Category:

Tech

Creative Apps On My Phone & How I Stay Organized

Hello friends! I am always shuffling through creative apps on my phone, but have a found a few keepers too. As a photographer it is important to switch it up and try new things. It should be only natural as we evolved as artists.

In addition to this, as a phone photographer having a system in place to organize creative content is also important. Most of us do not have multiple phone and use our devices for our work and daily lives as well. I have a few favorite habits and apps that help me keep all of this in check and keep my phone functional.

Watch the video below to see what is on my phone at this very moment and how I stay organized.

Tech Tech & Tips

A Close Up with the Moment Macro

Hello friends! As you know I am obsessed with the Moment lenses. They will transform your phone photography game. I decided to create a video featuring the Moment Macro Lens. Decide if it is worth it for yourself!

The moment macro lens has a 25mm focal length and diffuser lens hood. Although I do not remove the lens hood often, since you can basically just set the hood on the object and know it will be in focus.

Tech Tech & Tips

The General Gear a Phone Photographer Carries: What’s in My Backpack?

I have recently had a few questions asking me what gear I use for phone photography. This is all of the general gear I throw in my backpack in various combinations depending on the shoot or occasion.

The entire idea with me starting this blog was to talk about how to photograph and travel in a very minimal way without giving up the quality of the capture. (Plus a few sprinklings of conversations on art of course!)

Each item here is a purposeful choice and added weight for my bag. If I were to throw everything listed here in a bag it weighs not even 10lbs. However, I typically only take part or pieces for local hikes and outings; while traveling it all goes with me.

Tech Tech & Tips

Review of the New Moment Lenses

It is the “Moment” you have all been waiting for! 🙂 I officially upgraded my Moment V1 lenses for the V2 lenses. There is a significant difference between the two Moment lenses. The improved glass allows for rich colors, not as many blown out pixels and less vignetting from blurred edges. We all know vignette should be a choice!

Moment lenses have been my go-to gear since I started turning towards my phone more often for photography. They allow for a sharper and more refined image than what your phone can provide. I especially love the fish eye lens for the fun perspectives that I can capture. In more recent weeks I have been shooting more with the Macro lens which I used to never grab. Here is a post all about only that lens as well.

In the video below I cover the unboxing of the new Moment lenses, how to attach them, differences for the upgrade and the most important: two series of “With & Without” images. One series was taken with the iPhone 7 Plus and Moment Lenses, the second taken with the Google Pixel 2 and Moment Lenses.

Inspiration Tech Tech & Tips Tips

Pinhole Photography: The Art of Capturing Time

An Early Start to the Pinhole

A Pinhole camera is any light tight container with an aperture (hole) and a shutter (something to cover the hole.

Interest in perspective and optics during the Renaissance is what led to the first necessary discovery for the pinhole camera: the camera obscura. Leonardo De Vinci described the camera obscura very clearly as early as the 16th century. (Alternative Processes)

A camera obscura is a dark chamber, container or room with a singular entry point of light. Once your eyes have adjusted, the outside will appear on the wall upside down. You can see how this would be useful for artists to trace and have an accurate perspective.

Create a camera obscura right now out of your own room!

Inspiration Tech Tech & Tips

Ultimate Gift Guide for any Photographer

The ultimate gift guide for ANY photographer. From the darkroom traditionalist to the millennial phoneographer these are my top picks for the photographer in your life…even if that is yourself.

All Amazon linked gifts are affiliate links. This means if you purchase with that link, a small percentage will go back to me. That said, I always clearly state what products I have or use!

Tech Tech & Tips

Moment Mounting System & How to Convert your Old Lenses

Hello Friends,

As you may recall from my previous post, I ordered the new Moment Tele Lens, but made the mistake of not realizing I needed a new mounting system too…which happens to be their phone case. In case (pun intended ;)) you didn’t guess, I caved and bought it! This video covers the new Moment mounting system.

Below I made a unboxing video for the phone case, along with a How To for converting your old lenses to fit the new system. If you are curious about the lenses, I think they are phenomenal and I am NOT SPONSORED. However, I have yet to formulate a full opinion on the case yet…I will get back to you all on this.

Enjoy!

Addendum: They are no longer selling the Moment Lens adapters and were only a transitional product. You can find some online from individuals who still have them. Although I recommend switching over your whole set if possible. They even have a trade in program.

Tech Tech & Tips

Never Drop your Phone Again! The Best Phone Case for Photographers.

The best phone case for the generally clumsy, the overly cautious and of course those who photograph with their phone.

I get lots of questions from my friends about the case that I use on my phone. I thought I would do a review of it for my very first video. It was pretty nerve racking putting my face on YouTube since I like to stay behind the camera, so thank you to all who supported me!

I have been using a Speck Presidio Grip phone case for about a year now and truly LOVE it.

Here are the affiliate links if you think this is the right case for you:

Lastly, I will be trying out the new Moment phone case soon since it is their new mounting system. You will see a video for unboxing and later a review for this.

See you all next time !

How To Tech Tech & Tips Tips

Use your Phone to Photograph the Eclipse

On August 21st at approximately 10:19am (in Vancouver WA) there will be a solar eclipse! To see if the eclipse will be visible in your area click here and enter your city.

Use your phone to photograph the eclipse…. Below is how I plan on capturing the eclipse on my smartphone.

1. Practice First

Start taking some photos of the night sky or moon using the tips below so you feel prepared for shooting in a low light setting.

Ireland at Midnight taken with iPhone 7plus

2. Protect Eyes

Run down to your local store or grab a pair of solar eclipse glasses off Amazon. I bought one for myself, and one to use over my lens. A solar filter will be helpful for toning down the sun as you photograph and can even allow for that ring of light to appear.

3. Tripod

Use a tripod to stabilize the camera. Since it will be low light, shake and movement will easily cause your photos to be grainy or blurry. I would suggest having a tripod and mounting bracket for your phone to remove this risk and allow for flexibility in shooting, such as a timelapse video or burst.