We’ve come to a point in our relationship with photography where it might be time to reconsider how we approach the entire creative process.

We’ve been told for a very long time that a camera should be an extension of our bodies and by all means, this is something that should become second nature. It’s a no-brainer that if you want to get good at something, you have to do it a lot, and that means using the tools of your trade as often as possible.

But we are at the dawn of an age where technology has become so powerful, and the devices we use for personal or professional purposes have become interconnected to a point where, like skillful musicians, we must learn to play several instruments to create beautiful music.

On an average day, we carry in our bags and pockets more than is necessary to send someone to the moon.

Our gadgets will soon be as connected as we are (IoT is already here) and this is where photography tends to fall behind. The cameras we use have become incredible in many ways, and we can now shoot in tougher conditions than ever.

Yet, the way we use them has remained the same for too long, and it is time to reconsider. 

Taking a step back from your camera and rethinking the entire creative process can work wonders, and this is true for stills, video, and time-lapse photography.

Obviously, some shots cannot be taken handheld, yet even though we mount our cameras on expensive tripods, dolly systems, and stabilizers, we’re still used to a very hands-on approach. It’s time to admit that this approach can interrupt the flow of creative ideas and can also take up valuable time. 

The way we use our cameras remotely has become obsolete. Yes, most camera manufacturers offer wireless triggers, but most of the time they have very basic functions that still leave us having to walk back and forth, constantly tending to the camera.

It’s also true that most of the cameras that have come out in recent years have Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, but the main purpose of these features is to facilitate file transfer. 

We’ve involved our phones in our photography for so many years now, yet there’s a giant elephant in the room that camera manufacturers have so far neglected: the relationship between our phones and our cameras.

This gap has finally been bridged. Enter the Pulse remote from Alpine Labs.

See full specs and photos here. 

If you’ve ever used a “standard” remote control to operate your camera, you’ve most likely encountered several limitations. Pulse was designed to give you total creative control over your camera - actually, up to 3 cameras - from a remote position by simply using your smartphone. 

Pulse is only 60mm long and 40mm wide, and it only weighs 1.5oz. It’s powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery (no more shopping for exotic batteries), it connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and it is perfectly adapted to work with iOS and Android systems.

But it is so much more than a remote shutter release - it lets you change settings for everything in the exposure triangle: ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. It also enables you to see the photos or footage directly on your smartphone with an optional histogram review.

See full specs and photos here. 

From a creative aspect, Pulse will let you use your camera in ways that will make you see things differently. The Advanced Time Lapse and Exposure Ramping will help you create professional-level time-lapses easier than any other system.

And unlike other time-lapse tools and applications that require your phone to stay connected to the camera, by using Pulse, all you have to do is specify the settings, and you’re free to go.

The 100-foot Bluetooth range of the Pulse gives you enormous flexibility for epic selfies and times when you want to become the star of your own video production.

No longer should we keep two very powerful items – our camera and our phone – separate. Alpine Labs has perfectly brought them together with the Pulse camera remote.

Learn more about the Pulse here.