by Jack Martin
The last FCC meeting was a presentation on basic camera settings and lenses. Mostly a review but there are always little tips and ideas that can be picked up. One of the things talked about were helpful smartphone apps.
The one talked about at the presentation was an app called SetMyCamera. Unfortunately this app is only available in IOS (free). You set your lens focal length then you can set the aperture and move it to see the depth of field and hyperfocal distances. I use this app constantly, find it a very valuable tool. Android also offers apps that do this but you would need to do your homework.
Another good app is The Photographers Ephemeris, TPE. This app can show sunrise, sunset, moonrise times for any locations, at any date, and time of day. Also can show the angle of the sun at anytime of the day. This is a great planning app. You can use it to set your camera location for the best shot. Another app that has been a valuable tool. TPE is available is IOS for $9.99 and Android for $2.99 (limited functionality).
But there is one app that I am thinking of purchasing that looks like is combines these two features along with some other interesting tool. Photopills. There is a section where you can be the exposure settings when using a neutral density filter (another app I have but use only on occasion). Also there is a feature that will let you plan what time the sun or moon will be in a specific location in the shot you are planning. Another interesting feature is a drone mode. At $10.99 it is pricey for an app but not if you use it regularly.