There is no end to “top ten” lists when it comes to iPhone app recommendations. But since it seems like everyone is releasing a new one these days (my grandmother’s working on one right now, I think), it isn’t long before any of these published recommendations becomes out-of-date. Besides, I’m actually curious what other photographers who own iPhones use to make their business and creative lives easier, more productive or just plain fun. My list features some obvious, photo-related choices and many other apps that have nothing ostensibly to do with photography–but are nevertheless quite useful.
Here is my list with reasons why. I hope it’s helpful, and I’d love to hear feedback if you hate/love my choices or have others of your own. Out of more than 300,000 apps I might have missed something cool, right?
Photography |
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| Strobox
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What it does: I’m a geek at heart, and I like to keep recipe cards for many of my shoots–especially those that have great results I’d like to repeat. This app allows me to sketch my lighting/subject setup easily and, since I draw like a kindergartner, allow me to actually understand it when I look at it later.
What I like: Easy to use, nice looking icons. I can save them. What I don’t: Doesn’t have icons (like a sun) suitable for showing location shoots, which is much of what I do. That’s what my pen is for, however. Cost: Free
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| Photographer’s Contract Maker
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What it does: Great little app for customizing and presenting a variety of documents online. I use mine for model releases. It allows you to upload your logo, take a shot of the subject, and get their signature by having them ‘sign’ with their finger on the iPhone screen. It emails a pdf to you (and to your subject if needed), saving you the time it takes to scan your physical releases. Very customizable and useful.
I like: Customizable and flexible. I can create any number of documents that need signatures. Great online help videos, too. I don’t like: that you can’t take a picture of your subject to append to the release. But, I wasn’t doing that with the physical releases, either. Cost: $2.99 |
| Light Trac
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What it does: For outdoor and location shooters, this one is a gem. Pop in any potential shoot locale and it’ll pop it up on a Google satellite map overlaid with lines showing of the sun’s rays during sunrise, sunset and any selected time. Just put in the location, the date, the time, and see how sunlight will work with your scene.
I like: Can reference future dates/times, and you can save locations. I don’t like: Still in the honeymoon phase. It’s darn near perfect. Cost: $4.99 |
| Pocket Scout
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What it does: Records interesting potential photo locations for future use, complete with photos and detailed notes. This is great for a location photographer who is always on the lookout for good places in which to shoot.
I like: Allows you to take multiple photos for reference. Uses GPS to automatically enter the address of the location you’re at (no typing!) Allows tagging and sharing of locations. I don’t like: Doesn’t work well on 3G phones (and not at all on 2G phones). It does work with iPads, though. Cost: $2.99 |
Productivity Apps |
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| Dragon Dictation
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ReQall
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| What they do: Both apps allow you to record audio and provide real-time transcription. Both make some hilarious translations from time to time. Otherwise, there are differences that–for me–are pushing me to keep both apps on my phone, for different purposes.
I like (Dragon): Lightning fast and a slight edge in quality of transcription. Can push to Twitter and Facebook, email, SMS. Ability to edit the transcription. Free. I don’t like: No way to categorize or store notes. Best Used For: To post sms, twitter and facebook items quickly when all you have is an iPhone. Cost: Free I like (ReQall): Can categorize, tag transcriptions or have ReQall decide for you. Can set up email so that it automatically emails you transcript without having to enter an email address. Can handle events and dates/times. Stores the audio so you can listen to it, and includes audio in emails so that even if transcription is garbled you can listen to the audio. I don’t like: Can be very slow. Transcription seems a bit weaker than DD but still very good. Best Used For: Great for to do lists; a productivity tool. Great for storing and organizing info that you record on the fly, such as blog post ideas, location shoot ideas, etc. Cost: Free How I use them: ReQall for quick hit ideas, events to be scheduled and notes to myself when on the go. Also as an organizational tool, to remind me about events and tasks. Dragon for dictating social media posts or messages without needing a keyboard and sending them on the go. |
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Milog |
What it does: Records your mileage and travel-related expenses such as tolls, parking fees, etc.
I like: It’s easy to use, saves locations and tags, and it emails me a swanky spreadsheet perfect for tax purposes. I don’t like: Sometimes the odometer resets while I’m noting mileage and I have to reenter it. Once entered, though, it stays saved. Cost: $3.99 |
| Bento
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What it does: Personal (FileMakerPro) database that syncs up with your desktop version of the same software and can be used for everything from contact management to equipment inventories. I also love Japanese food.
I like: It allows me to carry a lot of my business information on the road with me. It syncs as long as I’m near my computer without having to be plugged in. I don’t like: Shouldn’t it be free, since you need to have the desktop version of the software, which you have to pay for? Yes. It should. Cost: $4.99 |
| AroundMe
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What it does: Quickly finds information about your surroundings, wherever you happen to be. In a new city and need coffee? AroundMe will get you to the closest one.
I like: It’s free, easy, and allows you to search outside of the provided handy categories. Did I mention it finds coffee? I don’t like: It can’t actually apparate coffee, hot and accompanied by a bagel, out of thin air. But it gets darned close. Cost: Free |
| Square
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What it does: Allows you to accept credit cards on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.
I like: It’s free–no monthly fees or contracts–and the per-transaction fee is reasonable provided you have the accessory card swiper thingamabob (also free, from Square). It’s fast and very slick. I don’t like: I use it only on occasion, but it would be nice if there were a merchant account level that required a monthly fee but took a smaller per-transaction fee. Cost: Free |
So….that’s what’s on my iPhone. What’s on yours?
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