PhotoPills User Guide

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12.

What makes the difference between a good shot and a truly memorable shot? Masters
know it: "It's all about designing the image carefully before you press the shutter". The
Planner gives you full creative control over your outdoor photos! Imagine: design every
detail of the photo. Plan: calculate the exact date and time it happens. Shoot: just get
out there, immerse yourself in the great outdoors and enjoy taking great photos.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Top buttons
Info bar
Map
Time bar
Bottom options

A. Top buttons

1. Home button
2. Save button

B. Info bar

1. Shadow lenght calculator

Introduce the object's height to calculate its shadow length for the selected
date, time and Observer's pin location. Tap on the shadow button to visualize,
on the map, the shadow length and the azimuth (direction) of an object placed
in the location of the Observer's pin, caused by the sun (daytime) or the moon
(night time), for the selected date and time.

2. Obstacles calculator

Tap the Obstacle button. On the map, place the Obstacle's pin in the location of
a mountain. Use the time bar to set the time just when the sun/moon will be
aligned with the mountain and find out if the sun/moon will be above the
mountain (visible) or hidden behind (not visible). Find out when a valley will be
in shade or if the moon will appear from behind a hill. Furthermore, you get the
following information: distance between the Observer's Pin and the Obstacle's
pin; relative altitude between the two pins; the elevation angle of the Obstacle's
pin relative to the Observer's pin; the bearing or the angle centred on the
Observer's pin location and measured between the direction of the Obstacle's
pin and the north.
Obstacle's pin
3. Sun and moon position

Position (azimuth and elevation) of the sun and moon, moon phase name and
phase percentage for the selected date, time and Observer's pin location. Tap
on the Sun/moon button to toggle what information is displayed on the map:
only sun, only moon or sun and moon.
4. Rise and set information

Time and azimuth (time@azimuth) of sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset


for the selected date and Observer's pin location. Picture of the moon that
shows how you would see the moon on the selected date and time if you were
placed in the location of the Observer's pin.

Daytime

Night-time

Moonset in daytime

Moonset in night-time

5. Twilights

Time range of the civil, nautical and astronomical twilight for the selected date
and Observer's pin location. Tap on the Twilight button to visualize, on the map,
the worldwide distribution of light. Visualize the parts of the world that are in
night-time, astronomical twilight, nautical twilight, civil twilight, golden hour and
daytime for the selected date and time.
6. Magic hours

Time range of golden hour and blue hour for the selected date and Observer's
pin location.

TIPS

Tap on moon's picture to jump forward in time to the next main moon phase
(new, first quarter, last quarter, full).
Double tap on moon's picture to jump backwards in time to the main moon
phase (new, first quarter, last quarter, full).
After moonset, the picture of the moon will appear slightly darkened. This way
you can visually know that the moon has already set.

C. Map

1. GPS map button

Quickly place the Observer's pin in your current position.


2. Compass map button

Auto rotate the map according to compass orientation. It helps to orientate


yourself when doing field work.
3. Expand map button

Work comfortably with a larger map screen.


4. Move Observer's pin button

It is very useful for long distance moves. Tap on it. Then, scroll the map to
explore the territory. Once you have found a good location, tap on it again, or
tap on the white X to place the Observer's pin in the desired location.
5. Observer's pin

Place the Observer's pin in the location you want to analyse. All information
displayed in the Planner is related to the location of the Observer's pin (latitude,
longitude, altitude, height above the horizon).
Observer's pin

6. Sun and moon azimuth lines

Represent the direction of the sun and moon for the selected date, time and
Observer's pin location. If you tap on the Shadow Button from the shadow
length calculator you will also be able to visualize the sun or moon shadow line.
o

Sunrise

Sunset

Sun

Moonrise

Moonset

Moon

Shadow

TIPS

Do a long press on the map to place the Observer's pin in the pressed location.
Sun/moon azimuth lines are infinite, therefore it is possible to follow the lines in
the distance to make sure the sun/moon will be at the place you really want.
Double tap on the map with one finger to zoom in.
Tap on the map with two fingers to zoom out.
If you have activated the Twilight button you will be able to visualize, on the
map, how light changes in the Observer's pin location as you drag the time bar.
Therefore, it is possible to know with a single glance at the map, if the
Observer's pin is in night time, astronomical twilight, nautical twilight, civil
twilight, golden hour or daytime for the selected date and time.
Tap on the Observer's pin to see the information of the location (latitude,
longitude, altitude and height above the horizon).
Choose one of the following map types from the option "Settings" from the
menu "My Stuff": Standard, Satellite, Hybrid, OpenStreetMap, OpenCycleMap
(classic) and OpenCycleMap (landscape).
Using Offline Maps. If you think there will be no network coverage, to make a
map available offline you must proceed as follows: first, before you go into the
field, set one of the following map types: OpenStreetMap, OpenCycleMap
(classic) or OpenCycleMap (landscape). Second, in the Planner, view the
locations you want available offline by panning and zoom in and out to cover all
the views you need. Notice that PhotoPills stores offline map tiles in Cache
memory and, if there's problems of running out of space on your device, the
maps views will be deleted.

D. Time bar

1. Infinite time bar

Drag the time bar towards the left to go forwards in time and towards the right to
go backwards in time. The normal time range is 24h.The distribution of light

over a 24h period is represented on the bar. Therefore, you can visually find out
when it is night time, astronomical twilight, nautical twilight, civil twilight, golden
hour and daytime.

2. Sun and moon elevation path

It represents the elevation of the sun and moon through time.


3. Date and time

Selected date, time and time zone (GMT) information.


TIPS

Tap on the centre of the time bar to change the date and time. In this screen,
you can manually select your time zone. This is very useful if you are in an area
where there is no network coverage.
Double tap on the centre of the time bar to come back to the current date and
time.
Tap on the right hand side of the time bar to jump to the next important event
(sunset, golden hour, blue hour, twilights, sunrise, moonrise, moonset).
Tap on the left hand side of the time bar to jump backwards to the previous
important event (sunset, golden hour, blue hour, twilights, sunrise, moonrise,
moonset).
Do a long press on the time bar to switch from a 24 hr. time range to a 1 hr.
time range, and vice versa.
Shake the device to re-centre the observer's pin on the map and go to current
date and time.
When there is no network coverage, the time zone (GMT) appears in red.

E. Bottom options

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Find
AR
Night AR
Horizon
Load
Share

Planner - Save button


Improve the way you manage your photo planns and your secret locations. Once you
have planned a photo, you can save the location, date and time as a "Plan" to be used
in the future. In the same way, if you come across a beautiful location you wish to
remember, you can save it as a Point of Interest (POI) and, this way, create your own
database.

1. Cancel button
2. Save as Plan

Save the location, date and time of those original photos that you have
thoughtfully designed. All the Plans will be stored in the option "Plans" of the
menu "My Stuff". You can create a new Plan or overwrite an existing one.
3. Save as Point of Interest

Save unique locations (a secret waterfall, a beautiful natural stone arch...) to


create your own database. All the Points of Interest will be stored in the option
"Points of Interest" of the menu "My Stuff". You can create a new Point of
Interest or overwrite an existing one.

Planner - Find
Sun/moon at azimuth
Find, in seconds, dates and times when the sun/moon will be at a desired azimuth
(direction) for the selected date range and Observer's pin position.
a. Top buttons
b. Date range selector
c. Azimuth selector

A. Top buttons

1. Back button
2. Search button

B. Date range selector

1. Date range button


Select the period of time within which you wish to look for positions of the
sun/moon.

C. Azimuth selector

1. Selected azimuth

It displays the selected azimuth. You can select the azimuth in four different
ways by using the bottom options: 2D, Compass, AR and Numeric.
2. Content area

This area is used by the 2D and Numeric tabs to introduce the desired azimuth.
3.
4.
5.
6.

2D
Compass
Augmented Reality (AR)
Numeric

Sun/moon at azimuth - Search button


Once you've introduced the desired date range and the azimuth (direction) of the
sun/moon, you just have to tap on the search button to find out dates and times when it
happens.

1. Back button
2. Table of results

List of results for the selected azimuth, date range and Observer's pin position:
date and time, elevation and apparent altitude of the sun/moon at the location of
the sun/moon's pin.
3. Sun/moon picture

It tells you if the result will happen in daytime, golden hour, blue hour, nautical
twilight, astronomical twilight or night-time. Furthermore, in the case of the
moon, the picture shows you how you'd see the moon (phase and orientation) if
you were placed in the location of the Observer's pin.

Sun in daytime

Sun in golden hour

Moon in daytime

Moon in golden hour

10

Moon in blue hour

Moon in nautical twilight

Moon in astronomical

Moon in night-time

twilight

4. Cancel button

Cancel search and go back to Planner main screen.


5. Share button

Share your table of results on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. You can save it
as an image too.
TIPS

When you find a date that matches what you were looking for, just tap on it to
send it to the planner for further study.
You can sort the results by tapping on the top table options: "Date", "Elevation",
"Altitude" and "Phase".
If you want to capture the sun/moon when it is just above a building, you must
follow these steps: place the sun/moon's pin in the location of the building and
look for dates in the table of results in which the apparent height of the
sun/moon is larger than the height of the building.
Past results will appear under a grey filter.

11

Sun/moon at azimuth - 2D
Select the azimuth by dragging the sun/moon's pin or by dragging the horizontal
azimuth slider on the map.

1. Observer's pin

The Observer's pin has been located in the Planner main screen. You cannot
move it in this screen. To move it, please, go back to Planner main screen.
Observer's pin

2. Sun/moon's pin

It represents the sun or the moon. You must place it in the location you would
like the sun/moon to be.
Sun's pin
Moon's pin

3. Impossible azimuth area

The darker map area. It represents azimuths where it is impossible to find the
sun/moon for the selected date range.
4. Azimuth slider

Select the azimuth by dragging the slider of the bar.


TIPS

Tap on the observer's pin to see its altitude above the sea level.
Tap on the Sun/moon's pin to see its altitude above the sea level. Furthermore,
after the vertical slash, you find the relative altitude between the Observer's pin
and the Sun/moon's pin (Sun/moon's altitude - Observer's altitude) and the
elevation angle () of the Sun/moon's pin relative to the Observer's pin.

12

Imagine you wish to calculate when the moon will appear from behind a hill.
You must proceed as follows: first, in the main screen of the Planner, place the
Observer's pin in the location from where you want to take the photo. Then tap
on the Find button and select "Moon" and then "at azimuth". Second, in the
azimuth selector 2D option, place the Moon's pin in the location of the hill. Third,
tap on the Moon's pin and keep in mind the relative elevation angle () between
the Moon's pin and the Observer's pin. Fourth, tap on the search button. Fifth,
sort the results by tapping on the top table options "Elevation-altitude". Finally,
choose a date when the moon's elevation is just above the relative elevation
between the Moon's pin and the Observer's pin.

13

Sun/moon at azimuth - Compass


When planning photos in situ or scouting a location, the compass is one of the fastest
ways to select the azimuth.

1. Cancel button

Cancel azimuth selection and go back to previous screen.


2. Done button

Select the azimuth.


3. Impossible azimuth area

The darker compass area. It represents azimuths where it is impossible to find


the sun/moon for the selected date range.
4. Azimuth info

The azimuth that you are pointing at.


TIPS

You can also select the azimuth by tapping on the compass.


iPod Touch users: the iPod Touch does not have magnetometer and the
compass needs it to orient. Therefore, the compass option is not available.

14

Sun/moon at azimuth - Augmented Reality


When planning photos in situ or scouting a location, the AR view is one of the fastest
ways to select the azimuth. Select it by tapping on the augmented reality screen.

1. Cancel button

Cancel azimuth selection and go back to previous screen.


2. Done button

Select the azimuth.


3. AR view

Tap on the augmented reality view to place the sun/moon in the desired
azimuth.
Sun

Moon
TIPS

Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
We recommend that you check on the azimuth selector (2D) map that the
selected azimuth is the one you really wanted. If not, just adjust it on the map.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.

15

iPod Touch users: the iPod Touch does not have magnetometer. Therefore, it is
not possible to draw in augmeted reality (AR) the information of the sun, moon,
milky way, celestial ecuator and celestial poles. This is the reason the AR is not
available.

16

Sun/moon at azimuth - Numeric


Introduce the azimuth numerically.

1. Azimuth field
2. Numeric keyboard

17

Sun/moon at azimuth & elevation


Find, in seconds, dates and times when the sun/moon will be at a desired position
(azimuth and elevation) for the selected date range and Observer's pin position.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Top buttons
Date range selector
Azimuth selector
Elevation selector

A. Top buttons

1. Back button
2. Search button

B. Date range selector

1. Date range button


Select the period of time within which you wish to look for positions of the
sun/moon.

18

C. Azimuth selector

1. Selected azimuth

It displays the selected azimuth and error value. You can Select the azimuth in
four different ways by using the bottom options: 2D, Compass, AR and
Numeric. Setting an error value different to zero increases the likelihood of
finding a result. Change the error value by using the Numeric tab.
2. Content area

This area is used by the 2D and Numeric tabs to introduce the desired azimuth,
and in the case of the Numeric tab you can introduce the error value too.
3.
4.
5.
6.

2D
Compass
Augmented Reality (AR)
Numeric

D. Elevation selector

19

1. Selected elevation

It displays the selected elevation and error value. You can Select the elevation
in four different ways by using the bottom options: 2D, Inclinometer, AR and
Numeric. Setting an error value different to zero increases the likelihood of
finding a result. Change the error value by using the Numeric tab.
2. Content area

This area is used by Numeric tab to introduce the desired elevation and error
value.
3.
4.
5.
6.

2D
Inclinometer
Augmented Reality (AR)
Numeric

20

Sun/moon at azimuth & elevation - Search button


Once you've introduced the desired date range and the position (azimuth and
elevation) of the sun/moon, you just have to tap on the search button to find out dates
and times when it happens.

1. Back button
2. Table of results

List of results for the selected azimuth, date range and Observer's pin position:
date and time, elevation and apparent altitude of the sun/moon at the location of
the sun/moon's pin.
3. Sun/moon picture

It tells you if the result will happen in daytime, golden hour, blue hour, nautical
twilight, astronomical twilight or night-time. Furthermore, in the case of the
moon, the picture shows you how you'd see the moon (phase and orientation) if
you were placed in the location of the Observer's pin.

Sun in daytime

Sun in golden hour

Moon in daytime

Moon in golden hour

21

Moon in blue hour

Moon in nautical twilight

Moon in astronomical

Moon in night-time

twilight
4. Cancel button

Cancel search and go back to Planner main screen.


5. Share button

Share your table of results on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. You can save it
as an image too.
TIPS

When you find a date that matches what you were looking for, just tap on it to
send it to the planner for further study.
You can sort the results by tapping on the top table options: "Date", "Elevation",
"Altitude" and "Phase".
If you want to capture the sun/moon when it is just above a building, you must
follow these steps: place the sun/moon's pin in the location of the building and
look for dates in the table of results in which the apparent height of the
sun/moon is larger than the height of the building.
Past results will appear under a grey filter.

22

Sun/moon at azimuth & elevation - Azimuth - 2D


Select the azimuth by dragging the sun/moon's pin or by dragging the horizontal
azimuth slider on the map.

1. Observer's pin

The Observer's pin has been located in the Planner main screen. You cannot
move it in this screen. To move it, please, go back to Planner main screen.
Observer's pin

2. Sun/moon's pin

It represents the sun or the moon. You must place it in the location you would
like the sun/moon to be.
Sun's pin
Moon's pin

3. Azimuth error area

Area that represents the selected azimuth error value you have considered to
be acceptable for your search. All results will have azimuths that belong to this
area.
4. Impossible azimuth area

The darker map area. It represents azimuths where it is impossible to find the
sun/moon for the selected date range.

23

5. Azimuth slider

Select the azimuth by dragging the slider of the bar.

TIPS

Tap on the Observer's pin to see its altitude above the sea level.
Tap on the Sun/moon's pin to see its altitude above the sea level. Furthermore,
after the vertical slash, you find the relative altitude between the Observer's pin
and the Sun/moon's pin (Sun/moon's altitude - Observer's altitude) and the
elevation angle () of the Sun/moon's pin relative to the Observer's pin.
Imagine you wish to calculate when the moon will appear from behind a
mountain. You must proceed as follows: first, in the main screen of the Planner,
place the Observer's pin in the location from where you want to take the photo.
Then tap on the Find button and select "Moon" and then "at azimuth and
elevation". Second, in the azimuth selector 2D option, place the Moon's pin in
the location of the mountain. Third, tap on the Moon's pin and keep in mind the
relative elevation angle () between the Moon's pin and the Observer's pin.
Fourth, tap on the elevation selector and use any bottom option to introduce an
elevation equal to the relative elevation angle () between the Moon's pin and
the Observer's pin. Finally, tap on the search button and choose a the date that
suits you.

24

Sun/moon at azimuth & elevation - Azimuth - Compass


When planning photos in situ or scouting a location, the compass is one of the fastest
ways to select the azimuth.

1. Cancel button

Cancel azimuth selection and go back to previous screen.


2. Done button

Select the azimuth.


3. Impossible azimuth area

The darker compass area. It represents azimuths where it is impossible to find


the sun/moon for the selected date range.
4. Azimuth info

The azimuth that you are pointing at.


TIPS

You can also select the azimuth by tapping on the compass.


iPod Touch users: the iPod Touch does not have magnetometer and the
compass needs it to orient. Therefore, the compass option is not available.

25

Sun/moon at azimuth & elevation - Azimuth - AR


When planning photos in situ or scouting a location, the Augmented Reality (AR) view
is one of the fastest ways to select the desired position (azimuth and elevation) of the
sun/moon. Select it by tapping on the augmented reality screen. This option selects
both azimuth and elevation.

1. Cancel button

Cancel azimuth selection and go back to previous screen.


2. Done button

Select the position (azimuth and elevation).


3. AR view

Tap on the augmented reality view to place the sun/moon in the desired
position (azimuth and elevation).
Sun

Moon
TIPS

Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
We recommend that you check on the azimuth selector (2D) map that the
selected azimuth is the one you really wanted. If not, just adjust it on the map.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,

26

Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as


technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.
iPod Touch users: the iPod Touch does not have magnetometer. Therefore, it is
not possible to draw in augmeted reality (AR) the information of the sun, moon,
milky way, celestial ecuator and celestial poles. This is the reason the AR is not
available.

27

Sun/moon at azimuth & elevation - Azimuth - Numeric


Introduce the azimuth and the azimuth error numerically.

1. Azimuth field

Introduce the azimuth numerically.


2. Azimuth error field

Set the errors you are prepared to tolerate in your search. PhotoPills will look
for results with azimuth between these two values: (azimuth-error,
azimuth+error).
3. Numeric keyboard

28

Sun/moon at azimuth & elevation - Elevation - 2D


Select the elevation by dragging the sun/moon represented on the picture.

1. Sun/moon

It's a representation of the sun/moon. Drag it to select the desired elevation.


Sun
Moon
2. Elevation error area

Area that represents the selected elevation error value you have considered to
be acceptable for your search. All results will have elevations that belong to this
area.
3. Observer's pin

A representation of the Observer's pin.


Observer's pin
4. Sun/moon's pin

A representation of the sun/moon's pin.


Sun's pin
Moon's pin
5. Sun/moon apparent altitude

Altitude of the sun/moon at the location of the sun/moon's pin.

29

6. Impossible elevation area

The darker area on the picture. It represents elevations where it is impossible to


find the sun/moon for the selected azimuth and date range.
TIPS

If you want to capture the sun/moon when it is just above a building, you must
follow these steps: place the sun/moon's pin in the location of the building on
the 2D azimuth selector map, then tap on the 2D elevation selector button and
set an elevation that gives you an apparent sun/moon altitude larger than the
height of the building.

30

Sun/moon at azimuth & elevation - Elevation Inclinometer


It is useful if you wish to introduce an elevation that has the same value than the slope
of a surface. Just align your device to a nearby slope that you have a good side profile
of and tap on the done button.

1. Cancel button

Cancel elevation selection and go back to previous screen.


2. Done button

Select the elevation.


3. Sun/moon

It's a representation of the sun/moon.


Sun
Moon
4. Elevation error area

Area that represents the selected elevation error value you have considered to
be acceptable for your search. All results will have elevations that belong to this
area.
5. Observer's pin

A representation of the Observer's pin.


Observer's pin

31

6. Sun/moon's pin

A representation of the sun/moon's pin.


Sun's pin
Moon's pin
7. Sun/moon apparent altitude

Altitude of the sun/moon at the location of the sun/moon's pin.


8. Impossible elevation area

The darker inclinometer area. It represents elevations where it is impossible to


find the sun/moon for the selected azimuth and date range.
9. Elevation info

The elevation you are pointing at.

32

Sun/moon at azimuth & elevation - Elevation - AR


When planning photos in situ or scouting a location, the Augmented Reality (AR) view
is one of the fastest ways to select the desired position (azimuth and elevation) of the
sun/moon. Select it by tapping on the augmented reality screen. This option selects
both azimuth and elevation.

1. Cancel button

Cancel azimuth selection and go back to previous screen.


2. Done button

Select the position (azimuth and elevation).


3. AR view

Tap on the augmented reality view to place the sun/moon in the desired
position (azimuth and elevation).
Sun
Moon
TIPS

Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
We recommend that you check on the azimuth selector (2D) map that the
selected azimuth is the one you really wanted. If not, just adjust it on the map.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.

33

iPod Touch users: the iPod Touch does not have magnetometer. Therefore, it is
not possible to draw in augmeted reality (AR) the information of the sun, moon,
milky way, celestial ecuator and celestial poles. This is the reason the AR is not
available.

34

Sun/moon at azimuth & elevation - Elevation - Numeric


Introduce the elevation and elevation error numerically.

1. Elevation field

Introduce the elevation numerically.


2. Elevation error field

Set the errors you are prepared to tolerate in your search. PhotoPills will look
for results with elevations between these two values: (elevation-error,
elevation+error).
3. Sun/moon apparent altitude field

Altitude of the sun/moon at the location of the sun/moon's pin.


4. Numeric keyboard
TIPS

If you want to capture the sun/moon when it is just above a building, you must
follow these steps: place the sun/moon's pin in the location of the building on
the 2D azimuth selector map, then tap on the Numeric elevation selector button
and set an apparent sun/moon altitude larger than the height of the building.

35

Planner - Augmented Reality (AR)


Plan your shots in situ and adjust your frame for the best composition before you shoot.
Make sure that the sun/moon will be at the desired position. Reduce trial and error.
Just locate yourself at the position of the Observer's pin and visualize in augmented
reality for the selected date and time: sun/moon position, sun/moon path,
sunrise/moonrise directions, sunset/moonset directions.

a. Top button
b. AR view

A. Top button

1. Done button

Go back to Planner main screen.

B. AR view

36

1. AR information

Sun path

Moon path

Horizon

Elevation and azimuthal lines

TIPS

The information displayed on the AR view depends on the position of the


Observer's pin. Make sure you are at the position of the Observer's pin when
visualizing the augmented reality information.
Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.
iPod Touch users: the iPod Touch does not have magnetometer. Therefore, it is
not possible to draw in augmeted reality (AR) the information of the sun, moon,
milky way, celestial ecuator and celestial poles. This is the reason the AR is not
available.

37

Planner - Night AR
Plan your night shots in situ and adjust your frame for the best composition before you
shoot. Reduce trial and error. Just locate yourself at the position of the Observer's pin
and visualize in augmented reality for the selected date and time: milky way, celestial
equator, Polaris, north/south celestial pole, circumpolar stars path and sense of
rotation, moon position, moon path, moonrise/set directions, right ascension and
declination lines.

a. Top button
b. AR view

A. Top button

1. Done button

Go back to Planner main screen.

B. AR view

38

1. AR information

Milky way

Celestial equator

Moon path

Horizon

Right ascension and declination lines

North celestial pole

South celestial pole

TIPS

The stars in movement show you the rotation sense around celestial poles.
The information displayed on the AR view depends on the position of the
Observer's pin. Make sure you are at the position of the Observer's pin when
visualizing the augmented reality information.
Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.

39

Planner - Horizon
Calculate the height above the horizon of the Observer's pin. When you are at the top
of a mountain or on the roof of a tall building, at a considerable height above the
horizon, you need to adjust the calculations of the sun/moon rise/set times. For
example, if an Observer is located at the top of a mountain, at 2.000 feet of height
above his horizon, he will see the sunrise earlier than other observer located at the
horizon level. Therefore, time and azimuth must be adjusted to the Observer's height
above the horizon.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Top buttons
On a mountain picture
On a building picture
Map

A. Top buttons

1. Back button
2. Done button

Once you've calculated the observer's height above the horizon, tap on this
button to go back to the Planner main screen and see the adjusted sun/moon
rise and set times.

40

B. On a mountain picture

1. Observer's pin

The Observer's pin must be located on a mountain. Use the map of the Planner
main screen or the map below this picture.
Observer's pin
2. Observer's pin altitude

The height of the Observer's pin above sea level.


3. Horizon's pin

It represents the horizon. You must situate this pin in the place where you
visualize your horizon.
Horizon's pin
4. Horizon's pin altitude

The height of the Horizon's pin above sea level.


5. Height above the horizon

The vertical distance of an object or location above the horizon level. It is


calculated as the difference between the Observer's pin and the Horizon's pin
altitudes.
6. Distance to the horizon

Distance between the Observer's pin and the Horizon's pin.

41

C. On a building picture

1. Observer's pin

The Observer's pin must be placed in the location of the building. Use the map
of the Planner main screen or the map below this picture.
Observer's pin

2. Observer's pin altitude

The height of the Observer's pin above sea level.


3. Building height

Height of the observation deck or building floor from where you want to take the
photo.
4. Building altitude

The height of the building ground floor above sea level.


5. Horizon's pin

It represents the horizon. You must situate this pin in the place where you
visualize your horizon.
Horizon's pin
6. Horizon's pin altitude

The height of the Horizon's pin above sea level.


7. Height above the horizon

The vertical distance of an object or location above the horizon level. It is


calculated as the difference between the Observer's pin and the Horizon's pin
altitudes.
8. Distance to the horizon

Distance between the Observer's pin and the Horizon's pin.

42

D. Map

1. Observer's pin

The Observer's pin must be placed in the location of the building or on a


mountain. Use the map of the Planner main screen or this map.
Observer's pin
2. Horizon's pin

It represents the horizon. You must situate this pin in the place where you
visualize your horizon.
Horizon's pin
TIPS

This option must only be used to calculate the Height Above the Horizon of the
Observer's Pin. Do not confuse it with the "Obstacles calculator".
The Observer's pin must always be located at a higher elevation than the
Horizon's pin, otherwise it makes no sense to use this option.
It is recommended to adjust rise and set times for height above the horizon
larger than 950 feet (290 m).
If PhotoPills is unable to read the Altitude value from the server, the Altitude
value will appear with this sign "--". This may happen if an error occurs when
PhotoPills tries to update the "Altitude" information or when there is no network
coverage.

43

Planner - Load
Load your Plannings and Locations from your database.

1. Cancel button
2. Search Location

The fastest way to look for a location. Type the name of a location to start the
search. Automatically, the resulting list of the search will show up. Tap on the
location you desire to see it on the Planner.
3. Load Planning

Tap on it to see your list of plannings and choose the one you want to send to
the Planner. Load the location, date and time of those creative photos that you
have already thoughtfully planned and you wish to check.
4. Load Point of Interest

Load locations from your database to use them in your planning.


5. Load (latitude,longitude)

Load a location by introducing the latitude and longitude in degrees ().

44

Planner - Share
Meet up! Invite your friends to come with you to take the photos you've planned.
Surprise your customers showing them how thoughtfully you have planned their
photos. Share your photo plannings and locations on Facebook, Twitter and e-mail.
Export them by e-mail in KML format. Save as an image.

1. Share on Facebook
2. Share on Twitter
3. Share and export by e-mail (KML)

Export your photo Plannings and Points of Interest by mail using the format
used by Google Earth (KML). This way, if your colleague is a Photopiller, he will
be able to import the Planning or Point of Interest, and play with it in the
Planner. Once you have opened the e-mail, do a long press on the KML file
until a window shows up. Choose "Open in PhotoPills". The file will be stored in
your planning list.
4. Save as an image
5. Cancel

45

All the information you need about the Sun, relative to your current location and for any
date and time you choose. Share Sun information on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail.
The first time you use it, PhotoPills needs time to calculate your location (GPS) to show
you the correct information. Afterwards, PhotoPills begins using your last location and
then updates it.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

A. Information

Information
Calendar
AR
Seasons
Action

1. Home button
2. Rise/set information

Rise and set times for the selected date and your current location.
3. Information table

Drag the screen towards the left to see the information table: sunrise, sunset,
transit time, daylight, time to sunset, azimuth, elevation, distance to the Earth,
shadow ratio, golden hour, blue hour and twilights.
TIPS

Tap on the "Position" field of the information table to change the location.
Tap on the "Date" field of the information table to change the date and time.
Double tap on the picture of the sun or shake the device to come back to the
current date and time.
Tap on the right hand side of the picture of the sun to go to the following day.
Tap on the left hand side to go backwards to the previous day.
Drag the picture of the sun from up to down to go forwards in time. Drag it from
down to up to go backwards in time.

B. Calendar

1. Home button
2. Today button

Come back to the current date.


3. Rise/set calendar

Calendar of sunrise and sunset times.

47

TIPS

Drag the calendar towards the left to see the information table of the following
month. Drag the calendar towards the right to see the information table of the
previous month.
Tap on a date to go to the Info tab and see the information related to that date.
You can sort the sunrise and sunset table by tapping on the top table options
"day", "Rises" and "Sets".
Shake the device to come back to the current month.

C. AR

1. Home button
2. AR view

Plan your shots in situ and adjust your frame for the best composition before
you shoot. Make sure that the sun is at the desired position. Reduce trial and
error. Visualize in augmented reality the position of the sun and its path for the
selected date and time, including sunrise and sunset directions. All the
information is related to your current location.
Sun path

Horizon

Elevation and azimuthal lines

48

TIPS

Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.

D. Seasons

1. Home button
2. Current year button

Come back to the current year


3. Solstices/equinoxes

Solstices and equinoxes date and time for the selected year and location.
TIPS

Drag the table towards the left to see the information table of the following year.
Drag it towards the right to see the information table of the previous year.
Tap on a date to go to the Info tab and see the information related to that date.
Shake the device to come back to the current year.

49

E. Action

1. Send to Planner button

Send date and time to the Planner for further study.


2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share by e-mail
Save as an image
Cancel

50

All the information you need about the Moon, relative to your current location and for
any date and time you choose. Share Moon information on Facebook, Twitter or by email. The first time you use it, PhotoPills needs time to calculate your location (GPS) to
show you the correct information. Afterwards, PhotoPills begins using your last location
and then updates it.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Information
Calendar
AR
Distances
Action

A. Information

1. Home button

51

2. Moon phase

Moon phase information and picture of the moon that shows how you would see
the moon for the selected date, time and location.

Daytime

Night-time

Moonset in daytime

Moonset in night-time

3. Information table

Drag the screen towards the left to see the information table: moonrise,
moonset, transit time, time to moonrise, azimuth, elevation, distance to the
Earth, moon age and shadow ratio.
TIPS

Tap on the "Position" field of the information table to change the location.
Tap on the "Date" field of the information table to change the date and time.
Double tap on the picture of the moon or shake the device to come back to the
current date and time.
Tap on the right hand side of the picture of the moon to go to the following day.
Tap on the left hand side to go backwards to the previous day.
Drag the picture of the moon from up to down to go forwards in time. Drag it
from down to up to go backwards in time.

B. Calendar

52

1. Home button
2. Today button

Come back to the current date.


3. Moon calendar

Moon calendar for the selected month.


TIPS

Drag the calendar towards the left to see the information of the following month.
Drag it towards the right to see the information of the previous month.
Tap on a date to go to the Info tab and see the information related to that date.
Shake the device to come back to the current month.

C. AR

1. Home button
2. AR view

Plan your shots in situ and adjust your frame for the best composition before
you shot. Make sure that the moon is at the desired position. Reduce trial and
error. Visualize in augmented reality the position of the moon and its path for
the selected date and time, including moonrise and moonset directions. All the
information is related to your current location.
Moon path

Horizon

53

Elevation and azimuthal lines

TIPS

Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.
iPod Touch users: the iPod Touch does not have magnetometer. Therefore, it is
not possible to draw in augmeted reality (AR) the information of the sun, moon,
milky way, celestial ecuator and celestial poles. This is the reason the AR is not
available.

D. Distances

1. Home button
2. Current year button

Come back to the current year.


3. Perigees/apogees

Perigees and apogees date, time and moon phase for the selected year and
your current location. Find out when the moon is a super moon.

54

4. Moon picture

It tells you if the perigee/apogee will happen in daytime, golden hour, blue hour,
nautical twilight, astronomical twilight or night-time. Furthermore, the picture
shows you how you'd see the moon (phase and orientation) from your current
position.

Moon in daytime

Moon in golden hour

Moon in blue hour

Moon in nautical twilight

Moon in astronomical

Moon in night-time

twilight
TIPS

Tap on a date to go to the Info tab and see the information related to that date.
Drag the table towards the left to see the information table of the following year.
Drag it towards the right to see the information table of the previous year.
Shake the device to come back to the current year.
You can sort the perigees/apogees table by tapping on the top table options
"day", "Distances" and "Phase".

E. Action

55

1. Send to Planner button

Send date and time to the Planner for further study.


2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share by e-mail
Save as an image
Cancel

56

Long Exposure Photography is something that can take your breath away when you
get it right. Put all your energy in the creativity part, leave all calculations to PhotoPills.
Calculate equivalent exposures. Created to help you with shooting long exposures with
filters, in low light and at night.

a. Top button
b. Calculator
c. Bottom options

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Calculator

57

1. Calculating options

Choose the setting you wish to calculate: shutter speed, aperture or ISO.
2. Test settings

Introduce aperture, shutter speed and ISO that gives you a test photo correctly
exposed.
3. Equivalent settings

Introduce the camera settings you wish to use to take the final photo. For
example, if you have decided to calculate the shutter speed, these settings are
aperture, ISO and filter. In this case, these settings will be used to calculate the
shutter speed that gives you the same exposure value and, therefore, the photo
will be exposed correctly.
4. Results

Calculated setting (shutter speed, aperture or ISO) and exposure value (EV).

C. Bottom options

1. Exposure values

Exposure values (EV) for ISO 100 related to different types of lighting
situations.
2. Share

Share exposure calculations on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. Save your


calculations as an image.

58

Classic DoF
Get the creative control on the design of your photos. Decide the zone of sharpness
you need to tell the story you want and get your message across. Reduce trial and
error, have the calculations done for the result you desire. Both settings to DoF and
DoF to Settings. Learn and improve, quickly understand the relations among aperture,
focal length, subject distance and DoF/hyperfocal distance.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Top button
Camera
Calculator
Bottom options

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Camera

1. Camera button

59

C. Calculator

1. Photo settings

Introduce focal distance, aperture, subject distance and teleconverter factor to


calculate DoF information.
2. Table of results

Get the following DoF information: hyperfocal distance, hyperfocal distance


near limit, DoF near limit, DoF far limit, total depth of field, depth of field in front
and behind.
3. Visual results: DoF

Visualize DoF information on a picture.

4. Visual results: Hyperfocal

Visualize hyperfocal information on a picture

60

D. Bottom options

1. Inverse
2. Advanced

It sends the camera settings to Advanced DoF calculator.


3. To FoV

It sends the settings to the Classic FoV calculator.


4. AR
5. Share

61

Classic DoF - Camera button


Select a camera from a database or from your list of customized cameras.

1. Back button
2. Add camera button

If you don't find your camera in the database, you can create your own
customized camera. Tap on this button and introduce: camera name and
sensor information. The circle of confusion can be calculated or introduced
numerically. The cameras you create will appear as "customized cameras" in
the table of cameras.
3. Camera search bar

Quick camera search. For example, write D90 to find the camera Nikon D90.
4. Camera table

Your most recently used cameras, your customized cameras and a large
database of cameras in alphabetical order.
TIPS

To select a customized camera, you must tap on it and then tap on the select
button from the camera information screen. From this screen, you can also
eliminate the camera or change its settings.

62

Classic DoF - Inverse


Decide the zone of sharpness you need to tell the story you want and get your
message across. Reduce trial and error, have the calculations done for the result you
desire.

1. Calculating options

Choose the setting you wish to calculate: focal length, aperture or subject
distance.
2. Photo settings

Depending on the setting you wish to calculate you must introduce the rest of
the camera settings and DoF information. For example, if you have decided to
calculate the focal length, you need to introduce the aperture, subject distance,
teleconverer factor and desired DoF. In this case, these settings will be used to
calculate the focal length that gives you the depth of field you wish to have in
the photo.
3. Results

Like the Direct Classic DoF calculator, results are displayed in two different
ways: in a table and on a picture (DoF and hyperfocal).
4. Direct

Go back to the Direct Classic DoF calculator (settings to DoF calculator).


5. Advanced inverse

It sends the camera settings to the Advanced Inverse DoF calculator.

63

Classic Dof - Agumented Reality


Once you've done all the DoF calculations that gives you the desired depth of field
effect, use the AR view to visualize and measure in situ the following distances: subject
distance, DoF near limit, DoF far limit and hyperfocal distance.

1. Done button

Go back to the DoF calculator.


2. AR information

DoF near limit


Subject distance
DoF far limit
Hyperfocal distance
TIPS

All lines are drawn on the ground. It is assumed that your device is situated
1.35 m over the ground level. This height can be customized from the
PhotoPills Settings button located in "My Stuff" menu.
You can use the ruler to measure distances. If you are using the Metric units
system, each separation measures 0.5 m. If you are using the Imperial units
system, each separation measures 1 foot.
Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.
64

Classic DoF - Share


Share your DoF calculations on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. Save your calculations
as an image.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share by e-mail
Save as an image
Cancel

65

Advanced DoF
Get more control over what is "acceptably sharp". Take into account your camera
sensor size, print size, viewing distance and visual acuity to adjust your camera CoC
that will be used in your DoF calculations.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Top button
CoC
Calculator
Bottom options

A. Top button

Home button

B. CoC

1. CoC button

66

C. Calculator

1. Photo settings

Introduce focal distance, aperture, subject distance and teleconverter factor to


calculate DoF information.
2. Table of results

Get the following DoF information: hyperfocal distance, hyperfocal distance


near limit, DoF near limit, DoF far limit, total depth of field, depth of field in front
and behind.
3. Visual results: DoF

Visualize DoF information on a picture.

4. Visual results: Hyperfocal

Visualize hyperfocal information on a picture.

67

D. Bottom options

1. Inverse
2. Classic

It sends the camera settings to Classic DoF calculator


3. To FoV

It sends the settings to the Classic FoV calculator.


4. AR
5. Share

68

Advanced DoF - CoC Calculator


Calculate the adjusted Circle of Confusion (CoC) taking into account your camera
sensor size, print size, viewing distance and visual acuity.

1. Back button
2. Adjusted CoC

Calculated Circle of Confusion that will be used in your DoF calculations.


3. CoC Settings

Introduce your camera, print size, viewing distance and visual acuity.
4. Load default values

Load the default CoC settings values: print size 8x10 inch (0.25mx0.17m),
viewing distance of 1 foot (0.25 m) and manufacturer standard visual acuity.
TIPS

If you use the default values, Advanced DoF and Classic DoF calculators give
the same results.

69

Advanced DoF - Inverse


Decide the zone of sharpness you need to tell the story you want and get your
message across. Reduce trial and error, have the calculations done for the result you
desire.

1. Calculating options

Choose the setting you wish to calculate: focal length, aperture or subject
distance.
2. Photo settings

Depending on the setting you wish to calculate you must introduce the rest of
camera settings and DoF information. For example, if you have decided to
calculate the focal length, you need to introduce the aperture, subject distance,
teleconverer factor and desired DoF. In this case, these settings will be used to
calculate the focal length that gives you the depth of field you wish to have in
the photo.
3. Results

Like the Direct Advanced DoF calculator, results are displayed in two different
ways: in a table and on a picture (DoF and hyperfocal).
4. Direct

Go back to the Direct Advanced DoF calculator (settings to DoF calculator).


5. Classic inverse

It sends the camera settings to the Classic Inverse DoF calculator.

70

Advanced DoF - Agumented Reality


Once you've done all the DoF calculations that gives you the desired depth of field
effect, use the AR view to visualize and measure in situ the following distances: subject
distance, DoF near limit, DoF far limit and hyperfocal distance.

1. Done button

Go back to the DoF calculator.


2. AR information

DoF near limit


Subject distance
DoF far limit
Hyperfocal distance
TIPS

All lines are drawn on the ground. It is assumed that your device is situated
1.35 m over the ground level. This height can be customized from the
PhotoPills Settings button located in "My Stuff" menu.
You can use the ruler to measure distances. If you are using the Metric units
system, each separation measures 0.5 m. If you are using the Imperial units
system, each separation measures 1 foot.
Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.
71

Advanced DoF - Share


Share your DoF calculations on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. Save your calculations
as an image.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share by e-mail
Save as an image
Cancel

72

DoF Table
The fastest way to have your DoF and Hyperfocal calculations done. Visualize how
depth of field changes with aperture and subject distance for a given focal length.
Learn and improve. Quickly understand the relations between aperture, focal length,
subject distance and DoF/hyperfocal distance.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Top button
Camera
DoF Table
Bottom options

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Camera

1. Camera button

73

C. DoF table

1. Focal length button

Introduce the focal length you wish to use.


2. DoF options

Tap on it to switch between total DoF or DoF limits information table.


3. Table of results

Browse the table to find out the combination of subject distance and aperture
that gives you the sharpness you need in your photo. Find the hyperfocal
distance in the first row.

D. Bottom options

1. Visual
2. AR
3. Share

74

DoF Table - Camera button


Select a camera from a database or from your list of customized cameras.

1. Back button
2. Add camera button

If you don't find your camera in the database, you can create your own
customized camera. Tap on this button and introduce: camera name and
sensor information. The circle of confusion can be calculated or introduced
numerically. The cameras you create will appear as "customized cameras" in
the table of cameras.
3. Camera search bar

Quick camera search. For example, write D90 to find the camera Nikon D90.
4. Camera table

Your most recently used cameras, your customized cameras and a large
database of cameras in alphabetical order.
TIPS

To select a customized camera, you must tap on it and then tap on the select
button from the camera information screen. From this screen, you can also
eliminate the camera or change its settings.

75

DoF Table - Visual


Select a cell from the table and tap on the Visual button to see the depth of field
information on a drawing.

1. Done button

Go back to the DoF table.


2. DoF information
3. Hyperfocal information
4. Camera settings

Focal length and aperture used in the calculations.

76

DoF Table - Augmented Reality


Select a cell from the table and tap on the AR button to visualize and measure in situ
the following distances: subject distance, DoF near limit, DoF far limit and hyperfocal
distance.

1. Done button

Go back to DoF table.


2. AR information

DoF near limit


Subject distance
DoF far limit
Hyperfocal distance
TIPS

All lines are drawn on the ground. It is assumed that your device is situated
1.35 m over the ground level. This height can be customized from the
PhotoPills Settings button located in "My Stuff" menu.
You can use the ruler to measure distances. If you are using the Metric units
system, each separation measures 0.5 m. If you are using the Imperial units
system, each separation measures 1 foot.
Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.
77

DoF Table - Share


Share your DoF table in Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. Save it as an image.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share by e-mail
Save as an image
Cancel

78

The fastest way to have your Hyperfocal calculations done. Visualize how hyperfocal
distance changes with aperture and focal length. Learn and improve. Quickly
understand the relations between aperture, focal length and hyperfocal distance.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Top button
Camera
Hyperfocal Table
Bottom options

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Camera

1. Camera button

79

C. Hyperfocal table

1. Table of results

Browse the table to find out the combination of focal length and aperture that
gives you the sharpness you need in your photo.

D. Bottom options

1. Visual
2. AR
3. Share

80

Hyperfocal Table - Camera button


Select a camera from a database or from your list of customized cameras.

1. Back button
2. Add camera button

If you don't find your camera in the database, you can create your own
customized camera. Tap on this button and introduce: camera name and
sensor information. The circle of confusion can be calculated or introduced
numerically. The cameras you create will appear as "customized cameras" in
the table of cameras.
3. Camera search bar

Quick camera search. For example, write D90 to find the camera Nikon D90.
4. Camera table

Your most recently used cameras, your customized cameras and a large
database of cameras in alphabetical order.
TIPS

To select a customized camera, you must tap on it and then tap on the select
button from the camera information screen. From this screen, you can also
eliminate the camera or change its settings.

81

Hyperfocal Table - Visual


Select a cell from the table and tap on the Visual button to see the hyperfocal distance
on a drawing.

1. Done button

Go back to Hyperfocal table.


2. DoF information
3. Hyperfocal information
4. Camera settings

Focal length and aperture used in the calculations.

82

Hyperfocal Table - Augmented Reality


Select a cell from the table and tap on the AR button to visualize and measure in situ
the hyperfocal distance.

1. Done button

Go back to Hyperfocal table.


2. AR information

Hyperfocal distance
TIPS

The hyperfocal distance is drawn on the ground. It is assumed that your device
is situated 1.35 m over the ground level. This height can be customized from
the PhotoPills Settings button located in "My Stuff" menu.
You can use the ruler to measure distances. If you are using the Metric units
system, each separation measures 0.5 m. If you are using the Imperial units
system, each separation measures 1 foot.
Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.

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Hyperfocal Table - Share


Share your Hyperfocal table in Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. Save it as an image.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share by e-mail
Save as an image
Cancel

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Classic FoV
Digital directors viewfinder. Perfect for location scouting or making storyboards. It helps
you to predetermine proper rectilinear lens selection and subject distance for the
desired framing. Preview what would be captured in your frame. Reduce trial and error.
Have the calculations done for the result you desire. Both settings to FoV and FoV to
Settings. Learn and improve. Quickly understand the relations between camera sensor,
focal length, subject distance and field of view.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Top button
Camera
Calculator
Bottom options

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Camera

1. Camera button

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C. Calculator

1. Photo settings

Introduce focal length, subject distance and camera orientation.


2. Table of results

Get the following FoV information: horizontal, vertical and diagonal field and
angle of view.
3. Visual results

Visualize FoV information on a picture.

TIPS

It only works for rectilinear lenses.

D. Bottom options

1. Inverse
2. AR
3. Share
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Classic FoV - Camera button


Select a camera from a database or from your list of customized cameras.

1. Back button
2. Add camera button

If you don't find your camera in the database, you can create your own
customized camera. Tap on this button and introduce: camera name and
sensor information. The circle of confusion can be calculated or introduced
numerically. The cameras you create will appear as "customized cameras" in
the table of cameras.
3. Camera search bar

Quick camera search. For example, write D90 to find the camera Nikon D90.
4. Camera table

Your most recently used cameras, your customized cameras and a large
database of cameras in alphabetical order.
TIPS

To select a customized camera, you must tap on it and then tap on the select
button from the camera information screen. From this screen, you can also
eliminate the camera or change its settings.

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Classic FoV - Inverse


Decide the field of view you need to tell the story you want and get your message
across. Reduce trial and error. Have the calculations done for the result you desire.

1. Calculating options

Choose the setting you wish to calculate: focal length or subject distance.
2. Photo settings

Depending on the setting you wish to calculate you must introduce the rest of
camera settings and FoV information. For example, if you have decided to
calculate the focal length, you need to introduce the subject distance, camera
orientation and desired FoV. In this case, these settings will be used to
calculate the focal length that gives you the field of view you wish.
3. Results

Like the Direct Classic FoV calculator, results are displayed in two different
ways: in a table and on a picture.
4. Direct

Go back to the Direct Classic FoV calculator.

88

Classic FoV - Augmented Reality


Digital directors viewfinder. For a given camera, focal length, subject distance and
camera orientation, you can visualize in augmented reality what you would capture in
the photo. Tap on the screen and position your frame where you want. Reduce trial and
error. Make sure you take the photo you want.

1. Done button

Go back to the FoV calculator.


2. AR information

Frame.
TIPS

Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.

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Classic FoV - Share


Share your FoV calculations in Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. Save your calculations
as an Image.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share by e-mail
Save as an image
Cancel

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Subject distance
Make sure your subject fits in your frame. Calculate the minimum distance between
your lens and the subject to capture it.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Top button
Camera
Calculator
Bottom options

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Camera

1. Camera button

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C. Calculator

1. Photo settings

Introduce focal length, subject dimensions and camera orientation.


2. Visual results

Calculated minimum subject distance.

D. Bottom options

1. To DoF

It sends the settings to the Classic DoF calculator.


2. To FoV

It sends the settings to the Classic FoV calculator.


3. AR
4. Share

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Subject distance - Camera button


Select a camera from a database or from your list of customized cameras.

1. Back button
2. Add camera button

If you don't find your camera in the database, you can create your own
customized camera. Tap on this button and introduce: camera name and
sensor information. The circle of confusion can be calculated or introduced
numerically. The cameras you create will appear as "customized cameras" in
the table of cameras.
3. Camera search bar

Quick camera search. For example, write D90 to find the camera Nikon D90.
4. Camera table

Your most recently used cameras, your customized cameras and a large
database of cameras in alphabetical order.
TIPS

To select a customized camera, you must tap on it and then tap on the select
button from the camera information screen. From this screen, you can also
eliminate the camera or change its settings.

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Subject distance - Augmented Reality


Visualize and measure in situ the calculated minimum subject distance.

1. Done button

Go back to Subject Distance calculator.


2. AR information

Subject distance
TIPS

Subject distance is drawn on the ground. It is assumed that your device is


situated 1.35 m over the ground level. This height can be customized from the
PhotoPills Settings button located in "My Stuff" menu.
You can use the ruler to measure distances. If you are using the Metric units
system, each separation measures 0.5 m. If you are using the Imperial units
system, each separation measures 1 foot.
Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.

94

Subject distance - Share


Share your Subject Distance calculations on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. Save your
calculations as an image.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share by e-mail
Save as an image
Cancel

95

Focal length match


Compute the equivalent lens focal length to produce the same field of view between
two cameras with different sensor sizes.

a. Top button
b. Calculator
c. Bottom option

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Calculator

1. Initial camera and focal length

Introduce the camera and focal length that give you the desired field of view.

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2. Final camera and focal length

Introduce the camera you wish to use to calculate the equivalent focal length
you need to produce the same field of view.

C. Bottom option

1. Share button

Share your Focal Length Match calculations in Facebook, Twitter or e-mail.


Save your calculations as an image.

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Night AR
If you are a night photographer, you are going to love it. Plan your night shots in situ
and adjust your frame for the best composition before you shoot. All the night
information you need relative to your current location. You will be able to visualize in
augmented reality for the current date and time: milky way, celestial equator, Polaris,
north/south celestial pole, circumpolar stars path and sense of rotation, moon position,
moon path, moonrise/set directions, right ascension and declinations lines.

a. Top buttons
b. AR view

A. Top buttons

1. Home button
2. Settings button

Use this button to change both date and position.

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B. AR view

1. AR information

Milky way

Celestial equator

Moon path

Horizon

Right ascension and declination lines

North celestial pole

South celestial pole

99

TIPS

Stars that are moving show you the sense of rotation about the celestial poles.
Make sure you are away from any electronic device or magnetic field because
they may interfere with the sensors of the device. It is recommended to wait a
few seconds to let the system become stable.
Quality of the information displayed in the AR view is good enough to work, but
it strongly depends on the limitations of the sensors of your device (GPS,
Accelerometer, Gyroscope). This is an issue we cannot control but, as
technology advances, manufacturers improve the quality of sensors too.
iPod Touch users: the iPod Touch does not have magnetometer. Therefore, it is
not possible to draw in augmeted reality (AR) the information of the sun, moon,
milky way, celestial ecuator and celestial poles. This is the reason the AR is not
available.

100

Star Trails
Long exposure photos of circumpolar stars are spectacular. Make your own simulations
of star trails. Visualize how stars rotate and the angle they make in a given exposure
time.

a. Top button
b. Calculator
c. Bottom option

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Calculator

101

1. Star Trails settings

Introduce desired exposure time or rotation angle and the hemisphere, to


visualize a simulation of the star trails.
2. Star Trails picture

A simulation of the Star Trails.


TIPS

Drag your finger drawing a circle on the simulation of the star trails to rotate the
stars.
Estimate exposure time of already taken photos. Rotate the stars until you get a
similar picture as the one described in the photo to have an estimation of the
exposure time.

C. Bottom option

1. Share button

Share your Star Trails calculations in Facebook, Twitter or e-mail. Save your
calculations as an image.

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Spot Stars
Calculate the maximum exposure time to get stars as bright spots in your photos.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Top button
Camera
Calculator
Bottom option

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Camera

1. Camera button

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C. Calculator

1. Photo settings

Introduce focal length and minimum declination of the stars that are captured in
your frame to calculate the maximum exposure time to get stars as spots.
2. Results

The first maximum exposure time you get is more accurate (600 rule). It takes
into account sensor size, focal length and minimum declination of the stars. The
second one is less accurate (500 rule) but useful when you don't know the
minimal star declination.
TIPS

You can estimate the Minimum Declination of the Stars using PhotoPills Night
AR or PhotoPills Planner Night AR.

D. Bottom option

1. Share button

Share your Spot Stars calculations in Facebook, Twitter or e-mail. Save your
calculations as an image.

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Spot Stars - Camera button


Select a camera from a database or from your list of customized cameras.

1. Back button
2. Add camera button

If you don't find your camera in the database, you can create your own
customized camera. Tap on this button and introduce: camera name and
sensor information. The circle of confusion can be calculated or introduced
numerically. The cameras you create will appear as "customized cameras" in
the table of cameras.
3. Camera search bar

Quick camera search. For example, write D90 to find the camera Nikon D90.
4. Camera table

Your most recently used cameras, your customized cameras and a large
database of cameras in alphabetical order.
TIPS

To select a customized camera, you must tap on it and then tap on the select
button from the camera information screen. From this screen, you can also
eliminate the camera or change its settings.

105

Time lapse helps us understand the world by visually showing changes that we cannot
normally perceive. Put all your efforts into the creative part. PhotoPills does all the
maths and calculations for you.

a. Top button
b. Calculator
c. Bottom options

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Calculator

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1. Calculating options

Choose the setting you wish to calculate: shooting interval, clip length or event
duration.
2. Time lapse settings

Introduce the settings you wish to use to make the Time lapse. For example, if
you have decided to calculate the shooting interval, these settings are: clip
length, event duration, frames per second and image size (MB).
3. Results

Get the setting you wished to calculate, the number of photos you need to take
and the total memory usage.

C. Bottom options

1. Interval table

Recommended shooting intervals for typical events.


2. Share

Share your Time lapse calculations in Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. Save


your calculations as an image.

107

Never miss an unmissable scene again! Manage your Plans in a comfortable way and
get on the spot at the right time. Add photos and notes to better describe the photo.
Share your Plans with your colleagues. Enjoy!

a. Top button
b. Plans list

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Plans list

108

1. Plans

List of Plans you have created with the Planner (name, date and time). Drag the
Plan towards the left to see the "Delete" red button. Tap on it to delete the Plan.
2. Plan Sheet button

109

Plans - Plan Sheet


Tap on one of your Plans to consult the location of the photo, the sun/moon conditions
and the information you collected when doing the field work (photos and notes).
Map

1. Back button

Go back to Plans.
2. Edit button

Edit the name of the Plan. If you want to edit the location and date you must
send it to the Planner using the action button.
3. Name of the Plan
4. Date and time of the Plan
5. Observer's location

Tap on the pin to see the latitude and longitude of the observer's location.

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6. Sun and moon azimuth lines

Represent the direction of the sun and moon for the selected date, time and
Observer's location.
o

Sunrise

Sunset

Sun

Moonrise

Moonset

Moon

Shadow

Gallery

1. Back button

Go back to Plans.
2. Add photo button

Create a full gallery of descriptive images, record all the aspects you think may
be useful in the creative process.
3. Name of the Plan
4. Date and time of the Plan
5. Plan's photos

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Notes

1. Back button

Go back to Plans.
2. Name of the Plan

3.
4. Date and time of the Plan
5. Plan's notes

Directly type and edit your notes here!. Add notes and useful information:
detailed description of the photo you wish to take, equipment you need, how to
get there, owner information, what to do next, etc.
Action

112

1. Send to Planner button

Send the Plan to the Planner to edit it or for further study.


2. Share on Facebook
3. Share on Twitter
4. Share and export by e-mail (KML)

Export your Plans by mail using the format used by Google Earth (KML). This
way, if your colleague is a PhotoPiller, he will be able to import the Plan. Once
you have opened the e-mail, do a long press on the KML file until a window
shows up. Choose "Open in PhotoPills". The file will be stored in your plan list.
5. Save as an image
6. Delete
7. Cancel

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Create your own database of Points of Interest (POI) to be used in your photos. Add
photos and notes to describe them. Share your Locations with your colleagues.
Furthermore, travel and discover new places with our database of more than 10,500
Points of Interest all around the world. Enjoy!

a. Top buttons
b. Search bar
c. Map
d. My list

A. Top buttons

1. Home button
2. Add Point of Interest

B. Search bar

1. Search field

The fastest way to look for a location. Type the name of a location or the name
of a Point of Interest to start the search. Automatically, the resulting list of the
search will show up. Tap on the location you desire to see it on the map.

114

C. Map

1. Map

Browse the map to discover more than 10,500 Points of Interest all around the
world. Your own Points of Interest are displayed on the map too. Zoom out to
visualize how Points of Interest gather under the icon of a cube. Zoom in to
visualize the location of each Point of Interest and its category.
2. GPS map button

Quickly center the map at your current position.


3. Compass map button

Auto rotate the map according to compass orientation. It helps to orientate


yourself when doing the field work.
4. Expand map button

Work comfortably with a larger map screen.


5. POI Sheet Button

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D. My list

1. Points of Interest

List of the Points of Interest you have created. Tap on a Point of Interest to see
it on the map. Drag the POI towards the left to see the "Delete" red button. Tap
on it to delete the POI.

116

Points of Interest - Add POI


Add new Points of Interest to your list.

1. Back button

Go back to Points of Interest.


2. Done button

Save the Point of Interest and go to the Point of Interest's information sheet to
add photos and notes.
3. Point of Interest's name

Type the name of the Point of Interest.


4. Point of Interest's category

Choose among a large list of categories. If you don't find the one that suits your
point, use the "other" category.
5. Point of Interest's pin

Drag and drop it at the real location of the Point of Interest.

117

Points of Interest - POI Sheet


Tap on one of your Points of Interest to consult the information you have collected
when doing the field work (photos and notes). Tap on one of the PhotoPills' Points of
Interest to learn more about it; most of them have a link to Wikipedia.
Map

1. Back button

Go back to Points of Interest.


2. Edit button

Edit the Point of Interest's information: location, name and category.


3. Point of Interest's name
4. Point of Interest's category
5. Point of Interest's location

Tap on the pin to see POI's latitude and longitude.

118

Gallery

1. Back button

Go back to Points of Interest.


2. Add photo button

Create a full gallery of descriptive images, record all the aspects you think may
be useful in the creative process.
3. Point of Interest's name
4. Point of Interest's category
5. Point of Interest's photos

119

Notes

1. Back button

Go back to Points of Interest.


2. Point of Interest's name
3. Point of Interest's category
4. Point of Interest's notes

Directly type and edit your notes here! Add notes and useful information: how to
get there, owner information, the best moment to shoot, description of a
possible photo, etc.

120

Action

1. Send to Planner button

Send Point of Interest's location to the Planner for further analysis.


2. Share on Facebook
3. Share on Twitter
4. Share and export by e-mail (KML)

Export your Points of Interest by mail using the format used by Google Earth
(KML). This way, if your colleague is a Photopiller, he will be able to import the
Point of Interest. Once you have opened the e-mail, do a long press on the KML
file until a window shows up. Choose "Open in PhotoPills". The file will be
stored in your POI list.
5. Save as an image
6. Delete
7. Cancel

121

Personalize PhotoPills to your convenience.

a. Top button
b. Settings options

A. Top button

1. Home button

B. Settings options

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1. Units

Choose between metric and imperial units system.


2. Apertures

Set the apertures stops you wish to use in the calculations: full stops, halves
stops and third stops.
3. Camera

Set your default camera.


4. Map type

Choose among 6 different map types: Standard, Satellite, Hybrid,


OpenStreetMap, OpenCycleMap (classic) and OpenCycleMap (landscape).
5. Your current position

Activate to show your current position on the map. It's the best way to visualize
if you are right on the shooting spot of a saved plan.
6. Help us to improve

Would you like us to continuously improve PhotoPills?. You can easily help us
with no effort. Just activate this option to share data on how you use the app.
Data collection is anonymous. No personally identifiable information is included.
Stay tuned for updates! Thanks.
7. Device usage height

Enter the height at which you normally use the device in order to correctly
represent the augmented reality (AR).
TIPS

Using Offline Maps. If you think there will be no network coverage, to make a
map available offline you must proceed as follows: first, before you go into the
field, set one of the following map types: OpenStreetMap, OpenCycleMap
(classic) or OpenCycleMap (landscape). Second, in the Planner, view the
locations you want available offline by panning and zoom in and out to cover all
the views you need. Notice that PhotoPills stores offline map tiles in Cache
memory and, if there's problems of running out of space on your device, the
maps views will be deleted.

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