Rt 15 Barn~Snapseed 100Cameras

Capture: BracketMode Process: TrueHDR, 100 Cameras, LensLight, Snapseed, Crop'n'Frame.

This barn has caught my eye every time I travel up and down Rt 15 in Virginia. The last time I went by was on my way home from the Nature Visions Photography weekend at George Mason University. I did not stop that day because I just wanted to get home but I promised myself the next time I went by, I would. So this past Saturday I traveled down Rt 15 to my niece's house for our family Thanksgiving dinner. I stopped! I grabbed a few shots with BracketMode..handheld. Then a man came over and asked me why I was taking pictures of the barn. I said, it's cute! He laughed and he said OK, I thought he was going to ask me to delete the files or confiscate my iPhone..
I had some downtime that day and processed one of the images. 100 Cameras rendered the square format.  Today I processed another shot..exploring some processing options in Snapseed. I really like Snapseed.....fun textures, and effects as well as some real great basic processing.

Capture: BracketMode Process: TrueHDR, Snapseed

Capture: BracketMode  Process: TrueHDR, Snapseed

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a speak recognition program that allows you to control your computer and dictate with your voice. Dragon NaturallySpeaking includes a headset with a microphone for uses with the program. Dragon NaturallySpeaking has excellent speak recognition accuracy at fast speeds. Dragon allows users to browse the web, write emails and compose and edit Microsoft Office documents with your voice. In addition Dragon can transcribe audio files into text after it was recorded. For example, if you are on the go you can record your voice with an audio recorder and then uses Dragon to make a text document from the audio file. Dragon has numerous commands that you can use to control your computer. You can say, "search the web for..." or "correct that" or "strike that" or 'scroll down" along with many other commands. Because their are so many commands there is a learning curve for new Dragon users. Luckily once you learn the commands that you will use most Dragon can improve the time it take you to perform common tasks. Dragon's speech recognition accuracy is very good out-of-the-box but you can train Dragon by reading text aloud to help improve the accuracy. Creating text documents with Dragon is also quicker and easier with voice. Using Dragon it is easier to get your ideas down on paper and using voice is much quicker than typing. If you have an iOS device you can use it as a remote microphone using the Dragon Remote Microphone available here. To learn more about other Dragon products from Nuance click here, here and here. This product was provided complementary to the reviewer.

Night Shooting with the iPhone 4

Capture: SlowShutter Process: Blender, Noir

Sunday I met a few photographers from the Baltimore Camera Club downtown in the rain to do some shooting. I was really feeling lazy and left the DSLR in the car, but I did take my Joby tripod and my iPhone. The light rail was my first stop. I waited with my umbrella for a train to come by using Slow Shutter to see what image effects I could create with the iPhone. I wrapped the Joby around a handrail right by the train and waited.The shot above is a blend of a straight shot while the train was stopped and an 8 second exposure as the train pulled away, blended in Image Blender.

Capture: Hipstamatic: Process: Noir, Crop'n'Frame

Under a street light I found some graffiti, the word Cloud had been painted on it, I wonder if they had the Apple Cloud in mind? So I made a shot with Hipstamatic. I am also very excited to announce that I have been scheduled by Horizon Photography Workshops for two day long workshops with the iPhone! They will be a blast working with the participants on the iPhone, doing some shooting and processing together with a few cool apps. If you are interested I have posted a link on the sidebar or you can click here. The Creative "i" iPhone Workshop with Karen Messick.

Capture: Hipstamatic: Process, VintageScene, Noir, Snapseed

The Mount Royal area of the city is charming with old wrought iron and brick walkways. I loved the way the light from the streetlamps lit up this space.

Capture: 6 x 6 Process: Noir, Snapseed, Crop'n'Frame

Notability Promo Code Giveaway

Below is a promo code for Notability. To learn more about Notability click here. To win the app enter the code into iTunes. The first person to enter the code will win the Notability app for iPad. Once one person enters the code it will no longer work. If you do not win check back later for another code. Good Luck!

R9RXL66AM9Y4

New App 6x7

Capture:6x7 Process: Photoforge2 ~ Diffuse: VintageScene~ toned vignette: BadCamera~inner border and texture:Iris~color Sense~ replace color in maple leaves: ImageBlender~Blend Layers: Juxtaposer~ selective masking: Crop'n'Frame ~ Frame: Impression~Signature

Having been a fan of the app 6x6, I thought I would give 6x7 a try. The developer of 6x6 e-mailed me the other day announcing the launch of his new app 6x7.  I love this app too! I tried it out in my outdoor studio, my patio table. I love it for the white background. I stopped and picked up some Ginko leaves the other day and made a few shots of them on the table. I also have a Japanese Red Maple in my garden and the leaves had started to show their wonderful red fall color.  I combined the two leaves and made a few shots. Processing images on the iPhone is limitless in combos and creativity! These are a few images from one shot I made with the 6x7 app.

Capture: 6x7 Process: PhotoForge2~texture~brightness: SnapSeed ~ inner border: Crop'n'Frame~ frame: Impression~ signature.

Capture: 6x7 Process: TinyPlanet: Juxtaposer: PicGrunger ~texture: Crop'n'Frame

Notability Promo Code Giveaway

Below is a promo code for Notability. To learn more about Notability click here. To win the app enter the code into iTunes. The first person to enter the code will win the Notability app for iPad. Once one person enters the code it will no longer work. If you do not win check back later for another code. Good Luck!

RKTW39JTW7YM

Christmas is near: Apps~AutoPainter:BracketMode: Phonto: Crop'n'Frame:Snapseed

This weekend I was busy making two presentations at Nature Visions in Virginia. It was a fabulous, well attended photography event. My Lensbaby workshop was so much fun helping folks see in a different way and actually use the demo units Lensbaby sent for the event. My iPhone photography presentation was also sold out and I had some very hungry to know photographers, with lots of great questions. On the way home I decided to take the scenic Rt 15 out of Leesburg, stopping at one of my favorite home decor stores "On A Whim". They have some wonderful hand stained furniture and home accessories. I snapped a few shots of some of their displays and merchandise that I liked. I left with some great holiday potpourri. When I finally got home I processed a few with the Holidays in mind.

The images here were captured with BracketMode: Processed in True HDR: Apped with AutoPainter~Benson: then blended in Image Blender. All the lettering was done with an app called Phonto. I kept the processing fairly consistent as I wanted to create a collection with the same feeling.

The snow in this image was added using a free app called Magic Snow~its a small resolution app, but blended back with the original it works just fine for an artistic look, but you can see the difference in the clarity as a result of the small file blend..compared with the image below.

In this image I also had to apply some darkening at the top of the image and I chose Tiffen FX color grad to get the toning I wanted in the top of the image.

Notability Promo Code Giveaway

Below is a promo code for Notability. To learn more about Notability click here. To win the app enter the code into iTunes. The first person to enter the code will win the Notability app for iPad. Once one person enters the code it will no longer work. If you do not win check back later for another code. Good Luck!

PTJTW3X4TPRK

Dragon Express: Control Your Mac by Voice

Today, Nuance released Dragon Express for the Mac. Dragon Express allows users to preform key functions solely with the sound of their voice. The app is available here on the Mac app store for $49. Dragon Express can send emails, search with spotlight, post Twitter and Facebook updates, search the web and more. Dragon Express is an introductory product designed for people who are new to voice recognition. Dragon Express lacks many key features of the more expensive Dragon Dictate. See the comparison chart below to see the difference between Dragon Express and Dragon Dictate.

Dragon Express uses Nuance's great speech recognition technology to accurately turn your voice into text. Nuance claims that using Dragon is three times faster than typing. To learn about Dragon apps for iOS click here. Stay tuned for more about Dragon Naturally Speaking. Click read more below to view screen shots of Dragon Express and read the press release.

Nuance Press Release

BURLINGTON, Mass., Nov 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Nuance Communications, Inc., today announced the immediate availability of Dragon Express, an introductory voice recognition app for Mac OS X Lion. Dragon Express is an easy and fun way to put words to work without the hassle of typing, allowing users to do more in less time. Dragon Express is available exclusively for download from Apple’s Mac App Store.

Dragon Express is the latest member of the Dragon family of speech recognition software that lets people control a computer with their voice. It’s the fast, hands-free way to turn speech into text, whether sending email, surfing the Web or posting an update to Facebook and Twitter. Dragon provides an easy, natural way to get more done in less time. Dragon Express is priced to provide the broadest range of people with an opportunity to experience the power and performance of speech recognition.

“Dragon Express is a great app for those who are new to speech recognition or who are looking for an easy-to-use dictation tool that allows them to use their voice instead of typing,” said Peter Mahoney, senior vice president and general manager, Dragon, Nuance. “For those looking for a more full-featured speech recognition program, we recommend Dragon Dictate, which provides the full capabilities of advanced speech recognition technology.”

Dragon Express can be conveniently accessed from the menu bar at any time and doesn’t require a network connection. Users dictate directly into the Dragon Express window, using the internal Mac microphone or a USB headset microphone (which can be purchased via www.nuance.com ), and the text instantly appears in the Dragon Express window. When finished, Dragon Express places the transcribed text into the application of choice. The download comes with a short enrollment so that the app can better recognize a user’s unique voice.

Dragon Dictate, the most full-featured and advanced speech recognition software for Mac OS, was recently updated to version 2.5. Dragon Dictate 2.5 includes many features beyond those in Dragon Express. These features include the ability to dictate directly into applications, edit, format and correct recognition errors by voice, open and close applications by voice, control the mouse by voice, create custom voice commands and support for the recently released Dragon Remote Mic app for iPhone.

Dragon Express Details

Media: Application download from the Mac App Store available here. Pricing: Introductory price of $49.99 Platform: OS X Lion only Languages: English (US and UK) System Requirements: OS X Lion

About Nuance Communications, Inc

Nuance Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with devices and systems. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven applications. For more information, please visit www.nuance.com .

Trademark reference: Nuance, Dragon and the Nuance logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Nuance Communications, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other company names or product names referenced herein may be the property of their respective owners.

Hidden Keyboard Enhancement Built Into iOS 5

A newly discovered feature in iOS 5 adds an auto correction bar above the keyboard. The feature has not been enabled in iOS 5, but may be coming in the near future.This feature is currently available on other mobile operating systems such as Android and Blackberry. Currently it is possible to enable this feature but it is not recommended and could effect your device. When or if this feature is released it will improve typing speed and assist poor spellers. If the feature ever becomes available it will add to the accessibility of iOS. To learn more about assistive technology to help poor spellers click here. To learn about iOS 5 and iPhone 4s accessibility click here.

Oregon Using the iPad to Assist Disabled Voters

Oregon is testing the iPad to assist disabled voters and allow them to vote privately. Some Oregon voters that are unable to vote using paper ballets will be able to vote using the iPad in tomorrow's election as part of a pilot program. Voters with visual impairments, physical disabilities, dyslexia and other disabilities that make voting with paper ballets difficult will be able to vote using a custom iPad app. The app will have the ability to enlarge font size, improve contrast and read text aloud to assist disabled voters. The app also works with VoiceOver for improved accessibility. Blind voters will be able to connect their Braille displays to the iPad via Bluetooth in order to read the ballets. Users that use Bluetooth accessories will be able to connect them to the iPad in order to vote.  The app will allow disabled voters to make their selections privately without election officials knowing which candidates the voter selected. Election officials made the following comments about voter privacy. 

"Some people want to vote independently, and they're the ones that we're talking to." 

Laws require people with disabilities to have equal access and privacy while voting.

Beach Shots: Assorted Apps

Shot with Camera PlusPro: Processed in Simply Black and White: Noir: Photo fx~ added ND Filter to hold back the sky: Perfect Photo~to sharpen: Crop'n'Frame~Framing

The weekend Beach Workshop was great...we had extreme weather conditions on Saturday morning with winds at 25 MPH and huge waves...Sunday was milder and overcast....The shots here I made before or after the workshop while scouting and processed in my down time between shoots and programs. I will be doing another one in April so if you have any interest either keep an eye on my regular blog where I will post the sign up info or shoot me an e-mail to get on my mailing list.
 Extreme weather creates great shooting opportunities, from windblown sand to high water carved land. Saying goodbye to the beach today until April~always a bummer. Hope to see you at Nature Visions for my iPhoneography presentation where I will be sharing some of my favorite shooting, processing, utility apps and images.

Shot with 6x6: Processed with Simply Black and White

The sand is amazing when the wind blows hard all night!

Shot with Camera PlusPro: Processed with: Noir: Perfect Photo: Crop'n'Frame

This landscape was created by the Nor'easter that blew threw the weekend before the workshop started and I found this amazing water carved landscape. The image below was made in Ocean City.

Shot with Slow Shutter Hand Held: processed with PhotoStudio~Sketch and Toning: LensFlare~added the sun: Blender~ Blend back with original: Snapseed~Frame

Ginger Contextual Spelling and Grammar

Ginger is a spelling and grammar checker that uses the context to correct errors that standard spell checking software cannot. Ginger works very quickly and accurately and is compatible with many text editing programs like Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer and Firefox. To activate Ginger simply press F2 while editing a document. Immediately Ginger will pop up and begin checking for errors. When an error is found Ginger will display the original sentence on the top and the corrected sentence on the bottom. Ginger allows users to listen to the original and corrected sentence to insure accuracy. Once you are satisfied with the changes Ginger has made you can click approve to accept the changes. One downside is that when your not connected to the internet, Ginger cannot correct your mistakes. Watch the video above to see Ginger in action. Below are examples of sentences Ginger can correct.

I lick to reed books. → I like to read books.
I lick to reed my bike → I like to ride my bike.
He's laughing on me! → He's laughing at me!
Aren't she go home? → Isn't she going home?
He didn't suggested it. → He didn't suggest it.

Ginger is a great tool for people with Dyslexia, English language learners and students of all ages. Ginger is not perfect, but very good, and does not always correct each sentence accurately. When using Ginger it is important to make sure the corrections are appropriate to reduce mistakes. To learn more about Ginger click here. To save 10% on Ginger products use the code ginger10. Click read more below to learn more about Ginger.