Kat Sloma - Art with an iPhone: A Photographers Guide to Creating Altered Realities

Copyright 2016 by Kat Sloma

All rights reserved.

All photographs by the author unless otherwise noted.

Published by:

Amherst Media, Inc., P.O. Box 586, Buffalo, N.Y. 14226, Fax: 716-874-4508

www.AmherstMedia.com

Publisher: Craig Alesse

Senior Editor/Production Manager: Michelle Perkins

Editors: Barbara A. Lynch-Johnt, Harvey Goldstein, Beth Alesse

Associate Publisher: Kate Neaverth

Editorial Assistance from: Carey A. Miller, Sally Jarzab, John S. Loder

Business Manager: Adam Richards

Warehouse and Fulfillment Manager: Roger Singo

ISBN-13: 978-1-60895-979-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015944882

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior written consent from the publisher.

Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the authors experience and opinions. The author and publisher will not be held liable for the use or misuse of the information in this book.

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Table of Contents

Contents

I f you have an iPhone, you have an amazing creative device in your pocket. Not only is it a convenient and capable camera, it has the tools to transform your photographs into something surprising and unique. With a few dollars in apps and a little bit of time, you can create distinctive art with your iPhone.

In writing this book, I hope to share the fun and excitement Ive experienced with capturing photographs and creating photography-based art with my iPhone and iPad. My approach is a simple one. When I am out and about, I seek to capture the best photographs I can using only the iPhone and natural light. (This is the reality piece of Altered Reality.) There is something magical about always having a camera in your pocket. You see the familiar world anew.

Later, when I have time to experiment and play, I use apps to transform the photographs. (This is the altered part of Altered Reality.) I have no rules or expectations of outcome when I sit down to work with my photographs. An image may stay looking like a photograph, or it may become something more abstract. Youll see both in the book. The enjoyment is in seeing what appears as I change an image, altering its tie to reality, through a combination of apps.

The process I share in this book goes beyond the specifics of the device and apps. As with any book that relies on technology, the specific features of the iPhone and the app screen shots will quickly become outdated. The good news is that even through multiple Apple devices and iOS revisions, Ive found the apps function similarly and my general approach remains the same. You will be able to apply the information in this book regardless of the specific device or version of operating system you currently use.

For each section in this book there is a primary image, and Ive attempted to list all of the apps used in the processing of these images so you can see what can be created when apps are used in combination on photographs. Its quite a range!

Now you know where Im coming from. Lets get you started creating your own photographic art on the iPhone.

T he iPhone adds a new dimension to photography. Unlike previous photographic devices, where the camera was solely a capture device and images were processed later in a darkroom or on a computer, smart-phones and tablets integrate both camera and processing capabilities into one device. While this integration provides an incredibly powerful platform for photography, it also creates challenges because these devices are not intended primarily to be cameras. These first few sections will address some housekeeping issues that arise when using an iPhone for photography, before getting into the camera and apps.

Functionality

In creating a mobile device such as an iPhone, hardware manufacturers must trade off the size, space, cost, and functionality of the camera against other requirements, functions, and end-user expectations. Sensor resolution, sensitivity, lens, and other camera specifications change from device to device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), generation to generation (iPhone 5, 5S, 6, and so on), and even front to back within a device. As such, the cameras in mobile devices are simple, small, and vary greatly by deviceeven within Apples lineup of similar devices.

Camera

If you dont know the camera specs for your specific device, look them up. Wikipedia and other online sites are a great source. Knowing the resolution difference between the front and back cameras enables you to make informed trade-offs when you take photographs. If you are debating a purchase, I recommend you look closely at the differences between the camera hardware on the different devices you are considering in order to understand the impact of your choice. These devices may look similar on the outside, but the camera you are getting inside may be quite different.

Even though there are quality and performance trade-offs, one bonus of the simple iPhone camera is ruggedness. These devices are made to be handled, and there is not much you need to do care for the camera. Invest in a simple case to protect it from damage from drops. To clean the lens, use a soft microfiber cloth. To prevent damage to the lens from scratches, tuck the phone into its own pocket without other objects (like keys) or place it with the camera facing away from other items. Use caution when your device is near water and other liquids, such as in the bathroom or kitchen.