One of the modern day cruces of video filming is smooth stabilization. While many of us carry around smartphones with exceptional video capabilities, everyday moments seems to remain plagued by shaky footage. Now, a new German-based company has hit Kickstarter with the solidLUUV: the world’s first all-in-one stabilizer for smartphones, action cams, and compact cameras.
Snapchat has amassed hundreds of thousands of users since it launched in 2011, and it has largely stuck to its formula of simple, self-destructive photo sharing. Yesterday, the company announced a new "Lenses" filter feature and the ability to replay 3 photos or videos for $1.
The promise of truly immersive, virtual reality headsets for the masses is just around the corner with Oculus Rift launching its consumer version in 2016. In the meantime, a number of alternative solutions have been introduced including Google’s Cardboard, Samsung’s GearVR, and Carl Zeiss’ VR ONE headset. We’ll be taking a look at the latter to see if one of the world’s greatest optics manufacturers has what it takes to jump into the virtual reality space.
Startup Overlab has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund Hobie: a personal time lapse tool with the heart of a kitchen timer. Hobie utilizes an actual ordinary kitchen timer at its base to rotate the camera mount perched upon it. Simply dial-in the time on the base, insert your smartphone into the circular mount, and begin capturing easy time lapses. As a bonus, when the base finishes rotating, it rings loudly to let you know the process is complete -- and that your eggs are done boiling.
Since launching back in 2010, Camera+ has been downloaded over 14 million times by iPhone users and has become one of the best-known third-party camera apps.
Apple today officially introduced the new iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, a refresh of the original 6S that offers a number of improvements to smartphones that double as two of the world's most popular pocket cameras.
Snapping a collection of photos on your iPhone and then having them disappear into your Camera Roll never to be seen again can be quite a common occurrence, but a new iOS app on the market wants to change that. ‘Recently’ is a mobile application for iPhones and iPads that allows you to automatically send your 100 most recent photographs off to be printed in a personal monthly magazine and delivered straight to your door.
Olloclip is a company that may need no introduction for many of you after their quick change lens system for the iPhone took Kickstarter by storm in 2011. Since then, the company has been kicking out a number of exciting and creative products for mobile phone shooters. The latest photographic toolset to emerge from Olloclip’s lab is the new Macro Pro Lens for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
Google set out in 2007 to create an ambitious effort called Street View: a project aimed at providing panoramic views of individual streets around the world. The unique feature, which has since been copied by other mapping services, has, on Android devices, lived within the Google Maps app. Now, however, Street View is breaking free into its own separate application, and it includes a few features for capturing and sharing your own photospheres.
Sony today unveiled its new Xperia Z5 family of smartphones, which breaks new ground in the camera and display department thanks to the line's high-end Xperia Z5 Premium phone. That phone features a 23MP sensor, an f/2 lens, the world's first 4K display on a phone, and the world's fastest autofocus in its camera module.
Whether we like it or not, our culture has become obsessed with selfies. Front facing cameras on smartphones are increasingly getting better and every other week another ‘selfie flash’ product seems to appear in the wild.
Only a Luddite would still categorize Apple as a computer company. Indeed, the company officially changed its name in 2007, dropping “Computer” and simply settling for “Apple, Inc.” Still, most people probably think of Apple as the maker of the iPhone and iPad, and to a lesser extent as the company that makes MacBooks and iMacs.
The iPhone may be set for a significant upgrade in the camera department when the next model is announced. It will reportedly shoot higher resolution for both photos and videos.
Last month we reported on the AstroPad App for the Apple iPad: a solution that allowed you to turn your consumer tablet into a professional graphics tablet when working with applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or Illustrator. Now, the company is announcing a new app for the iPhone called AstroPad Mini -- it's everything you love about AstroPad... just minimized.
Starting today, Instagram users will no longer be limited to posting square photos. The Facebook-owned photo-sharing company just announced that it is finally enabling support for landscape and portrait format photos and videos.
Cube is a small new device from the Australian company Palette. Easily sample colors around you using the portable color digitizer and sample them later on your PC or Mac. While the Cube’s central abilities focus on identifying the beautiful colors that surround us every day, it can also be used for color matching and achieving picture-perfect white balance in photos.
Adobe Photoshop is ubiquitous on the desktop computers of photographers around the world, but the company has yet to win the same amount of love on mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones. After calling it quits on Photoshop Touch earlier this year, Adobe will be bringing a full-featured version of Photoshop to iOS this October.
Earlier this year, Facebook launched the Moments app for both iOS and Android. Similar to many other applications out there, Moments is aimed at combining your photographs and your friends’ photographers from a single event into an easy to navigate album (and then uploading them to Facebook, of course). Today, the app has received an update that can automatically create movies from your experiences.
If you purchased an iPhone 6 Plus around the end of 2014 and have noticed that your photos are coming out all blurry, don't worry: it's not just you. Apple has announced that some of the phones sold between September 2014 and January 2015 have a flaw with the rear camera. If that's you, Apple is promising a free camera replacement to help make your photos sharp again.
Huawei today unveiled a new smartphone called the Honor 7i. One of its main advertised features is a 13-megapixel rear camera that can flip up and point forward as well.
If you want to shoot "vintage" photos with your iPhone, there are apps like Instagram. If you'd like to do the same thing with video, there's a new app for that called VHS Camcorder. It turns your iPhone into a 1985 camcorder, allowing you to shoot VHS-quality footage that'll give you a pang of nostalgia that takes you back three decades.
Have you ever tried to show a friend a photo on your phone, only to have them start swiping through your entire personal photo collection uninvited? If you do know someone like that, there's now a lighthearted way to prank them. It's an Android app called Ninja Snap that will surprise nosey swipers by showing them their own face in your album.
The folks over at Seaport Digital have released the Volta battery Power Station and Ring Light case for Apple iPhone 6 devices. Powered by an internal 3800mAh battery, the Volta can charge your smartphone when needed via an attachable lighting cable... or it can act as a handy ring light to brighten your subject in dimly-lit situations. Of course, we won’t judge you if you choose to make it your personal selfie light.
Have you ever wished you could remotely control your smartphone’s camera with a trigger remote disguised as a 35mm film canister or a mini twin-lens reflex camera? If so, then your wish has been granted by the Japanese company Gizmon. For a small price, you can pick up one of these cute and colorful gadgets and pair it with your iOS or Android smartphone.
They say to learn about a person you should look at their bookshelf to see what they read. Similarly, we believe that delving into a photographer’s bag sheds light on their personality and style. Today’s article is the first in a series that explores the bags of professional photographers and, of course, your friends here at PetaPixel. Step inside my bag to see what I carry on a daily basis and the significance of each item.
Friends often ask for copies of photos you took of them at gatherings, and Apple wants to make it less of a hassle to send those images. The company has developed a new photo sharing system that uses face recognition to automatically figure out who's in your shots and have the photos sent to them.
Facetune is one of the most popular photo tools in both Apple’s iOS App Store and Google’s Play Store -- to such a great degree that Apple officially branded the app as an “Essential” download a short while back. Facetune is known for its ability to smoothen skin, emphasize eyes, fill bald patches, reshape facial structures, brighten teeth, and much more. Now, the Jerusalem-based company behind it, Lightricks, is ready to go a step farther after securing $10 million in new venture …
It is not a new notion to challenge the need for pro photographers in the 21st century when just about everyone has a smartphone and a high-resolution camera in their pocket. Just last year, Facebook released a video asking “Why have one photographer when can have a hundred?”. Now, a new application called Ceremony is looking to help collect all of your favorite moments by crowdsourcing images from the guests at your party.
A few months ago I decided to do something a little different and create an iOS app to present my photography. I had been thinking about it for a while and had a vague idea of what I wanted the app to achieve and how I wanted it to work.
We are on the fringe of widespread virtual reality that can truly captivate our minds and take us places we've only dreamt about. Services such as Roundme continue to bring these worlds a step closer every day. By utilizing a network of 360-degree imagery and a platform designed for professionals, advanced virtual tours are only a tap away.
Sony has announced two new Android smartphones: the Xperia C5 and Xperia M5. Both devices come equipped with large Full HD displays and fast Octa-core processors, but most interesting (to us at least) are the integrated cameras powered by Sony Exmor RS sensors. Both cameras feature a 13MP front facing camera for selfies, and the M5 boasts a hefty 21.5MP rear camera.
Lensbaby has been producing creative art lenses since the company was established in 2004. They have since released a number of different products for both SLR and Mirrorless camera bodies, as well as mobile smartphones. Recently, Lensbaby released the ‘Creative Mobile Kit’ which features two unique lenses: the LM-20 and LM-30. Today, we are taking a look at the kit to see if it truly delivers on its creative promises.
London-based filmmaker Alicia MacDonald wrote and directed this short film titled "Otherwise Engaged." It's a cringeworthy piece of social satire that shows what smartphone cameras and social media have done to many of our special moments. Instead of living in the moment and enjoying our precious experiences, many people now focus on making sure the right photos and videos are shared on the Internet.
Users of VSCO Cam for iOS and Android know that the app is more than just another photo editing suite; it is a social gateway for sharing photographs with others around the world. VSCO’s mobile application employs the company’s famous analog filters for retro styling on the move. Now, newly introduced ‘Collections’ will allow users to assemble their favorite images into one package and share their curations with others.
The prospect of cheaply and easily capturing photos and footage from the skies is one of the many aspects that makes camera drones so alluring. With Extreme Flier’s successful funding of the Micro Drone 3 on Indiegogo, it looks like technology that was once exclusive to those with deep pockets will soon be available for less than $200. Featuring computer assisted flying, still photos, live-streaming HD video, and a modular design, the Micro Drone 3 might truly be a drone for everyone to enjoy.
Julie Watai is a photographer on a mission to capture beautiful self-portraits no matter what the environment. She has set out on a mission to create a portable ring light for smartphones; it is dubbed the “Kira” and Watai is seeking public funding to bring it to life.
With a little ingenuity, you can use everyday objects to craft a beautiful photoshoot of professional proportions. In her latest video on Vimeo, photographer Jenny Woodward showcases how to use natural light and household objects to photograph different bits of food, from cookies to a salad. Most captivating is how she utilizes each household object to manipulate the light around her subject.
COOPH just released this fun little 3-minute video that shares 8 tips, tricks, and ideas for smartphone photography. It's a dose of inspiration for getting creative with the camera in your pocket.
The "bullet time" effect popularized by the 1999 film The Matrix is generally done by arranging a large number of still cameras on a circular track, so most of the rigs out there cost quite a bit of money to put together. A Columbia University researcher named Yan Wang is trying to make bullet-time imaging more accessible. With his CamSwarm technology, all you need is a group of friends who have smartphones or tablets.
Lensbaby is known for their creative art lenses and mobile accessories including the Composer Pro, LM-10, and Velvet 56. Today, the company has announced their latest addition to their product lineup aimed at smartphone photographers. The new ‘Creative Mobile Kit’ includes two lenses: the LM-20 and the LM-30, a mobile mounting mechanism, and a kickstand for long exposures.
Should smartphone cameras be considered "real cameras" when used by journalists? It appears Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's staff members don't think so. Despite having press credentials, a handful of reporters were denied entry to a photo op between Harper and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley yesterday because they only had smartphones and not non-phone cameras.
Some photographers find that shooting with a Leica camera provides an experience unlike any other. If you happen to be one of those photographers, or possibly a curious individual, we have quite a bit of exciting news. Photography enthusiast Daniel Neal has uploaded a large collection of Leica Photography magazines to the web for public viewing.
Last year, the mobile photography company Moment announced the release of two mobile lenses for smartphone devices: the 18mm wide angle and the 70mm telephoto. The company then followed up earlier this year by producing the ‘Moment Case’ for iPhone 6, which features a shutter button, lens mount, and camera strap. Now the company is back again by announcing a brand new macro lens.
Four years ago we were introduced to the olloclip on Kickstarter, and now the company’s series of lenses are some of the most popular lenses available for Apple’s iPhone. And olloclip isn’t just stopping there. Recently, the company announced another Kickstarter campaign for their new studio mobile photography system and they want the help of the community to bring the product to life.
The popular browser-based photo editor Polarr has now arrived on mobile devices. After launching in the iTunes App Store late last week, the app was featured by Apple and was downloaded a whopping 250,000 times in the first 48 hours.
It is no secret that Facebook has been hot on the trail of Snapchat. In 2013, the massive social network reportedly offered to buy the small Snapchat startup for three billion dollars. After being turned down, Facebook decided to try and invent their own alternatives - Poke and Slingshot. Despite the two applications being more full-featured, Snapchat prevailed. Now, Facebook has decided to ‘borrow’ some of Snapchat's features its primary mobile app.
There are a number of easy-to-use model release form apps out there already, but Snapwire wants to do better. The photo marketplace has launched its own free app called Releases. Designed for professional photographers, the app lets you easily create, sign, and send model and properly releases using your iPhone.
Have you ever wished that you could quickly access your photos from 3rd party apps on your iPhone as quickly as you access your Camera Roll photos? KwiltKeys is a new third-party keyboard for iOS that helps you quickly find and select photos that are stored both on your device and through different services. Just download the software to your device and you are ready to post any of your photographs within your favorite apps in seconds.
FLIR is a company that has a goal of bringing thermal imaging technology to the masses. Last year, they released the FLIR ONE: a $350 case accessory for the iPhone 5/5s that allowed you to capture thermal photographs and videos. Today, they have introduced the second generation of the FLIR ONE, which boasts a much higher resolution, cheaper price tag, and universal design for both iOS and Android devices.
Want to scan some film but don't have a scanner handy? You can actually do some high quality digitization using some LEGO blocks, a smartphone or tablet, and a camera with decent resolution. Filmmaker Zachary Antell uses a method using those components, and his results are pretty impressive.
