It seems that everything we see these days on the computer screen is taken with a mobile phone.
This was not the case in the 1950's. Many people in Australia were still connected to land lines and it was awkward ringing up Central and trying to arrange for a YouTube of kittens in under an hour. Plus if you were out in the street you needed to use the red phone box and frequently you didn't have the small change ready when they told you to drop it in. I used to call in to Midland Police Station and ask if anyone had a couple of coppers. Police are not as patient as you might think...
But that has all changed now - the mobile phone is used more and more to take the footage that engrosses us. Doing it well has become necessary as the viewing public has become more critical - if they want shaky, miserable results they can do it themselves - if you want their attention you have to do it better.. First part of better is steadier* and Joby have got a good small accessory to do this.
It's a simple grip for the phone that allows it to be attached to a tripod, Gorilla Pod, clamp set, or any piece of 1/4" threaded rod. The grip needs to put the phone on its side for video work all the time but sometimes still pictures are taken with a portrait orientation - the grip swivels 90º for this.
When not needed**, it folds down into a tiny package. A good idea.
* Second part of better is having a story to tell...
** Nearly all the shots you hope to make you famous do need this - particularly if you intend to run round in front of the camera phone and get your 15 minutes. Without it you cannot be both the genius film-maker and the star talent at the same time.
