Category: Photography Page 10 of 24

Tips and guides for readers who want to take better photos to display on their Nixplay Frames.

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5 Reasons Why You Should Start Using Google Photos Right Now (If You Haven’t Done So Yet)

On August 12, 2018

If you love taking pictures, you need Google Photos handy on all your gadgets. This app lets you back up, edit, and share your images and videos with ease, making it the perfect companion of your Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frames. If you’re not yet sold on Google Photos, here’s why you should start using it ASAP:

1) It organizes your photos for you.

Google Photos automatically sorts your photos, such as the ones you took during a recent vacation, into albums by using machine intelligence. These albums are created when you back up new pictures to your account.

Now you can show off these albums, too: During the 2018 Google I/O Developers’ Summit, it was announced that Nixplay has joined the Google Photos partner program to help you securely access your priceless memories. And with the latest Nixplay app update, you can choose to stream your Google Photos albums to your Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frame.

Google Photos is now integrated with the Nixplay mobile app.

When a new image is added to a Google Photos album, it will also appear on your Nixplay frame. It’s never been easier (and more fun!) to stay up to date on your loved ones’ lives. Update your Nixplay app now so you won’t miss out!

2) It lets you share your photos easily.

Want to have all the pictures your family took during your Europe trip in one place? With just a few clicks, you can create a shared album on Google Photos where you and your loved ones can easily upload your snapshots for everyone to see, whether they have the Google Photos app or not.

3) It helps you free up your phone’s memory.

Photos and videos can easily eat up a large chunk of your phone’s memory. Google Photos lets you back up your priceless memories and free up space on your phone in one go, hitting two birds with one stone.

Once your phone’s done backing up your pictures, just select the “Free Up Space” option under the menu. The photos and videos that have been backed up to Google Photos will be moved to your “Trash” folder, where you can permanently delete them from your phone’s memory. This simple action frees up precious space on your phone.

4) It lets you create photo books (in the U.S. and Canada).

Whether you’re tech-savvy or a technophobe, you have to admit that nothing still beats the experience of leafing through a printed photo album. Once you’ve set up your Google Photos account, you can have up to 100 pictures printed in a photo book for a reasonable fee. Easy, right?

5) It helps you digitize old photos.

PhotoScan is a nifty Google-made app that lets you scan printed photos using your phone’s camera glare-free. It also automatically crops and enhances your images, so your 20-year-old grade school pictures and your parents’ 40-year-old wedding photos stay vibrant during their online migration. You can choose to back up your scanned PhotoScan images to your Google Photos account so you can view them anytime on your Google Photos library.

What’s your favorite Google Photos feature? Let us know in a comment below!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

6 Reasons To Digitize Your Photos As Soon As Possible

By Mars Salazar

On August 3, 2018

In Photography

If your family is like most, you probably have a stash of printed photos and film rolls at home. Some may be meticulously laid out in photo albums and frames, while others are stocked in boxes or kept in the envelopes from the photo store. These images serve as tender reminders of a simpler time, triggering nostalgia within seconds.

However, these photos are in danger of being left behind during the mass migration to the digital sphere. Digitizing printed photos can be tedious work, with dozens—maybe even hundreds—of images needed to be labeled, sorted and scanned. Add in the process of organizing the prints for safekeeping and the time you’ll inevitably spend reminiscing over your memories, and you’ll surely take a long time.

The good thing about this process is that there’s no deadline. There’s no real need to rush—you can take all the time in the world. But of course, the sooner you accomplish it, the more secure your photos (and their accompanying memories) will be.

This is where the Association of Personal Photo Organizers (APPO) come in. APPO trains and supports professional Photo Organizers who can make sense of your photo collection. They can curate and safeguard your precious images so you and your loved ones can keep enjoying them in the years to come. This way, your photos, as well as the memories you’ve made through the years, won’t be an “out of sight, out of mind” situation.

If you’re still on the fence about hiring a professional Photo Organizer, here are a few reasons why you should give them a call soon.

1. Prevent your photos from deteriorating.

At the end of the day, your printed photos are flimsy and extremely susceptible to damage. The paper will turn brittle and yellow, the vibrant colors will fade, and the details will be gone. A Photo Organizer can use state-of-the-art organization and preservation methods to ensure that your precious images will stand the test of time.

2. Remember moments you might have forgotten.

Your memory won’t remain sharp forever. In fact, we bet you can’t even remember what you had for lunch two weeks ago—that’s how fleeting memories can be. What more when it comes to events that happened several years ago? Organizing and scanning your images will force you to take a deep dive into the past in order to provide the necessary documentation for your printed photographs.

3. Avoid damage from natural causes.

You never know when a major disaster like a flood, earthquake, or fire might strike. Will you have the time to fix your photo collection when more pressing matters are at stake? With an archived photo library stored in the cloud, you can still have a reminder of some of the most enjoyable times of your life even when the printed images you took back then are gone.

4. Proper organization.

Ever gone digging through your printed photo albums in search of a particular photo from a specific time? It can be such a hassle if you’ve got a lot of images to go through, especially if your albums and boxes are not labeled properly. A Photo Organizer can help you sort through all your photos so you’ll never have a problem looking for a certain picture again.

5. Easy sharing and reminiscing.

When all your printed images are archived and stored on the cloud, you can share your photos with loved ones with just a couple of clicks. Sharing your memories is even easier when you and your loved ones have Nixplay Frames—just a few taps, and you’re done!

6. Preserve your memories.

The best thing about hiring a professional Photo Organizer to fix your files? All your precious images will be safely stored online and can be easily accessed by future generations without much fuss. This way, your photos—and the memories they hold—can be kept safe forever.

Click here to find an APPO-certified Photo Organizer.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

The 5 Best Investments You Can Make For Your Photography

By Mark Condon

On July 25, 2018

In Photography

Taking photos and preserving all of life’s precious memories is so important in this fast world we’re living in.

Even if you’re just using a smartphone to capture all those special moments, that’s better than nothing.

Here are 5 investments you can make to improve your photography this year.

1. Invest in a good camera.

There’s no getting around it – a dedicated camera is still better at taking photos than your phone! Even with the ability to blur the background, take panoramas, shoot multiple frames a second, and all the other fancy features available to smartphone users, phones still can’t compete with “real” cameras.

Don’t worry though – you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to get a great camera. There are plenty of affordable entry-level DSLR cameras available, some of which cost less than you might imagine.

There are plenty of different features on modern cameras that may or may not be relevant to you, but at the very least, I recommend that you choose a camera with good autofocus. It should also feel good in your hands.

In my experience, a lightweight compact camera is much more likely to be carried by you in your back pocket or handbag than a bulky DSLR. However, it might not feel as nice in your hands.

A nice compromise is a mirrorless camera, which offers great features in a lightweight package, and often with good ergonomics too.

2. Invest in a good lens.

If you own a camera with a fixed lens (i.e. one that can’t be changed), you can skip this section. There’s nothing wrong with cameras with fixed lenses, but I’m referring here to inter-changeable lens (ILC) cameras.

When you buy your first ILC camera, there may be a lens that comes bundled with it. This ‘kit lens’ is normally something like an 18-55mm zoom lens, which is a good way to get to a grip on your first few snaps.

You’ll soon find, however, that the kit lens is usually a little limiting, especially in low light where they typically tend to struggle.

If your budget allows it, investing in a ‘prime’ lens with a fast aperture can do wonders for your photography.

Having a fast aperture will allow you to shoot in low light without a flash, and allow you to blur certain foreground/background elements. This will help give your photos that ‘wow’ factor, making your subject pop out from the image.

Fortunately, each camera brand offers affordable, fast prime lenses. Just look out for a small ‘f-number’, which designates a larger aperture and a faster lens. (If it’s all a bit confusing, you can learn more about aperture here.)

3. Invest in a good tripod.

If I could choose one accessory for your camera which can help improve the quality of your pictures and open up a whole world of creative opportunity to boot, the humble tripod would be it.

These three-legged friends allow you to stabilize your camera, meaning you can get the sharpest possible photo. While you can certainly get a sharp shot without a tripod by combining a fast shutter speed with a steady hand, tripods allow you to really get the most out of the resolution of your camera.

Tripods also make it easier to take a proper panorama, or to experiment with panning shots or long-exposure landscape photos, like those beautiful flowing water shots that you’ve no doubt seen.

A tripod lets you take jaw-dropping images such as this one.

A tripod can help you achieve jaw-dropping photos that simply aren’t possible when you’re holding your camera with your hands. Image by Mark Condon.

There are plenty of affordable DSLR tripods available, and some that are compact enough to carry with you in a coat pocket.

Even if you’re just using your smartphone, a smartphone tripod can allow you to experiment a bit more with your photos. It’s also a good way to easily snap a selfie or group shot!

4. Invest in education.

This investment can be less about money, and more about time. After all, you can learn photography for free using all the online resources at your disposal.

Many of the professional photographers I know learned a lot from watching YouTube, or reading popular photography blogs.

Education may simply mean reading books, which is another wise investment of your time. Books about the basics of photography will help initially, and looking at photos taken over the years by master photographers will help train your eye into recognizing what makes a great photo.

Investing in education doesn’t have to mean enrolling in your local photography school, but if you have something like that available, it can be a great first step.

You can learn all you want by watching free internet videos, but having someone physically move your fingers into the right positions, or point out the correct way to frame a photo, is invaluable.

5. Invest in a way to share your work.

Getting your photos viewed by others is an essential step to improving at photography. Whether that means investing your time in building a photo blog to show off your shots, or simply uploading your photos to social media, improvement comes when you are open to critique.

Whether or not you can trust your friends to be honest enough about the quality of your photos to offer any useful critique is admittedly questionable, but at least by having your friends’ encouragement, you’ll be motivated to keep taking photos.

I remember when I did my first photo project, and posted a new photo on Facebook every day for a month. The words of encouragement I received there made me realize that there was an audience for my photography, leading to a career as a professional wedding photographer.

Another great way to share your photos is by using a digital photo frame. Last month I spent some time reviewing the best digital photo frames, and was surprised at how easy it is to share the photos that I take on a daily basis.

All the Nixplay frames are stylish in their own way, and beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder, but for me at least, the Seed stands head and shoulders above the rest.

As strange as it may sound, I particularly I like the rear of the device. It looks clean and neat, with the power cable acting as a stand.

Although not unique to the Nixplay Seed model, I’m also a big fan of the Nixplay Frames’ Wi-Fi functionality, which makes transferring and managing the images sent to my frames a cinch…and also a lot of fun! Being able to take a photo on my camera or phone then instantly whizzing it halfway around the world to the Nixplay Seed sitting in my family’s living room is simply mind-blowing.

Knowing how happy a photo can make someone is a great motivator to keep pushing the shutter button.

Mark Condon

Mark is the founder of Shotkit, a site which gives photography enthusiasts a peek into the camera bags of the world’s best photographers.

https://shotkit.com/

This Is The Best Thing You Can Do For All Your Photos

By Mars Salazar

On May 9, 2018

In From The Nixplay Team, Photography

Taking photos is one of the best ways to preserve life’s most precious moments, whether it’s a Sunday dinner with the whole family or your grandchild’s first steps. But what do you do with all the pictures you’ve taken? Saving them on your computer is the first step, but it seems like a waste to just let them languish on a hard drive forever.

Luckily, digital frame company Nixplay has a solution for that. Because Nixplay’s joining the Google Photos Partner Program and using the Google Photos Library API, you’ll soon be able to securely access even more of your most treasured memories on your Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frames anytime, anywhere.

A concept presentation of how Google Photos will be integrated with the Nixplay mobile app. This is not the final product demonstration.

During the 2018 Google I/O Developers’ Summit held on May 8 in Mountain View, California, it was announced that Nixplay will be one of the first companies to launch its integration with Google Photos to its customers in the coming months. With this development, Google Photos will soon send your albums directly to your Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frames, eliminating the need for you to spend precious time selecting photos for your playlists.

The best part is that if you’ve sent albums from Google Photos to your Nixplay frame, every time a new image is added into one of those albums on Google Photos, it will also be automatically uploaded to and viewable on your frame. This feature is especially great for people who live away from their loved ones, as this presents a new way for them to stay connected to them. Now, not only will your treasured moments be within reach, but you’ll always be in touch with those who matter most in your life.

This innovation, scheduled for release in the summer of 2018, is the latest feather in the cap of Creedon Technologies, the parent company of Nixplay and its sister brands, NIX and Nixplay Signage. Creedon Technologies has sold close to 1.5 million units of Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frames, Nix Digital Frames, and Nixplay Signage Solutions since its inception in 2007, making it the global leader in its field. By harnessing the power of cloud storage, service technology, and security, Creedon Technologies has empowered its customers to display their photos and share their memories in a sophisticated manner.

Are you as excited for this as we are? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

Photographing the Chinese New Year: Top 10

By Beatrice Bisais

On February 14, 2018

In Holidays, Photography

With a tourist agenda in place for Chinese New Year, your’s sincerely isn’t going to write about Chinese New Year and tell you to leave your camera at home. In fact, you can bet I’ll never do it because there’s no better way in capturing an extravaganza of light and color than with your camera. Besides, it not only makes lasting memories, but a good visual for the mantelpiece to show off. Here are some of the best things to capture during this flashy (no pun intended) occasion.

1. Dragon Dance:

One of the ultimate things to capture is a dragon dance, which are said to bring luck. They are colorful displays with lots of interesting shots of both the dragon dancers and the adorning crowds. They say, the longer the dragon, the more luck it is meant to bring. Nearly every Chinatown will have one during Chinese New Year Day on 16 February.

2. Lanterns:

This has got to be another classic, traditionally in red, a symbol of a prosperous life and booming business the radiating beauty and the fact that they’re not moving makes them a photographers dream.

3. Feasts fit for a God:

For those that celebrate, welcoming the year of the dog would be food, food and more food, often and I’m not exaggerating of epic proportions. While you’d need to be tactile and not implement your camera in the middle of a family feast without asking, those that get the access are often left with a stunning array of unique food snaps that will wow anyone.

4. Streetscapes:

It’s magical, romantic and a whole plethora of other words that won’t do the Lunar New Year and what it means. If you’re in the US, Europe, Australia or elsewhere outside of China, Chinese communities make it a bustling time full of activity as people prepare, shop and enjoy the occasion – creating streets-scenes like the Paris of the orient.

5. The People:

Those that observe this special holiday are often dressed for the occasion. Bright colors, new suave trims and jovial appearances are often the way to go. For 2018, expect to also see folks in green, blue and black to symbolize the elements of wood and water – considered lucky in the year of the Earth Dog.

6. Customs:

Chinese New Year is often a time for customs that includes things such as giving lucky red packets that usually contain money, people praying at temples to bring luck or a jovial game of mahjong, a festive favorite – just mind the noise.

7. Smiles and Laughter:

One thing that makes Chinese New Year so special for those that celebrate it is that it is an occasion to meet friends and family that many haven’t seen in a year or more. The aura can be captured by the smiles and laughter of those catching up with those that matter.

8. Fireworks:

Depending on where you are, the Lunar New Year is marked by a dazzling fireworks display that are bound to make sparks fly on any photograph.

9. Dogs:

No, this is not the name of my new hit single. As it’s the year of the Earth Dog, there is no better way than to capture man’s best friend. Maybe, a four-legged bundle of joy that’s dressed up for the occasion.

10. You:

Whilst the title to this entry sounds like an incomplete sentence, it’s not. It would be a real shame to capture all these dazzling displays and not get a cheeky selfie or an token image of you in a parade.

Make all those festive photos count by purchasing a NIX/Nixplay digital photo frame. The new NIX Lux collection features dazzling designs and finishes that will complement any majestic capture of the festivities. It is designed in a way that draws the eye of any visitor. Want to share them instantly with friends and family, the Nixplay Iris is a great way to instantly share them with anyone in the world by either adding them as friends or linking multiple frames with its unique WiFi Cloud infrastructure.

Beatrice Bisais

Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.