Apple Intelligence has arrived

Yes, AI is everywhere and always on. I have successfully updated all my devices, iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 and just this week, MacOS 15.1 Sequoia. All photo and editing apps seem to be working. A few of my other productivity apps are showing signs of not keeping-up-with-the-times and I am looking for replacements. 

In December and then in early 2025 we can expect updates to operating systems that will introduce additional AI tools. 

Go to the source at Apple Intelligence. 

Spring 2025

A new proposed class for Spring 2025 to run 6 meetings on Zoom or photo walks, Thursdays 10 am to noon beginning February 6th and ending on March 13th. Our class will be closed to new participants - previous Studio participants will be moved from Waitlist to Enrolled once registration begins. Please keep a list of potential venues for photo walks. 

The RenSoc open house is Jan 17th and online class registration opens that week. Our Shared Photo Album will be open to new postings until January 22nd. 

Authenticity, Provenance and Metadata

In these AI (artificial intelligence) days we need to know about how images are created and edited. Often we look at the information attached to a photo, metadata, and know ISO-Aperture-ShutterSpeed and location. After editing, some apps add to metadata with their name and Photos Search feature (iOS 17.x) can find other images edited with the same app.  

But what about images generated by AI? What about deepfake images? What do we see in metadata? How do we spot photo manipulation? 

This post will share recent articles to increase our understanding of the information behind our images. 

Content Authenticity Initiative is a site to watch: 

• How Wrapt’s end-to-end platform protects creative workflows with Content Credentials by Coleen Jose, 7-24-2024 In the top right corner of the Brooklyn Bridge photo is a small (cr) icon. Click it to investigate further. Stuart Waite: " In an era of deepfakes, content theft, and plagiarism, Wrapt provides an industry solution to millions of content creators, brands, and publishers seeking to protect and insure their creative assets. It's as simple as wrap it, share it, track it! Wrapt is a B2B SaaS content protection platform. With Content Credentials, Wrapt protects and insures your creative work by securely tracking how it’s created, shared, and published across the internet." 

more later ... 

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max

Watch this post - it will be updated as new resources are found …

Compare iPhone models - past and present and coming soon at GSM Arena 

https://www.gsmarena.com/apple-phones-48.php

This was fun to look back and compare the past models of iPhones over the years. 

Great information from Austin Mann - iPhone 16 Pro Camera Review: Kenya video. 

Just In Time - Learning

Where have I been? Lately, months ago and even years ago? Safari is revealing tricks to me now on the verge of an update. Just in time to learn new things about browsing the web. 

I've been struggling with websites that include Cookies, Ads and Pop-Ups. So Cookies get managed, Ads get blocked and Pop-ups are ... well, broken. On a computer, open Safari then Safari > Settings... > Websites and look on the list for both Content Blockers and Pop-up Windows. (Don't ask me about the difference or why these two items are so separated on the list in MacOS Sonoma 14.6.1). 

Some websites are virtually unusable if you block their content. You can miss the nano-blink-of-an-eye notice in the URL bar about "blocked content" and the little icon (box) next to the refresh page arrow icon. This can't be an "accessible feature" if it disappears instantly from the URL field. Where is the setting to delay the instant disappearance of this note? 

In Safari's toolbar, look at the report you get with the Gear icon about each website and what is allowed or blocked. Many of Apple's apps let you Customize the toolbar, so look it over for a button that might improve your workflow. 

Folsom Photography Competition & Show

Folsom Focus Photography Contest 2024 submissions October 1st through 14th.  This contest encourages amateur photographers of all ages to submit their favorite photos that showcase Folsom from their own unique perspective. Contestants are not required to be Folsom residents, but all photographs submitted MUST be an image taken in FOLSOM and identifiable as such. All entries must fit into one of the categories listed below. Entry fee is $7 per photo. 

Capture life in Folsom:  

• Folsom Outdoors
• Folsom Wildlife
• Urban Folsom
• Macro Photography 

Read About iOS 18 and iPadOS 18

The Tips app has iOS 18 Preview with 7 notes on what is coming up. While you are in this app, check for Photos and Camera Tips to see if you have missed something in iOS 17.x - like Action Mode for video clips. 

Charlene reminded me that a great place to read about operating system updates is MacRumors. Here are direct links to the follow articles and resources ...

• Just Install iOS 18? Here Are 10 Things to Do First 
• Comprehensive look at Roundup - iOS 18 
• Forums - iOS and iPadOS 

Forum post has my head spinning and I want to do more research! Does anybody actually LIKE the new iOS 18 Photos app? [MERGED] and then to see what's new, maybe a YouTube search next. Found one! AppleInsider offers Photos in iOS 18! Everything NEW in Apple's Controversial Redesign! You want to watch this one and read the comments posted by others. Change is hard. Change in something we use often can be a headache until we ... get over it ... get used to the new look. Wonder about how it will look on the iPad? I want to test the natural language request to create new Memories.  

New to me is Rich Bowlin and he offers iPhone Tips for Seniors: iOS 18 7 New Features!  on his YouTube Channel and he introduces some customizations. I'm hoping he adds additional videos about the Photos and Camera apps and other new iOS 18 features. 

Also checkout the Ellen's Tips for iOS YouTube channel. 

Don't miss Joanna Stern - WSJ tech writer - iOS 18: 18 New Features for Apple’s New iPhone Software Update | WSJ  and iPhone 16 First Look: New Buttons, Cameras and Other Features | WSJ 

Lesson is … GO SLOW. This is a big update! 

There is a security update, 17.7 that is available for mobile devices. This move from 17.6.1 to 17.7 would not bring on the deluge of next generation features. 

Other routine pre-update activities include:

• watching for app updates in the AppStore > update! 
• export any data stored inside apps (databases to CSV - open in Numbers or Excel) 
• export image projects with layers as PSD - Photoshop Document format (Leonardo as email attachment) 
• review and delete old/unused passwords 

You will probably update all devices before I do. There is one critical software on my Mac that needs to be compatible before I update to MacOS 15 Sequoia. In iOS 18 there is a big change for passwords  — actually a new app called Passwords and they sync across all devices using the same AppleID. In iOS 17 and earlier, Apple Keychain was how I saved passwords for apps and websites. This shift in password management might not be as critical - because some folks still have older laptops or computers that cannot be updated to Sequoia. Maybe this is a time to pose an iOS 18 question in the Apple Communities Forum. 

Déjà vu - Update Time Again!

OK - iOS 18 is out next week. Slow down and take a breath. Take time to be prepared for a big leap into our known (and unknown) future with Apple Intelligence, aka "ai." 

Use the Search feature on this blog to find references to past Update suggestions ... going all the way back to 2017! 

Additional details will appear in new posts soon.  Meanwhile read up on ... 

iOS18 & iPadOS 18 and MacOS Sequoia  

Apple Support - How to Update iPhone 

MacWorld iOS 18 superguide: Everything you need to know about the new iOS 

MacRumors Apple Shares Full List of Over 250 New Features and Changes Coming With iOS 18 and iOS 18.2 Expected in December With These New Features while you are there checkout iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. 

PS - just used Mac with Dictation to spell out the title for this post - complete with diacritical marks. This feature has been available for years. 

Flower Composition and Play

Ok, Pinterest is showing me fun stuff in my inbox. Flowers are often a favorite subject for me and recently there have been bright colors and motion involved. Affinity Spotlight posted Melanie Khareghat's How to Create a dynamic flower photo composition back in August 2020. Guess I'm just late to this party. 

Melanie combines two photos in post production. There is no rule that says "combine only two" images. Any app that can combine images or layers would work, Image Blender, PicCollage, Snapseed, Leonardo, Pixelmator, Procreate and ... Affinity Photo or Photoshop. 

In our mobile workflow what camera app would you use? What file format would be best? 

RenSoc Fall Catalog

There will be a change in the Fall 2024 Seminar Catalog - "closed" seminars will not be listed. That includes iPhone Photographic Studio. We will not be accepting new members, hence "closed" status. The Program Committee and Board felt showing listings for seminars/SIGs that are not enrolling new members is ... well, false advertising. 

So I will probably use my home email account to notify past participants about the class dates, Zoom links and field trip plans. I will also use a different social media platform called Padlet. Here is an example of my current experiments with iPhone Studio board. While we have our Photos Shared Album, a Padlet board allows people to comment and rate posts and for folks wanting the full experience, join Padlet with my referral link to get 6 free boards for your own experimentation and sharing. Did I mention that Padlet is a way to play with creating images using generated artificial intelligence? Padlet is used in some K-12 and college classes around the world and has controls about who can see or post content. This summer I'm exploring how to use Padlet for the RS Members Discuss AI class because I want participants to contribute thoughts, ideas, articles in-between our monthly meeting. Participants use all types of devices, like Android, Windows and Apple systems. Padlet serves everyone.   

After Apple's big announcements at the World Wide Developers Conference, WWDC, earlier this month, some of our fall activities will look at the artificial intelligence - or Apple Intelligence - features in MacOS, iOS and iPadOS. For example, iPadOS 18 introduces powerful new intelligence features ... watch for changes to the Photos app, intelligence added to Memories for videos and slideshows, the new Image Playground app integrated into Messages, Mail and more. 

TheAppWhisperer offers Introducing Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that puts powerful generative models at the core of iPhone, iPad, and Mac as a glimpse into what is coming. 

Apple Announcement 2024

Today is the first day of WWDC - Apple's World Wide Developer Conference. The keynote presentation included previews of iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and MacOS Sequoia among other tech. Expected revelations included addressing artificial intelligence, Apple style. A few mentions of "machine learning," "large language models," "generative models," and "privacy" were included and then "Apple Intelligence." 

Watch for the redesign of the Photos app and new features called Clean Up, Search using natural language and Memory movies created by writing/dictating a description and hint at music selection. 

Siri will have on-screen awareness; Mail includes Rewrite, Proofread and Smart Reply; Messages can Record/Transcribe audio, Geomoji (image generation), and Image Playground; Notes includes Image Wand and Summary; Pages will Compose with ChatGPT, Image Playground and Summary ... and so much more. 

Maps app will include top views and trail-making. Notes app will use Smart Script with Apple Pencil for perfected handwriting and editing. The Calculator appears on iPad and works with the Apple Pencil includes a new feature called Math Notes with Graphing capability and variables that can be edited and the solutions resolve after edited input. OMG! 

The Verge has published Apple Intelligence: every new AI feature coming to the iPhone and Mac by Wes Davis and includes a link to a brief video on A.I. - Apple Intelligence.

Back in the Day - Time Mag Covers

Back in September of 2027 Time Magazine was published with several different covers - Kira Pollack was chosen as the photographer. She used an iPhone and photographed 46 women who were changing the world. Using natural light and finding comfortable outside locations and the occasional reflector, she captured portraits in five to 10 minutes. Since the project involved many subjects, she used iPhone 5, 6, 6S Plus and 7 traveling for three weeks. Several cover examples are included on the webpage. 

Social Media, Ideas and the Files app

Let's talk about where your inspirations come from and what you do with them. Think of overcoming "writer's block" except the solution involves fingers, gestures and ... a clean camera lens. 

iMovie and Slow Shutter Demos

Mike will demonstrate making a video using iMovie on iPad and Cynthia will demonstrate using the Slo Shutter app for Intentional Camera Movement, ICM. 

iMovie project - play final project. Movie has audio, text and transitions. Photos are stylized and text appears to show filter details. Orientation is landscape and set to 16:9 aspect ratio. 

iMovie > Start New Project > Movie (for full control). Media sidebar appears and then browse Photos > Albums. iMovie does not recognize Shared Albums. So must download to local Photos Library if including posted images. Soundtrack options are copyright free and video could be posted to YouTube (and it won't be taken down). 

Practice using the interface. Choose 5-8 photos to add to timeline. Touch every button. Media > Background > Black > inserts a clip with color. Title > Line/Title ... then on screen tap placeholder text to type your own title. Emojis included! Look for buttons to edit text: Aa - Color Wheel - ( ... ).  Clip edges can be stretched to lengenth or shorten the playback time. 

Still images automatically include the Ken Burns effect. Tap a still photo > tap Actions to see menu over the photo > tap Ken Burns Effect Enabled > now this is toggled off. 

Transitions between clips. Tap icon to make different transition choices. 

Add video clips to project if appropriate. 

Tap Done to return to project screen. Tap default title to rename project. Tap Play button to preview video. 

Edit project and on Media sidebar > Audio > Soundtracks > tap a title to play music > tap ( + ) to drop soundtrack to project - with green waveform. Sound and narration volume can be be raised or lowered. 

Rearrange photos by touching photo and hold/drag to new location in timeline. 

Add narration from device microphone. Write script and display on a computer/other device and then use the iPad > iMovie to record in short chunks. 

Workflow tips: collect photos and video clips in a new Photos album. 

Export to USB thumb drive for portability, .mp4 or .mov are file types to use. 

XXXX

Cynthia - Slow Shutter Cam - Intentional Camera Movement for abstract and impressionistic images. "Not just out-of-focus" photography! Extremely high delete rate on captured images. Difficult to repeat effect in a scene. 

Workflow Settings and Capture Modes: Motion Blur, Light Trail and Low Light. Motion Blur: Light sensitivity @ full, Shutter speed @ 1/2 - 1 sec, ISO @ auto. 

Workflow Auto-Save-Clear, Photo Resolution 12 MP and Format : TIFF.  Experiment with options for personal preference. Instructions included with video tips. 

Small movements and 1/2 second. Up, across, go up/down, closeup to distance, tilt, giggle, etc. 

Also Multiple Exposure option in Workflow ... 

Videos for hints and suggestions 

How to use Slow Shutter
https://iphonephotographyschool.com/slow-shutter-cam/

Slow Shutter Cam Walk-through (video) Long Exposure water demo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb_EcQt1lss

Slow Shutter Review -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhSYfEl94ro

Gear icon > Instructions = website:

https://www.cogitap.com/instructions/

Apple Apps

You might have overlooked or even deleted these apps: Support and Tips. These apps are helpful to resolve issues with your devices. Tips is periodically refreshed to offer new content in small doses. 

Tips includes a Setup Checklist that includes Recovery Contact , Legacy Contact and Medical ID. It also knows all the other devices where you've logged in with your Apple ID. 

Support is one place you can manage your subscriptions, watch tutorial videos, and review recent contact with Apple Support over Chat or Phone. 

Gotta Love Content Creators

Cynthia sent me a link to Proper Honest Tech's 8 iPad Tips I Wish I Knew YEARS Ago on YouTube. This is definitely worth watching, even if you use just an iPhone. But the channel has so much more. The Photos App for iPhone is AMAZING! Here's how to use it! is another one to watch and share with friends. Thanks Cyn! 

Sharing Photos

In Studio class we use Apple Photos Shared Albums to post our work, share critiques and likes. There is one more thing ... if you have a smart television, you might try connecting to a shared album you create for your artwork, family events or travelogues. 

I recently had an engaging conversation in another RenSoc class about Digital Photo Frames with wifi and feature ways for family and friends to share photos to the frame. From personal experience, Barbara suggested looking at Nixplay or Aura photo frames. There are many options and Tom's Guide offers The Best Digital Photo Frames in 2024 with detailed reviews. Scroll down the page to view the table summarizing the reviewed frames. 

This is newer technology than something I saw back in 2006 when my mom move to assisted living. One of her neighbors had an HP Printer that family could send photos or articles to their loved one. 

But, wait. There's one more thing. Mini Photo Books was recommended by Bob. He uses PrestoPhoto to make 5.25" x 3.5" books, a three pack for $15. This site has many options and tutorials. 

It is not enough to choose to share your favorite photos, you have to think about aspect ratio. Will the photo frame or book be viewed horizontally or vertically? Prepare your photos by cropping or collaging to the appropriate aspect ratio. Or, to simplify everything, make them square! 

Wait to post field trip photos to shared album

Wait to post images from our field trip. Go ahead and edit or stylize as your heart desires. But on Zoom (2/29 @10 am) we will review a collage workflow using PicCollage and Diptic based on 3 themes. The final output will be a video slideshow for each theme from participants to be posted to our shared album. In addition to your photos, screenshots and screenshots with Markup could be included. So look for 3 to 6 images for each of the following themes that will show: 

1. Uses of portrait mode
2. Use of different lenses on the same subject 
3. Editing photo in new ways

I reserve the option to change these collage themes. Curating your work is an important task. We don’t want to see everything from everyone. Share what excited you most, what you want to remember or the mistakes you made. Great energy, conversation and ideas today. Thank you for participating and giving it your all.

Meanwhile, please post non-field trip photos to our shared album. Comment on the work of others and … open your iPhone then touch every button.

Now it is time for my walk. — Melissa 

Field Trip - Part 2

 We will look at three apps - Apple Camera (AC) and ProCamera (PC) maybe SlowShutter (SS). 

I believe in … the tease …

Continuing from previous list ... to not overwhelm you: 

1. Low angle of scene: PC or AC and rotate lens position 
2. Symmetrical views: PC or AC 
3. Abstract from structure, shadows, etc: any camera
4. Street photography-people: AC use  Up Volume button 
5. Intentional Camera Movement, ICM: SS 
6. Capture movement: AC Live or Video or SS
7. Reflective surfaces in scenes: PC B&W
8. Best scene: AC RAW & HEIF 
9. Mannequin: AC lighting modes 
10. Flowing water: AC Live mode 
11. People moving through scene: AC Live or Burst or SS 
12. Lighting or texture showing strength: PC B&W 
13. Something not related: any camera 
14. End of visit: AC video clip
15. End of day: show sky colors: any camera 

You tell me, what images do you see? What scenes further your creative vision? Better yet, you show me by taking photographs. 

Let's talk about workflow. Most of these images can be moved off your device. How? Where will you store them so we might explore post production using this shared experience. 

Field Trip - Part 1

I believe in practice. In our class it will be practice using as many buttons and features as possible on our iPhone. We will look at three apps - Apple Camera (AC) and ProCamera (PC) maybe SlowShutter (SS).

Review Cheatsheet page to confirm Camera settings https://rsiphonephotostudio.blogspot.com/p/cheatsheet.html?m=1 

Your iPhone should be fully charged. Tripods are not recommended (maybe tabletop ones will be ok). Bring a jacket or vest for lunch if we eat outside. Bring accessories to demo at lunch. 

We are going to the location as a group of photographers and not as a family visiting a venue (which would distract from attention to camera use). However, our practice adventure will help you get memorable photographs for future family outings. 

If you get half the shots on both lists you are a champion!

Quick access to Apple Camera 1) button on Home Screen or 2) wake iPhone then swipe right-to-left on lock screen. 

After opening camera app, tap on screen to set focus on subject, move slider up/down to set exposure. 

Shot List - Part 1: Ideas for what to photograph and what camera to use: 

Ideas for what to photograph and what camera to use: 

1. Building exterior, identify the location: exaggerate the architecture using a wide angle lens, but also the other lenses so you can later compare; AC
2. Line up for entry: how far back in the line are you, how fast is the line moving, close up of ticket; Live mode on AC, Macro on AC (pay attention to the background for best blur) 
3. Are there stairs or an elevator, one of your group poses still: use SS to capture scene where people are in motion but some structures/people in scene are still 
4. Glass walls or cabinets: put iPhone flat against the glass AC wide lens
5. Glass walls: put iPhone edge against the glass to get subject and reflection 1x lens
6. Moving objects behind glass: use AC video mode and shutter button to capture still photos while recording video
7. Look at interior ceiling for interesting angles or shadows: HDR B&W PC
8. From overlook of scene: AC and use all lenses - pinch to zoom in also
9. From overlook of scene: AC pano mode, reverse pano movement 
10. Dark corners: AC 
11. Look for mannequins to practice portrait mode: AC Portrait 
12. Picture of group taking pictures: AC 
13. Picture of group reviewing pictures: AC 
14. Include yourself in a photo: AC on Timer
15. Details of signs or structures: PC or AC 

...  more to come at 10:20 am PST

New Articles on Photography

The headline says "New" but these read like reruns. Not a bad thing actually to be reminded of the core tips again. Maybe a new author will spark a new idea in your brain. 

Read articles about photography from any and every workflow - the concepts still apply even though we are editing on mobile devices and using the Apple Photos app. So seeing Use Your Noodles, yes -- a food photography site caught my attention. Back in 2021 Anja Bargur posted 6 Tips for Editing Dark And Moody Photos where I totally missed it. Thanks to Pinterest for bringing Noodles to my screen. 

Mike Harris has recently posted to iMore's HowTo Photography area two reminders: iPhone Photography Basics: Follow these seven tips to improve your pictures and iPhone Photography Basics: How to compose better images. 

Apple UAE has posted How to shoot the moon on iPhone 7 — Apple and while you might not have a telescope handy, there are reminder tips here. 

We will not be emphasizing the video modes this semester, but take 15 minutes to watch 10 tips to shoot CINEMATIC PHONE videos – iPhone 15 Pro by Erik Hedenfalk on YouTube. 

Previous posts in this site include links for improving your photography. Use the Search field or browse back through our Blog archive timeline. 

Day 1 Spring 2024

We will continue on the path started during our Meet and Greet session. Actually, stop and take a breath. I know that too much info was thrown at you and ... well it felt like you were hit by a rogue wave. Yes, but take a moment to imagine yourself more confident with technology after three more meetings. After seven meetings. I believe you will learn more if you share what you are struggling with and what you are discovering. You know others with iPhones, take one thing you've learned and share the details or the skill or your journey to this moment. Rinse and repeat. 

Keep a journal of your questions for this class. You will save time by telling us the question and details about your device or your approach. Sometimes describing a problem in writing helps you solve it. Or your notes will be helpful when you pull the nuclear option and contact Apple Support. 

The apps to begin with are listed on our Apps page. Use these links to get the specific app used by others in this class: ProCamera, Slow Shutter, Snapseed (free), Metapho and Touch Retouch. 

Review the Cheatsheet page for the apps mentioned (some) and the features available for the apps used by our studio participants. 

Meet and Greet - Spring 2024

Thursday, 2/8/24 @ 10am. We are getting together to kick the tires of Zoom and see how some of our interactions will go this semester. Be sure to have your iPhone fully charged and if possible open the Zoom meeting (link supplied in email) on your computer or tablet. 

• Brief participant introductions (3 things to know about you) 
• Confirm access to Spring 2024 Shared Photo Album (Apple ID email) 
• Confirm availability for meetings and field trip on 2/22 
• Review your big question (answered during the meeting or online) 
• Tour website, links, apps ... Cheatsheet handout (online) 
• ... 
• App Store, Reviews, In-App Purchases, Updates (details)
• Why I avoid Auto Updating Apps 
• … 

Skipped and hope to revisit next week 

• Share techniques to avoid tech overload (there is an emoji for this) 
• Save website to Home Screen
• Share Photos app features and discoveries since iOS 17.3 update 
• What social media platforms are you using? 
• Family Sharing (purchases of apps, music, etc)
• Melissa - show iOS Home Screens < compare to yours | differences 
• Our mantra: "Touch Every Button" 

Notes from our meeting. Some details will be added later (XXXXX or forgotten until you ask the question again): 

Secure your iPhone to your wrist with a strap. Different options abound. One to consider is the BlackRapid WandeR Bundle Smartphone Safety Tether Tab System or the Deluxe version with a neck strap recommended by Cynthia and the link will open to Amazon store. 

Photos app tour on iPhone - Library, For You - Memories iCloud Links etc, Shared Album - how to add a photos? It is not automatic, you have to push pictures to Shared Album. Photos have (i) for details and type a caption. List of Media Types. Utilities with Deleted Items. Search is powerful. Heart for Favorite. (i) can be (i*) if AI has recognized info about the subject. Search practice in Photos. Search practice at Home Screen is known as Spotlight Search. "Ocean" is recognized by the AI in Photos, not all images are Captioned as "ocean." Search will also include a town called "Ocean Beach" or a street location called "Ocean View." 

Caption one photo in a group. View the (i) screen and scroll to the bottom of the page. The link "Show in All Photos" will take you to the Library to see related photos in time. 

FIRST AND FOREMOST - you do not have to update an app unless it is misbehaving or the new version includes a feature you must have. Consider using the app as it is until it breaks. SECOND AND FOREMAX - when you update your iOS from 17.3 to 18.1.x - some apps might require an update. Or they might fail. Chad says "Bummer!" 

App Store but start in Settings > Search > Updates and tap App Store Updates from the list. Turn Auto Updates off. 

Open App Store. Open Profile - top right corner with circle icon. Scroll screen up. Update items not critical to your creative endeavors. Review creative apps for shift to Subscription pricing. New Studio participants might not have as many options here - subscription might be the default now. Tap "More" to read about the update. Tap the app icon to visit the details in the Store. Scroll to Ratings and Reviews, tap See All. Tap Sort by Most Helpful and change to Sort by Most Recent. Exit the Reviews and scroll to see if In-App Purchases are listed. 

Marsha asked "Can we believe the written reviews or star ratings for apps?" Personally, I read several reviews and often wonder "What is the problem with this person?" because the complaint is lacking meaningful details based on my personal experience in computing and mobile use. (Roe! Got any ideas here?) 

Sally is wondering about getting charged for apps or subscriptions. Where to look for purchase details ...  XXXXX  New Studio participants will see purchase options previous (old) Studio participants do not see. UGGH. Consider buying an Apple gift card in the grocery story for purchases of apps, music, books, etc. 

Camera +2 Legacy app for Macro - but current Apple Camera does great for macro. 

FrameGrabber is now subscription - for exporting a frame out of a video clip. 

Anita mentioned the App Stack Frenzy page has videos with 6 apps. This workflow is one way to assess how much space you need on your device to make a final image. Save the photo, process it and export 2nd image. Open again and process in another app, export as 3rd image. So forth. If you are using RAW image format a photo might be 75 MB. With 6 copies that would be just under half a gigabyte of on-board storage needed for one image. Some of our workflow must include moving images off our device to long-term storage and ... trash. Curation of our Photos Library is the activity of a pure heart. 

Organize your Home Screens to be prepared for an unfolding scene in front of you. Colleen on a walk. Anita at farmer's market. Niel in Honolulu during a fireworks display. 

Anita has discovered that Apple Camera shoots in ProRAW at 48 Megapixels. Yes. Captures a huge file. But RAW images need to be processed to bring out details hiding in the shadows and details missing in the highlights. We don't post RAW images to social media or share with friends. Why do I push you to buy extra camera apps? ProCamera by Cocologics with VividHDR in-app purchase is one example. Slow Shutter is another. As a kid I watched the Gunsmoke tv show. Being a "fast draw" saved Marshal Dillon's life*. As a scene unfolds before you, do you want to unzip your camera bag, choose and mount a lens, set the shutter speed - aperture - ISO and place your eye at the viewfinder and press the shutter button halfway to focus? I never wanted to be a lady marshal in the old west. Cut to the quick: choose the right app for the moment instead of fumbling through Home Screens and in-app settings to get into the proper mode. Find apps that fit your vision (get recommendations from friends) and place them prominently on the first Home Screen, maybe collect apps in a folder. 

* I had to get specifics by asking Siri to remind me of the characters. 

EMAIL - Old Fashion Communication

It has come to my attention that SPAM Filters have captured the emails I’ve sent to some of the waitlisted people. (Probably some of the enrolled people.) What did you miss? Details about the Sampler Share Photo Album and proposed ways we might connect later this semester. 

SPAM could also be capturing other information from seminars, forums and presentations as well as other “old fashion” senders. Yes, there is texting and social media for up-to-the-minute pseudo-news. 

So this is a reminder to me, not everyone uses email. But it is also a reminder to everyone else: Check email when signing up for classes. Check your SPAM folder for missed communiques. Add seminar leaders to your address book. When seminar descriptions include web links - GO THERE! 

I’m signing off now, got to search my spam folder for missed items. 

Social Media resources, anyone?

Where do you find inspiration? How do you record ideas? 

I'm pretty much a "lurker" when it comes to social media, meaning a lookie-loo not a poster. Social media accounts often send emails to alert us to things we want to see (clickbait and algorithms). I'll show you mine and I'd like to add your suggestions here. 

• Pinterest - 101 Things to Photograph (with examples & exercises!) by livesnaplove.com seems right up our alley. 
• Flipboard - with a photography interest displayed You Don't Need to Constantly Change Your Composition by Darren Spoonley on ftoppers.com is a reminder to be-in-one-place and take-it-all-in while keeping your iPhone at the ready. 
• What say you? 

How and where do you keep track of your inspirations? I'm asking for an intervention here! 

Shared Album by Invitation

Just to clarify, for our waitlisted folks. You should have an invitation to the iPhone Photo Studio Sampler shared photo album in either your email, messages or in the Photos app > For You. 

If you are confused ... welcome to our world! Shared Photo Albums live in the Photos app. Apple has detailed instructions for How to use Shared Albums in Photos on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac . You have to turn on the feature. You have to know your Apple ID and the phone number and email address associated with it. 

So don't freak out about missing this invitation. That is one of the topics for our Meet and Greet session on February 8th at 10 am. 

New iOS 17.3 available

A new release this week adds Stolen Devise Protection. Check Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection > ON. Because our iPhones are out-and-about with us, protecting your device is priority one. 

General details on iOS 17 features are available as a PDF document. 

Is this the time for a device check and tune-up? The iOS_device_details_ios16.pdf was revised August 2023 and with iOS 17 there could be changes. Right now it still fits on 2 pages but the type is getting smaller. 

Reference Pages - Revised and Old

Let's put our heads together and look at our list of Apps. Identify your favorites and note any that have gone subscription. Some In-App purchases are worth the expense ... We want to put our new participants on the correct path to workflow enlightenment. 

• Day 1 apps: Pro Camera, Slow Shutter, Snapseed, Metapho, MPIX, Touch Retouch, Image Blender
• Day 2 apps: PicCollage, Diptych, Camera+2 Legacy, Waterlogged, Lenka, PhotoScan 
• Day 3 apps: Prism, Painnt, Pixelmator, Brushstroke, Inkwork 
• Day 4 apps: Obscura, Procreate, Distressed FX, Halide, Spectre Camera 
• Day 5 apps: Tangled FX, Toon Camera, SnapDot, Spectral Art, Hydra, Focos 

Please use the links on the App page to get the specific apps we use. Many apps have the same names and it is important to spend your $$ wisely. 

The Cheatsheet page, is an out-dated but slowly-getting-revised review of app settings. A good starting place for making choices on best starting place for apps. Includes list of Image Editing Techniques and the apps that will do the job. Print or Save-to-PDF for reference. Best to use Safari Reader View and print 2-up per page. 

The App Catalog includes the app icons, brief details from the App Store descriptions and a column for your notes. Print or Save-to-PDF at full size. The apps are grouped based on workflow: Catalog, Camera, Editing and Stylizing. For Spring 2024, the App Catalog now includes a worksheet page for apps that have crossed over - iOS/iPadOS apps that can be installed on MacOS if you are on an M1, M2 or M3 Apple Silicon computer. 

New Links to Previous Galleries

I've not created any new studio galleries lately but much of the work we currently do is reflected in past galleries. Images from our Shared Photo Album are presented with photographer credit. Here are a few links to explore for ideas about what we do and why we keep coming together to do it. 

• Fall 2020 
• Fall 2019
• Spring 2018 
• Spring and Fall 2017