# DIY Smartphone Photography The Alex Wild Droplet iPhone Lens Makes It Easy to Take Pro Pictures By Senduran Bhakthakumaran | Published 2012-04-09 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alex-wild-droplet-iphone-lens References: [notcot.org](http://www.notcot.org/post/47255/) & [blogs.scientificamerican](http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/compound-eye/2012/03/12/transform-your-iphone-into-a-microscope-just-add-water/) The Alex Wild droplet [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandmarc-telephoto-6x) lens is a DIY method towards creating [microscopic images](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/darwin-mx-pro) using a simple smartphone. This creation is completely free and can be done within the comfort of any location that has water. All one must do is simply take a droplet of water and have it cover the lens on an iPhone. The larger and rounder the droplet is the higher the images magnification will be and the droplet will slowly evaporate lessening its effect. The water will move easily with the users slightest touch so best results usually occur if the smartphone is held still. The idea is to get just a small droplet of water above the lens so as long as users are careful to ensure they do not soak their phone in water-- the resulting images should be stunning. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **DIY Smartphone Photography:** The trend of using smartphones and DIY methods to capture professional-quality photographs is growing, providing opportunities for disruptive innovation in photography accessories and apps. - **Microscopic Smartphone Photography:** The trend of using DIY methods to capture microscopic images with a smartphone opens up possibilities for disruptive innovations in microscopy accessories and software. - **Water Lens Photography:** The trend of using water droplets as lenses for smartphones creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in lens attachments and specialized photography apps. ### Where This Applies - **Photography Accessories:** The photography accessories industry can capitalize on the trend of DIY smartphone photography by innovating lens attachments that enhance smartphone camera capabilities. - **Mobile App Development:** The mobile app development industry can tap into the trend of DIY smartphone photography by creating innovative photography apps that offer specialized features and effects. - **Microscopy Equipment:** The microscopy equipment industry can find disruptive innovation opportunities in the trend of using smartphones for microscopic photography by developing accessories that enable easy smartphone integration with microscopes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Aquatic Smartphone Photography Domes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smartphone-mobile-mini-dome.md) - [Transformational Cell Phone Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cell-phone-tools.md) - [Pro-Grade Aftermarket Smartphone Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandmarc-telephoto-6x.md) - [Pro-Grade Smartphone Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/switchlens.md) - [Mobile Magnification Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/macroscope-2.md) - [Supplemental Smartphone Lens Microscopes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/imicro-q3.md) - [Elongated Smartphone Photography Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandmarc-probe-lens.md) - [Hyper-Zoom Smartphone Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandmarc-telephoto-tetraprism.md) - [Pro-Approved Smartphone Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moment-tseries-mobile-lenses.md)