Grocery Bouquet

With the fall color gone and no flowers outside, I'm capturing flowers during my visits to the grocery.

This totally iOS photo was taken with an iPhone 4 and processed on the iPad 3.

Snapseed was used for selective adjustments and the center focus old lens. Spot color was added in ArtStudio, and iPhoto was used for spot lightening, saturation and sharpening.

Hangin' on the Porch

After visiting this front porch display, I decided to add some extra qualities to help extend this pumpkin's season.

This totally iOS photo was captured with an iPhone 4 and processed on an iPad 3.

Masking was used in Superimpose to add a black texture in the eyes and mouth, along with a color texture in the nose. The PicShop stickers feature was used to add the eyes and teeth clip art, and spot healing was accomplished with TouchRetouch.

Adjusting the color curves was completed in Laminar, and saturation was increased with iPhoto. Several areas of spot color and brush techniques were developed with ArtStudio.

Finally, a 50% drama effect was applied in Snapseed.

Mum's the Word

Here's a whimsical pumpkin flower pot playing host to fall color.

This totally iPad photo was processed in iPhoto with adjustments in contrast and saturation, along with spot saturation, darkening and softening. An artistic watercolor effect was also added in iPhoto.

Artstudio was used to add spot color and a blur effect.

Festive Fall Flower

Here's a festive fall flower that's been spending time on the back porch.

This is a totally iOS photo was taken on the iPhone 4 photo with processing on the iPad 3.

iPhoto was used to adjust contrast and brightness, along with adding spot saturation and an artistic vignette effect. A drama effect was added in Snapseed.

Breakfast Silhouette

I've never been happy with my results processing the original photo taken with the iPad 3 during breakfast onboard Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas cruise ship. So, here's one attempt I recently created while trying to better understand several iPad apps.

While totally processing the image on the new iPad, MonoPhix HD was selected to create two black and white photos with varying degrees of tonal effects. Blender was used to layer, adjust and flatten the images.

A photo of a rock wall inside the Temppeliaukio Kirkko (Rock Church) in Helsinki, Finland was imported to Laminar. Following histogram adjusts and the addition of an FX blur effect, the image was highly saturated. This is a method I frequently use to create images for my texture library.

Again, Blender was used to layer and adjust the flattened black and white and texture images.

Finally, I selected iPhoto to complete contrast, brightness and saturation adjustments.

Welcome, My Friends!

I captured this seasonal image from the front porch of a relative's house.

This totally iPad photo was created after repairing with TouchRetouch, adjusting the histogram and adding an FX miniature effect with Laminar, adding a Grunge drama 2 filter in Snapseed, and selecting white balance and saturation levels in iPhoto.

Dragor Postcard

"Dragor Postcard"

Here's a postcard image I created after visiting Dragor, Denmark. It was a beautiful day, and my new iPad really loved the light!

Both photos in this totally iPad image were processed with iPhoto for cropping and color  saturation. Then, the images were combined in Photo Wall. Finally, the text was added in Photo Wall and Impression.

London Bobbies on Horseback

London Bobbies on Horseback, London, England

This totally iPad photo was taken through a bus window with the London Eye visible on the far bank of the River Thames. TouchRetouch, Snapseed and iPhoto were used to process the photo.

Muted Tree

Here's another Laminar and iPhoto creation from my picture processing playground. I'm not sure why, but my goal was to create a image designed for a formal environment featuring muted greens, rusts and blues.

This totally iOS photo was taken on an iPhone 4 and processed on the new iPad. After opening Laminar, I tweaked the general histogram adjustments and selected the Photo FX 2-strip technicolor and vintage rust filters. Finally, iPhoto was used to adjust the final saturation and add an artistic warm gradient filter.

Riding Sunbeams

Photo Walk for Exercise, Rock Springs Park, O'Fallon, Illinois

Shooting this image late in my walk, I really didn't think much about it until I spent a couple of minutes playing with it in iPhoto.

This totally iOS photo was taken on an iPhone 4 and processed on the new iPad using TouchRetouch for spot healing and iPhoto to adjust contrast and saturation, while also adding an artistic warm gradient filter.

Whirlwind

These leaves were stuck to a porch screen during a recent storm.

I'm still trying to learn the Laminar app. For this photo taken on the iPhone 4 and processed on the new iPad, I selected Laminar's radial blur effect at 100%, followed by the splatter texture at 50%.

Then I slightly bumped the saturation in iPhoto.

Barely Holding On, #2

Photo Walk for Exercise, Rock Springs Park, O'Fallon, Illinois

This totally iOS photo was taken on an iPhone 4 and processed on the new iPad using Laminar's auto white balance and FX vintage archaic filter at 90%.

Not Now!

Photo Walk for Exercise, Rock Springs Park, O'Fallon, Illinois

This totally iOS photo was taken on an iPhone 4 and processed on the new iPad using Laminar's saturation adjustments and iPhoto's spot saturation brush and artistic dark gradient filter.

Barely Holding On

Photo Walk for Exercise, Rock Springs Park, O'Fallon, Illinois

This totally iOS photo was taken on an iPhone 4 and processed on the new iPad using Laminar's auto white balance and FX vintage archaic filter at 50%.

Fallen Leaves and a Stump

This is the first really windy day of the fall, and the weather has resulted in consistently falling leaves.

This totally iPad photo was processed in iPhoto with adjustments in contrast and saturation, along with spot saturation and sharpening.

Snapseed was used for center focus and ambience adjustment.

Second Nature

With the incorporation of any human advancement, including technology, comes a learning curve. I remember watching adults using two hands while attempting to control the mouse on early Macintosh computers.

Today, however, I'm observing that touch screen technology is apparently second nature, even for kids at a very early age.

When stopping to reflect, we have always used our finger to point out what we believe to be important as we exclaimed, "Look there!" or "They went that way!" And, how many times do we observe fast food customers pointing at items on the menu boards before deciding on the final selection?


This totally iOS photo was taken on an iPhone and processed on the new iPad.

Superimpose was used to layer two photos, mask out some of the unwanted images, and blend the layers. I used ArtStudio to erase additional elements and add black to the background. In Glaze I added a paint filter. Next, back to ArtStudio to smudge and texture spray parts of the image. Finally, I used iPhoto to lighten parts of the photo.

Centrum

Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas

Here's the 9-deck view through an observation panel in the floor of the Crown and Anchor Lounge on Deck 12 to the floor of the Centrum on Deck 4.

A totally iPad photo with cropping, color adjustment, and oil paint filter processing in iPhoto.

No Birds in Sight

Birds' absence noted in trees and at feeders. Do they know something we don't?

This iPad photo was processed with iPhoto for cropping, contrast, saturation and a diagonal ink filter. After saving to the camera roll, the new image was open in iPhoto for additional contrast adjustment and a splatter artistic filter.

Next, a drama filter and frame were added in Snapseed.

Finally, ArtistaOil HD was used to apply an oil paint texture.

Fall Colors?

Is it just me? Sure seems the trees are changing color sooner than usual. So, let's see: Does a hot, dry summer mean more or less vivid fall color? Never can remember these things.

This iPad photo was processed with iPhoto for contrast, saturation and softening the edges. A +3 radial blur filter was added in ArtStudio.

Carol's Bicycle

A friend uses this bicycle as a focal point in her flower garden.

This totally iOS photo was taken on an iPhone 4 and processed on the new iPad.

First, I applied the iPhoto splatter ink effect at full saturation. Then I saved the image to the camera roll. Finally, an iPhoto chalk ink effect was added to the saved photo.

Where do the "fast" carts cross?

Photo Walk for Exercise, Stonewolf Golf Club, Fairview Heights, Illinois

While on my Photo Walks for Exercise, I collect a pictorial record of the various signs I pass along the way. Here's another in my collection, titled "Where do the fast carts cross?"

This totally iOS photo was captured on an iPhone 4 and transferred to the iPad via the Photo Transfer app. I used iPhoto to add an oil paint filter and ArtStudio to add smudge and spray textures.

Street Reflections

"Street Reflections", Tallinn, Estonia

This totally iOS photo was captured on my new iPad during a visit this summer to Tallinn, Estonia.

I used iPhoto to adjust the contrast and color, along with adding an oil painting filter.

The image was then imported to ArtStudio to adjust a contrast issue by adding some color to the blown out area. Finally, TouchRetouch HD was used to remove a blemish.

Wandering

Photo Walk for Exercise, Fairview Heights, Illinois

"Hope I can find my way home!"

While on my Photo Walks for Exercise, I have begun collecting a pictorial record of the various signs I pass along the way. Here's my first entry.

This totally iOS photo was captured on an iPhone 4 and transferred to the iPad via the Photo Transfer app. I used iPhoto to soften the original background image and apply a black and white filter to the final composite.

ArtStudio was used to trim the signs from the respective photos. The signs were individually layered and merged with the background image in Superimpose.

ScratchCam HD added the final filter color effects.

UFOooo!

Photo Walk for Exercise, Moody Park on Longacre, Fairview Heights, Illinois

While walking through the park late one night, I was startled by an unexpected noise. While reaching for my trusty iPhone 4, I spun around just in time to witness, what I can only explain as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this rotating disc pictured in the photo. And, no, the disc is not one of those soon to be unidentified objects that folks my age call a CD.

(Disclaimer: Actually, it wasn't late at night. I'm usually in bed shortly after dark. And, some "slight" post-processing might have been involved.)

This totally iOS photo was captured on an iPhone 4 and transferred to the iPad via the Photo Transfer app. I used iPhoto to crop, adjust contrast, add spot lightening and darkening, and select a black and white filter.

Snapseed was used to add additional spot lightening and darkening, along with the tilt-shift and center focus filters. ArtStudio was selected to provide brush strokes and spot blurring effects.

I returned to iPhoto to further adjust the black and white filter, and finished with TouchRetouch HD to clone grass in the foreground.

This second photo is the original, unprocessed image.

Wrath

Photo Walk for Exercise, Swansea, Illinois

With our extremely hot and dry summer, the news is filled with stories highlighting the low yield expected with this year's crop. As I saw this corn field while walking, I reflected on the ramifications.

This totally iOS photo was captured on an iPhone 4 and transferred to the iPad via Photo Stream. Using iPhoto, I added a black and white filter and adjusted the contrast.

Majestic

Photo Walk for Exercise, Day 4

O'Fallon City Park, O'Fallon, Illinois

This majestic tree stands in the O'Fallon, IL city park. The angle I tried to capture placed the sun directly in the photo, so I decided to use it to my advantage. Being extremely uncertain regarding the amount and type of post-processing I prefer, I am experimenting with the various photo apps downloaded to my iPad. 

This totally iOS photo was captured on an iPhone 4 and transferred to the iPad via Photo Stream. Using iPhoto, I added a black and white filter, followed by making high and low contrast copies. The copies were layered and slighted adjusted in Blender, prior to adding a ScratchCam filter for the final color and texture.

Seesaw

Photo Walk for Exercise, Day 4

O'Fallon City Park, O'Fallon, Illinois

I'm assuming I can call this a seesaw, although this contraption, which I expected to snort and blow smoke, looks nothing like the wooden planks used during my youth.

This totally iOS photo was captured on an iPhone 4 and transferred to the iPad via Photo Stream. First, I added a filter with the Glaze app and then processed with iPhoto for contrast and color saturation.

1860

Photo Walk for Exercise, Day 3

Pleasant Ridge Park, Fairview Heights, IL.

The front door of the Kinsella family home, circa 1860, stands ever vigil in Pleasant Ridge Park. This totally iOS photo was captured on an iPhone 4 with the native camera app and processed in iPhoto on the iPad.

Aged

Photo Walk for Exercise, Day 3

Pleasant Ridge Park, Fairview Heights, IL.

After all the "hot" weather we've had this summer, a few brown leaves remain clinging to this otherwise barren tree. This totally iOS photo was captured on an iPhone 4 with the native camera app and processed in iPhoto on the iPad.

Far

Photo Walk for Exercise, Day 2

Rock Springs Park, O'Fallon, Illinois

This totally iOS photo was captured on an iPhone 4, transferred to the iPad with the Photo Transfer app and processed with iPhoto.

. . . Steady!

Photo Walk for Exercise, Day 2

Rock Springs Park, O'Fallon, Illinois

This totally iOS photo was taken with an iPhone 4, transferred to iPad with the Photo Transfer app and processed with iPhoto.

Using Mobile Camera as Excuse to Exercise

"Shade!"

If you enjoy taking photos on a daily basis, such as with Instagram, why not try to turn your quest for the perfect picture into a secret exercise program. Today, I decided to commit to such a program, and, hopefully, putting my plan in writing will help me stick to the routine.

Today's photo walk for exercise (Day 1) was at Longacre Park, Fairview Heights, Il.


For this photo I used the iPhone 4 and native camera app. The Photo Transfer app was used to copy the picture to my iPad for contrast processing with iPhoto.

Hopefully, Day 2 tomorrow!

 

Daisies at the Market

Here are two totally iPad photos taken in a Tallinn, Estonia flower market. Both were processed from the original by using iPhoto for color saturation.

This photo has the iPhoto oil paint filter applied.

 

 

A Glaze app paint filter has been applied to this photo.

 

 

My most frequently used iPad apps

I've fallen into the "app trap!" I'm trying to claw my way out by spending less time reading reviews and downloading the "perfect" app, but I keep sliding backwards at an alarming rate.

In reality, when morning's light provides clarity, I'm back using the 10-or-so apps that remain on my iPad's tray (thank goodness for folders). Oh, an occasional stray app might find it's way into the multitasking pane, but a quick home button double tap, hold and delete can chase it back to some buried folder.

Quickly, here's my "Most Frequently Used" downloads:

Used most often: iPhoto, Pages, Flipboard, Downcast, Google+, The Weather Channel, TuneIn Radio, TouchRetouch HD and Artista Oil HD.

Trusted, but not as utilized: Pro HDR, AutoStitch, Superimpose, Photo Transfer and SiriusXM.

Recent downloads eagerly waiting to make the list: Blogsy and Glaze.

Ok, here's your chance to fuel my desire to spend hours reading app reviews. "What are your favorite apps?"

 

Testing Blogsy and Posts on iPad

I've downloaded the Blogsy and Posts blogging apps on my iPad. I'm going to give both a spin for the next couple of weeks before deciding if either of these will make the final cut as my permanent blogging app. At the current time, I'm maintaining multiple blogs on Blogger, Tumblr and Jux.

Right off the bat, Posts only supports Wordpress and Blogger, so I will be a bit limited with my experience with Posts.

Jux on the iPad is limited to posting with Safari and limitations are obvious at this point.

Blogsy has allowed me to set up my accounts on Blogger, Tumblr, Flickr, Picasa and YouTube, along with access to the iPad photo folders.

This post was accomplished using Blogsy. First impression: pretty slick!

Well, I'll keep posting my experiences, so stay tuned!

First iPad photo using Glaze app

I just finished my first totally iPad photo using the Glaze app recommended by +Teri Lou Dantzler.

Glaze allows you to add painting filter effects to your photo. The app offers preset filters and a workshop mode where you can create and save your unique filter effects.

My thoughts on the latest Apple rumors

• I don't want a larger iPhone. The current size fits quite nicely in my pocket.
• I'm happy with the current Apple TV connection method. Please continue to allow me to connect to any TV I wish. I don't want an all-in-one TV.
• About the iPad mini. Hit a sweet spot in the consumer price market and go for it.
• Keep the product line reasonably uncluttered from fringe offerings, limit upgrade options to a minimum, and empower the user through great customer service. 

Someone once said, "Determine what you do better than anyone else and make it better. Don't get weighed down by trying to be everything to everyone."

Copenhagen Canal Photo Workflow

Here's the process used to create this totally iPad photo.

The original photo was shot out a bus window as we stopped along a Copenhagen street. The photo is marked to highlight the areas to be removed from the original. I used ArtStudio to circle the target areas.

To begin the post-processing, the original photo was opened in TouchRetouch HD to remove the man, wires and shadows, and TV antennas.

Then I used iPhoto to enhance the overall color and selectively saturate the water’s color to the right of the frame and the lamp’s globe to the left.


The final photo "Copenhagen from the Bus" was processed with ArtistaOil HD and may be seen on RonStephenson.com.