My favorite iPad apps for 2010
iPad Love:
I’ve really fallen in love my iPad; so much in fact that I broke down and bought an Apple MacBook (but that’s another story). There are so many new applications being released for the iPad that it’s hard to stay on top of them all, but here are a few of my favorites.
Here’s a glimpse into some some of my favorite iPad apps:
1. FolioBook— if you want to create a beautiful portfolio of your work, then look no further. This application is great. It took me only a few minutes and I had a super slick portfolio that I can now show off to friends or clients.
2. Photogene– I’ve long had this application on my iPhone, but it’s 10X better on the iPad. This program really allows you to do quite a bit of editing. Sure, I would love to see a Lightroom app, but until then Photogene works just fine.
3. Easy Release– If you need a model release on the fly then this is the application for you. I’ve had this loaded on my iPhone for quite some time, but the iPad version is much easier to work with.
4. Photo fx Ultra– One of my biggest complaints with the iPad is the ability to print to a wireless printer. This application does a decent job of allowing me to do just that…my only complaint is that it cost $8.00. (If anyone from Apple is reading this, get us a free print app!)
5. LightTrac– ever wonder what the angle of the sun will be at any given time of the day at any given location? This makes planning for sunset/sunrise by locations a breeze. I almost feel like I’m cheating when I use it.
6. PS Express– Photoshop Express is a great iPad app and the best part–it’s FREE!
7. Google Earth–An essential tool for researching any area that I’m traveling to.
8. Friendly- my favorite way to browse Facebook.
9. Kindle– it almost makes me regret buying my Kindle (but not entirely).
10. Twitter– The Twitter iPad app is super slick and its direct messaging “chat like” feature is awesome.
11. USA Today– love the integrations this app provides to Facebook and Twitter.
12. Penultimate– this is a great app if you like to sketch notes. I’ll bet Joe McNally has this app…if he doesn’t he should!
13. MaxJournal— if you like to journal, or just for taking notes while on a trip, this application is for you.
14. DocsToGo– need to open a Word or Excel sheet? This is the app for you.
Misc. Mentions:
1. Paprika– if you love to cook then you’re cooking with gas with Paprika. I think this is how Staci keeps me chubby. 
You can organize all of your recipes, upload photos to go with them, and create shopping lists. I’m told it’s the cat’s meow for people who like to read food blogs and gather up their favorite recipes.
You can organize all of your recipes, upload photos to go with them, and create shopping lists. I’m told it’s the cat’s meow for people who like to read food blogs and gather up their favorite recipes.2. ThatQuiz Math– my kid loves my iPad, but before she can play her games, she has to take a math quiz. Simply the best iPad math app out there.
3. MyNetDiary– because I’m the official food taster in the house and with that title comes a few drawbacks…mostly my pants don’t always fit.
If we missed a few of your favorites then make sure to post them in the comments so we can check them out.
Five Reasons the iPad is a Great Tool for Photographers
Thursday, April 8th, 20101. The Screen
The iPad screen uses a technology called IPS, the same display technology that is used by the coveted Apple Cinema Displays. The Cinema Displays' clarity and color reproduction are top notch. How does this help you as a photographer? Load up your best images on the iPad and use it as the most versatile and beautiful portable portfolio presenter ever made. When showing your images to prospective clients they'll be amazed!
2. Portability
The iPad is truly portable. It weights just 1.5 lbs, and the battery lasts for an incredible 10 hours. Apple makes a VGA adapter, and Apple's wonderful presentation program, Keynote, is available for the iPad. With the iPad, you have an incredibly portable solution to do presentations of your work through a digital projector, without having to carry a bulky laptop. You can show those same images you loaded for your electronic portfolio, or create amazing presentations with music and motion, and dazzle your audience.
3. Apps
Apple's iTunes store has over 170,000 applications for the iPhone. Guess what? All of them run on the iPad. On launch day, there were over 3,000 applications designed exclusively for the iPad. Out of these there are a great number of applications that I consider essential for photographers. Some of my favorites are LightTrac, Darkness, MagicHour, and Focalware.
4. Videos
All photographers, like most creative people, go through times when we feel uninspired, or when we feel out of ideas. For me, nothing cures the doldrums faster than watching some inspirational images or movies. They get my creative juices flowing! The iPad makes it easy to watch these movies anywhere, at any time. I don't have to squint at my iPhone, or unpack and set up my laptop. Some of my favorite and most inspirational movies include Baraka, Planet Earth, and any of the Natural History documentaries produced by Sir David Attenborough. Now I can have them with me all the time.
5. Photo Websites Anywhere
One of the most important aspects of the iPad for me is that now I have a full featured browser in the palm of my hands, at all times. The iPad allows me to keep up with all my favorite photography related websites with ease, in any room of the house. Some of my favorites include, The Digital Photo Experience, The Pixelated Image, Planet 5D and of course, Outdoor Photo Gear.
I would love to hear from you about your views. You can email me at juan@dpexperience.com. Or, take a minute to we have attached. It's a great way to see what other photographers are thinking! Check back in a few days as we publish the results.
–Juan
Juan Pons is the Co-Founder of The Digital Photo Experience along with Rick Sammon. Juan he holds workshops throughout the US as well as abroad. To learn more about his workshops visit http://wildnaturetours.com.
Editor's note: Juan has two last minute openings in his Yellowstone & Grand Tetons in Spring instructional photo workshop taking place June 5 thru June 13. He's offering a $500 discount to any OPG customer who signs up for the workshop by April 15th. Check out the workshop details here, and just mention Outdoor Photo Gear to him when you sign up.
Current Results
Would you use an iPad with your photography?
Yes – 54%
No – 29%
Maybe – 11%
What's your photography "status"?
In-between – 54%
Amateur – 25%
Professional – 18%
How do you think you will use your iPad with your photography?
Showing photos to friends and family – 20%
Browse photography websites – 19%
Read photography related eBooks – 16%
Presenting photos to clients – 15%
Use photography apps while shooting – 13%
Give presentations – 11%
Use as a photo frame – 5%
Have you purchased an iPad?
No – 68%
Yes – 21%
Not Interested – 7%
Tags: equipment, iPad, photography
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