Turn Your Eye Toward iPhoneography

I've always been drawn to the artful process of photography. Professionally, I make my documentary images by selecting lenses and adjusting settings on my SLR (single lens reflex) camera. Then I rely on a photo-editing application to process (or make minor adjustments) to my images. I might increase the definition of edges to emphasize the texture, tone down highlights, or trade color for black and white. But if my subject asked me to smooth out her smile lines, I'd frown. I most often prefer a light-handed approach to digital image processing.

However, I am increasingly stretching my processing boundaries with my iPhoneography - a daily practice of shooting, editing and sharing images with my iPhone. I'm finding that because I don't take these images too seriously, I'm eager to try more liberal processing experiments on them such as "fictionalizing" the color palette, adding vignettes (or darkening the edges) to add drama or retro image borders and textures.

Interested to add a little creativity to your iPhone images? Try downloading these popular photography apps from the App Store. While there is a growing collection of apps that provide more extensive image processing control, these are super simple and fun for anyone to use:

ShakeItPhoto ($.99)
Instant photo for your iPhone! This app lets you shoot, retake and shake. Shaking your iPhone gives you a square-shaped and color-washed Polaroid style image. Check out this ShakeItPhoto flickr group to see example results.


CameraBag ($1.99)
Enhance the look of your images by choosing one of ten preset image filters. Filters include: Helga for a square-format with a heavy vignette; Lolo for saturated colors and a thick white border; Mono for simple black and white conversion; and 1974 for a tinted and faded effect like your mama's old school pics. Check out this CameraBag flickr group to see example results.



;Hipstamatic ($1.99 to get started)
Ready to go retro? Use Hipstamatic to capture stylized, vintage-looking Hipstaprints. Choose from a variety of films, lenses and flashes to customize the look, border and texture of your images. Within seconds, Hipstamatic processes your Hipstaprint so you can easily share it on Facebook or Flickr or email it to a friend. Check out this Hipstamatic flickr group to see example results. -- Stephanie C. Roberts


How do you feel about your own iPhoneography? Any creative tips you'd like to share?

See more from the Shutter Sisters:
Creating Your Digital Camera Wishlist

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Clever Girls Collective is a social media marketing agency founded by women who wanted to use their deep marketing experience and broad social network relationships for good. We know that women who engage in social media are some of the most authentic, connected, trusted, and vocal influencers -- not only online, but "in real life." That's why we've developed The Clever 1000: an ever-growing, beautifully diverse network of professional, thoughtful social media-connected, natural networkers and influencers who want to engage with and enhance their favorite brands. Shutter Sisters is a collaborative photo blog and thriving community of women passionate about photography. With compelling projects like Picture Hope as well as the recent launch of their first book Expressive Photography: A Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting From the Heart (Focal Press Fall 2010) Shutter Sisters is committed to honoring and celebrating the beauty that women behind the camera can capture.