IPhoneography

iPhoneography is the act of creating photos with an iPhone, where the images have been both shot and processed on the iOS device. The term is originally derived from Phoneography which is the act of creating photos shot and/or processed by a cameraphone.
Phoneography, though already a few years old, became mainstream with the advent of the iPhone and its App Store which provided better, easier, and more creative tools for people to shoot, process, and share their work.
iPhoneography has grown since 2007, when the original iPhone with 2-megapixel camera was released. Photographer Damon Winter used Hipstamatic to make photos of the war in Afghanistan, for which he won prizes. Also in Afghanistan, in 2011, photojournalist David Guttenfelder used an iPhone and the Polarize application.
The development of iPhoneography
iPhone camera
iPhoneography gained popularity with the constant improvement through generations of iPhone cameras. The first generation of iPhone was only equipped with a fixed-focus camera with no optical zoom or flash. As it evolved into the iPhone 3GS, the camera became more intelligent with autofocus, auto white balance and auto macro. The iPhone 4 was the first iPhone that could natively do high dynamic photography. The iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 were released with a panorama function available in the built-in camera app. The iPhone 6 and 6S further improved on functionality and performance, allowing more sophisticated manipulation and higher picture quality.
Applications
July 11, 2008 saw the public release of iPhone OS 2.0 which allowed developers to create apps for the iPhone. At the same time, the App Store opened, allowing people to install new functionality through apps. Among the earliest apps, there were camera replacement and photo filter apps, some of which also provided social networking that allowed users to share pictures instantly. In camera replacement apps, such as CameraPro, Snapture and Camera Genius, featured anti-shake, composition guide, burst mode and auto horizon etc., to assist people in making photographs. The photo filter apps focused on the post processing of pictures, including adjusting color, or converting to black & white. A notable app was Hipstamatic, released on December 9, 2009, which combined both the camera replacement and photo filter features. Its many manual control options and different editing tools contributed to the vintage look of photos.
iPhoneography community
On November 15, 2008, Glyn Evans created the iPhoneography Blog featuring news and reviews, the first publication dedicated to iPhone photography. Later the “Life in LoFi” iPhoneography blog launched, concentrating on the tonal and color signature in the lo-fi look of early iPhone pictures. iPhoneOgenic was a blog featuring interviews with iPhoneographers.
On June 30, 2010, "Pixels at an Exhibition" was held in Berkeley, California, organized and curated by Knox Bronson and Rae Douglass. It was the first gallery exhibitions to feature iPhoneography exclusively. Later still, Apple held a series of presentations called "Pixel—The Art of iPhone at Apple" across the U.S..
iPhone in journalism
In Afghanistan in February 2011, photojournalist David Guttenfelder, winner of numerous World Press Photo awards, used an iPhone and the Polarize application, which imitates the look of a Polaroid photograph, to produce pallid, washed-out war photographs. Professionals are using their iPhones for practical purposes as well as for certified and specialized projects. Michael Rosenblum, with others, has trained 1200 journalists in a video journalism "bootcamp" at the BBC,<ref name"rosenblum-huffington" /> and United Nations field operatives to tell their own stories using iPhones in Darfur, Mali and Syria.<ref name"rosenblum-huffington" />
Phone hardware accessories
Some accessories available to iPhone photographers are:
*Lens systems that clip directly on to the iPhone.
*Tripods providing stability and preventing camera movement. They aid the photographer in low light.
*Headphones can be used as a shutter release. The + (volume up) button acts as a shutter release for the camera.
iPhoneography apps and techniques
There are many iPhone apps that allow photography, editing, and effects, and sharing via social media. Some of the most popular apps include Instagram, , VSCO, Snapseed, FX Photo Studio, Infltr, Hipstamatic and PicsArt.
The following are basic editing techniques available using apps. They are usually completed with a single click and are automated by the application: Adjusting color, Black & white, Blending images, Collage and mixed media, Collodion development, Darken a photo, Depth of field, Fix perspective, Masking, Panoramic photography, Refiltering, or re-applying a filter, Retouching, Selective coloring, Sharpening, Soft focus, Street photography, Underwater photography, and Vignette.
The following are basic effects that can be applied to a photograph: Abstract, Blur, Dramatic, Graphic, Grunge, Lighting, Painterly, Portrait, Surreal, and Vintage.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu