iPhone Diva's Fave App for Today: Pro HDR

OK, I'm fickle. I admit it. My favorite app is most usually the one I've just finished playing with. And today my favorite is ProHDR, with a little Snapseed on the side. Without them, this shot at sunset on Papohaku Beach here on Moloka`i would have either a blacked out foreground or a blown out sky. Or with some HDR apps, a completely fake looking, super crunchy, overcooked HDR photograph.  Instead, I get a result that approximates what I actually saw.! (Hint: I use the manual setting for Pro HDR so I get to pick the light and dark exposures that I want.)

Fabulous App Pixel Blend Pro for the iPhone

Hallelujah! Pixel Blend app is now available for the iPhone! (Drumroll, please!) (Here's the review of the iPad version for those who missed it.) I know that many of you have been waiting patiently - I'm delighted to report that your wait is over. For fans of the SX70 - Polaroid Time Zero emulsion manipulation process, this is a must-have app! If you love impressionist painted-look photos, you'll also want to download it ASAP.

I manipulated this photo on the iPhone - and voila, it does look just like SX70 work I have done. The app contains temperature controls (mimics the heating pad we used to control liquidity and softness of emulsion), all the cool tools like crochet hook and knitting needles. The dental tool even mimics the scratches we used to get - you can choose white or black for these.

As much SX70 as I did in those bygone days, I did not realize that some artists put sandpaper or other textures under the photo when "mushing" it, giving a cool textural appearance. Textures are available here too, and I am thrilled with using them. I used the cracked paint texture for this photo. Yummy.

The iPad app, which has been out for awhile, has been updated - called Pixel Blend HD. I have to say that while I CAN do this manipulation on my phone, I prefer the iPad version - because I can see it better. (Yes, that's an aging thing, and no, I'm not going to mention how old I am.)

For a true, blue Polaroid look, I framed it in King Camera.

Ok, photo pals, start mushing. I can't wait to see what you all create!

Palm Reading - iPhone Style

I've photographed the palm grove here on Molokai dozens of times and I never tire of it. Finding a new way of showing it can be a challenge, but it's one the iPhone and it's many apps can help me accomplish. Below are 3 views - 3 different ways of 'grungifying" for a vintage or distressed effect. Enjoy.

For this shot, I walked out into the water (only knee high for a long way out) and shot several shots looking back. Combined in Autostitch, I ended up with this pano. I used IRIS to fine tune saturation, contrast, and so on. The grunge effect is from Photoforge oil painting filter.

Kapuaiwa Palm Grove at sunset  © lynette sheppard

I never really fell in love with Hipstamatic the way so many iPhoneographers do... until Teri Lou Dantzler (check out her blog - see link in my blogroll) talked about doing Hipsta stitches. I LOVE Hipsta now - for these off kilter artsy panos combined in Autostitch. Grunge effect applied with Pic Grunger.

Vintage Palms © lynette sheppard

I took the pano I shot and combined in Autostitch,  then turned it to infrared look in Camera Bag app. Camera Bag has my favorite faux infrared. 2nd favorite is in Dynamic Light app. Grunge effect came from IRIS. I really like the look here.

Infrared Palm Grove © lynette sheppard