I started experimenting with photo editing apps and what a keen distraction from real work and an excellent way to avoid deadlines. The truth is that I still have hopes of being able to do a bit of travel and, at least on some occasions, I would love to join the crowd that travels light.
The photo above was taken with the iPad—not my idea of a practical camera. Still, it provided sufficient material to keep me glued to the screen for an absurd amount of time stumbling about in the two new-to-me programs. The Husband is off on an endurance ride, leaving me here to get into all sorts of trouble.
I have another reason for wanting to do some photo processing on the iPad. Some days—many days—I do too much and have to park in the rocking chair for a good time before I am functional again. Once I can take full advantage of the editing capabilities (I may not have any hair left by then),I can both rest and feel somewhat productive. That is the sort of plan that suits me.
Of course, sigh, this means that I will be ordering the adapter cable so I can use a much more user-friendly camera. You would think that with the bucks paid for the iPad the darned adapter would be included. That Steve Jobs was no fool. A smart capitalist out for as many bucks as possible. Oh, well, shelling out the money will buy me lots of hours of entertainment. I am a confirmed capitalist myself and know I won't regret the purchase. Here’s to Steve and to many happy hours in the rocking chair!
Anita, a good craftsman can never have enough tools!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are finding new uses for the iPad. It would be interesting to see what kind of productivity you can get from it. Paul and Earl seem to really love theirs. But after all I've heard about the iPad for the last year or so, I remain unconvinced that I would be happy with one (or any tablet) just now. I can wait. It's just a matter of time.
ReplyDeleteI've not used any of these iphone/ipad cameras or processing apps, but I've seen some good stuff out of them. I look forward to seeing the results of your experimentation!
ReplyDeleteSteve—Amen to that. I appreciate the fact that there is such a variety of tools available to suit different needs. That is an enormous help to me right now. And, they are pretty amazing tools for quite reasonable costs.
ReplyDeleteJP—if I stick with it, I may be able to do work that I will be willing to post on my blog on a some what frequent basis. After all, I posted this very early experiment. I am bound to improve beyond this. I appreciate your positive reports. That increases my optimism.
ReplyDeleteKen—The iPad will never take the place of my desktop. If it weren't for my situation with my back, I doubt I would have considered getting one. I can see it being extremely useful for travel, but I hardly know anything about that anymore. ;-) I think you have plenty of time to wait. By the time you want one, it will tie your shoes and make your coffee. Whoa! That is sounding good.
ReplyDeleteThis gizmo does let me sit in different places and switch around the stress on my back. This is a good thing. So far, even with its frustrations, the tablet has been worthwhile for me.
That's a pretty good compromise, if you have to rest but still feels you wants to work with something. I hope you find decent editing software. Just don't use that darn thing as a camera, that would look too foolish. Though similar in the large, the plane is a plane and the shovel is something else. :-)
ReplyDeleteHey, Anita: Glad to see you getting into the App world. It's a dangerous place. You can spend a lot of money, 99 cents at a time, or perhaps $2.99 at a time. ;) I really like Snapspeed and use it on my iPhone, too. Probably my favorite post processing tool is Photoshop Express. I think it is, perhaps $4.99, I don't remember, but it is pretty full featured. Sure, no layers or anything like that, but plenty of power.
ReplyDeleteThe iPad, sufficiently outfitted, is great to travel light. The downside is that the files that you upload to it must be comparatively small. No big honkin' raw files! :) However, if you are just using the iPad camera, have fun!
I have an inexcusable number of camera/photo apps on my iphone/ipad. I wanted to prove a point about the type of camera not being as important as the person behind it so produced a whole series of abstract images on it, similar to my work with a real camera. Now I barely use the thing!
ReplyDeleteOve—So far, I am happy playing with the combination of Snapseed and Filterstorm. Who knows what I will end up settling on. I don't expect any of them to replace Photoshop; but, they do allow me to indulge in playing with photos while applying an ice pack to my back. As for, taking more pictures with the iPad. I should hope not. That was just about sufficient for initial experiments with the apps, but it is not a fun experience. Awkward and uncomfortable, at best. I love your comparisons and using the iPad feels a bit like trying to take a photo with a shovel.
ReplyDeletePaul—I feel as though I am drowning in apps. I have far too many to keep track of. Periodically I think of dumping one that didn't work out, then I give it another try and end up liking it. I suppose I will just hang on to most of them and assume that they will eventually prove useful.
ReplyDeleteI remember there is an app that allows transfer of RAW files, but can't recall which it is. I think I will save that for farther down the line.
Roberta—I can't imagine finding the time for all this if I could be out taking new photos with my DSLR's and using Photoshop. It is easy to see why you would have proved your point, then moved on. I would love to look back on this as a brief detour. It is great to know that you, too, found it intriguing for a time. Which app ended up being your favorite while you were engaged in that experiment?
ReplyDeleteI do believe that you could "get into all sorts of trouble." The husband probably expects that from you and we are learning to, also. Well, the ipad and apps will keep you out of the bars, so that's a good thing. Have fun with them.
ReplyDeleteMonte—Thanks for the smile. Yeah, my version of "getting into trouble" is really scary stuff. Stuff such as buying $12 to $15 worth of apps and letting dirty dishes sit in the sink most of the day. Oooooooh! Hey, our interpretation of actions changes as the years go by.
ReplyDeleteSo far, I am having a wonderful time learning more about my new apps. I think the bars are safe, Monte.
Anita- I just returned from 10 days in Zion NP and mainly used an old 6 MP P&S, the iPad and Snapseed. It was great fun and also liberating. I used the camera connection kit to transfer jpeg files and it worked well.
ReplyDeleteAlong with a MiFi card it makes for a fine bag of tools for traveling. Since getting the hang of the iPad, my laptop hasn't let the house when we travel.
Steve—This is more of the encouragement that has me hopeful about easier packing—at least for short trips. I really like Snapseed and am frustrated that my connection kit is hung up somewhere in USPS hell.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing some of your photos from Zion. What a stunningly beautiful place.
Thank for visiting.