If you use a Mac, here’s a way to remove the background of a photo…fast!
One of many ways to eliminate a background…
Have you seen his portraits?
With all the portraits taken with an iPhone these days, you might want to look at some portraits taken with an 8×10″ view camera by a true portrait artist. Go ahead, look at https://karsh.org.
Shouldn’t happen…
While at a local restaurant, a photographer came around to take photos. My wife and I were sitting in front of windows. We came out in shadows. The sad part is that it could have been avoided before the photos were taken or fixed afterwards. By opening up a stop or more (yes, the photographer was using a “real” camera with controls) our faces would have looked better. By lightening the shadows after the digital image was made our faces would not be as dark. This kind of thing shouldn’t happen in 2024…by a “real” photographer.
iPhone Photography Workshops
It’s time to offer some new photography workshops for iPhone users. These workshops will be available online and in person. For more info please send an email to joelheffner (at) gmail.com.
iPhone Photo Basics
…for those who want to learn how to get the most out of their iPhones.
iPhone Garden Photography
…for those who want to preserve their garden memories using an iPhone.
Preserve Your Family Memories
…using your iPhone.
Get Ready…it’s almost iPhone season!
In the Northeast, where I live, things are getting warmer. The plant nurseries are opening and my wife is itching to get into the garden. For me, that means folks should get ready to take pictures of the garden. It’s a good idea to check the camera directions…even if you are using an iPhone. If you take a few minutes to check the directions you will probably be surprised to see what your iPhone’s camera can do. And if you go to the Photos app and then click on Edit, you’ll find a large number of controls you can utilize to enhance your images. Go to Photos –> Edit. If you click on the Magic Wand, you’ll be shocked at what you can do with one click. No kidding!
Nothing wrong with simple…
Good advice for photographers…
“Using simple equipment and daylight alone is for me a pleasure and a replenishment.” ~ Irving Penn
Some photographers think that simple equipment is beneath them. They think that you need the latest (and most expensive) versions of your camera to get good results. Really? Yesterday’s photos weren’t any good because they were taken with yesterday’s cameras?
Do you know what camera Ansel Adams used? Do you know what camera Mathew Brady used?
Does it matter? Their photos have survived and are admired. Their equipment didn’t matter.
Simple is good.
Taking notes while you are on Zoom…
Taking Notes on Zoom
During my Zoom talks I suggest ways that audience members can “take notes” by creating screenshots. That way you can go back and see what interested you the most. If you don’t know how to create a screenshot (don’t worry it’s really easy), these links will take you to online tutorials that will explain how to create a screenshot using the device that you will be using during the talk.
If you use an iPhone go here.
If you use an Android go here.
If you use a Mac go here.
If you use Windows go here.
If you use an iPad go here.
You might also want to see this article in PC Magazine on making screenshots using any device.
Toastmasters who use Zoom should…
Like all other speakers, Toastmasters have become avid Zoom users. In order to get the most out of it they should consider the following tips:
- Look at yourself when you are on Zoom. Do you look like a ghost like figure, almost in the dark? Is your face on the bottom of the screen? If you are too dark consider enhancing the lighting in the room that you are in. Centering your face is as easy as adjusting the camera/screen that you are looking at. Your appearance online is VERY important.
- Know how to use Zoom. Too many speakers are called upon to speak and have no idea how to take over. Learn. Practice. Wasting time is bad enough, looking like a dope is much worse!
- Using PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides, or mmhmm is an essential part of speaking on and off line. Learn how to use the app that you will be using!
- Photos are an important element of Zooming. Using photos that you have taken are the best!
Before you go on Zoom at a Toastmasters meeting…learn the basics.
3 silly photo tips…
- Plan ahead.
- Remember the rules.
- Avoid the sun.
Reality…
You never know when your best pictures will appear.
I’ve never even thought about a rule when I’ve taken my favorite photos.
The sun is the sun…learn to deal with it.
The button Eastman would envy…
More than a hundred years ago, George Eastman (the creator of the Kodak camera and company) said, “You push the button, we do the rest.” He was talking about the Kodak cameras. I wonder how he would have felt about this button!
This one innocent looking button is part of the iPhone’s editing function that’s built into your iPhone. I clicked it for a photo and it made eight intelligent changes to the photo…with one click! Impressive.
Photoshop, Lightroom, and a zillion other apps can improve your photos greatly. But 8 changes with one click would certainly have made Eastman envious.
Experiment with Edit when you take your next iPhone pictures. It’s easy, fun, and free. What a combo!
More about it next time…