended to watermark your photos.
Extra gear
Hogbood also recommends a few extras to help shoot better iPhone pics.
Nomad Brush stylus A stylus comes in handy when editing photos.
iPro Lens System These include wide angle and Fisheye lenses to attach to your phone.
Mophie Juice pack plus A backup for your battery to make sure you don’t run out of battery juice during your shoot.
iPhone bracket Recommended if you want to attach your iPhone to a tripod like the Gorillapod.
You can see Hogbood's photos and learn more about her classes here.
Photo credit: Natasha Tynes. This photo was taken during the iPhone class using Hipstamatic's BlacKeys film and Impression app.
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