Just over a year ago I set out to master the manual operation of my Nikon D300 DSLR. That quest led to the development of the Manual DSLR Project and becoming a part of the photography community led to my involvement with Current Photographer. As I explored the manual controls on my DSLR I came to appreciate the ability, through the adjustment of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, to create effects and results that simply cannot be done on “Automatic” or “Program” mode. Now I love my iPhone camera, but there are certain creative things that you cannot do on the iPhone…or can you?
That is why I was excited to check out Slow Shutter Cam for the iPhone. Slow Shutter Cam is an app that allows you to create slow shutter effects that are similar to those that you would create on your DSLR. Obviously, we are not working with an analog shutter, but the effects are very pleasing and emulate that of a DSLR.
Slow Shutter Cam provides three modes of operation:
- Automatic Mode emulates the Shutter Priority mode on your DSLR and allows you to use slow shutter speeds for effect (motion blur, etc.), but with the simplicity of automatic mode.
- Manual Mode emulates the Manual Mode on your DSLR. Here, you may set your shutter speed at 0.5 sec, 1 sec., 2, sec. 4 sec., 8 sec., 15 sec., and bulb. This is the setting you will want to use for low light situations.
- Light Trail allows you to paint with light or capture light trails on cars at night.
The package is well engineered and includes a number of thoughtful features, such as the ability to select whether to automatically save to the camera roll or to require manual saves.
Folks, I could talk about this all day, but the best way to evaluate it is to try it yourself. I purchased it in the App Store for $1.99, but at the time of this writing it is on sale for 99 cents. I encourage you to check this one out!
All the best…Mike
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A college administrator by profession, Mike Kennamer enjoys the opportunity to take photos and improve his skills by shooting events at work, church, and for friends. He enjoys landscape photography, portraiture and is starting to dabble in HDR. His current photography project involves learning to control flash manually. “My goal”, according to Kennamer, “is to be the best photographer I can be.”
Kennamer is also the President of Kennamer Media Group, Inc., a provider of traditional and online media, specializing in the healthcare industry. On CurrentPhotographer.com he writes about iPhone and iPad applications for photographers.