Pixelmator play - new video

Two important features in my toolkit are layers and selections. New video created on

• iOS Pixelmator: Layers, Color Selection and Erase a quick demo using iPhone to isolate subject from busy background. 
• Coming soon. 

Confirm Camera App Settings

A camera is a camera, whether it is a point-and-shoot, a DSLR, mirrorless or smartphone. After exploring your camera for new features ... or in new situations then it is time to review all your settings and return to your preferred workflow. Now you are ready for a quick shot without confusion. [Reminder to self!]

Make your own version of this Camera Apps Settings list:
Apple Camera [HEIF]
Camera+ 2 [Macro Preset | TIFF ] [Other Preset | RAW + TIFF separate images
SlowShutter [TIFF]
ProCamera [TIFF]
Obscura [RAW-DNG]
Moment [RAW-DNG]
Halide [RAW-DNG]
Hydra [HiRes 32MP | TIFF]
645 PRO [TIFF-DNG]

You will notice that most of the cameras are taking TIFF and RAW-DNG images. Two things to keep in mind before you follow my workflow: 1) these are large files and I do not expect to keep them on my iPhone indefinitely; 2) DNG photographs need to be processed to look their best and then a saved copy can remain on the iPhone. If storage space on your device is low, change your camera settings to save in HEIF or high quality JPEG.

This afternoon I'll be taking a set of photos with each app and then looking at the metadata with Metapho to see how the camera app is referenced. This will establish a baseline, and each time an app gets an update or when iOS is updated this test could be repeated.

iOS & Computer - Part 1

This semester we are taking file management in small chunks. We will see challenges presented by peers and how to adapt our workflow for improved efficiency or image quality.

File management is a spectrum of activities and approaches. We are all somewhere on that spectrum based on past experience and where/how we share our photo art. If you just want to share online, then you won't continue on the spectrum to home-based printing. If you will never use a print service bureau, then you won't continue on exploring archival papers and imaging processes.

Along with cloud file storage and ubiquitous USB thumb drives came the demise of CD/DVD optical storage. Charlene reminds me to "future-proof my photographs" and other important documents by moving to the latest storage media - in triplicate!

My computer experience is Macintosh-based since 2012 when I retired from supporting Windows and Macintosh and online learning systems. If you have Windows resources to share, give me URLs and a brief description and I will add them to this website. 

All of file management begins with saving, previewing and moving files. Naming files used to be important but our iPhones have their own scheme of naming files - we just have to get out of the way. 

This is a beginning outline. Help me improve it. 

Moving camera photos to iOS 

• SD Card adapter
• WiFi on camera 

Moving Files to/from your computer 

• iCloud - sync
• Files app 
• Dropbox account 
• PhotoSync app 
• AirDrop 
• Lightning/USB-C cable 

Prepare your computer / external hard drive 

• Clean off Desktop, use Stacks to collect related files
• Add folders for new edited photos
• [Subject, Location, Effects, etc? Something meaningful to you!] 
• Add folders for original photos 
• Select folder and drag to add to Finder Sidebar 
• Use caution when renaming image files 
• Backup your computer and external hard drives 

Preview & Review your photos

• Add Comments 
• Add Keywords
• Add Tags
• Delete 
• Mac Finder Views [icon, list, columns and gallery] 
• Sort list by name, kind, size, dates, tags 
• Quick Look - select file then Spacebar and Arrow keys 
• Select file then File > Get Info (Cmd + I) 
• Gallery view with metadata details in right pane [Rotate, Markup & More...] Use View > Show Preview Options to customize details
• Spotlight Search of contents and Internet
• Finder Search, add multiple criteria 

Resources for learning more and confirming your workflow 

As of 2/17/2020 my Mac computers are still running the Mojave, MacOS 10.14.6 with current security updates. To get Help with your current operating system use the Finder > Help > Mac OS Help or the Help > Search feature. Review the Optimize Storage > Manage > Reduce Clutter > Review Files option. New to me as I review this Help feature and the little details too insignificant to mention in a WWDC rollout presentation. Similar optimization features are available on iOS.

Apple Books also has free MacOS related User Guides for laptops and desktop computers. The MacBook Air with Retina Display Essentials or MacBook Pro Essentials. If you are using a desktop then the iMac Essentials guide is for you. Here is the link to see all the Apple Computer Guides in Books. The trick here is the books reference the newest MacOS, Catalina. 

Notes to add:
Safari Reading View, Save as PDF, Merge PDFs & Save to Books

To be continued, after my bike ride.

Tell a story

Chinese New Year - Daughter is a film by director Theodore Melfi (Hidden Figures) and cinematographer Lawrence Sher (Joker) shot on iPhone 11 Pro using a BeastGrip Pro. Grab a tissue and watch the eight minute film. Then read more about the making of the film in the Made on iPhone genre.

Day 2 Field Trip

We will use the Apple Camera, Camera+ 2 and ProCamera (with in-app purchases of VividHDR and Low Light+) for activities. The Macro Mode of Camera+2 and manual focus with burst mode will be effective. ProCamera will show details in the shadows while keeping details in the highlights on a bright sunny day. Of course I'll look for opportunities to use Slow Shutter Cam for motion blur (very effective for scenes with water).

Using different camera apps lets us also experience different file formats. Maybe HEIF for Apple Camera and Camera+2 and TIFF for ProCamera and Slow Shutter Cam. Are you interested in post processing? Camera+2 can shoot RAW (just not macro at the same time) and it has a RAW processing editor.

Videos Uploaded

There are now two videos with narration and two silent video demonstrations. Here are the links:

Apps Organization - iPhone XI 2020 Revision

App Stacking - Local Pond Project 

Snapseed Perspective Correction (silent movie)

Cheatsheet Page - View in Reader & Print 2-up (silent movie)

How To - Slow Shutter Cam

Big file - not ready for prime time yet. Still under construction

This is my second attempt to share the story of using Slow Shutter Cam for long exposures of water. The best experience is through a series of shots with screenshots and added text. The first effort was to share 15 images as an iCloud link. But the order of pictures does not tell the chronological story.

Try number two is as a Keynote presentation in iCloud where you can view, see the transitions and experience the West Fork of the Carson River as if we are on a photo walk. Give it a try. Don’t fall in, this is snow melt water after all. Viewing this presentation is not as simple as it could be. There are two option in the top right corner, Open and Download. I need to preview this scenario on a device that is not logged into my iCloud to write accurate instructions. So much work. Not for novices.

Note: on a DSL connection, it will take awhile to load.