Retouching old family photos

I'm finding that a great way to expand my understanding of Aperture and the Nic Collection is to retouch old family photos. All the photos need adjustments ranging from slight to severe, and the trial and error method really enhances my ability to expand my utilization of the software. After viewing the results and sharing with family members, I'm really enthused to continue with the project.

Fireworks Fun

I didn’t have a tripod during the recent fireworks display, so I decided to experiment with out of focus shots. This is a blend of images captured with a Sony a6000 and post-processed with an iPad and a Mac.

Nik Software Collection: Just learning the basics

Fort Morgan, Alabama

Here's an image from 2011 I took using my Pentax K100D Super DSLR. I have always liked this photo for the texture and depth displayed throughout the image. 

I recently started learning the Nik Collection of plugins for my Apple Aperture and Adobe Photoshop Elements software. This is the first image I have posted using Aperture, followed by Nik's Dfine 2 and Viveza 2.

iPad Camera Roll: Backing up, transferring and restoring images, albums

It had become very time consuming to locate a specific image among over 5000 photos and videos on my iPad, especially images not assigned to a particular album. Which in many cases were not!

Since the iPad is my post-processing tool of choice, I usually save several image versions to the camera roll as I experiment with various apps and functions. Therefore, I had a lot of “junk” images on the iPad, and the lack of organization was leaving me in a more confused state than normal!

So, I recently dedicated a couple of days to researching and developing a workflow to backup all the images (photos and videos), leaving only a few in the iPad camera roll. I also wanted to preserve the Photos app folders organization I had created when backing up to a hard drive.

Here’s an overview of the process I used.

To copy iPad Camera Roll to computer, I:

1. Copy iPad camera roll images to a folder on my MacBook Pro with the Image Capture software provided on the computer. By periodically backing up, not all 5000 images need to be downloaded this time.
2. Copy the images to two external hard drives (additional backups) attached to the MacBook Pro.
3. Determine the images had copied successfully to all hard drives.

After copying all images in the Camera Roll, I want to preserve the iPad Photos app albums, along with images contained in each album, as a catalog to better locate filed images on the hard drive.

PhotoSync, an app I use to quickly transfer photos and videos to and from my iPad and computer, recognizes the albums created in the iPad Photos app.

I spend some time checking to determine that the album images were transferred at full resolution rather than as thumbnails. From my checks with info sizes on the hard drive, the images appear to be the same resolution as those transferred from the iPad camera roll.

To copy iPad Photos Albums to computer, I:

1. Develop a PhotoSync path routine to transfer the albums, along with the images, one album at a time from the iPad to a folder on a hard drive.
2. Copy all the albums to a second hard drive.
3. All the images, both camera roll and albums, are now at least two hard drives.

Once all the images have been transferred and backed up to hard drives, I am faced with how to clean up my iPad camera roll. I can’t find a good method of batch deleting images from the camera roll since I have selected not to delete the images from the iPad at the time I use the Image Capture software.

An internet tip suggests using the Moments entry in the Photos section of the iPad Photos app. I don’t use this section very often, but it does allow selecting timeframes or individual images (including Photo Stream images) to be sent to the trash. (Note: Deleting an image in the timeline permanently deletes it from the Photo Stream on all devices.)

By tapping the “Select” option in the upper righthand corner of the Moments panel and then the Dateline entry “Select” option to the right of the timeframe date, all the images contained in a single timeframe can be selected and sent to the trash. Or, individual images in a timeframe can be selected for deletion.

• NOTE: If all images I want to leave on the iPad are in albums, I could speed the process by deleting all timelines from the Moments panel and using PhotoSync to transfer the desired albums back to the iPad Camera Roll. Since I know all the images in the Camera Roll are not assigned to an album, I individually select some images to remain in the Camera Roll.

It’s time to copy three albums (about 200 images) I want to reload on the iPad. The images transferred via PhotoSync are assigned to the Camera Roll, not individual albums. While empty individual albums remain on the iPad, the images are not automatically reassigned to the original album. And, if an image is originally contained in more than one album, it appears the image will be duplicated in the Camera Roll when transferred back to the iPad.

To copy images from hard drive to iPad, I:

1. Delete all the blank albums remaining on the iPad and start the album creation process from scratch.
2. Transfer an album to the iPad, make a note of the images in that album, create a new iPad album, and batch assign the images to the album.
3. Follow this workflow for each album containing images to be moved back to the iPad.
4. Delete duplicates in the Camera Roll.

Hopefully, I have not overlooked some fatal error that has prevented me from transferring at full resolution all the images as intended.

Please, leave a comment to suggest improvements or alternatives to the process I have described. (Ya, I know! Better organization is a good place to start.)

Two Flower Crocks: an iPad workflow

Here's an example of a common, everyday image that I like to capture and post-edit. I had been outside photographing the fall color, and as I started to enter the house these crocks caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I snapped a couple of photos and didn't think much about them until later.

My wife liked my workflow so much that the final image is now framed and displayed in a prominent spot on our mantel.

All post-processing was completed on an iPad 3 after importing the original iPhone 5s photo. iPad apps used in the workflow include Snapseed, ArtistaOil HD and Superimpose.

Photo-by-photo workflow

Original iPhone 5s photo unedited

Glaze: add texture

Snapseed: tuning image and adding selective adjustments

ArtistaOil HD: add paint effects. Note the difference in the tray's texture and the overall color saturation.

Superimpose was used to layer Snapseed and ArtistaOil HD versions. Then a mask was created to expose the two crocks from the Snapseed seed version on the ArtistaOil HD version. I wanted the color saturation from the Snapseed photo and the tray's texture from the ArtistaOil HD version.

Casual Tech User 11: Mobile Photography | Lessons Learned Using iPad and iPhone Cameras (Part 2) | 3 Minutes to Better Photography

3 Minutes to Better Photography: 

Vacationing with an iPad as your only camera. I primarily used my iPad during a two-week vacation last summer. Here are a few mobile photography lessons I have learned. (3 minute audio) 

View show notes at Casual Tech User.com.

Lazy Saturday Afternoon

Here's are two more pictures from a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Taken on Pentax DSLR with tripod and remote shutter, transferred to iPad with camera connection kit, edited with iPhoto. #iphoto #hummingbird #pentax #ipad

Learn to transfer photos, videos to iPad with Camera Connection Kit and SD card. Watch YouTube Video  or Snapguide Tutoria

Lazy Saturday afternoon. Just hanging out, eating and swinging

Taken on Pentax with tripod and remote shutter, transferred to iPad with Camera Connection Kit and edited with iPhoto.



Learn to transfer photos, videos to iPad with Camera Connection Kit and SD card. Watch YouTube Video  or Snapguide Tutorial

How to Use iPad to Set Up Google Chromecast Dongle on TV

Check out How to Use iPad to Set Up Google Chromecast Dongle on TV by Ron Stephenson on Snapguide.

How to Use Mac to Set Up Google Chromecast Dongle on TV

Check out How to Use Mac to Set Up Google Chromecast Dongle on TV by Ron Stephenson on Snapguide.

Casual Tech User 9: Create Smarter TV | Apple TV, Roku, Google Chromecast

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Adding smart TV features such as Netflx and YouTube to your existing television can be as simple as 1, 2 or 3.

• Apple TV
• Google Chromecast
• Roku

In this episode, Ron discusses his impressions of the positive (+) and negative (-) aspects of each of these units.

• Apple TV ($99 range)
• + Best for Apple-only users, including AirPlay Apple devices to TV
• + Only unit offering iTunes
• - Requires HDMI input on TV
• - Less than 20 apps currently on the interface

• Google Chromecast ($35)
• - Currently very limited features: Netflix and YouTube, plus other features limited to specific operating systems.
• + $35 price
• + Seems faster than other units to play content
• - Requires HDMI input on TV

• Roku ($50 to $99)
• + Considered best by some experts for non-Apple users
• + Offers 750+ channels (apps)
• + Non-HDMI units available in the $50 to $99 range
• - No iTunes or YouTube channels currently available

In addition to the units listed above, several external devices presently have the capability of adding smart TV features to your existing television. These include:

• Video game consoles
• Blu-Ray disc players
• Some commercial DVRs

While many consumers report owning a smart TV, reportedly less than one-half have been connected to the internet. And, many of the external devices offering internet operations have interfaces that are considered too cumbersome for many casual users to comfortably operate.

View Episode 9 Show Notes

How to Subscribe, Listen to Podcasts on a Mobile Device

Check out How to Subscribe, Listen to Podcasts on a Mobile Device by Ron Stephenson on Snapguide.

Casual Tech User 8: Podcasts | Find, Subscribe and Listen

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Here’s a simple, painless, productive way to use leisure time to enhance your hobbies, activities or interests by joining the millions of podcast listeners who are enriching their professional, as well as personal, endeavors. If you aren’t an active podcast subscriber, this episode:

• Provides a simplified podcast definition,
• Discusses its benefits,
• Explains using iTunes to find interesting topics, and
• Offers a few podcast apps to get you started.

View the show notes: Casual Tech User, Episode 8

How to Start Finding, Subscribing, Listening to Podcasts

Check out How to Start Finding, Subscribing, Listening to Podcasts by Ron Stephenson on Snapguide.

Casual Tech User 7: Soft-serve ice cream, feature phones, smartphones, smart TVs | Vanilla evolves into multitude of features and toppings

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Cell phones, televisions and soft-serve ice cream are paralleled during this discussion highlighting the differences between a feature phone and smartphone, along with the evolution of the smart TV. Today, ice cream, phones and TVs come in many varieties, but that wasn’t always the case considering that it hasn’t been that long ago that “vanilla” was the flavor of necessity for all three.

View the show notes: Casual Tech User, Episode 7

Casual Tech User 6: (Part 5) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; 10 Criteria to Compare LCD, LED, Plasma TVs

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This episode of the Casual Tech User discusses the differences between LCD and LED technologies and offers a list of 10 criteria you might want to consider before deciding on the perfect plasma, LCD or LED flat-screen for your situation and viewing habits.

Alphabet Soup: LCD vs. LED

This episode begins with a brief explanation of the similarities and differences between the LCD and LED TVs in today’s marketplace. Basically, both are the same type of panel but with different types of light source. LCD uses a form of fluorescent lighting commonly known as CCFL, while LED uses light emitting diodes or LEDs.

Almost all of today’s TVs using this technology are LED rather CCFL LCD, and some companies have stopped making CCFL LCDs all together.

LED Lighting Systems

Edge-lit LEDs have the bulbs placed around the edges of the TV, while backlit LEDs use an array of bulbs place behind the panel. Edge-lit LCD TVs are the most popular, least expensive models. Very few backlit LED TVs are on the market today mainly due to cost and thickness requirements. 

Check the following links to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of LCD and LED TVs.

CNET.com: LED LCD backlights explained

Digital Trends.com: TV Buying Guide: How to Buy a TV

10 Criteria

This Casual Tech User series began in Episode 2 with a discussion about developing criteria to help avoid mistakes when purchasing a new TV. This episode continues the theme with a list of 10 criteria you might want to consider when deciding between LCD, LED or Plasma flat panels.

The criteria include:

Price: LCD typically cheaper then LED or Plasma for same size

Size: LCD and LED available in greater size range with plasma typically found in the 42” to 65” range.

Weight: LCD and LED typically weigh less than Plasma.

Thickness: LCD typically the thickest with LED thinner than plasma.

Ambient light: LCD and LED better in a bright room. Plasma is usually considered better when ambient light can be controlled.

Viewing angle: Plasma has widest viewing angle off optical center. LED is getting better,  and LCD is considered to have the smallest viewing angle off center.

Energy savings: LED and LCD require less energy than plasma.

Fast action, sports, etc.: Plasma has the best, most natural refresh rate of fluid motion, while some viewers report seeing motion blur on LED and LCD. You might want to spend some time talking to a TV specialist to learn more about LCD/LED panels and their 60 hz, 120 hz and 240 hz refresh rates.

Image retention: Burned-in image residue is not considered a permanent problem for modern plasma TVs when turned on under normal viewing habits.

Picture Quality: Plasma is considered to have the best overall picture, especially with black levels viewed during darker scenes. LED is considered to have superior black levels over LCD.

BestBuy.com reports:

“Plasma TV technology is still as viable as ever and generally provides a better picture in darkened rooms, a faster refresh rate, a wider viewing angle and other qualities that LED and LCD TVs generally can't match.”

Digital Trends. com states:

“Overall, plasma TVs produce greater picture depth, more realistically textured images, and richer colors. ”

Transporting the New TV Home

After purchasing my plasma TV, I was approached by a TV rep who said it was best to keep the panel upright during the trip home. I also found research on the internet suggesting that to avoid damage you should transport plasma and larger LCD and LED panels in the upright position.

Previous episodes in the “Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV” series include:

• CTU Episode 2 (Part 1): Planning Can Help Avoid Unexpected Costs
• CTU Episode 3 (Part 2): Simple TV vs. Home Theater Setup
• CTU Episode 4 (Part 3): Cheap Solution to Improve Sound Quality
• CTU Episode 5 (Part 4): Soundbars, Theater-in-a-Box or Home Theater Surround Sound Experience

Episode Links:

CNET.com: LED LCD backlights explained

Digital Trends.com: TV Buying Guide: How to Buy a TV

Home Theater.About.com: Before You Buy Understand the Basics

Best Buy.com: Plasma TV Myths

CNET.com: What is Refresh Rate

TV.About.com: If You’re Buying a New TV Read This First

The Tech Guy (Episode 973): Scott Wilkinson Discusses LED, LCD and Plasma TVs

(Click under Guest Appearances, Scott Wilkinson in righthand column)

Flipboard:

I use the Casual Tech User Flipboard magazine I created to collect and share articles of interest for the casual tech consumer. You can read these specially selected articles by accessing the Flipboard app on your iOS or Android devices.

My Links:

In addition to Casual Tech User.com, you can find me and/or subscribe to:

Casual Tech User Show Notes and Links

Casual Tech User on iTunes Podcasts app

Casual Tech User on Stitcher Radio on Demand

ronstephenson.com

YouTube.com/hyperbutton

Snapguide.com/ron-stephenson

Twitter: HyperbuttonBlog

Facebook: hyperbutton

Google+ search: Ron Stephenson

Thanks for listening.

Casual Tech User 5: (Part 4) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; Soundbars, Theater-in-a-Box, or Home Theater Surround Sound Experience

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Casual Tech User 5: (Part 4) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; Soundbars, Theater-in-a-Box, or Home Theater Surround Sound Experience

Many of today’s flat screen TVs don’t offer the type of sound quality you will be expecting from that new purchase. After bringing home that new TV, you may realize your system’s quality is only as good as the weakest link. And, for many of today’s TVs the weakest link will be the sound quality.

In this episode Ron continues his discussion on purchasing that new TV with a review of three methods to improve the sound quality.

Topics include:

• Soundbars
• Theater-in-a-Box
• Home Theater Surround Sound Experience

Previous episodes in the “Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV” series include:

• CTU Episode 2 (Part 1): Planning Can Help Avoid Unexpected Costs
• CTU Episode 3 (Part 2): Simple TV vs. Home Theater Setup
• CTU Episode 4 (Part 3): Cheap Solution to Improve Sound Quality

View the show notes at Casual Tech User, Episode 5

Casual Tech User 4: (Part 3) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; Cheap Solution to Improve Sound Quality

Bringing home that new TV can be an exciting experience, but the setup will only be as good as the weakest link. While the video quality may be excellent, the sound quality may not be sufficient to meet your expectations.

In this episode Ron discusses one way he solved a sound quality and clarity deficiencies he and his wife were experiencing by adding a pair of simple, cheap external speakers to a plasma TV.

Topics include:

• Internal speakers on today’s TVs
• Check to determine the type of audio out on the TV
• 
  
  • Headphone jack
  • R and L channel RCA jacks
  • Digital audio
  • Optical audio
• How to add a pair of computer speakers to a TV
• Sound check of the internal and external speakers

View the show notes at Casual Tech User, Episode 4

Casual Tech User 3: (Part 2) Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV; Simple TV vs. Home Theater Setup

This is the second episode in a series discussing many of the unexpected problems that might develop throughout the process of purchasing a new TV. Taking the time to understand your needs vs. wants and developing criteria any purchase must meet will help to save frustration and unexpected, budget-busting surprises.

Topics in this episode include:

• Simple TV setup vs. home theater environment
• Terrestrial antennae for local channels
• Basic cable/satellite service
• Additional cable/satellite costs;
• HD channel package
• DVR equipment
• Premium movie package
• Internet service
• Wired connection
• Wi-Fi equipment
• Additional equipment
• Blu-ray DVD
• Cable/Satellite box
• Gaming console
• Apple TV or Roku

View the show notes at Casual Tech User, Episode 3

Casual Tech User 2: Avoid Mistakes, Plan Before You Buy New TV

This is the first episode in a Casual Tech User podcast series discussing many of the unexpected problems that might develop throughout the process of purchasing a new TV.

In this episode of the Casual Tech User, I begin to discuss how planning can help you avoid unexpected costs.

Taking the time to understand your needs vs. wants and developing criteria any purchase must meet will help to save frustration and unexpected, budget-busting surprises. 

Cost factors included in this episode include:

• Delivery and setup charges
• Installation, electrical and cabling charges
• Furniture issues and added expenses
• Ambient light problems
• Recycling the old TV

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Flipboard

The Flipboard app on my iPad and iPhone is one of my favorites I access almost everyday, if not several times during the day. A new feature is Flipboard magazine. The new magazine feature allows the user to create a content-sharing format which can be private or shared publicly with other readers.

I’m using the Casual Tech User Flipboard magazine I created to collect and share articles of interest for the casual tech consumer.  Flipboard.com offers insight into the various features.

Show Notes:

View the show notes links at Casual Tech User Episode 2.