How to recreate DSLR effect with iOS or Android phone – Guide
Smartphone cameras have long been seen as a convenient way to take quick snapshots, while DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are the go-to for more creative photography. But is this still the case? With the right apps, smartphones can now be used to create stunning trick shots.
Smartphone apps are giving users the ability to explore creative photography techniques, such as long exposures, intentional camera motion (ICM), and infrared photography. These features go beyond the standard settings of a phone’s camera app, allowing users to capture unique images.
Smartphone photography can be creative without a specialized app. Composition and exposure adjustments in the main camera can produce unique results.
Smartphone photography is now capable of producing professional-level effects, such as light painting, tilt shifts and the Orton Effect.
Orton’s Impact
Michael Orton’s method for improving panoramic images, dubbed “Orton Impact,” was developed in the 1980s.
Some purists may be skeptical, but this trick is worth a look.
Orton’s technique of combining a sharp photograph with a blurred version of the same image creates a “dreamlike” effect, with accurate execution resulting in strong shadow highlights.
We recommend using Photoshop Specific for Orton Effect images. iPhone users can do this all within one app, while Android owners will need both Photoshop Specific and Photoshop Mix.
Open Photoshop and select the Blur tab. Choose ‘Full’ in the blur type management, then use the slider to blur the image until it looks vague.
Open Photoshop Combine and load the unblurred image. Add the blurred model, then press the Mix button. Select blend classification and adjust the image with a slider.
At first, it may be tempting to go all out, but a more restrained approach often yields better results. Additionally, consider using the blur extension in the initial step.
Photoshop now offers a ‘Combine’ shortcut on its input page, merging the features of the Combine app into the main Photoshop app for iPhone users.
For those looking to achieve a similar effect as Adobe Photoshop’s Orson filter without the need for an expensive subscription, Snapseed’s Glamor Glow tool offers a comparable result with more control.
Tilt Shift
Tilt shift photography creates a unique effect, achieved by tilting and shifting the lens away from the camera sensor. While this technique was used in 1800s cameras, modern DSLRs require a specialized lens like the Canon EF TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II to achieve the same result.
Today, software programs make it easier than ever to create the same effects with digital cameras and phones alike.
Tilt shift photography can make cities appear like miniature villages, creating a bokeh effect of background blur that usually requires a large aperture lens for close-up shots.
Google Snapseed, available for Android and iOS, is the go-to app for tilt shifting. Its Lens Blur feature in the Instruments panel offers linear and round instruments to select the shape of the space in focus. You can also deform a circle into an oval with finger gestures. Adjusting blur strength and transition scale will help you achieve your desired tilt shift effect.
long exposures
Specter, an iOS app, is now available for purchase at a cost of $3.99 in the US and £3.49 in the UK.
Advertising time, or shutter speed, is a key factor in camera control. ISO should be kept to a minimum, while color temperature can be adjusted later.
Capturing motion with clarity requires a fast shutter speed. To create artistic images, experiment with longer exposures. This will result in smooth water, light trails from passing vehicles and improved image quality in low light.
Android phones with integrated digital camera apps can be used to create traditional long exposure shots. To do so, switch to manual or professional mode and slow down the shutter speed. A tripod is necessary to keep the phone still, but cameras with good OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) can be used handheld at speeds of up to 1/4 of a second.
Using a tripod and long exposure can help you take better low-light photos than your phone’s “night” mode, resulting in more sophisticated images.
A new app, Specter for iPhone, offers a solution to long ads: frame merging. This software program stabilization feature allows users to capture smooth images even when they move slightly between frames.
Infra-red
A traditional digital infrared camera captures an image of a scene that is invisible to the human eye, using specialized infrared film and a filter that blocks out non-infrared light.
Near infrared imaging, which covers wavelengths from 700nm to 900nm, is distinct from thermal imaging cameras that can detect mid-infrared wavelengths. This range of near infrared is different from what our eyes can see, which is 400nm to 700nm.
Infrared imaging gives photos a unique, supernatural look, with shades of blue, pink and purple. This technique is more refined than using a tint filter, creating an elegant effect.
Using an infrared app on a phone, users can create unique images that emulate the look of traditional infrared photography. These photos often feature autumnal scenes and Japanese gardens with foliage in shades of purple or pink.
RNI Aero is an iPhone app that could revolutionize experimental photography. It offers 18 filter types, from the warm tones of “autumn” to a more extraterrestrial look, making it a powerful image enhancement tool.
Lightleap’s FLM2 filter in the ‘movie’ section of the app provides an IR look for Android users who want to experiment.
ICM (Digital Intentional camera Movement)
ICM is a technique that challenges the traditional notion of what makes a good photo. Instead of keeping the camera still, ICM involves intentionally moving it to create an intentional blur.
Try using a full range of apps, including those built into most Android phones, to get the best results when editing photos. Make sure to use the ‘professional’ or ‘manual’ mode for optimal results.
Using the right camera settings can help capture motion in a more vivid way. For iOS users, gradual shutter camera is recommended, while Android users should opt for digital camera FV-5. To get the best results, it’s important to adjust shutter speed and ISO sensitivity accordingly.
Shutter speed determines how long the camera shutter is open, allowing light to enter and create an image. To avoid overexposure, ISO sensitivity should be kept low in most settings. However, if a greater impact is desired, increasing the ISO can be beneficial.
The Digital Camera FV-5 is a traditional DSLR-style manual camera app, while Gradual Shutter Cam for iPhone offers a unique alternative. It allows users to create ICM images with its Motion Blur, Smooth Path and Smooth Low modes, which automatically take multiple exposures. We chose this app as it’s easier to produce clean blurry images than with a manual camera app. Yamera also features shutter speed control for those who want more control over their shots.
Using the In-Camera Motion (ICM) technique, photographers can create a sense of movement by rotating their phone to sharpen the center of an image and adjusting the camera’s alignment with geometric elements in the scene. When done correctly, this can have a powerful visual effect.
gentle portrait
Using a digital camera in a dark setting and extended exposure time, the soft portrait technique creates an artistic effect by illuminating objects with neon-style colored lights. This approach has been used in many promotional campaigns to create unique visuals.
You can get a long exposure shot with most digital camera apps, even when the sun is high. Some phone apps also provide an artificial tone to emulate this type of image.
Using a digital camera’s high-speed burst mode to capture a scene can be more effective than using an ND filter. Burst mode allows for multiple frames to be merged together, creating a single image with less risk of overexposure or blown highlights. However, there may be slight temporal breaks between the merged frames.
Specter is an iPhone app that stands out from the rest. It uses AI-assisted image stitching to produce better results when used in hand, accounting for any hand movements. All you have to do is choose how long you want the digital shutter open.
Mobilephoton’s 2021 camera offers a new long digital advertising format, but it doesn’t quite match the efficiency of Specter on Android. It has separate modes for smooth tracks and motion blur, but users should use a tripod to compensate for hand movement as much as possible.
Apple has announced the launch of its new iPhone 12 series, featuring four models with 5G connectivity. Apple unveiled its latest lineup of iPhones on Tuesday, introducing four 5G-enabled models in the iPhone 12 series.
Final note
This guide shows you how to get DSLR-like effects with your iOS or Android phone. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Don’t forget to share the article with your friends!
