Never before in recorded history have so many people been taking so many photos and sharing them with the world. At the same time — there’s been an explosion in the number of tools and apps photographers can use to capture, monetize and display their photos.
This post is about three of those tools that are blowing minds and helping bring photography into the future!
StringFly
How would you like to hear about an app which empowers you to participate in crowdsourcing for cash rewards and prizes?
The StringFly app puts your smartphone camera to work — allowing you to earn extra money, product samples, rewards, discounts and other deals by participating in crowdsourced call to action engagements.
StringFly is developed by Engagement Media Technologies (which, in full disclosure, I happen to be the community manager for) — a company connecting smartphone users with brands, merchants, market researchers and media enterprises.
These organizations use StringFly to send out requests for images, opinions and information – respond quickly when you receive these assignments and your phone will begin earning money for you.
Take photos. Engage in crowdsourcing. Win rewards. StringFly is the app that harnesses the true power of your smartphone camera. From breaking news, to fun assignments, to brand sponsored prizes and perks — StringFly makes your smartphone more valuable than it’s ever been before.
EyeEm
If geo-location and social photography are two star-crossed digital features destined to hook up — then we need to congratulate EyeEm as the matchmaker.
EyeEm is a photo sharing and discovery app that connects you with like-minded people through the photos you take, where you are and what you like.
While the world continues to bestow an inordinate amount of attention on popular sister, Instagram — EyeEm is the more sophisticated sibling quietly blossoming into a drop-dead gorgeous digital distraction, unleashing the passion of image-artists worldwide.
EyeEm has the same eye-candy retro-chic photo filters seemingly every photo service is mandated by international treaties to include — but the exploration features are what truly sets this app apart. Easily find others who take similar photos of the topics places and events you contribute to. Take photos and instantly discover albums of related content.
Take advantage of “suggested tags” for your photos based on the location where they were taken. Share across all the major social platforms with utter ease — and do it all with an interface that, both, TechCrunch and The Next Web have called “beautiful.”
Iconify
Photographers: Your craft is creating remarkable imagery. How can you do that when technology keeps changing the rules?
First you made a website portfolio — and it worked well for awhile. Then the smartphones came. Now the tablets. All different sizes and operating systems.
Your portfolio looks great on a desktop computer — but forcing a potential client to view it on a mobile device completely kills any chance of capturing their attention. The words are tiny. It’s tough to navigate. And it’s almost impossible to figure out how to contact you.
Imagine an attractive digital portfolio you can quickly send to anyone — and be certain that the viewing experience is optimized for whatever device they choose to view it on.
Enter Iconify: A Florida startup with an elegant solution to turn your portfolio into a website, and downloadable app, that is easily shared with others.
Iconify’s clean and intuitive UI puts your content front and center. Links to your bio, contact info and social media accounts are dead simple to locate.
Think of it as a multi-dimensional digital business card reinvented for the benefit of creatives. Not just a paper card with your name and number, or a link to a clunky Flickr account — Iconify is your work and connection details rolled into a next-generation, easy to deploy and simple to share full-fledged portfolio with integrated analytics that will help you virally spread your influence and get deals closed.
With Iconify, you’ll never have to worry about making a slam dunk first impression ever again and, instead of constantly fiddling with portfolio design code, you can spend all of your time doing what’s most important — being creative!
The Iconify service is currently in a closed beta – a full version launch is scheduled for next month (with free and premium version) – but if you’re interested right now, and willing to use your social swagger to help spread the word, there’s a pretty good chance you could score an early invite.
What digital photography tools and apps are you using? Let us know in the comments!
