Photography with Android: What, Why and How?

If you’re an Android user with a love of photography, you’ll want to ensure your phone has the best camera apps installed. It’s rare to find devices in this market that do not include at least one camera, so it’s likely you’ll be able to get started straight away.

By using these apps, you can enhance your images and create outstanding results, ensuring your precious memories are portrayed in the highest quality.

Camera FV-5

As one of the most advanced camera apps on the Android market, Camera FV-5 is jam-packed full of high quality features. From the app’s main screen, you’ll be able to select custom options for focus, ISO speed and metering or select a simple preset. After choosing your ideal settings, colour balance and saturation, you’ll be able to save the combination, ensuring you can use it for future images. Camera FV-5 will also enable the user to aid composition using grid overlays and RGB channels.

Google Camera

Google is a company we are all familiar with, as a giant within the technology industry. Their unique camera, designed specifically for Android based devices, includes a vast range of features and options that create enhanced, professional-looking photography. Despite its simplicity and the fact it’s distributed for free with Android handsets, the app truly packs a punch and is essential for any Android photographer. The impressive tools, such as timer modes, HDR and panorama are highly functional, in addition to the unique Photo Sphere shooting option, which enables you to create 360 degree immersive imagery.

Camera Awesome

Camera Awesome, an affordable app created by SmugMug, enhances your phone camera’s existing camera features with additional options that allow you to be more selective and creative with the way you produce each image.

The app can be easily downloaded on to your phone to improve your mobile photography experience and reap the benefits of its extended features.

Have you tried these apps? Let us know what you think in the comments.

5 Best Camera Apps for iPhone

Your iPhone has one of the best cameras the world has seen yet on a mobile phone. To get the best out of it you need to use third party applications instead of the stock camera app. By saying that, it is not meant that the built in camera app is not good. But there are great apps you need to try on your Apple phone. You’ll be simply amazed by the multiple features these powerful apps offer you making your mobile phone a real mobile camera.


1. Camera+
Camera+ is a robust camera app for your iPhone which comes with a pack of useful features including exposure, white balance, and focus etc. It helps you stabilize images, which is a great convenience to you especially when taking photos of moving objects. Adjust ISO and shutter speed to take the perfect photo just the way you want. Editing the photo after taking it can be done on Camera+ app itself. Supports OS8 and runs smoothly on any Apple phone.


2. VSCO Cam
This is an app ideal for your iPhone is you are a regular mobile photographer. It allows you to snap, edit and share photos all in one place. This is a powerful app which can solve many problems that emerge with phone cameras less sensitive to light and focus. VSCO Cam app lets you choose the focal point in a scene by simply touching it on the phone screen. iPhone photography has never been easier and more professional.


3. ProCamera 8
You will no more use your built in camera app once you install ProCamera 8 on your iPhone. This app comes with a truly professional user interface which allows you to take full control of your phone’s camera. It includes awesome post-editing tools and various settings that let you change every property of a photo that you take. One special feature of this app is that it allows you to view live previews even before you shoot.


4. Camera Plus
This is definitely one of the best camera apps iPhone generation has ever seen. It offers three distinctive focus modes including macro, normal and far which allow you to take various photographs from your iPhone using it as a real digital camera .Above all, the most attractive feature of this app is AirSnap, which allows you to remotely take photographs from your phone by using a secondary iPhone.

5. ProCam 2
Your iPhone stock camera application has fewer features than many third party apps available in the store. ProCam 2 is one such app which offers you more features than your built in camera app does. This app includes manual camera controls for iOS8 devies. It has options for full focus, exposure adjustments, live lenses and special filters etc.

So now what are you waiting for? Go out and snap some pics!

Selfies: Will they stay longer?

Snapping selfies is not something unusual today. The majority of the world’s population owning a smartphone has taken a selfies at some moment in life. Celebrities, politicians, models, college students, teenagers and even elderly citizens snap their phones to take selfies. Then there is a question, will this trend last longer? Will the popularity it achieved diminish at some point in future? The simple answer is, not likely. Instead, they will be here for a long time..

Selfies are a vital subsection of today’s photography. Even though #selfies have become almost viral, it did not gain this momentum until the late 2012, which was almost a decade since #selfies first appeared in Flicker in 2004. The year 2013 can be named as the golden year for selfies. Instagram, which is known as the home for selfies, shows a 200% increase of the use of the #selfie hashtag since the early 2013. According to Instagram statistics, the #selfie hashtag has been appeared 34,924,648 times in posts during the past years. The interesting fact is that until early 2013, #selfie hashtag was not even placed in the top 100 hashtags!

Offering a user-friendly opportunity to take better selfies, smartphone manufacturers have introduced front cameras in their latest releases. This makes it easier to capture the right pose in the right angle, expanding the owner’s opportunity. Nevertheless still, there are some discomforts when taking selfies, which directly affect the quality of the photos taken. EmoFix is a high-end yet compact device used to banish such discomforts that arise when taking selfies. EmoFix is a Bluetooth controlled remote that frees you from worrying about angles, fitting into the frame, or carrying the camera always in hand. The user could place the smartphone wherever he or she wishes and capture the photo or selfie with ultimate ease!

Selfies are not going to disappear in the near future. It has come a long distance since its origin in MySpace. Social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram and twitter as well as high-end smartphones with front cameras have fuelled the crave for selfies among the public. Creating a milestone for selfies the word ‘selfie’ was officially added to the Oxford dictionary in 2013. All of these evidences point out in one direction. That is, selfies will stay longer and definitely will flourish in the years 2015 and 2016. It would be more of an art rather than an addiction in the years to come. Are you ready for the revolution? Equip with state-of-the-art gear to not to fall out from the rest.

Android VS. iOS: Which is better?

Being direct competitors, Android and iOS are often compared and have been known to release their latest operating systems at the same time. Their recent offerings, iOS 8 and Android 5.0 Lollipop, both released this fall, are both improvements on their predecessors, but which is better?

Design-wise, iOS 8 follows traditional Apple styling. The flat designs are back and recognizable to any previous Apple device user. Android, however, has given its OS a huge overhaul, focusing on material design and featuring colorful, minimalistic new icons and themes. Both systems are well designed, responsive and functional, so ultimately it’s down to you to decide which you prefer visually.

There are apps on both operating systems that are obviously designed to rival one another, such as Apple Pay vs. Google Wallet, Apple Health-kit and Google Fit and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fact the systems offer such similar features make it even harder to choose between the two. A deciding factor could be looking to see which OS offers an app you’re particularly interested in, as some iPhone oriented apps are unavailable on Android and vice versa.

Stereotypically, iOS is known for having better battery life than Android and this isn’t just a myth. Android 5.0 Lollipop features vastly improved battery life compared to its predecessors, resulting in battery life of up to 36% longer. The iPhone 6 battery life may not be outstanding, however this is due to its small battery which has a capacity of 50% less than its Android based rivals. Despite this, the battery should last 3 – 4 days with light usage.

The iPhone 6 comes with an 8 megapixel camera with FocusPixels, offering auto-focus and exposure control, however the range of Android devices on the market mean there are phones using the Android platform that offer higher quality cameras. The Samsung Galaxy S5, for example, has a 16 megapixel sensor and lightning fast autofocus time, offering higher definition for those who take mobile photography seriously. If rumors in the tech industry are to be believed, the upcoming Galaxy S6 features an outstanding 20 megapixels, however this has not been confirmed by Samsung.

Overall, it’s up to you which side you choose as both platforms are widely used and represent high quality. Android has a huge variety, offering something for every user, however if the iPhone is more your thing, you’ll likely have a soft spot for iOS. Compare the features before making a purchase and choose the model and OS that are right for you.

How crowdfunding is changing the economy and supporting creative businesses

Crowdfunding is a way for innovative creators to gather the funds for their project by convincing individuals to pool their money in support of the project’s development. Often, these projects are creative works by artists, filmmakers or musicians, independent business endeavours from up and coming entrepreneurs, or a way to fund non-profit organisations. People with awesome, ground-breaking ideas can post information, videos and photos that can express their idea to the public and encourage them to back their idea. Donations can range from $1 to thousands of dollars, each with their own unique incentives decided by the project co-ordinator. Although it may once have been seen an idealistic dream or ‘hipster’ oriented concept, crowdfunding has become a legitimate fundraising model in its own right.

You’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter or IndieGoGo, and the amount of users proves how successful the system can be for those with unique ideas. Kickstarter alone has gathered over $1 billion from 7.6 million people to fund 75,000 creative projects since its launch in 2009.

Although seen as a modern idea, crowdfunding has actually been around for centuries. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Mark Twain are amongst two world famous, historicalcreative geniuses, who used a similar system to raise money for their work. They would collect money from donors known as ‘subscribers’, often offering an early edition or copy of the finished piece, or a similar incentive. Modern day crowdfunding is an evolution of this original idea, made even more effective through the wide reach of the internet and social media, allowing individuals to show their idea to markets around the world, creating interest and finding potential donors.

Not only does crowdfunding help people follow their dreams and bring their creations to life, the powerful scheme also ensures more people are working at any given time, generating more money for the economy and reducing unemployment at a time when conventional jobs are sparse and many people are looking to make money independently. Since the beginning of our current recession, many businesses have suffered and crowdfunding can help raise the money they need to move forward. The success many small businesses have enjoyed thanks to their campaigns is encouraging to those new to the business market who are looking to break into entrepreneurship, proving they have a chance at getting their ideas off the ground.

Have more to say? Feel free to leave a comment.

Awesome tips to take wonderful photos with your phone camera

It seems most people have a smartphone with a camera and you don’t need to be a professional photographer to take amazing snaps and treasure your memories.

With the popularity of social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram, it’s easy to share our shots with the world, but there’s no reason you can’t make yours stand out.

Get familiar with your phone’s camera.

There’s more to taking a photo with your phone than simply pressing the button. By exploring the app, you’ll notice the option to take photos in a variety of shapes or styles, including panoramic views, turn your flash on or off, zoom in or out, add filters, or edit the exposure or saturation of your photo. These can all make a difference to the quality and appearance of your photo, so it’s worth understanding the range of functions your phone camera offers.

Take plenty of photos.

Practice makes you perfect and by taking photos regularly you’ll learn exactly what works and what doesn't. It’ll also ensure you have plenty of shots to choose from while deciding which to upload and share with your friends.

Look for the best lighting.

Bad lighting can often ruin an otherwise perfect photo, so it’s important to ensure your subject is placed in a well-lit area. Experiment with the light, turning electric lights on or off, using your phone’s flash, or moving outside into natural brightness to improve the clarity of your photo.

Move closer, don’t use zoom.

Often, zoom can reduce the quality of the image, resulting in a blurred effect. By moving closer to your subject and cropping the image, you can enjoy the close-up effect with superior quality.

Don’t be afraid to stray from your default camera app.

Although your phone comes with its own photography tools, they may not be the best for your needs. There are a variety of apps on Google’s Android Marketplace and Apple’s App Store that may offer you more in the way of features and editing tools that could help you achieve photos in the style you desire. Many are free, so why not download a few and see which ones you enjoy?

Keep your Lens Clean.

Have you ever opened your camera and noticed areas that look smudged or blurry? Chances are, wiping your lens clean will clear that up in seconds.

It’s important to make sure your lens stays clean to prevent permanent damage or scratching that could affect your photos in the long term.

Keep still.

Ensuring you or your subject remains still as the photo is taken will reduce your chances of motion blur and having to retake the shot!

Use a remote.

By using a device such as Emofix, you can create flawless shots without having to keep your phone in your hand. You’ll find it easier to create the perfect angle and set the perfect distance to ensure everyone fits in the shot.

So go out, enjoy taking photos!

EmoFix – fix your emotion!

This is the digital age. iPhones and smartphones are everywhere you look. Visit any tourist spot or even your local mall or park, and you’ll find people using technology to document their lives. In fact, 10% of the 3.5 trillion photos ever taken were taken within the past 12 months, likely due to the advancement and popularity of mobile devices. Everyone has a camera in their pocket.

Selfies are the newest trend in social media and pop culture, there’s even a hit song about them. However until recent years, mobile devices didn’t even have front facing cameras and the only way was holding your phone backwards at arms’ length, which was not always convenient. While devices nowadays certainly make things easier, taking the perfect selfie can still be difficult. Emofix is here to change that. Our innovative, Bluetooth controlled remote is the perfect tool for taking the perfect photo or selfie.

Once connected, the device syncs flawlessly with your phone via Bluetooth signal. Emofix will allow you to take high quality photos by pressing a remote, so it won’t be necessary to have your phone in your hand at all times. You’ll no longer have to worry about angles, or cutting anyone out of the frame, as your phone can be placed precisely where it needs to be to get the perfect shot. Prop it against a wall, a tree, or even a tripod if you’re feeling pro! Emofix will enhance your mobile experience with the ability to create great photography, resulting in the best shots to print, frame, or share with friends on your social media accounts.

Without the need for an app, Emofix saves you space on your phone as well as time. The convenient connectivity works straight out of the box, so you can get snapping selfies straight away. Once connecting the remote, simply open your phone’s camera and press the button on your Emofix device to take the shot – simple! It’ll even work with third party photography apps, such as Instagram or Camera365, so there’s no need to sacrifice your favourite features.

To keep an eye on our development, you can subscribe to our mailing list or follow the Emofix Facebook, Twitter, GooglePlus or Instagram pages for regular updates. Be sure to look out for our upcoming IndieGoGo campaign and support us in getting Emofix known to iPhone and Android (v4.4 and above) users everywhere. Perhaps you’ll even order one for yourself!