Smartphone News

If your creative juices are running low, and you need a jolt of inspiration, the quick video below is exactly what you need. You’ll pick up a bunch of simple tips, in less than three minutes, for creating eye-popping images than make people ask, “How did you do that?”

Like most photographers I occasionally become equipment obsessed, but sometimes even the smallest tool, something as simple and useful as a new LensPen, can make creating new images a little easier. I’ve often said that the most important piece of equipment is the one between a photographer’s ears, but creating images also requires tools. Choosing the right tool or accessory may not make the difference between a good photograph and a bad one, but may make the difference in whether or not you even try to capture it.

This morning Microsoft introduced Pix, a free iPhone app designed to automatically enhance your images and improve upon Apple’s built-in camera app through the use of artificial intelligence, facial recognition, and other advanced technologies. The idea is that Pix is so sophisticated that it takes the guesswork out of smartphone photography.

We’ve seen a multitude of new smartphone accessories lately, but the 3D­‑printed DotLens is definitely one of the more zany. This self-adhering “conversion” lens comes in three strengths: 15X, 30X and 60X—the later of which enables you to view objects as small as 1/10 the width of a human hair.

The DxO One is a pocket-sized camera module for the Apple iPhone or iPad that offers a one-inch sensor with 20MP resolution and a fixed focal length of 32mm (35mm film equivalent). The camera uses the iPhone and an app as both the control center and electronic viewfinder.

The Galaxy S4 Zoom is what you might call a “multi-personality” device. Phone, camera, Browser, game device, gateway to all the Android apps, GPS, mapper, email connector--it’s all of that and more.
I say “multiple” because while the initial face of the unit looks like half point and shoot camera/half phone, one pasted atop the other, there is a lot more going on under the hood. That includes all the current connections one could imagine and access to the entire Android set of apps,from camera functions to finding where you can get a decent latte in any city or state or country you might find yourself. One can listen to music; watchvideos; browse the Internet, get email, tap compatible phones (literally) to share content; and send and receive via any social media you could imagine.

Let’s say your weekend plans include a casual hike with the family, photography isn't part of the itinerary, and your "real" gear will be resting at home. But as nature would have it you stumble upon a beautiful scene that begs to be photographed, so you reach for your iPhone and quickly make a few shots before your kids scream "you promised keep that thing in your pocket."