Lightroom Mobile: Why You Should Be Using It
The cameras in smartphones today are nothing like the 2 megapixel ancestors we were familiar with only a few years ago. But if you use your iPhone for photos when you don't have a camera, how do you make the most of this new technology?
Lightroom Mobile is an app by Adobe, a simplified version of their desktop photo editing software that expands the functionality of the camera by taking photos in DNG format. Although the JPEG quality of the iPhone Camera app is fantastic, by taking photos in Lightroom Mobile you get more latitude for editing after you've snapped the shot. It's not RAW, but its closer to RAW than JPEGs.
It also has better settings for adjusting the exposure and white balance, with an additional timer and framing guides to aid in composing shots too.
Note: DNG format images are only available in iPhone 6S and newer models in IOS 10.
So what is it like to use, and what are the results?
The app can't be set to be the default camera, so if you're on the move and need to take a snap quickly, you need to locate Lightroom Mobile and open the camera function before shooting. It's a pain, but if you have more time then accessing the app isn't too much of a difficulty.
Adjusting the exposure is much easier via the on screen dial rather than the traditional iPhone brightness which can be fiddly to get right.
Here are some before and afters, showing how the editing features can compliment the DNG format photos!
Original photo taken in Lightroom Mobile
Editing the DNG photo in Lightroom mobile
Final edited photograph result
Another example of the dynamic range and detail available when taking photos with Lightroom Mobile.
Original photo taken in Lightroom Mobile
Editing the DNG photo in Lightroom mobile
Final edited photograph result
For times when there just isn't a camera handy, this app is the next best thing. Have you been using Lightroom Mobile? Share your photos if you have!