Yesterday Profoto announced AirX. I’m still not 100% sure what it is as the press release and launch videos talk about using your phone to take pictures but don’t explain if the technology is in the flash or in the app on the phone.
A week or so ago I got a survey from Profoto asking me how much I used my phone for shooting. I can’t say that I use my phone very much at all in combination with my lighting kit. It might just be me, but if I’m going to be taking a load of lighting gear then I’m damn sure going to pack a camera and not just rely on my phone.
The thing that worries me about Profoto’s path down the mobile route is that there are so many other options better suited for the phone. Take for example their C1 range. Why get a C1 Plus when you can do so much more with an Aputure MC RGBWW LED Light?
As the Profoto app for iPhone and the firmware update are free, it isn’t any great loss for the photographer who decides to use it.
I haven’t downloaded the app, so can’t tell you if it gives you the freedom to do any post production work. I know some photographers love editing their images. Spending time in the “darkroom” is what they enjoy. Will this be any good for this type of workflow? I can’t say.
Is the future mobile? Maybe. Is it for me right now? No.
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