Quite informative

Nice article'..Very interesting, and great photos'..

Interesting

Interesting that MR & MRH would both have articles on photography with a smart phone this month. I recommend that those interested in this topic read both. Each has merit. 

Low angle smartphone photography

Good article, but you neglected to mention one vital point: you can't render the images on your smart phone! I purchased the Helicon software about six months ago, and whilst the end results are nice it is an absolute PAIN having to send them from my iPad to the wife's Windows laptop to render them....I guess it would be easier if you have one of the expensive Apple laptops.

Easy way to transfer / backup iPhone data

I use one of these:

LEEF iBridge 3 Mobile Memory, Black, 32GB

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M29IYHM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VEl9zb8J51FB3

HDR setting on phone

So I haven't played with smart phone photography, but I know my wife's Samsung Galaxy S8, has an HDR setting when taking pictures, doesn't this solve the need to take multiple pictures and stacking them?

HDR solves exposure, not focus

HDR solves exposure issues by taking multiple exposures with different light/dark settings and combining the best of the lot.

Focus stacking takes multiple exposures with different focal lengths and allows combining them to get a sharp image front-to-back. That's a different process than HDR and phones don't do it automatically like they do with HDR multiple exposures.

Smart Phones

I actually prefer to use my smart phone. I have an SLR but in a number of cases, it can be too large to fit into an area to take a photo.

I just had to replace an old phone and picked up a Galaxie S-8 and it does take good photos at low levels.

HDR - High Dynamic Range

Ah yes now I remember, sorry should have google it, before asking.

iPhone Apps

I downloaded several photo stacking apps including the Adobe Photoshop version mentioned in the MR article by Pelle. When I get some free time I’ll post some examples. 

Transfering photos

You can use one of the many file sharing sites available.  I use Dropbox for transferring photos from my phone.  I have the Dropbox client installed on the phone and all my computers.  On the phone I simply select the pictures I want to transfer and "share" with the Dropbox app.  Within a few moments, they appear on my PC ready for editing and uploading.

Craig

Import to Windows

I just use the "import photos" tool and it couldn't be easier to get photos from my iPhone onto my Windows desktop PC.

Great Article

I've long been a fan of Lance's articles, and this is another good one.  Thanks, Lance!

I've been messing around with this very topic for a while now, too.  I am also using an iPhone6s.  I have a holder for the phone designed to use in the car, with a heavy beanbag base.  This worked well until it slid off my dashboard and broke on the floor.  So I have been shopping for an alternative "tripod" and I particularly like Lance's tip on using a clamp and weight.  I will be trying that soon!

Another tip that some may find useful . . . when you tap the iPhone screen to change focus, you often change exposure too.  That's because the iPhone focuses and exposes on the same point.  There is a free iPhone app called Camera+ in which you can separate the exposure point and the focus point.  This way, if you have bright trees and a black engine or something, you can set the exposure where you like it, and then move your focus point only to get your multiple photos.  The photo below was taken using that app.

Finally, there is an alternative stacking program called CombineZM.  It's free, and was also used in the below photo.  I haven't compared the merits of the two, but a search here on MRH will show some threads of others who have.  Here is one:  https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/focus-stacking-software-comparison-quick-dirty-of-helicon-focus-combinezm-12190194

Remote shutter

Little tip: you can use the volume button from your headphone as a shutter release button. That way you won’t move your phone.

Scrap of Steel

Hello: I would gladly swap your Scrap of Steel for a lead weight I have. ( you have a precision toolmakers square there. )

Nice article on photography. I've also seen a mirror used at 45° for low level photos.

Thank you. Carl.

I downloaded several photo

Some sort of rating would be useful too, an dinformation about price, features, easy of use etc.  Heck, sounds like the next article on the iPhone photography series at MRH ...

iPhone X

The iPhone X was released today but I won’t be getting one for another month. The iPhone 7 is the best phone I’ve ever had and the camera is amazing. 

Another article on smart phone photos would be great! I have never reviewed a product but should be able to take some test shots on Sunday (if we get the roof on the barn tomorrow). Nice weather here so not much time for indoor projects. 

Smartphone Fun

I have had a lot of fun, even without the focus stacking software, taking human level pictures.

Also I have used Helicon Focus and Helicon Remote to take pictures with my SLR and I like what HF does.

You have given us the best of both worlds, thank you.  I never knew about the screen touch to set the focal point, you bring my knowledge of the iPhone up to maybe 6%

I can't wait to go to the layout and try this out. I plan to use a cable connection after shooting a few sets on the i Phone to transfer to HF. 

Dirt Cheap - NOT The dirt in my back yard is essentially free

CombineZ and Enfuse are "dirt Cheep" (FREE) and quite functional. The CombineZ site has been dead for a while, but the software may be downloaded from https://web.archive.org/web/20090123110407/http://hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZP/News.htm. Enfuse software can be found at http://hugin.sourceforge.net/.Before trying Enfuse you may want to read " Focus Stacking Macro Photos (Enfuse)". Although lacking the user interface polish of Helicon Focus these programs are just as capable and in some cases provide features beyound those of Focus.

Otherwise a great article.

PhotoShop Mix

This is the second I tried today and by far the most intuitive. Below is an example of several shots taken with my iPhone 7 selecting different focal points and blending these into one image. 

And the mix:

Wonderful article but need a help group to transfer pix

Another reason to  never miss an issue of MRH!

Like otheres I have both used the i Phone for single shots and a SLR with HF for serious images.

However my I phone refuses to talk to my PC.  Dragging images, e-mailing them, or copying them just fails.

I will try the drop box suggestion above, but with low expectations.

Perhaps some help for old codgers who are just trying to cope with new technology would help.

How to get iPhone or iPad images/videos to a computer

Check out this video ...

Also check out iExplorer: https://www.wondershare.net/ad/mobilego

What I use

Here is what I use from my iPhone to a PC: 

Look at this on eBay
OTG USB 16/32/64GB i-Flash Drive For Apple iPhone iPod Mobile Drive U Disk PC

On a Mac, I do an “AirDrop”. Seemless. 

Smart Phone Photography

Hi Lance!

Great article!  I use my cell phone almost exclusively for all of my photos and videos.  For the vary same reason you stated, the being able to place the phone in area not otherwise accessible and the low angle of the lens.  But I had not considered the photo editing program for the depth of field.

Thanks!

Fred Eisen

ANOTHER VERY SIMPLE METHOD

Hello viewers'

A simple way to get pics off any cell phone to your PC, is simply email them to your home email address. 

Open them, and save to your photo file, and then go from there for editing, resizing, etc....

Try it, you'll like it'.. a great quick and safe method'.