Thursday, June 23, 2016

Soft Concrete

by Linda


Part of my daily ritual involves trying to get some kind of exercise. Because of my schedule, I take daily walks, usually early in the morning. I don't usually carry my DSLR, I always have my phone.  I like taking pictures of sunrises with it. There are several places along my route that have beautiful views of the sun as it rises.


This year, El Nino broke our drought. Yay for rain, boo for cloudy and rainy mornings where I either had to forgo a sunrise shot or delay my walk. My need to take pictures forced me to look at other things to shoot. I live in an area where there are lots of trees. Lots and lots of trees. Oaks, cedar, pecan, and ash to name a few. How boring would constant pictures of trees become.


It's no secret I love to play with apps. I cannot draw, I cannot paint, I can barely stay in the lines when I color with my grands. Apps give me the artistic talent I lack. Or at least they make me think I am artistically inclined. Well, at least I'm having fun!


I re-discovered the Slow-Shutter app on my phone. It's intended to be used for light trails, star trails, etc, etc. All the reviewers and tutorials tell you to use a tripod or hold your phone still. Since I don't know how to follow directions and never carry a tripod or Gorilla pod on my walks, I created these images by moving my phone. It took a little practise to get what I liked but it was fun. After I got the blurry shot I wanted, I processed the pictures in a few other apps I love. Snapseed, my go-to first step for almost all my pictures, then either DistressedFX or iColorama. Sometimes all 3 apps. I just play and play until I get something I like.


And then there was a vase with some fake flowers on a table at a diner we went to. I took the picture with Slow Shutter and processed it with Snapseed and iColorama.

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Do you have favorite apps? I'd love to hear about them! Share them here in the comments or on our facebook page!


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7 comments:

terriporter said...

Wow, these all look like they are from an art book of beautiful paintings! I am always amazed at what you do with the apps on your phone and have tried to reproduce them but I've never gotten anything as beautiful as these. I have to admit I haven't tried the Slo-Shutter app but I think I'm going to have to try it. Rain is not the problem here, it's the heat, so having a little fun playing with my phone might be just the distraction I need!

Dotti said...

Linda, these are beautiful! I agree with Terri - they look like paintings in a top notch art book. Wow! You really have a handle on phone apps. I salute you! Thanks for sharing this with us as well as the app suggestions.

Sarah Huizenga said...

These are all beautiful and good for you to be creative even with less than ideal weather. It is nice with these too, I don't have to wonder if my multi-focal lenses are working or not :)

kelly said...

you do amazing things with your beautiful photos and these apps linda! totally frame-worthy works of art.

Cathy H. said...

It's always fun to play and just look at the beautiful art you've created! My favorite is the third one down. Love the rich colors and that mailbox in the foreground!

Anonymous said...

Linda, I love what you have done with your photos! Unfortunately Samsung doesn't have much to offer, as I have wanted to try Waterlouge every since it came out! Your apps have put a whole different spin on these photos and I really enjoyed looking at them. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I would frame that second one. So lovely.

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