Ah…the feeling you get after capturing a great photo with your smartphone. It’s satisfying for sure. Whether for sharing with friends, showcasing on social media, or locating a trophy game animal to seek, it’s gratifying to do so with your trusty sidekick the smartphone. After all, it’s nice to put the device to more use than texting friends or ordering wanted items on Amazon.
Being both creative and visually driven, it was only a matter of time before I truly embraced the formidable camera that comes with the old “Google box” as my wife affectionately describes her Apple 13 Pro.
The fact is, today’s phone cameras are superb. Their photos are marked by vibrant colors and crisp definition. However, they have some shortcomings. High on the “con” list is their inability to zoom too much without pixelization and blurring.
We’ve all experienced it.
How many times have you captured a human, animal, or natural feature over 50 yards out? It should be the perfect photo op…but it’s not.
The resulting dot on the screen is frustrating, to say the least. In most cases, it’s also pretty hard to correct with filters.
The real game changer revealed itself when I started to reap the benefits of digiscoping.
This unique form of photography solves the distance problem by pairing your smartphone camera with your favorite optics. There are many digiscoping tips and hacks that will eventually better results.
However, there are some rudimentary essentials to address before diving into the more beginner hacks, much less, intermediate ones.
The Smartphone
Our smartphones are full of utility but their cameras are ripe for capturinggreat images and videos.
This one’s easy because you likely are already hitched to that slender box, from the old iPhone 5 to the latest Android device. Smartphone cameras improve over time, but they’ve sported nice ones for a good while. Digiscoping with them only extends the capabilities of your device.
Choose the Best Optics Possible, But…
Don’t scrap the digiscoping idea because you own mediocre or even low-end optics. Digiscoping is very forgiving. However, choose your favorite binoculars or spotting scope. If you want to upgrade, that’s fine too. Better optics will only improve your success through more clarity, light-gathering ability, and durability. I still employ knock-around binos for many of my digiscoping treks.
Digiscoping is very forgiving with regard to optics. While you can get better results from higher-end optics, they’re not required for success.
Hint; Once familiar and comfortable with connecting your optics and smartphone and introductory practice, you can upgrade your optics for digiscoping. Based on your initial experience and budget, you can then choose the best model and type of optics for you and the types of subjects you seek.
Making the Connection
There are many setups on the market that connect your optics to your smartphone camera. Most of them are universal in nature.
Phone Skope adapter kits provide the only true custom means of connecting a smartphone camera to optics.
While digiscoping is fun and rewarding, you can’t beat a custom solution like Phone Skope custom adapters. This is the best way to embark on your digiscoping journey. As the pioneer in digiscoping technology, Phone Skope allows you to build a custom digiscoping setup for around $80. A custom will give you the best possible start through a seamless setup and a tight connection. That’s less fuss and frustration while you learn.
Start at or Near Home
At the very beginning, keep it simple by practicing connecting your phone and optics with your Phone Skope adapter kit and capturing images in the yard or neighborhood. If you have a little acreage, get out there and introduce yourself to digiscoping by keeping it simple. If you don’t get ahead of yourself, you can achieve more digiscoping proficiency before heading to more spectacular outdoor spaces.
Seek Good Outdoor Conditions
While digiscoping works under most weather and lighting conditions, maximize your results by getting out and about on overcast days. The absolute best time is during the golden hours – the early morning and late afternoon when soft shadows make for beautiful (and forgiving) image capturing. This golden window means that the low sunlight produces soft shadows and diffused lighting conditions – a far cry from stricter lighting conditions such as midday. The low angle of the sun also means that its light travels through more of the atmosphere. The result? Even lighting and less contrast. Like with overcast skies, its warming effect is pleasing to the eye – and camera lens.
If you can’t make optimal digiscoping times work, no worries! In the spirit of embracing “the most basic of basics” any digiscoping is a good learning experience.
Proximity to Subject
While the goal of digiscoping is to capture distant images, experiment with different distances for outdoor subjects such as birds and other natural features. For animals, practice getting closer, which will only enhance photo and video quality. But be careful! The point of digiscoping is to pull far-away images in closer via your optics. Capture them at greater distances, then, like spot-and-stalk-hunting, stealthily move closer.
Minimize Vibration
Like with any form of photography, vibration can sabotage a potentially great image. If using binoculars, connect your device to your binos with the adapter and practice holding steady. You can also buy a binocular pad for securing your binoculars. For spotting scopes, likewise, use a tripod to minimize obscure images due to shaking.
Manage Expectations
Digiscoping is easy. While it doesn’t take long to learn, mastering it takes time. If at first, you’re getting mediocre results, keep at it. There are a lot of hacks out there to up your game. Again, keep it simple at the start, experimenting with distance and getting acclimated to your gear. Digiscoping is a journey. Frequent practice and realistic expectations are the key.
Repetition
This word is just a fancy way to say practice-practice-practice. Again, you don’t have to roam to practice. The backyard, back forty, or local park will do. At this stage, it’s important to get comfortable with the equipment, as well as experiment with different subjects and distances. Keep at it and you’ll effectively segue into the digiscoping lifestyle.
Successful digiscoping is best achieved by first mastering the most basic of basics and practice.
Final Thoughts
One of the themes of learning to digiscope is to keep it simple. Digiscoping is not difficult but steady improvement comes with time. Before even diving into more detailed digiscoping practices and strategies, lean into the most basic of basics. It will lead to a more successful visual endeavor afforded by the ability to magnify images before capturing them on your loyal life partner, the smartphone.
At the start, emphasize getting familiar with your digiscoping gear and nearby practice.
Slow your roll and familiarize yourself with the three main components of digiscoping; your smartphone camera, optics, and Phone Skope adapter. Before you know it, you’ll be able to effectively capture, record, and share like never before.