iPhone 5 May Have Larger Screen

A rumor is flying around that the iPhone 5, Apple’s newest iPhone model, could have a four inch screen, making it slightly bigger than the current model, the iPhone 4s. It’s hard for me to believe any rumors about the new iPhone, especially when the source is not revealed. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, a person “familiar with the matter” learned that Apple ordered a larger screen size from its Chinese manufacturers. The iPhone 4s has a screen of three and a half inches. 

While it’s nice to think about a bigger screen, especially for photo editing, I like the current size. I don’t like the bulkiness of other smart phones and I hope that the iPhone 5 won’t lean towards that direction. 

Facebook Acquires Instagram: The $1 Billion Deal

Today Facebook announced its acquisition of Instagram, a social media based photography app, in a $1 billion deal.

Instagram, which has a solid community of over 25 million users, will increase its integration with Facebook but, will continue to be branded separately, according to TechCrunch.com.

Facebook is losing its touch. Users are getting annoyed with constant updates and changes to the layout of the site. It’s more complicated to share your information and the site itself is glitchy. It’s no surprise to me that Zuckerberg made the choice to buy Instagram. 

With a strong following and community-based activities, like photo walks, Instagram is bringing people back together from the virtual world, while Facebook is making it harder to connect.

It will be an interesting story to follow. Who knows what’s next. Maybe we will start seeing ads on Instagram; maybe it will stay the same. 

Cinemagram: Photos With Motion (App Review)

Tonight my friend introduced me to a new iPhone app called Cinemagram. Similar to Instagram in interface, Cinemagram allows you to mix still photos with video. And the best part—it’s free. 

I have been thinking about how I could share video and this app is the perfect solution. In the example below, I started with a well lit area that had a clearly definable area of movement. I filmed the entire flush and then chose the three second portion that I wanted to feature. 

Swirly

Created with cinemagr.am

Once I had my clip, I used an iPhone stylus to draw a mask over the area of motion that I wanted to highlight. There are several filters that you can add after to change the look of your entire GIF (basically a GIF for the iPhone). They are similar to the filters on Instagram. 

When your done, you can post your GIF on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr all with a tap on the screen.

This app hasn’t been around long and I have already seen some amazing work. I highly recommend checking this app out; it is the future of mobile photography.

Decim8: Digitally Destroy Your Photos (App Review)

Are you tired of using apps and filters that make your photos look vintage and dated? Decim8, based on algorythims that digitally destroy your photos, is the perfect photo manipulating app for you.

This app took me a while to get used to, but once I got the hang of it, I was addicted. To use it, you upload a photo and select the filters you want to use. I would suggest using the randomize feature at first until you get familiar with the different effects. The effect will apply once you hit randomize.  

With Decim8, every photo is unique. Once you apply an effect, save the photo if you like it, because you may not be able to recreate it again. I like to save photos that I am on the fence about just incase I change my mind along the way.

Below is one of the photos I recently shot and manipulated with Decim8. I prefer effects that keep the image sharp, but add color or mirror images. Other effects will completely pixilate your image beyond recognition. It all depends on what look you are going for. It usually takes some trial and error before you get the look you want. Once you find it however, you will have a unique image that you can share on Instagram. 

You can download Decim8 for $0.99 in the iTunes app store. If you like to keep your photos traditional, this app may not be for you. If you are looking for an innovative, unique, digitilized look, definitely give Decmi8 a try.

Instagram App Coming Soon to Android!

Couldn’t make it to SXSW? Well here’s another reason you should have been there! Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom announced that the Instagram photo app will be available soon on Android. While this means more smart phone users can access Instagram, several iPhone fans are shaking their heads. 

This weekend, I attended the World Wide Instameet. The San Francisco meetup started in Dolores Park in the Mission District. Several Instawalkers were chatting about what this change will mean for the world of mobile photography.

Laura Powell, manager of the San Francisco branch of Instagram (@igerssf), believes that using Instagram on Androids could lead to a drop in photo quality. If people are using different phone models, she said, the photos will be less uniform.

According to CNET.com, the iPhone is rated as the best camera phone on the market—several Instagram users agree. Rated fourth is an Android powered phone, the HTC Amaze 4G. The HTC features an 8 mega pixel camera and 1080p HD video capability. The iPhone 4S, the most recent version released from Apple, features the same video and photo specs. 

The app should be available soon, but no specific release date was given.

David Baer (@david_baer) on Mobile Photography

David Baer’s (@david_baer) passion for mobile photography blossomed after a trip to Las Vegas, NV in May 2011, when he purchased his first iPhone accessory: a $110 telephoto lens. Since then, he has become an active Instagram user—an iPhone app used to post and share photos with friends. 

When he isn’t working his normal day job as an electrician, he is posting pictures and learning about the newest iPhone photo editing apps, which he shares with his Instagram community, @igerssv. Listen to hear more!