For those of us who work with programs and apps alongside our cameras, the learning curve never stops. I’ve been working with Photoshop for more than 20 years, and I still feel like I can never know it all. I only recently downloaded the Blackmagic Camera app onto my iPhone to see what it could do, and I’m already feeling a bit overwhelmed. We first saw this new app at IBC 2023, and I have an idea of what it does, as well as what it’s capable of doing (A LOT!), but where do I start?
A good place to start is with tutorials, and Blackmagic is offering two official ones that do exactly that. Getting started with Blackmagic Camera starts with the basics for absolute beginners – how to download the app from the Apple App Store, verify that your iPhone is compatible with the app, and give the camera permission to access your phone’s camera, microphone, and photo library.
Blackmagic Camera tutorial – how thorough is it?
The tutorial takes us through the camera’s interface, menu settings, and recording options, and it covers just about everything – exposure control, focus settings, how to set up our codecs, and our audio options. We can even do an anamorphic de-squeeze if we are using a lens adapter. What is available will depend on your device. Don’t forget that Apple Log is only available on Apple’s latest iPhones, specifically iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Storing and sharing footage
Once you have your footage, the Blackmagic Camera app offers 2GB of Blackmagic Cloud Storage where you can sync your clips, and members of your Cloud Project team can download footage and work collaboratively. The second tutorial from Blackmagic shows you how – Syncing Files to Blackmagic Cloud. Note: Your DaVinci Resolve should be up-to-date to use this cloud-based workflow.
Once again, we start from the beginning and are shown exactly how to get a Blackmagic Cloud account and what plans are offered. It’s free, but for $5/month, you can add a Project Library.
The tutorial begins by creating a project and moves you through synchronizing and sharing with multiple users. When the footage is uploaded, members of your team have access and can download the files.
You can also upload media from your iPhone directly into a Cloud project. Once you are signed in, you can see which projects are in the Blackmagic Storage Cloud. The tutorial goes step by step on how to sync the uploaded clips. Progress can always be checked by tapping the Cloud icon.
I will say this – if you are excited to try the Blackmagic Camera app and even just do a little collaborative work, then I recommend taking a closer look at these tutorials. They’re short but thorough, geared towards getting you out and filming in no time.
Price and availability
Blackmagic Camera is free with additional upgrades, handy if you are collaborating with a team. You can check them out at the Apple App Store.
iPhone 15 Pro Lab Test
In case you missed it, read and watch our new Lab Test of iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max – we thoroughly tested dynamic range, rolling shutter and exposure latitude in the phones’ main cameras with revealing results.
Have you tried out the Blackmagic Camera app yet? What do you think of it? Have you checked out their tutorials? Let us know in the comments below!
