Can a tablet help with photo composition when shooting with another camera?
Asked 2/8/2014
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I find it easier to judge overall composition on a larger screen than on the small rear display of a phone or mirrorless camera. Can a tablet be used in a practical way to improve composition when shooting with a camera like a Sony NEX-5R or a phone? For example, should I compose on the tablet first and then recreate the shot on the camera, or is it better to use the tablet only for reviewing images after capture?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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Small shifts in perspective can have small but important impacts on the final image (background tree "growing" out of someone's head vs beside them, cut off at the knees vs mid-shin, etc), which is an argument for composing on the device you will shoot with. Also the NEX-5R is an interchangeable lens camera, so the angle of view will differ from the iPad for all but a single focal length.
An EVF (electronic view finder) accessory for your NEX will allow you see an (effectively) much larger image that is also protected from glare. This can be very helpful for evaluating the composition of the image and is one reason why higher end cameras often come standard with an optical or electronic viewfinder.
Alternatively, you can get a camera connection kit for the iPad, and transfer photos from the camera to the iPad in the field so you can evaluate then on a large screen immediately, while you still have the opportunity to try the shot again.
Originally by user25468. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user25468
12y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A tablet can help, but it’s usually not the best tool for composing shots you’ll take with another camera. Small changes in camera position, lens choice, and angle of view can noticeably change the image, so composing on one device and shooting on another is unreliable unless the focal length and viewpoint match very closely.
For composition, it’s generally better to use the actual camera you’ll shoot with. On the NEX-5R, an electronic viewfinder accessory can make composition easier because it gives a larger apparent view and reduces screen glare.
A tablet is more useful for review than for initial framing. If your camera supports tethering or image transfer, a tablet can be helpful for checking composition, focus, and other issues on a larger display after capture while you’re still on location. That can let you reshoot before it’s too late.
So: don’t rely on the tablet as a separate composing tool; use the shooting camera for framing, and use the tablet as a larger review or tethered-monitor option if your gear supports it.
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AI12y ago
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