Life in LoFi: iPhoneography | iPhone Photo News, Showcases, App Reviews

Gray, overcast days can be great days for photography. The clouds diffuse the available light and can make your colors jump. In particular, I like to look for isolated, vivid colors. See what you get….

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Griffith Observatory
Los Angeles, California

Like variations on a theme in a piece of music, some variations on an image.

The original image, Shot with Camera, processed with PerfectPhoto

I think the original image stands well on its own — no filters needed. I adjusted the color and contrast just a little bit.

I liked the lines throughout the image and how they frame little windows within it. I like how the image captures just a hint of the Art Deco of the classic building. I love the playfulness of the two signs — a smaller version of competing “Do Not Enter” signs.

Just to see how it would look, I applied several filters. I experimented. Results I like I’m sharing here. Afraid that I’d be applying filters for filters’ sake, I am surprised at how much I like how each filter changes the mood of the original image.

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Entrance No Entrance (Holga Mix)

processed with CameraBag/Helga filter

Entrance No Entrance (Monochrome Mix)

processed with CameraKit

Entrance No Entrance (Push/Pull Mix)

processed with Camera Kit

I love my iPhone 2G and think it’s one of the most amazing pieces of consumer technology I’ve ever owned. Even with plenty of life left in my original iPhone, I’m now seriously considering dropping the cash for a new 3GS. Really, this is a device that rivals many that we’ve seen in Star Trek.

Apple is pretty tight-lipped about how the iPhone magic works. Recently, Macworld/iPhone Central did a little detective work. Read their results in this article, How the iPhone works (http://www.macworld.com/article/143221/2009/10/how_iphone_works.html).

It’s a great read. It solves some of the mysteries of how the iPhone works and left me blown away by how it achieves some of its magic.

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Chicago, IL
August 11-12, 2008

"Belmont"

Shot with Snapture

"Leaving"

Shot with Snapture

One of the lucky seats. The very back of the train. These are often taken. You’re facing backwards as you pull out of the station. It’s disorienting because you feel like physically your body wants to move the other direction, but visually you know you’re being pulled (or pushed) the right way. I love to photograph The L and this is one of my favorite images.

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iFlashReady

iFlashReady
Version 3.3

Bottom Line: Essential!

iFlashReady by Imaging Luminary is ready for prime time.

I like the simplicity of iFlashReady when compared to many other flash apps. Three “flash” settings. It’s as quick and easy as open, click, save. I’ve tested it on a range of images. When I need to use this app, the results are often good — better than nearly all of the flash effect apps. It helps dark areas of my images without blowing out the whites as some other apps do. It doesn’t always produce great results, but definitely often enough to justify the purchase.

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"Fixture"

Shot with Camera HD, processed with Photogene

"Otis"

Shot with Camera Genius, modified with PhotoForge (including some image cloning. Cool!)

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According to a recent TUAW — The Unofficial Apple Weblog post, Apple will finally allow developers to distribute, in essence, trial-to-paid versions of apps. As a user, you will be able to download an app for free and pay to upgrade features or to simply upgrade to the full version from within the app. These demo-to-paid versions of apps should start hitting the App Store soon.

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You don’t have to photograph everything.

It’s nice to, but sometimes it’s okay to simply enjoy the moment.

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October 2-5, 2009

Seattle has some great little bars. There are new bars made to look old and there are old bars that feel lived in — bars that feel like the family that hasn’t moved in 20 years and has this great eclectic collection of stuff – mementos of the people who’ve walked through the doors. There is some cool neon throughout the city from the new/old divey bars to the genuinely old dives. And if you let yourself, you can find some great images, friends and memories in these places.

There is some very nice neon in Seattle, and you find it in some surprising places.

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Neon

"No Minors"

"Rainier"

Shot with ProCamera, modified with Photogene

Free Photo Filters

Free Photo Filters
Version 1.2

Bottom line: Recommend!

Here’s one that’s been out for a few months — since July 2009, but may be to the point now where it’s getting overlooked.

Free Photo Filters by Old Dog Production is a free set of four filters for iPhone. The filters are a Lomography filter, a Poloroid-like filter, a Black & White filter and a Retro-style filter. The app is free and the filters are simple, easy to use, and nicely done.

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