You know how sometimes you get that annoying flare when taking a photo? I mean yeah, sometimes it's artsy, but other times it's just annoying. Don't you wish there was an easy way to get rid of that flare? It's an achievement that would change photography forever. Apple leads the way in pioneering new ways of thinking, as yesterday they solved this issue. Photographers rejoice!
In case you missed the original story, Gizmodo reported a particularly intelligent response from Apple tech support (probably a Genius) when the unsettling purple flare that occurred on the new iPhone 5 was inquired about.
"Dear Matt,
Our engineering team just gave me this information and we recommend that you angle the camera away from the bright light source when taking pictures. The purple flare in the image provided is considered normal behavior for iPhone 5's camera. If you wish to reach me regarding this case number *********, please contact me at 1-877-***-**** ext. *******. I currently work Thursday-Monday: 7:00am - 3:30pm Mountain Time. If you reach my voicemail, please leave your name, phone number, case number and the best time to reach you. Email is ***********@apple.com.
Sincerely,
Debby
AppleCare Support"
You can read the whole of Gizmodo's article here. Below are some examples of the purple flaring that has some people upset about their recent purchase. But that's not what's important. What is important is Apple's world-changing response.
"we recommend that you angle the camera away from the bright light source when taking pictures."
Apple's answer is brilliant, and continues to solve the problems of industries far beyond the original scope of the company. I don't think the tech support person realized what they have done to the photo industry: they've revolutionized it. Apple does this continually, and that's what makes them such a wonderful and popular company. Their solution doesn't just work for the iPhone 5, it works for every camera ever made. Tired of that flare? Well not to worry, just point the lens away from the bright light source, and voila! No more flaring! I tried this myself, and the results were spectacular! I can't believe it took someone this long to come up with the solution. Once you have tried it yourself, you'll understand what I mean.
Apple, I don't know what I would do without you.
[Images Via iJailbreak]
56 Comments
This is so great! :D
This is just hilarious :)
Sarcasm is for the weak minded!
Oh man. I must have a really weak mind ;)
You do.
crybaby.
Kisses.
http://i.imgur.com/TIFHP.gif
brilliantly written!!
Man, I love unbiased photography content.
Enjoy your circle jerk.
Finally! :) Now I know how to make good pictures on my iPhone.. before I add a flare in Instagram.
Apple's response is only slightly more intelligent than this blog post... and the complaints from people who point their iPhone cameras at the sun and are surprised to see a lens flare.
I don't think people (most anyways) are surprised about the lens flare. It's the purple hue to the lens flare that started this.
Damn, we have just witnessed evolution in the world of photography. I can't believe it happened in my life time. It's amazing that cameras have been around since 1840 and the sun even longer! Yet we have only just come up with the answer to not getting lens flare! Don't point the lens at a light....why did no one else see that?
Umm, wtf did I just read? Was this entire article sarcastic? What a waste of my time.
Sarcastic but true....the more you know
You think I learned something?
Jaron's article is sarcastic but Apple's response is real. I was just referencing this old TV spot they used to air....it's all satire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3rhQc666Sg
I got the PSA reference Patrick...The little song played in my head as I read your comment. I guess its just a weird opinion, some people thought the article was hilarious, I thought it was pretty low-brow.
You probably should have just said that in the first place.
guess they never heard of better lens coatings... ;-)
Redundant post really, you look like an idiot for being an arse about Apple's response. Oh, and what about that misleading post title aimed at garnering page views?
Its not really a misleading post title is it...solves flare problems for cameras WORLD OVER?
Gotta agree with Shaun.
As I read these comments, I'm slowly having trouble distinguishing from sarcasm and actualy retort.
AWESOME STORY !!!
Roaring with laughter.
seriously LMAO over here. Thanks for laugh today.
I know this is meant as a tounge-in-cheek joke and as that it's pretty funny. But I think this is actually instructive. I think the tech support guy truly has the right perpective here and all the pixel peeping Gizmodo geeks have it wrong. Pictures are made by the photographer and every tool has its limitations. No camera is perfect. Know the limitations of your tools and work within them. I'm sure the iphone 5 is capable of amazing photos in the hands of an artist.
Cool :)
No wonder I've never heard of that sapphire glass being used for anything lens related. Probably cause of it's flare handling.
Checking with Android tech support to see if this will work on the Galaxy S III.
I'm not sure if this supposed to be a hit on apple or what but i think the response from the genius is well, genius. people need to know that if you point your camera directly at a light source, you will get flare. people think we cause its an iphone camera that it is magically better than every other camera. This shouldn't be anything against apple, it should be against the person messaging apple complaining about a lens flare. Next time i run out of gas in my car i'll be sure to call the dealership and tell them my car wont start and that it is a problem i expect them to fix. and then maybe someone will write a sarcastic blog post about how terrible the car dealer is.
Read the Gizmodo article, I think it's actually more about purple fringing than flair. The iPhone 5 does a worse job with fringing/flair than older iPhones.
they should patent it
Really really good answer ... Greetings Apple :))
When I press 5 on my Iphone it just doesn't work. When I called to Apple company, they've told me to avoid telephone numbers with '5' in them. 'You are genius' - I said.
Well that's how I see it:)
Jaron, funny read.
For everyone mad about Jaron trying to inject a little tongue-in-cheek humor into your day, lighten up. Life is too short to be serious and pissed all the time.
One love.
Haha. I love all the dummies that comment on this stuff just to whine and complain. Guess what, nobody owes you anything. Do the world a favor and shut up.
ROFL
Thank you for reminding us that you're not as blindly Apple-centric as many photography sites tend to be. Also, lol @ all the indignant responses from the Apple faithful; lighten up! ;)
Truth be told, every Fstoppers video you've seen has been edited on a PC :)
hmmmm I hope it won't be too long before samsung figures out how to fix the flare thing on my S3........
I bet the author thinks The Onion will be calling any moment to hire. NOT. Tech support did their job and everyone pounces because they hate Apple. If this was an HTC tech support response it probably wouldn't be mentioned -- and if it was then all the Fandroids would be indignant.
My hand is hovering over my phone. Any second now...
I agree with Shaun Tan - "misleading post title aimed at garnering page views" ! Guys using a misleading title just to get attention and clicks lowers your reputation. FS was better with quality posts but for couple months too many overdone posts on this site are just ridiculous in my opinion. The idea of this blog is great but it somehow misses the purpose lately due some of their 'writers' and editor choices. This was a poor 'story' guys - kind of Yahoo is using in their news headings :(. Again, just my opinion. J
What a waste of article space.....please get a new contributor. TWO THUMBS DOWN
I will be sure to never crack a joke in any articles I write here from now on. Jeesh, guys!
eph that! these angry commenters are hilarious. Instead of closing the article and moving on, they instead choose to stay, login, write a comment, then continue to come back to see what other people say and if anyone commented on their comments. HAHAHA smartest people around
FStoppers used to post real articles, who do we contact about that?
contact lee and patrick