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Pocket Filmmaker: lenses for pocket cameras

In this episode, we show you how to improve every shot you take with your smartphone camera with a range of affordable detachable-lens options.

Joseph Hanlon Special to CNET News
Joe capitalises on a life-long love of blinking lights and upbeat MIDI soundtracks covering the latest developments in smartphones and tablet computers. When not ruining his eyesight staring at small screens, Joe ruins his eyesight playing video games and watching movies.
Joseph Hanlon
Watch this: Pocket Filmmaker: Lenses for pocket cameras

Welcome to CNET Australia's new guide to pocket film-making. The Pocket Filmmaker will be showing you how to turn the smartphone in your pocket into a camera capable of shooting video projects that are worthy of sharing with family and friends, online and even with the judges of some of Australia's biggest short-film festivals.

Your host on this creative journey is Jason Van Genderen, winner of several short film-making awards, including at Tropfest NY, Tropfest Sydney, Aspen Shortsfest and even an IF Award. Jason's projects have been shot on the Nokia N95, Nokia N8 and Apple's iPhone. He recently took home first prize in the Telstra Mobile Masterpieces category of Tropfest Sydney for his film The 53rd Hour.

In this episode, Jason looks at detachable lens options that are suitable for all pocketable cameras, including stick-on wide, macro and fisheye lenses, and super-cheap polarising Jelly lenses. If you'd like to find examples of these lenses to add to your kit, your best bet would be to browse through the multitudes of options available on eBay.

This week's smartphone short film of the week is Dot, shot on a Nokia N8 by the team from Aardman Studios. Check it out below.