Blog Archives
2 Lumias + TapShoot App = Better Selfies
If you’re like me, then you too are your own favorite model. You not only have the looks and camera presence, but there’s an amazing relationship between photographer and subject. These can be key ingredients for the magic to happen in the lens. Look at the magic right here, that I caught during ‘Movember. Don’t worry, the stache is stashed away now.
There are challenges to getting a great selfie. It takes more that mere aesthetic prowess. You can stick your arm out and generally aim in the right direction, but you’re better than that. Our beautiful faces deserve perfect framing, not a guess. You can also use the front facing camera, but please. You can’t entrust the capture of your image, your personality and your self-important brand, to inferior megapixels. There has to be a better way, right “me”? You guessed it “myself”. Hey “I”, show the good people our secret to better selfies.
Does Size Matter– In Pro Photography?
I have owned a Lumia 920 for over a year and been using the Lumia 1020 for a couple of months. They both take excellent still photographs and amazing video and in many scenarios, I can see using these devices on professional jobs.
Whereas the image quality is up to par, I think that paying clients have a “gear bias”. Meaning, that they expect big gear and lots of it to justify that they are paying for the shoot. Is the bias real or am I just imaging it?
Let’s delve in and let it be known that I have big equipment and I know how to use big equipment. In no way do I have lens envy. Now that’s out of the way, let’s get going.
My MOvember in PureView
If you’ve been following along, lately I’ve been highlighting my experiences with the Nokia Lumia 1020. I’ve been so enamored with the device that I almost forgot about Movember. Movember is a time that not only gives men the excuse to grow a ‘stache, but it also promotes men’s health awareness as it pertains to different kinds of cancer. That’s a good looking bit of exposure for a good cause, huh? I thought so too.
I had grown my facial hair for a character in another video project and I decided to cut it off except for the moustache. I also documented the whole things with the Lumia. See, I can multi-task, especially when both tasks are filled with insane amounts of goodness. OK, Let’s expose My MOvember!
Selfie in 1020 Pureview
I can’t take all of the credit for my pictures that you see here on the left. Sure, the look, wardrobe and character driven attitude are all mine, but you have to give credit to the artist on the other side of the lens. Oh, I almost forgot that I am the photographer too.
Yup, this is a set of “selfie” shots. Of course, I had to take the selfie to the next level and thankfully there are some Windows Phone apps to help me out. I also used a bit of lighting and a tripod. Sometimes you need more than a straightened out arm and a good guess as to where you’ll be in the faming. Maybe I didn’t get full-on selfies. Maybe I’ll call them “helpies”. Ya know…cuz I had help.
Whatever you want to call them, let’s see some more and introduce you to the apps involved.
My 1020 Vision Needs to REFOCUS
It’s a great thing to have a cutting edge photography technology in your pocket. The creative freedom of having a camera with you everywhere is amazing and it has kind of been my focus while testing out this Nokia Lumia 1020 device. This Windows Phone really delivers in imaging.
Earlier today Nokia released a new app called Refocus. So I stepped away from usual creative thinking and have started pondering how I might use it to expand the scope of my photographs. Please note that the Refocus app is for PureView Nokia Lumia devices with the Amber update.
Today, I just went out to the sundeck and fired up the app to see what it could do. All of the images above are from one Refocus shot. Let’s check it out.
Gary Clark Jr @ Jimmy Kimmel Live
I have wanted to see Gary Clark, Jr. play for a quite a while. He’s played at venues like The Roxy on the Sunset Strip, but those shows tend to sell out in minutes.
I’m not really sure how it came to be, but I happened upon a link that got me these tickets to see a “mini-concert” taping for the Jimmy Kimmel Live show. If it had been a scam, they would have had me because I clicked it quickly without taking the time to verify whether it was legit or not. When Gary Clark, Jr. is involved, minutes wasted can leave you wanting. It was legit and I have video to prove it!
Money Robbins Needs Your Help (w/ Video)
Several years ago, I wrote a script called “Field Training” featuring a character I called “Money Robbin”. He was a parody of the Tony Robbins style of sales guru and motivation speaker, taken to a ridiculous level. He’s back now and he’s added an “s” to his name. That’s not all; He’s redefining ridiculous.
“Field Training” didn’t go so well, as a short film, the first time around, but I’ve learned a lot since then. I always liked this idea and I’m excited to jump back into the role and the project.
If you thought you’d have to wait for us to finish shooting the short film to get your Money Robbins fix, then you don’t know Money! Here is his reintroduction to the world with info on how YOU can be a part of the experience. No, this isn’t a crowdsourced funding request. Keep your money; We’ll tell you how you can help after the video!
My Red Lumia just got an Indigo Upgrade
Apple should take note…Siri-ously.
Tomorrow users of Windows Phone and Android will get a chance to try out a new app that I’ve been playing with for a few days. The company, Artificial Solutions, has been innovating NLI (Natural Language Interaction) for other companies’ sites and gadgets, but now is releasing their own Indigo app. My red Nokia Lumia 920 has been officially upgraded with the presence of this app.
From my testing over the weekend, I’m impressed. Besides the generally accurate voice recognition and picking up cues from natural speech, which are no slouch, they have already implemented a few tricks that make the app stand out. Here are two that I find fascinating:
DalyDose of…Thankfulness
We are in the middle of a long weekend and you might be getting tired of family and longing to clock back into work on Monday. Apparently, my inner jerk wanted to send a message with my phone. He put the Nokia Lumia 920 on the tripod with a PhoneBoat accessory.
What is YOUR inner jerk, thankful for?
You have homework. Here is a topical reading list:
A DalyDose of...Jeff Daly 