There is a raging debate between the not yet evolved film shooters and the digital photographer shooters as to which is the better technology, which is the “truer” method and which is real photography. While we all likely have some feelings regard, I am going to set aside this debate and offer the opinion that you can embrace technology, whether you still shoot film or shoot digital and become a better photographer.
Prior to any shoot, trip or planned outing, I try and do as much research as possible. Before technology it took much more time as I had to travel to the local library, bookstore or some other method to research the location. As the internet became a much more utilized tool, access to this information became more readily ascertainable. However, there were still limitations. You had to have a computer and while it was close to instant access it wasn’t always.Nearly three years ago I made the decision to switch to the Apple iPhone for a host of reasons and I am not advocating that phone over others but do believe a smart phone is the way to go if you take photographs.
The smart phones not only have instant access to the internet and your email but they provide you with a host of other functions. I recently upgraded to the iPhone 4s with Siri, a voice
recognition based operating system. Before any shoot, I think you would want to know the weather in order to plan your trip. Siri allows me to ask that very question. In this case, all you need is cell phone service and you have your answer. Siri not only
Sunset Time
provides you weather but it can provide you with a host of other information such as directions, camera repair stores, restaurants and of course what time is the sunset all very relevant to planning and implementing your photography trip.
Even if you don’t have the new iPhone 4s, you still have access to very useful information that will get you to the right spot at the right time thereby leading to better photographs.
I have two folders on my iPhone dedicated to just applications (apps) I feel are directly related to photography. In my 2nd photography folder I store the less used applications while in the first folder are some of my favorites.
My folder consists of some very useful tools ranging from my current elevation to not only the time the sun comes up but the precise location where the sun will rise and set. I live in the upstate of South Carolina and when I head to the coast of South Carolina it is important for me to know the tide. Well guess what- “there’s an app for that”. In this folder I have listed the following apps: Elevation Pro, Depth of Field Calculator, MoonPhase, Sun Seeker, FocalWare, TideGraph, Compass, Light Meter, The Weather Channel, Twilight Star Walk and a Bubble level Program.
Focalware provides sunset and sunrise (as well as moon rise) times and location with an easy to use interface. You can also search ahead in time to see the sunset times coming up in the near future and you can store your favorite locations for easy access.
Tide Graph Provides you with the ability to find the tides for your current location or to input a particular locations to find out the details for today or for some other day.
One of my new favorites is the easy to use bubble level. Normally I carry one of these with me to put in the hot shoe of my camera to make sure all horizons are level. I cannot tell you how many of these I have lost or loaned out only to know have them returned. I think they are in hiding with the countless socks lost in my dryer. So long as I don’t lose my telephone, I have access to the same function of the hot shoe bubble level. This level app allows you to level your horizons with ease regardless of whether you have a hot shoe level with you or not. It also allows you to level your friend’s horizon and save him/her from a crooked image.
The final folder I use is a “Networking Folder” where I store Facebook, Flikr, Twitter and all apps to instantly send out real-time information or images to those who care to follow.
Technology is not for everyone and we all take it at our own pace. Technology has something for everyone and even the simplest adjustment and embrace of technology can put you in the right place, at the right time, with the right tide, the right weather, the right light and straighten your horizon thereby making your photograph that much better. Feel free to email me with any questions that you may have. Ryan Montgomery
ryanmontgomeryphoto 