Using your Phone as a Camera [your poll results & app options]

So, the other day I asked you do you use your phone as THE camera for you?  (could it be equally asked if you use your camera as a phone?)

So, here’s what you answered:

So, almost a perfect split, but to look at a single answer, you chose that it’s the viable alternative.  Which is kinda where I’m at.

But, if we look at what the majority of you were saying, more than half of you are saying that it’s more than just an alternative.  Almost a 3rd of you have replaced your normal camera.  Some of the reasons you gave were that you weren’t photographers, or that your regular camera was just a basic one, so not much difference there.  Others said they really liked the GPS tagging for their photos as a unique way to not only capture a moment, but where they were and when.

One of the comments mentioned the convenience of all the cloud storage options you have that to physically get out a cable or take an SD card out seems like a hassle.  It’s the same reason I’ve abolished USB drives in my house.  Everything’s cloud!.

Mostly, your sentiment goes in hand with the old adage of photographers is that the best piece of equipment is the one you have at hand.

So, how to make the most out of using your phone as a camera… there are plenty of tips.  And I’m no photographer, so who am I to tell you, but here’s a site in my reader feed that gives some great points:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-use-a-camera-phone

Summary?  Use good lighting (flashes suck), get close (use your screen to help compose); standard camera stuff.

Aside from that, what apps could you use?  One of the tips that the site above recommends and I’m a big believer of is… shoot a normal shot, and do your editing later.  This comes from when I used to love shooting black&white, but ended up digitally scanning them later anyways.  Why am I paying for expensive B&W film, when I could use normal film and convert later?  (there are some reasons for using good Ilford B&W film, but here’s not the place for that).

I’m a big believer in getting the most out of your shot as you can.  And it would be hard to extract something from your shot if it wasn’t there in the beginning.  (i.e. shooting in only black and white)  Like we learned when we used to go cross-country skiing; OVERDRESS – it’s easier take stuff off, rather than put something on you didn’t bring with you.

Okay, that piece of wisdom handed over to you… what can we use with our phones to help?

I’ve gone and rounded up a couple apps that I think can help you make the most out of your camera:

• Panorama

  on ICS we have this built in, but before that I was using 360 and Panorama Beta (but if I look now it says it’s not compatible).  A very cool feature when it works right!

• HDR Camera

  I’m really liking the HDR look and feel.  This is a sort of ‘pseudo’ HDR feel, but it actually does take 3 shots.  The paid version gives you more control over your HDR options, but I don’t mind the basic.  On the right shot it’s just perfect.

• Photobooth

okay, kinda broke my rule, but it’s a neat novelty feature that has been sort of a fad around here (have you seen those ‘monkey booths’?).  A novelty feature.

• Time Lapse

Kind of the not-talked about feature for phones is the video option.  I think  we’re all still probably getting used to having a CAMERA, let alone a video camera…

Again, if you have ICS, you have this feature… if not, there’s Lapse It.  Pretty neat!

Note, didn’t have any “Paper Camera” or that Instagram stuff… like I said, I would rather take a bland shot and ‘pop’ it later with editing, than to take a novelty shot and have it be mediocre that I can’t play with later.

That being said, what are some of your editing options on the phone?

• ICS – the Gallery app already has this, if you don’t have ICS, then use these others..
• Photoshop Express – or if you have a tablet you can use the Touch version
• Aviary
• Touch Re Touch

So, you have some tools to help those of you who are already using their camera as a phone, and for those of you using your phone as a camera, you now are better armed to make the best use of your device as possible.

Anything I miss?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.