Shoot and score
EVERYBODY knows that if you’ve got a smartphone you’ve also got a pretty good camera.
Whether you’re rocking an iphone, a Samsung Galaxy S, or a Google Pixel, in your pocket is a powerful photography and filmmaking machine.
But you can take it further, and make even more of the spectacular hardware you have at your disposal.
So if you want to get serious about the images and videos you make, wherever you share them, consider adding some extra kit to your bag.
Here are some suggestions to get you started if you think it’s time to spice up your photo rig.
Joby’s Spin and Swing
These are new devices from wellknown accessory maker Joby – famous for its flexible Gorilla tripods. They are essentially designed to mimic camera movements favoured by top-filmmakers, movements that cost a lot in terms of gear and manpower.
Joby has simplified and minimised the hardware and packed it into a pair of portable units that will soon be a must for any video creator.
The Spin is the cheaper of the two, and, as the name might suggest, it allows you to mount your phone and have it spin around a central axis. There’s also a special mount to allow you to use two Spins so you can have your camera spin both vertically and horizontally at the same time for some interesting effects.
The Swing is designed to produce sideways movement, like a slider, so you can have your phone smoothly pan across a shot. It can also be used to move your camera forwards and backwards.
The whole idea is that you can use these devices to provide the smooth physical panning and zooming you previously needed heavy and expensive equipment for.
You control everything via a smartphone app.
You need a tripod, obviously and a way to mount your phone to the devices.
■ Find out more about the Joby Spin (£81.95) and Swing (£118.95) at joby.com/uk
Rode vlogger kit
This compact set of a mini-tripod, and external mic and light, offers good value for money when it comes to upping the quality of your productions.
More light and better audio are probably two of the first things you’ll want to do when you’re looking to up your game.
The tripod and mount will also work with Joby Spin and Swing… so a combination of all this kit, at relatively modest cost, will dramatically increase the quality of your output.
For selfies to camera, the tripod folds to make a solid hand-held grip.
■ The Rode vlogging kit costs around £140, and you can find out more at vloggerkits.rode.com
Moment cases and lenses
Most phones now have three lenses, but the addition of a lensmount case and a well-chosen selection of external lenses can take things even further.
Moment is the leader in this game, and makes a magnificent selection of lenses that will seriously expand what your phone is capable of.
There’s an anamorphic lens to give that cinematic aspect-ratio, wide, macro, tele and even fisheye add ons for maximum flexibility.
The cases are cool, too, and will not spoil your look when you’re not out snapping.
Moment cases start around £40 with lenses costing between £100 and £150. Find out more at moment.com/uk.