Pictures are Everywhere....ArtistaOil:Photocopier:PhotoWizard

ArtistaOil:VintageScene: PhotoCopier: Crop'n'Frame

Saturday was my second day long iPhone workshop at Mac Business Solutions in Gaithersburg. I had a very enthusiastic group of participants and enjoyed the day. I hope to return to MBS for future workshops. I will be working on a more advanced session of iPhone photography workshops over the next week or so and hope to get that scheduled in late February. During the workshops I plan an hour of shooting outside to help students work with the shooting apps we selected for the day. I also get a chance to make a few images. While a suburban strip shopping center is not where one thinks to go for creating images....there are many images to be made everywhere. Montgomery County is rich in ethnic diversity and cultures. One of the small shops in the center with MBS is a flower/tailor shop. Inside the sun filled window of this shop I noticed a petite Asian woman hand sewing; her hands were rich in texture and form. So I went inside and asked her if I could make a few pictures of her hands as she sewed the garment that lay on her lap. She asked why and I simply replied art. She agreed, so as she continued her work I made three shots. This is the one I liked the best, as she moved the needle into the fabric.

Hipsta with OlloClip:Phonto:PhotoWizard:Percolator:Snapseed Frame

 I also made a few other images on Saturday....the week before I had given one of the students my OlloClip to show him how it worked with the fisheye on the iPhone and he found a checker board patterned concrete topped table to make some images. I loved the shots he had so much that this week I made a few images there as well. When I got back home and was feeling really rough from this cold I now have, I goofed around with the fisheye image. I decided to add a little more madness to the shot and applied the Pinch~Pull filter from PhotoWizard. I added the red x and o letters into the squares before applying the pinch and pull distortion. Then I finished off the idea with Percolator...

ClassicPan:PicGrunger: Photocopier: SnapSeed

I always enjoy making images of cafe tables and chairs and spotted this set in front of another shop. Demonstrating when I choose to use different shooting apps, this scene was perfect for ClassicPan, I made a couple shots. I finished the image by punching up the colors and contrast and then running it through the "Klee" filter in Photocopier for the texture.
I love teaching and I hope you can join me for my next all day workshop at Horizon Photography Workshops in Chesapeake City, Maryland on March 10 or June 9.
So next time you want to make some images head to the closest strip shopping mall and see what you can do!

SoundJaw Makes Your iPad 2 Louder

SoundJaw is a small plastic clip that amplifies the iPad's speakers. SoundJaw is only compatible with iPad 2. The SoundJaw works by directing the sound from the back of the iPad to the front where you can hear it. The SoundJaw costs $12.99 at SoundJaw.com. If you have trouble hearing your iPad and wish you could make it a little bit louder SoundJaw is perfect for you.

Trident Kraken AMS for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S

Many people including children  use the iPhone as an assistive technology device.  The Kraken AMS cases is an ideal case to protect your iPhone. The Kraken AMS is great for both children and adults who need superior protection for their iPhone. The case will protect against most bumps and drops so there is less need to worry when using the iPhone.

The Trident Kraken AMS has three layers of protection: a silicon inner sleeve, hard plastic outer shell and a built in front screen protector. The inner layer is a thick silicon that can be used as a stand alone case in less rugged situations. The inner silicon has thick corners  for added protection. The outer layer is a hard plastic that snaps into place around the silicon. The built in screen protector does not effect the screens performance. 

 It has a nice mat finish that feels great in the hand and does not show finger prints. The back is slightly tapered to fit better in the hand. All buttons and ports are covered to block dust. The headphone port and 30-pin connector are under silicon tabs that can be removed to access the ports. The headphone port is smaller than most cases and may require the use of an included adapter to work with larger headphones.

 The home button and sleep/wake button are also covered but they are still easy to find and press. The ringer lock switch is very recessed and may be difficult to access for some users with larger fingers and shorter finger nails. The volume buttons are easy to press and provide great tactile feedback. The back of the case has a cut out for the camera and flash and the Apple logo. To protect the Apple logo from scratching, the case comes with a rear protective film. 

Also on the back is a removable kickstand which makes hands free FaceTime or Skype calls simple. It also allows you to read or watch videos at an angle, hands-free. The kickstand can be removed and replaced with other connections such as tripod connections and more. The case includes a belt clip that clips onto the front of the iPhone. The Kraken AMS comes in many different color combinations including green, blue, black, pink and red. The Kraken AMS is a tough case that will help to protect your iPhone from everyday life. The Kraken AMS costs $49.95 and is available from the Trident Store. Click here to learn more about cases made by Trident cases.

All of this protection adds bulk to the phone, and makes it heavier and less sleek, but if you are looking for protection, this is a great choice.

Trident says the following about their Kraken AMS cases,

"Kraken cases are for users with intense lifestyles who need a case that can take serious abuse. Police officers, firemen, campers, military personnel and construction workers are examples of users who have given the best reviews of Kraken cases. These are also perfect for young kids."

Click read more below to see more videos and pictures of the Kraken AMS for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

Case provided complimentary to the reviewer

Ask Siri How to Spell Unfamiliar Words

Siri is a new feature available on the iPhone 4S. I find myself asking others how to spell unfamiliar often. When no one is around I have to find a different word to use. If you are like me Siri can be very helpful. Simply ask Siri "how do you spell..." and Siri will give you the correct spelling in seconds. Siri has many other useful functions such as defining words. To learn more about the iPhone 4S and its accessibility features click here.

Elago S4 Glide Review

Many people are using the iPhones and other iOS devices every day for their assistive technology needs. The iPhone is useful device that goes in and out of people pockets all day. Many children use devices to assistive them with everyday tasks. As a result of the daily use of  iPhones it is important to invest in a case that will protect your device from everyday life.

The Elago S4 Glide is a hard plastic slider for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The case features a two piece design that slides over the iPhone to protect against scratches. The case comes with two bottom pieces to add variety to the case's color. The case comes in many colors and can be arranged into over 100 different color combinations. The cases allows for easy access to all ports and features. To dock the iPhone simply remove the bottom section and insert the iPhone into the dock. The back of the case shows finger prints easily and will need frequent cleaning. The case does not add much bulk to the iPhone but will not withstand drops.The case comes with a front and back screen protector as well as a cleaning cloth. The Elago S4 Glide is good for people who need scratch protection but not ideal for people who are hard on their phone or allow their young children to use their device. The Elago S4 Glide retails for $24.99 from elagostore.com. Click read more below to view pictures and videos of the Elago S4 Glide.

Case was provided complimentary to the reviewer.

Baltimore Clayworks: ArtistaHaiku: CameraPlusPro:BadCamera

Capture: CameraPlusPro Processed: ArtistaHaiku, ImageBlender, Snapseed, BadCamera,Crop'n'Frame

On my Thursday iPhone photo walk I visited the Baltimore Clayworks. Their mission as stated on their website~ "Baltimore Clayworks is a non-profit ceramic art center that exists to develop, sustain, and promote an artist-centered community that provides outstanding artistic, educational, and collaborative programs in ceramic arts." I went into the classroom space which is housed in an old city library building. Then I went across the street into the gallery and met Yoshi Fujii the gallery manager and artist. Yoshi is from Japan and studied art in the US. He has a studio in the Clayworks building and has some of his work on display in the gallery.

I enjoyed talking to him and I was reminded of when I made pottery. Yes I made pottery too. I even had a kiln in my basement. I did not "throw" pottery but enjoyed using molds and painting glazes. The  shelves in the classroom area were filled with greenware drying. I loved the way the window light played on the shapes of the handmade bowls.

Text added in Phonto: Light effects: LensLight: BadCamera:Snapseed

 In the gallery there was a display of earthenware books which were fascinating. I enjoyed the way the light was illuminating this display. I used a texture overlay I made out of another image I shot there of some window blinds.

ArtistaHaiku:ImageBlender:BadCamera:Snapseed:DynamicLight

Outside there is a fabulous large pottery piece. I hope you can join me on my Thursday iPhone walks in Mt. Washington. A link to the walk info is on the sidebar of the blog.

Come walk with me and the iPhone: Snapseed

Capture: CameraPlusPro Processed: Snapseed, TouchRetouch, Crop'n'Frame

Thursday I headed to Mt. Washington to make some iPhone images. I contend that images are everywhere even in the most ordinary everyday places. Mt. Washington Mills is an area in Baltimore  along the banks of the Jones Falls that has existed as a community center since the 1800's.  In 1810, the first cotton mill in Baltimore was opened on the Jones Falls by Washington Manufacturing Company in what is now Mount Washington. Mt. Washington the community was founded in the middle of the nineteenth century as a place to escape the oppressive conditions of the city. One of the first "street-car suburbs" of Baltimore, Mt. Washington housed some of the finer families, including H.L. Mencken, during their summer escapes. The neighborhood quickly grew into a year round community. The Mt. Washington Improvement Association was founded in 1885, and continues to this day as one of the oldest neighborhood associations in the country.
Today the core of the community business district contains small eclectic shops, offices and restaurants. Baltimore Clayworks has its gallery and studios in the center of the business area.  Smith and Hawkins used to have a retail shop there but failed to make it and the warehouse location sits empty now. These are just a few of the images I made. If you live in the area I am offering an iPhone Photo walk workshop every Thursday in Mt. Washington for $60.00 from 10-1. Check out the side bar of my blog for details.

Capture: CameraPlusPro Processed: Snapseed, Crop'n'Frame

Capture: BracketMode Processed: TrueHDR, Snapseed, Crop'n'Frame

Capture: Camera+ Processed: Snapseed., Crop'n'Frame

Capture: Camera+ Processed: Snapseed:Photo fx, Crop'n'Frame

Slow Shutter Light Trail Mode: Iphone Photo Workshop

Today was a super day at Mac Business Solutions in Gaithersburg! I had an extremely creative group of iPhone workshop participants. We had an hour planned in the workshop schedule to do some shooting outside in the afternoon with various apps. Even in a suburban strip center there are images to be made!!! I made a couple images in between helping the participants with app settings and making compositions. The day was overcast with peeks of blue sky in between the gathering clouds of a stormy winter sky. There was a beautiful Sycamore tree in front of Mac Business Solutions and I used SlowShutter with Light Trail mode set to make these images. In processing I made an ArtistaHaiku rendering and masked out the the tree trunk in Image Blender to allow the dark trunk to come through the blended image while still maintaining some texture and Haiku effect in the negative spaces. We had a few merchants that were very happy to have us do some shooting in their shops and I just loved the Violin repair shop of Yanfu Tong. One thing I really love about this vocation is meeting amazing people. Yanfu is one of them leaving China 20+ years ago. I played violin in Junior High School and my grandfather played Violin too, it has been a long time since I was that close to one. I asked if I could take a picture in his shop and he so willingly obliged. Thanks Yanfu!
My next scheduled workshop at Mac Business Solutions is Saturday Jan 28.
I hope you can join me then for a little iPhone Magic!

Capture: ClassicPan Processed: ArtistaHaiku: ArtistaSketch: SnapSeed: ImageBlender to blend several times and Crop'n'Frame

Capture: SlowShutter Light Trail Mode: ArtistaHaiku, tree masked in ImageBlender: Diptic for arrangement and Crop'n'Frame

New iTunes U App: Perfect for Students and Educators

Today, Apple announce a new iTunes U App for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. To download the free app click here. The app allows students view classes, slide shows, documents and more from their classes. iTunes U also allows teachers to post assignments, video or audio of classes, slide shows, documents and more for uses by their students. iTunes U allows users to participate in classes from top university and organizations regardless of if the users attends the school. iTunes U can now be used by K-12 schools as well as universities. All classes are free to the public on iTunes U. iTunes U allows students to view and check off assignments, take notes and review missed classes. Apple describes the app as,

"Whether you’re taking a European history course in your spare time, learning Spanish in high school, or majoring in molecular biology at a university, you now have a powerful tool to help you get the most out of your classes. The new iTunes U app expands the classroom experience by putting all the materials for a course — audio and video, new iBooks Textbooks for iPad and other books, a syllabus and class assignments, posts from the instructor, PDFs, presentations, and more — just a tap away on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch."

Apple also says how iTunes you keeps you current, 

"When you take an iTunes U course, you’ll always have the most current information at your fingertips. With a tap, you can listen again to the most recent lecture or review the latest presentation to make sure you got all the details. Stay on top of your assignments and check them off as you complete them. And when an instructor sends a message or creates a new assignment, you’ll receive a push notification with the new information."

Click read more below to view additional pictures of the new iTunes U app.

 

Apple Announces iBooks 2 with Textbook Support

Today, Apple announced iBooks 2 with textbook support. The textbooks will be interactive and can include videos, Keynote presentations, 3D diagrams and more. Apple says that digital textbook on the iPad have many advantages of paper textbooks including ease of carrying to and from class, ability to update books and improve note taking. To download iBooks 2 click here. Textbooks will cost no more than $14.99. The textbooks will only be compatible with the iPad and will not work on iPhone or iPod Touch. The text books will be compatible with accessiblity features built into iOS 5. Click here to learn more about iOS 5 Accessiblity. Apple says,

"A Multi-Touch textbook on iPad is a gorgeous, full-screen experience full of interactive diagrams, photos, and videos. No longer limited to static pictures to illustrate the text, now students can dive into an image with interactive captions, rotate a 3D object, or have the answer spring to life in a chapter review. They can flip through a book by simply sliding a finger along the bottom of the screen. Highlighting text, taking notes, searching for content, and finding definitions in the glossary are just as easy. And with all their books on a single iPad, students will have no problem carrying them wherever they go."

The new textbooks will be easy to annotate. Students can easily highlight passages and add notes. A cool feature called study cards will make flash cards from your notes and highlights for easy studying. Apple says the following about study cards,

"All your notes and highlights automatically appear on study cards. Flip them over and find the definition of a glossary term or the note attached to the highlighted passage. Choose which highlight colors to review, and include chapter vocabulary from the glossary — automatically. To make sure you really know your stuff, you can shuffle your cards to study."

Apple will be partnering with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw Hill and Pearson at the beginning. Apple also announced iBook Author which allows individuals to create textbooks for the iPad. Click read more below to view more images of iBooks 2 Textbooks.

"Use a finger as a highlighter when reading any textbook in iBooks. Just swipe over text and it’s highlighted. Tap a highlighted section and a palette appears. Change colors, switch to underlining, or add a note instantly. Then switch to the Notes view to see all your notes and highlights organized in one place, making it a cinch to search or go back to the highlighted sections of the book." - Apple.com

iConvert Scanner: Physical Scanner for iPad

The iConvert Scanner is a hardware scanner for the iPad. To use the scanner you must download the iCovert Scanner app which is free. The iConver Scanner can scan documents from 2.5 inches to 8.5 inches in width. The documents are saved as JPEG images in your iPad's photo library. The scanner does not save documents as PDFs.

"Our iConvert® Scanner for iPad and iPad 2 Tablets scans hard copies to JPEG files directly to your tablet, giving you instant e-copies of your most important documents. The JPEG files are automatically stored in the picture folder. Great for use at home (old photos, genealogy records, special greeting cards, recipes and children’s artwork), at the office (meeting notes, resumes, renderings, signed contracts) and on the go (receipts, expense reports, business cards and more). The entire scanner is sized to take with you in your messenger bag or backpack. 

Better than basic alternatives, the iConvert® Scanner for iPad and iPad 2 Tablets scans in high-resolution 300dpi for clear, crisp JPEG images. And the front feeder adjusts from 2 inches to 8½ inches wide to fit many size photos and important documents. Easy to use and it works with the free downloadable app at the iTunes® App StoreSM. Simply place the tablet on the scanner and the scanner gives step-by-step prompts from 'scan' (with real-time preview) to “save” or 'delete.'" -Brookstones.com

The iConvert Scanner retails for $149.99 from Brookstones. To visit Brookstones website click here. Click read more below to view pictures of the iConvert Scanner.

Prizmo Giveaway

Below is a promo code for Prizmo. To learn more about Prizmo click here. To win the app enter the code into iTunes. The first person to enter the code will win the Prizmo. Once one person enters the code it will no longer work. This is the last Prizmo giveaway. Good Luck!

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AntiCrop: New App Released today

Processed: AntiCrop: Grungetastic: fx Studio

Like Content Fill in CS5 the new AntiCrop app (click on the name for a u-tube tutorial) for the iPhone is pretty trick! It does not make flawless adds but it's still pretty cool. I was shopping at Ikea on Sunday and had my iPhone in my pocket when I saw some cubes hanging on a wall. I liked them for the shadowing and shapes, so I took an iPhone pic. I thought it would make an interesting image after it was "apped". Today I also thought it would make a good image to test the AntiCrop app with.
The original image size below was 1936 x2592 (iP4 full res) The AntiCrop image size was 1814 x 3819, increasing the width of the image. I will have to keep experimenting with it to see if I can make improvements in the "filled" areas.

Original processed image

Anticrop Image; you can see the added image size in this image. I tried to make a smooth addition to the image, but kept getting a little bit of a jittery edge and a stacked or duplicated look where the app filled in the pixels.

Prizmo Giveaway

Below is a promo code for Prizmo. To learn more about Prizmo click here. To win the app enter the code into iTunes. The first person to enter the code will win the Prizmo. Once one person enters the code it will no longer work. If you do not win check back later for another code. Check back often to improve you chances of winning. The next promo code will be posted within the next day. Good Luck!

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Prizmo Giveaway

Below is a promo code for Prizmo. To learn more about Prizmo click here. To win the app enter the code into iTunes. The first person to enter the code will win the Prizmo. Once one person enters the code it will no longer work. If you do not win check back later for another code. Check back often to improve you chances of winning. The next promo code will be posted within the next day. Good Luck!

E9M7NF37L3N9

Prizmo Giveaway

Below is a promo code for Prizmo. To learn more about Prizmo click here. To win the app enter the code into iTunes. The first person to enter the code will win the Prizmo. Once one person enters the code it will no longer work. If you do not win check back later for another code. Check back often to improve you chances of winning. The next promo code will be posted within the next day. Good Luck!

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Color ID: Free Color Identifier

Color ID is a simple free app that recognizes colors using the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch's camera. Point the camera at the object you want to know the color of to use the app. Turn on VoiceOver to hear the color of the object be said allowed. Click here to download Color ID. Color ID is ideal for people who are blind or color blind and need to identify the color of clothing or any other object.

Prizmo Giveaway

The Assistive Technology Blog will be giving away free copies of Prizmo over the next several days. Click here to learn more about Prizmo. Prizmo is the best optical character recognition (OCR) app for the iPhone that I have used. Prizmo costs $9.99 in the App Store. To win check the Assistive Technology Blog often over the next few days. Every day one promo code will be posted. The first reader to enter the promo code into iTunes will win the app. The more often you check the blog the more likely you are to win. If you do not in at first check back the next day for another giveaway.