Photography

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Pro Photographer Tyler Stalman Reviews iPhone XR, XS Cameras

Andrew Orr ·

Professional photographer Tyler Stalman reviews the iPhone XR and iPhone XS cameras in a video. He talks about all of the new features, like Smart HDR, the new image signal processor, and how the wide-angle lens is slightly wider than previous models. Speaking of Smart HDR, he noted that it only works with video shot at 30 fps or lower. But it works whether you’re shooting in 720p, 1080p, or 4K. Mr. Stalman also notes something he found that can correct the blurring problems around the edges of subjects when you shoot in Portrait Mode.

RAW Power Gets Big 2.0 Update
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RAW Power Gets Big 2.0 Update

Andrew Orr ·

Today, Gentlemen Coders released RAW Power 2.0 for iOS and macOS. RAW Power unlocks the power of Apple’s RAW engine with simple, easy-to-use controls. More than just an image editor, it is a full photo application that lets you organize and manage your iOS Photo Library. If you use iCloud Photo Library, all changes are also synced to iCloud, where every image you take and every change you make is instantly available to every app on your iPhone or iPad. You can use it for more than RAWs — it’s great with JPEGs too, with White Balance, Curves, Sharpen, and other tools missing from the built-in Photos app. The app also includes an innovative new Depth Effect for photos shot on iPhones with a dual camera system. The Mac app is on sale for a limited time. App Store: RAW Power – US$2.99 | Mac App Store: RAW Power – US$26.99

App Sale: Pixomatic Photo Editor Now Free
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App Sale: Pixomatic Photo Editor Now Free

Andrew Orr ·

Usually US$4.99, Pixomatic photo editor is free, and I’m not sure how long it will last. Pixomatic is the first-ever mobile app that brings desktop level quality for selecting and masking images. Now, you have no problems with cutting out even the most difficult picture elements, including hair. Smoothly select and mask even the trickiest hair edges. Also, they introduced hundreds of photo stickers that you can add to your photos with a single tap. In just a few minutes create funny pranks, visual art and social media posts for your business or stunning photo manipulations, viral memes and selfies to share with friends. Pixomatic has a full range of amazing photo editing tools for creative minds. Use smart cutout, add layers, apply blending modes and unique filters to create epic masterpieces. Let Pixomatic be your only all-in-one photo editor. App Store: Pixomatic – Free

Enlight Pixaloop Creates Animated Photos
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Enlight Pixaloop Creates Animated Photos

Andrew Orr ·

Enlight has a new app out called Enlight Pixaloop. It creates animated photos that can bring your art to life. Any photo element: strands of hair, waves, clouds, or clothing can be animated. Pixaloop tools give you precise animation control so you can perfect your idea. Choose the speed of movement you want to create moving masterpieces: from the subtle flicker of a candle flame to Marilyn’s iconic billowing white dress to cascading waterfalls to two-way escalators. To animate a photo, place arrows to define motion within the image. Add anchors to gradually reduce the speed in the animated area. Freeze motion in parts of your photos to hold specific elements still and keep it real. Or get unreal and tease nature – reverse the direction of water or spills to defy gravity and flow upwards. App Store: Enlight Pixaloop – Free

Krome Photos is a Service That Edits Your Photos For You
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Krome Photos is a Service That Edits Your Photos For You

Andrew Orr ·

Krome Photos is a new app that sets itself apart from other photo editors. It’s a service where you send your photos to trained editors who edit your photo for you. Krome editors can improve color, merge multiple photos, change the background, add a person or create a whole new image. They also offer one free re-edit with every order. There are three order options ranging from US$3 to US$12. Your first design is discounted. Popular edit requests include changing the background and color, skin corrections, adding/removing people, adding props or a logo, combining multiple images (up to 4) into one, and fixing, restoring, and repairing a photo.

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How to Improve Your Black and White Photography

Andrew Orr ·

The Phoblographer shared some tips to improve your black and white photography. The world of monochrome is a fun journey, and as a black and white photographer myself, it’s always good to get tips and tricks. There are nine tips to help you get started:

  1. Plan to shoot black and white before you take the shot
  2. Look for the abstract
  3. Shoot in RAW or use color filters
  4. Use long exposures
  5. Dodge and Burn
  6. Understand how light is affected
  7. Use HDR
  8. Emphasize mood
  9. Subvert Expectation (take black and white photos of things you would expect to be in color)

There’s more to it and just taking color away, and you can read the article and watch the video to learn more.

This Instagram Account Shows How Alike Photographers Are
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This Instagram Account Shows How Alike Photographers Are

Andrew Orr ·

I discovered an Instagram account last night called @insta_repeat. The account posts collages of photos from all of the cookie cutter “adventure photographers” on Instagram. Don’t get me wrong. I follow some of these photographers and they are really good. I don’t want to diminish or disparage their skills. But they’ve fallen into the Instagram trap, where they post popular photos that people like, and other photographers see that popularity and post similar photos to get on the bandwagon. I think a lot of them are independent artists, and they don’t have the luxury of choice that photographers who get sponsored or have a business do. The account does it with class. No calling people out, or public shaming. Just simple collages of similar photos.

Podcast

TMO Background Mode Encore Interview with Freelance Tech Jounalist Kirk McElhearn

John Martellaro · · Add Comment

Kirk McElhearn is an expert technical journalist for all things Apple. He was a Senior Contributor at Macworld for 15 years, is known as “The iTunes Guy,” and writes about Macs, security, iTunes, books and music. Kirk has also written several “Take Control Books,” including tutorials on iTunes, Audio Hijack and Scrivener. In this encore appearance, Kirk and I chatted about the evolution of photography at Apple, the emergence of the iPhone as a pocket supercomputer-camera, AI technologies and facial recognition used in iPhone photography, lens and CCD technologies, Aperture vs. iPhoto/Photos, managing digital assets, and how sophisticated software has allowed the average user to take great photos. And more. We finished with a discusion of Kirk’s new podcast (with Jeff Carlson) called PhotoActive which is all about photography and the Apple ecosystem.

Photolemur’s 35 Tips for Stunning Landscape Photos
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Photolemur's 35 Tips for Stunning Landscape Photos

Bryan Chaffin ·

Photolemur—the photo editing app—has a new blog post called the “35 Composition Tips for Taking Stunning Landscape Photos.” I immediately checked it out because I am almost always highly dissatisfied with my landscape shots. It includes some common ideas such as the rule of thirds, but there was a bunch of stuff that was new to me, and I thought it was a great article. Topics include using lines to draw your attention, how to frame the subject, using people or animals properly, lighting, colors, framing, timing, and a whole lot more. Each tip comes with a representative photo, and they’re all gorgeous. If you want to take better landscapes, this piece is a must-read.