Shoot, Edit and Share….. Repeat

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I have been anti-camera phone for quite some time.  Recently, I actually started posting my photos on social media sites that I took with my camera phone.  Since the introduction of the iPhone and Android devices, posting to social media sites has never been easier.  I have an Android device.  I still use the 1st generation Motorola Droid with a 5 mega pixel camera.  This camera phone works very well for what it does, and it does what it was designed to do – take spur of the moment shots.  As the ol’ saying goes, the best camera is the one that’s with you.  Click on any image to enlarge.

Since I have held out so long and not jumped on the camera phone band wagon, I feel a little left behind.  So, this blog is a short review on what I use for processing my Android pics.  First up is CameraZoom FX- this is the program that really got me shooting with my camera phone.  The photo to the right is the fist picture I took with this program.  Like any new program, I had to go through the menu and set it up the way I wanted to use it.  I always pick the best settings for the best quality image.  The native resolution for my camera phone is 2592×1936 and the CameraZoom FX program’s capture resolution is 1024×764.  I really didn’t like this, so I then imported (as this is an option on this program) and processed the image with the program.  My images stayed the native resolution of 2592×1936.  I learned that it’s best to use the camera and then import photos to the program for processing.  I really like using CameraZoom FX, as it gives me the option to make a collage from 2 to 8 images.  I like to window shop, so here to the left is a collage I made from a recent mall visit.  There are also many other options to pick from, like black & white, aged color, variations of vignettes, frames, mirror looks, tilt shift effects, overlays and the list goes on.

Retro Camera, the next program I use, simulates 6 types of old worldly cameras.  The capture resolution for this program is 1535×1536.  This program does not let you import to process already taken images, but it does let you save the original at full resolution in a separate folder.  The processed Retro Camera image is then saved into its own processed folder, which is nice being able to access either processed or not processed images quickly.  Since you can have an original image saved, you can then be creative and import that image into one of the other programs.  After looking into the resolution of my Android device, I wanted to know how the images  really looked blown up.  The native dpi is 300.  All the programs I talk about in this blog render the images at 72 dpi.  I took several images in Photoshop to see how they looked at the different dpi settings.  I wondered if the quality was really good enough to print them out.  I was shocked to find that some of my files at 100% came out to 17.986 inches in length.  I found that amazing.  I have not printed any of my images yet, but I am planning on it.  I will have an update when I get the prints made.  There is also a company called Blurb that prints a small book from the Instagram program, which I also want to try.  Here to the left is a 100% crop from the flower above.  You can see it starts to get pixelated, and the transitions from light to dark are not very smooth.  Also, there is an overlay that kind of simulates older magazine prints.  Remember to click on any image to see it enlarged.  Retro Camera’s only way to manipulate images is by selecting a different camera.  That keeps it simple and quick, which is nice when you are in the spur of the moment and want to post it to Facebook or Google+ quickly.  All of these programs I list in this review have sharing built in, which makes it very easy to share either by e-mail or social media.

The next processing application I use is Pixlr-O-Matic.  Pixlr-O-Matic has the most choices of any of the programs in my review.  You can spend a lot of time going through trying to find the right combination for the perfect creative effect to use.  I can see why Retro Camera keeps it simple.  This program also gives you the choice of importing images to process.  The native capture resolution for Pixlr-O-Matic is 1295×967, which is less than the native Android resolution, so this is the reason I import – to keep the best possible resolution.  The next two shots below were processed with Pixlr-O-Matic.

As you can see, you can do a lot with this program.  I do get lost looking for the right effect.  I have noticed that some of the effects you don’t really see until you view them large on a computer screen.  While picking the effects for the parking meter shot, I could not see the swirly flowers until I viewed it on my computer screen.  I guess that’s just a little extra surprise.

The last application is Instagram.  On April 3rd 2012, Instagram was available for Android.  I did the download the first day available.  I didn’t actually sign up for the account until a week later, but I had the application.  It was active and up-and-running just in time for a trip up to Alabama.  To the right is one of the first images I processed with this program.  Instagram does let you import images to process, which is what I did for this photo.  I like this program, and it’s simple to use.  There is not a massive amount of choices for effects, but what you do have to pick from work out very nicely.  Some Instagram users (the camera phone “purists”) do frown upon you if you do not use images taken with the camera phone.  I have to admit, I did check out some of my images shot with my DSLR, but I would like to stay pure to the program and only use camera phone images.  Not long ago I participated in an Instagram gallery showing.  A local studio advertised that if you use their hashtag, that you could be printed for the gallery show.  I thought this was a really cool idea to bring people together.  I tagged 9 of my images for the show.  When searching for my images at the show, I was only able to find 7 of them.  There were thousands of images on display.  Instagram is a really nice program for the social media scene.  I find myself checking out other people’s work and double tapping to “like” there creative visions.  I tend to like the more abstract and commercialized images.  Below are a few shots from the gallery show.  The red frames designate my images.

Here I am pointing to one of my shots.  The photo exhibit organizers were accepting donations if you wanted to take your image home, and the proceeds were used towards families who wanted family portraits, but could not afford them.  I did get one of mine.  I think it’s one of my favorite processed with Instagram.

I enjoy using all these applications.  If you are an Android user, I highly recommend all of these applications.  Each one has its own flare and renders images differently.  You can even mix and match the different applications.  I will leave you with some more images to check out.  I hope you have enjoyed this review.

Thanks again for checking out my blog!

Blue Skies,

Alcatraz

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This past television season had an interesting show on Fox which aired 3/26/12.  ALCATRAZ, “a thrilling new series that follows a unique trio investigating the mystifying reappearance of 302 of Alcatraz’s most notorious prisoners and guards, 50 years after they vanished.”

A few years back I got a chance to tour the infamous Alcatraz.  I was with a small group that had access to parts of Alcatraz that the general public doesn’t get to see.  Since I watched that first episode of Alcatraz on Fox, I have been wanting to share some of my photos that I took during my visit.  Click on any image to enlarge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am in to all sorts of history and Alcatraz has it all.  A very quick timeline of the rock.  Back in 1850 the island was declared a military reservation.  From 1850-1934 this island was used to defend the bay area with 15″ canons.  In 1854 the first working lighthouse on the Pacific Coast was built on Alcatraz or what the Spanish called “de los alcatraces.”  In 1863 the first cell blocks were built out of wood.  These cells would house Civil War prisoners.  In 1895 members of the Hopi Tribe are imprisoned for resisting the policy of forced education of their children and land allotment programs contrary to their beliefs.   In 1898 the prison is over crowded by Spanish-American war prisoners.  1900 the second prison  is built.  In 1907 Alcatraz become a military prison.  1912 the 3rd prison is built from prison labor.  This part of the prison still stands today and is part of what you see when you tour the facility.  In 1933 Alcatraz is handed over to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  For 29 years, 1934-1963, Alcatraz was a Federal Penitentiary.  During this time, Alcatraz housed some famous names.  One of those famous was Al Capone.

 

 

 

 

Right now with the whole “Occupy Movement,” Alcatraz was also occupied and used like Wall Street.  The white man has always taken and used force against the Native Americans.  On November 20th, 1969 the island was taken over and occupied for 19 months.  The government again wanted to take away from the Indians, they wanted to do away with their tribes and take more land away.  Just like occupiers today, “The success or failure of the occupation should not be judged by whether the demands of the occupiers were realized. The underlying goals of the Indians on Alcatraz were to awaken the American public to the reality of the plight of the first Americans and to assert the need for Indian self-determination. As a result of the occupation, either directly or indirectly, the official government policy of termination of Indian tribes was ended and a policy of Indian self-determination became the official US government policy.“  During the 19 months the Indians were protesting, President Nixon gave back Blue Lake, 48,000 acres, and occupied land in California to to the Taos Indians to start a University.  Also, Native Americans were hired by the federal agency Bureau of Indian Affairs in D.C.  Because of this movement, we still have recognition of Native American tribes.

I am fascinated with history.  I like being able to visit places and experience things I usually just see in books.

For the Star War fanatics, this photo above is one of the locations that was used in filming The Empire Strikes Back.  During the opening battle when Darth Vadar lands on the Hoth planet, the tunnel that was infiltrated with storm troopers as Vadar walks towards the strong force of young Skywalker is this tunnel.  I was excited when I found out about this info.

This last photo is titled “Escaped from Alcatraz.”  The pigeon looks like he’s trying to get off the island.  Alcatraz Island is now part of the national park system http://www.nps.gov/index.htm.  All information I used can be found on the website or many more sites on the web.  I hope you have enjoyed my photos and a small history lesson.  Thank you for checking out my blog.

 

Derby Days

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This weekend was the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby.  I’ll Have Another, the winner of the derby, is on the road to the triple crown.  This brought back memories of when I had a chance to photograph some race action up in Kentucky.  Here are some behind-the-scene shots with some action shots.  Click on any image to enlarge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for checking out my shots and have a wonderful day!

Living a Stoked Life

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On January 1st, I got to take my board out for a little stroll.  Bring in the new year right.  I had not been on my board but a couple of times since the Adrenalina marathon back in November.  While competing in Adrenalina, I pulled a calf muscle in my push leg, and it just took way too long for it to heal.  After my two-month lull in riding, I had a good day, made some shots, and even shared my board with a cool Snoopy (see photo at bottom, click any image to enlarge).

Now that my leg has healed up, it’s time to get stoked about riding.  Last weekend I attended an event called King of Clermont.  This was a two-day event that featured a gnarl, slide, biggest air, and downhill racing competition.  This was the perfect way to get excited about riding again.

Being that I am a noobie to the sport, I just sat back, observed, checked out the vendors, and took lots of shots.  I am amazed at what these guys can do on a longboard.  I’m doing good just going straight and keeping my balance. One of the vendors showing off their products was  Earth Longboards.  It’s a new company out of Charlotte that use bamboo to make the boards that was oh, so  nice!  I did get a chance to take one for a spin and really liked the feel under my feet.  *Just a note to Earth Longboards.  I’m a commercial photographer, so feel free to look me up.  I’ll work with you for your product shots.  Here was a blog I did on how I got into longboarding and used my photography with the sport ~ Push Culture.

This is one of the vendors that would clean your bearings and tighten up your loose nuts.

The event started off with the gnarl event, which I don’t even know what that is, but it was cool seeing these guys show off their skills.  As a spectator, you want to see the skaters pull off the coolest tricks.

On the other side of that, you also get the bonus of watching the crash-n-burns.

When you eat the asphalt, it’s a good thing when you can get up, brush yourself off, and walk away with a smile (while the crowd claps and cheers in the background).  This is a good time to say, wear your helmet and pads!!!!  Protective gear is your friend.

After all the gnarly stuff, it was time for the biggest air.  That’s when you launch off the ramp (kicker) and just see how far you go.

One of the guys that got the biggest air is Brian Bishop–he skates for Original Skateboards.   Brian is a kick-ass, cool guy that has been featured in Concrete Wave magazine and is posted all over the web.  If you get a chance, look him up on YouTube.

After the big air comp came time for the slide jam.  They called it kick-the-can.  Not only would you try to slide the furthest, but with control.  It was apparent that controlling a board while sliding was difficult.  The object of kick-the-can was to slide into a small cone.  Each time the cone was hit, it was moved about 5 more feet.  This was really cool to watch.  Since I am a noobie, I tried to really observe the skaters’ techniques.  Sliding is one of the things I’m working on.  For me, sliding is harder than it looks.    These guys make it look to easy.  The winner of Kick-the-Can was Jonas Richter.  Jonas was all the way here from Curitiba, Brazil.  That concluded day one of festivities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Day 2 ~ Race Day!

Speed and wipe outs!  The thrill for speed, the thirst for victory.  There were close to 200 participants in several different categories and age ranges.  It was great to see this stuff up close and personal.  Hay bales line the “danger zones” for those who did happen to wipe out.  Grass in the air was always a crowd-pleaser.  Since I am a photographer, I’m always trying to shoot in artistic ways.  One way that I shoot for action sports is that I drag the shutter on my camera.  This means that a slow shutter speed, while panning the camera with the action, would blur the background and keep the action in focus.  After capture, in some of the images, I would just use color as my main focus and drop the background to black and white.  I am primarily a portrait photographer, so I tend to focus more on people in an environment.

To get to the top of the hill, the race coordinators had a U-haul.  The skaters would pack into this truck like sardines and be hauled up to the top.  Let the adrenalin start pumping.  It was fun watching the riders’ techniques.  While coming around the “danger zone,” you would see them get loose.  Some would recover, and some would, yup, wipe out.

It was awesome to see so many people with still cameras and video cameras.  I am really digging the footage from the GoPro cameras.  I can see many uses for one.

Now for some wipe outs.  This one guy just got all tripped up, literally.  If you notice the guy with the blue broom sweeping the hay out of the road, the skater coming in at high speeds never knew what was hidden in the hay until it was too late.  The skater hit the broom and was all tripped up and slammed hard.  If you see between his arm and body, you can still see the blue broom still in place. Ouch.

Look at the face of the guy with the broom.  That is a oh, s***t what did I do look.

There were people from all over North America and a handful from South America.  This addictive sport is growing very fast.  I had an awesome time and everyone was nice and friendly.  Thanks for the stoke!

I now see how the longboarder is living a stoked life.

A cool Snoopy.