The last few years, I’ve participated in a group called 52 Frames, which runs a weekly photography challenge by giving us a word or concept to explore during the week, then you submit your best image to the group by Sunday night. Last week’s challenge was Abstract so I decided to have some fun with the iPhone and an app called Slow Shutter.
I stood on a bridge over the Russian River and looked westward.
I walked around the campground, a bit east of the bridge and found another good composition.
The sunshine on the hills across from me lit up the colors and so I played with that scene the longest. This ended up being my Sunday submission for last week.
Wherever there is light, one can photograph.
Alfred Stieglitz
Hey,
I love these pics so, naturally, I just went down the rabbit hole with this app. It looks like it could be fun, especially for night pics. But, it also sounds like it works best with a tripod? Is that what you use or are you able to get good slow shutter speed pics while holding the phone? I’d love to find more ways to use my phone camera since it’s always with me, but I feel like having to carry a tripod of some sort would be a barrier to actually using it.
Is that you, Laura? It is a fun app, I generally set it for 1-2 seconds and then slightly pan in one direction (usually right to left, for some reason). For things like 8 seconds, yeah, you’d need a tripod, which is why I just go with short bursts of slow time and some hand motion. It takes some practice to figure out what works, and the light really makes a difference (cloudy weather = not so good!). Have fun, I would love to see what you do with the app!
I love that last one. I may have to try that app, although I’m nowhere as good as you.
Thanks, Mike! I hope you do try the app, it is fun and makes the photos pretty artsy 🙂