On my last trip I found my iPhone to be a fantastic companion. Although it did struggle to  make phone calls (possibly due to the fact that it uses the Softbank network) it was filled with many other great features. Of course I could listen to music, watch videos and check emails, but there are several applications out there that are particularly useful for photographers.

The first one comes as standard on the phone: the compass. While walking around at night scouting locations, I could check where the sun would be the next day. Also it  stopped me walking a couple of kilometers in the wrong direction when confused by Japanese street signs.

iPhone compass

The Simple Depth of Field Calculator is a useful learning tool and field tool that allows you to calculate which parts of your photograph will be in focus for a given film/sensor size, lens length, f-stop, and focus point.  Use it to check you will have front to back sharpness when shooting landscapes or calculate just how shallow your depth of field will be when taking a portrait.

Simple DoF Calculator screenshot

Easy Release is a clever tool for professional photographers that want to get model releases for their images. Models can read the contract on the phone, sign with their finger on the touch screen, and then a photo of the model can be taken with the iPhone camera and added to the release. The application then creates a PDF of the signed model release and mails it to both the model and photographer. Even better you can select the language for the release, and the list of languages includes Japanese. Yatta!

Easy release screenshot

Of course you could just use a real compass, the DoF markings on your lens and paper model releases, but for a few dollars it’s useful to have them all on your phone.