Calm Photos

Chase Jarvis Blog: The Best Camera: iPhone App + Book + Community.

Being an iPhone user I am always on the lookout for useful apps, particularly those that are connected in some way to photography. Given the fact that my iPhone 3G (I still haven’t seen the need to upgrade to a 3Gs) comes with a minimalist approach toward a built-in camera phone – just 2 megapixels – there have more and more app developers who’ve learned to push that little camera beyond its original, technical limitations.

I learned about Chase Jarvis’ Best Camera app in the most recent issue of PDN Magazine. The Best Camera is by far the best camera app yet for the iPhone. It seamlessly integrates the camera function with some impressive in-camera, image editing effects as well online photo sharing and social community interaction.

The premise of the app is quite simple and one which I repeat quite often at my photography workshops and in photography articles. It’s not the gear that makes the photographer. It’s the person behind the camera and a keen observation of light and subject.

I must admit that nature, landscape and studio photography is a bit more methodical and requires more in the way of gear and technical knowledge, especially at the pro level, but for “street photography” Jarvis does an impressive job in showing what can be accomplished with just a simple, two- megapixel camera phone. Sure Jarvis makes a crack about “dynamic range,” but basically his approach toward image-making is the foundation from which all successful photographers – whether they be accomplished pro shooters or avid amateurs – create bodies of work that make viewers stop, look, imagine and think.

MacTown » Blog Archive » MacTown coming to The Greene.

This is one the smartest retail expansions I’ve seen from a local business in Dayton in quite a long time. I admit I’m a Mac-user and a Mac-nut (MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, iPhone, numerous iPods, Apple TV, AirPort Extreme and Express, etc., etc.) and I’ve always thought The Greene to be an ideal location for an Apple Retailer. Over the years I’ve had great experiences with the owner of MacTown – Jason Lewantowicz – and his staff of helpful experts.

They go out of their way to make everyone feel welcome. What I mean by that is that you won’t find compu-geeks who’ll talk down to potential customers who may not be quite as up to speed on systems and software as they are, thus actually turning people away more confused and frustrated than before. It blows me away how many local businesses still employ geeks who do this on regular basis. The staff at MacTown are always friendly and helpful to everyone, from those just starting out to those who have been using Macs for a long time.

They are also one of the more marketing-savvy businesses amongst local retailers in the Dayton area, organizing and presenting networking and software education programs that build and reinforce customer loyalty.

Last spring I upgraded my old Mac Pro for one of the new ones and the staff at MacTown were incredibly helpful in working a great deal on a trade-up and doing a great job in seamlessly transferring all of my hard drive content, including all of my programs. If you are in the market for a Mac (and if you’re a photographer I would HIGHLY suggest the Apple products), go see Jason at MacTown. You will be happy you did.