Some photos from the weekend

[iceman]

My wife and I went away for the weekend to Salamander Bay, and spent a bit of time around Fingal Bay, Shoal Bay and Nelson Bay.

I promised not to take my camera, so all I had was the iPhone :)

Of course there were some beautiful sunsets and clear nights, but I took a couple of snaps with the iPhone trying to capture a few moments.

1. At the summit of Mount Tomaree, people have taken to putting padlocks around the fence with theirs and their partners names on it. This photo was my wife's idea but the camera on her phone wasn't good enough to capture it. The iPhone did a pretty good job.

2. A 3-image panorama of a nice green rockpool at Fingal Bay. Taken and stitched using the AutoStitch app.

3. A 5-image panorama of Fingal Bay. Taken and stitched using the AutoStitch app.

4. A nice sunset on Friday night overlooking Nelson Bay near the Marina. It was stunning, visually. The photo doesn't quite capture it.

5. Me, taken at the top of Mt Tomaree yesterday.

6. Kate, at Fingal Bay.

The large versions are better but I haven't uploaded them anywhere else yet.

[Dennis]

Nice shots Mike, some very atmospheric scenery. You're looking quite ripped from your training!!

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman]

Thanks Dennis. We always enjoy going to Nelson Bay and surrounds.

I'm training up to go for 2nd Dan at the end of the year. Should be fun!

[hotspur]

Quite amazing,these look wonderful,these iphones must have pretty good cameras in them,(I do not know anything about them).How do you use them for longer exp shots-just looking at sunset over boats,I am thinking a longer exp for that.So do you a little tripod-like a 'gorrilla' smuggled on trip?Yes-bit of a bummer when the missus bans you from taking camera gear somewhere-know that feeling.

[iceman]

Thanks Chris.
They're all handheld. The iPhone does it all - just point and click.

You can tap on the screen to help it adjust the exposure and focus (tap on a dim area and it'll boost the exposure, tap on a bright area and it'll reduce the exposure).

You can get little gorilla pod type cases for the iPhone that will let you stand it on its own, but in most cases for shots like this it's just not necessary. The tripod is mainly necessary for getting yourself in the shot.

I'm using an iPhone 4. The 4S has an even better camera. You can get some apps that give you a little more control over the iPhone camera and give you options for processing like HDR, sharpening, saturation etc.

[acropolite]

Nice series Mike, I'd be sneaking back unescourted with the 5DII!!

[hotspur]

Thanks Mike-was not aware of that.Have seen the odd image from these type of devices and was quite surprised,yours are of a very high standard-quite amazing from a camera that can fit in a shirt pocket.

That rock pool would be worth a trip back to with the other gear at night.

[Lester]

That second image is very eye catching with colour contrast. Very nice.

[gregbradley]

Great shots Mike. Amazing these are from an iphone camera.

Greg.

[iceman]

Thanks Phil - I'd definitely like to go back there with the camera gear. She promised next time I could take it :)


Yeh there's some nice dark skies and nice foregrounds for some nightscape photography.


Thanks Lester - it really struck me too when I saw it. I'm glad I was able to capture it similar to how my eye saw it.


Thanks Greg. The technology is certainly coming a long way,
Here's another set taken with my iPhone, of various storm cells that I was able to capture:
http://www.mikesalway.com.au/2011/04/01/4-best-storm-cell-photos-taken-with-my-iphone/

[RB]

Hey nice shots Mike, especially using the iPhone.
Nice creative angle on the first, lovely saturated colours in the second and a great pano shot on the third.
LOL you remind me of an Aussie Chuck Norris in your portrait shot. :lol:

:thumbsup:

[Omaroo]

Nice Mike. They're not bad cameras at a pinch eh! The camera in my iPad 3 is the same, if I recall, as that in the 4S. Both still and 1080p are pretty darned good.

What you need is an OWLE accidentally left in your glovebox for next time you're not allowed to bring the real gear! ;)

[iceman]

hehe thanks RB.

I didn't think the iPhone did DOF well but turns out it's not too bad if you can get it to focus where you want.


Thanks Chris - yeh I wish I could upgrade to the iPad 3. The iPad 2 camera is woeful.

I looked for iPhone cases that doubled as a tripod (or could have a gorilla pod screwed into it) but couldn't find any. Know of anything?

[Omaroo]

Yeah... the OWLE Bubo! :)

http://www.macworld.com/article/1157656/owle_iphone.html

http://owle-bubo.com/

You saw mine at IISAC. It has a 1/4x20 thread on the bottom on each side. You can mount to a tripod there or use a bridge between the two and mount that on your tripod. They're fantastic! Gives you a better lens as well...

[naskies]

Beautiful - the colours in #2, #3, #4 are remarkable.

[astronobob]

Inspiring work Mike, The green lake is a rather trippy looking spot !

[iceman]

ah that thing, yeh that looked great. It's not exactly something you'd leave on like an iPhone case, but it'd be great to keep in the glovebox.


Thanks Dave!


Thanks Bob.