In the time since computers became mainstream and digital photography became popular, photographers have embraced1 the fact that software is part of their photography arsenal at this point.
Photographers usually understand that knowing their software tools improves their photography experience. It’s why companies like CreativeLive and KelbyOne offer online video training to help photographers learn software such as Lightroom and Photoshop. We look at software for merging HDR images, or for creating slideshows. As mobile photography has taken hold, we’ve added apps on our phones to that mix (heck, I recently published an article with my best iPhone photography apps).
But one bit of software we might overlook is not the apps on our phones, but the operating system (OS) itself.
With the release of iOS 12 today, it seems like a good time to consider that your mobile photography OS, and knowing it well, can be a big asset to your photography ventures. Here are a few things to consider.
Mobile Camera Shortcuts
Sure, your smartphone has a camera, but do you know how to quickly get to it from your locked phone? Do you know not just how to get to the camera, but the quickest ways to jump directly into portrait mode, or video?
Image Transfer and Backup
How do you store images on your smartphone? Are you using a cloud service integrated with the mobile operating system? What about backups? If you dropped and destroyed your phone, would you lose any important photos or data?
OS Camera Effects
What special effects are enabled by your smartphone’s operating system? If it has a “Portrait mode” do you know how to use it? With iOS 12 on the new iPhone XS models, you’ll be able to adjust the depth-of-field after the shot.
Much like we study our cameras and learn about our editing software, it probably would behoove you to learn all you can about your mobile photography OS as well.
If you’re looking to learn what’s new with iOS 12, I recommend the comprehensive iOS 12 Review at MacStories.
The more you study your tools, the more proficient you’ll become.
- Begrudingly for some ↩
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