Category: Photography Page 5 of 24

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

Top Photo Apps to Enhance Your Smartphone Images

On August 15, 2019

Images don’t always come perfect from the camera. They usually need tools to stand out. And with mobile camera technology getting better every day, everyone has the potential to take stunning pictures. However, a great camera can only take you so far.

This is where the dozens of photo apps in the market step in. They greatly help in capturing and editing your photos, ensuring you’ll always have images worthy of a double-take (or a double-tap). But not all apps are created equal. The question is, which ones are worthy of the precious space they’ll take up on your phone?

Luckily, one-stop online portfolio website Pixpa already researched some of the best apps for you so you don’t have to waste your researching about each one. This list includes iOS and Android apps, as well as free and paid ones. Here are their top picks:

Snapseed

Snapseed is a great photo editor developed by Google. The app can process both JPG and RAW images in a precise manner, and your customized processes can be saved and applied to the photos later. There are 29 tools and filters for your perusal, including curves, lens blur, HDR Scape, double exposure, and more. The best part? It’s totally free.

Yr.no

Outdoor photographers need a reliable app that can tell current and upcoming weather conditions. This is where Yr.no comes in. Yr.no has animated effects for the 48- hour forecast period, with information on wind, temperature, and bad weather warnings. This app was built by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, meaning you can really trust it when it comes to all things weather.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Photoshop Express is a photo editing and collage-making app used by creative individuals around the world. It has a broad range of photo effects and editing tools–you can add borders and text to photos, enhance their color, add blend effects, remove atmospheric fog, and de-haze pictures to add clarity and sharpness. Photoshop Express is the go-to app for quick fixes and effects, and it’s a must-have in every smartphone photographer’s arsenal.

PhotoScan by Google Photos

Google PhotoScan comes in handy when you don’t have a scanner and want a quick digital version of a printed photo. This app can correct perspective distortion in an image, and automatically fix its edges. PhotoScan’s response time is astounding, allowing it to automatically enhance scanned photos with ease.

TouchRetouch

The TouchRetouch app is focused on the healing and cloning functionalities. This app can remove almost anything that’s bothering you in your photos. Telephone wires, dust marks, pimples–name it, TouchRetouch can erase it. With just a few taps of your fingertips, the app will analyze the picture and remove blemishes correctly.

Instagram

Who hasn’t heard of (or installed) Instagram? Probably the most popular photo-sharing app in the world, this is a great tool to get closer to the people and things you love. Though Instagram has some cool filters, which can be used to add effects to your photos and selfies, and basic editing tools for photo enhancement, its real strength lies in the ways it allows users to share their content. On IG, photographers can share their images with a broad community, directly engaging with their followers and keeping them updated with their latest works. There’s also the app’s Story feature, which lets users upload images and videos that only last for 24 hours, and IGTV, which is perfect for sharing longer videos.

Releases

This app comes in handy when photographers need legal permission from a model or property owner to stage a photo shoot and use the photos. With Releases, you can get the signature of your client on the screen and save the release form in PDF. The app has various templates by the American Society of Media Photographers, Getty Images, and Shutterstock, among other photography resources, which can be edited and used according to your needs. The app is only available for iOS users.

Skylights

If you are a photographer who regularly uses artificial lighting, then you will love this app! With Skylights, you can record the light placement and settings from your previous shoot. Diagrams can be created in this app with just a few taps; there are more than ten categories which you can drag and add. You can easily go back to previous diagrams and edit or add components as required, and you can zoom in and save them to your camera roll. The app is only available for iOS devices.

Hyperfocal DOF

Hyperfocal DOF can be used to calculate the distance closest to the lens where the objects can be focused. This app has more than 1600 camera models to choose from–you just have to set the focal length and aperture used, along with the camera model, and the app will calculate the hyperfocal distance. Hyperfocal DOF is available for both iOS and Android.

WiFi Photo Transfer

This app was developed for iOS users who find it difficult to transfer photos from their mobile phones to their computer. The app creates a Wi-Fi connection to your computer and makes the process of transferring pictures easy.

Geotag Photos Pro 2

Geotag Photos Pro 2 can record your position while you take photos. Even if your DSLR takes the images in RAW format, the app would also be able to record your position. The GPX file downloaded from the app works perfectly with Adobe Lightroom, letting you geotag your photos while editing. The app can also transfer the GPX files automatically to the cloud services of your choice. There’s a dedicated Geotag app for smartwatches like the Apple Watch, along with iOS and Android devices.

Mextures

Mextures is a paid iOS-only app which you can use to easily apply textures, filters, and effects, such as film grain, light leaks, and gradients, to your photos. Like Adobe Photoshop, the app lets you work on layers, which can be edited anytime you want. Mextures also has more than 150 textures, which can be applied using the 12 blending modes, as well as 30 film presets to give your photos the look of popular film footage.

Don’t forget to display your images on a Nixplay Frame! Take advantage of our Back To School Sale to get 25% off selected frames, only until August 25!

Making Better Vacation Memories By Hiring A Local Photographer

By Mars Salazar

On August 12, 2019

In Photography

Bridget* was turning 35 when she decided to take a vacation on her birthday as a present to herself. In her mind, there was no doubt that Cancún was the place to go.

“The first time I went to Cancún was actually with my family, for a summer vacation when I was still in middle school,” Bridget said about her birthday trip to the tropical Mexican tourist town. “I remember it was my favorite vacation, and this year, with my mother passing away, traveling there again seemed like a good way to honor her as well as celebrate my birthday in a special way.”

Cancún attracts tourists from around the world, and Bridget isn’t the only one charmed by the seaside paradise. The stretches of white sand next to the Caribbean, the idyllic waterfront hotels, and the vibrant energy gives the entire city an atmosphere different from any other. This makes it an ideal vacation destination for travelers of all stripes.

While Bridget was mostly attracted to the beaches of Cancún, she also made a point to visit some of the other historic sites nearby. She learned about the El Rey Mayan ruins, an ancient site thought to be dedicated to the Mayan god of the sun. Bridget was impressed by the stone ruins of the temples, pillars, and monuments constructed by the Mayans who used to live in that region of Mexico.

Back in the city, Bridget also decided to visit the Museo Maya de Cancún to learn more about the ancient civilizations and the artifacts discovered at the El Rey site, as well as the discoveries from other archaeological excavations around the country. It was a good way to cap off the experience and learn more about the amazing sites she had seen at El Rey.

To make her Cancun trip more memorable, Bridget decided to enlist the services of a local photographer who can better capture her memories.

“When I was planning my trip, I decided to find local photographers in Cancún so I can do a photoshoot there,” Bridget shared. “I have a two-year-old daughter at home, and while she’s too young to come with me for this trip, I hope to bring her to Cancún someday. I thought it would be nice to have pictures to show her so she could see for herself how beautiful the place is.”

Bridget and the photographer took most of the photos on the beaches; with the stunning Caribbean and dazzling golden sand, every shot was picture-perfect without needing to stage anything.

“I was actually a bit nervous for the photoshoot,” Bridget confided. “I guess I don’t picture myself as someone who normally does things like that. But all my doubts went away when I met the photographer from Localgrapher. Everything was so relaxed and informal; I wasn’t even really sure where I wanted to do the photoshoot, and they gave me a lot of suggestions without overwhelming me. It turned out to be a lot of fun.”

“My decision to find a local photographer in Cancún was the right one to make. I was all worried that it would be stressful, or not worth the time, but it turned out amazing,” Bridget said. “Now I have these special photos to show my daughter, and we can hopefully plan our next trip to take some pictures together.”

complete your vacation memories by displaying your vacation photos on a Nixplay Frame! take advantage of our Back To School sale and get 25% off selected frames until August 25!

*name had been changed

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.

How To Take Great Summer Photos Of Your Pet

By Mars Salazar

On June 19, 2019

In Photography

If you haven’t cooed over a cute dog or cat photo online, you’re probably an unfeeling soul with a heart of stone. But what most people don’t know is that a lot of work (and treats) have gone into all those cute animal pictures you’ve swooned over. If the dog picture you just double-tapped look like it was captured effortlessly, the photographer must have done a great job—and we’d like to help you do the same.

Whether you’d like to turn your pooch into a summer social media star or just want to capture its best angles under the sun, the tips below should help improve your pet photography skills. Read on and start snapping!

Take advantage of the sunshine

Summer is the perfect season to practice your outdoor photography skills. Take advantage of the sunshine and get your pet outdoors! Your pooch would love the chance to bask in the sun after several cloudy months. Plus, more natural light allows you to use faster shutter speeds, letting you take vibrant photos of your pup while he’s zooming around.

Focus on the eyes

Your pet’s eyes are the windows to its soul, so don’t be afraid to focus on them. If you’ve got a cat, try to take its close-up shots somewhere without harsh light to capture its dilated pupils.

Play with props

What’s cuter than a smiling pug? A smiling pug in sunglasses, that’s what. Props and simple costumes can add a fun, summery vibe to your pet photos, so if you’ve always wanted to dress up your pet in a Hawaiian-printed shirt, now’s the perfect time to do so!

Use treats and toys

A surefire way to capture your pet’s attention is by attracting it with its favorite toys and treats. If your dog doesn’t want to look at your camera’s lens, try holding a tennis ball or a favorite toy near your camera. Don’t forget to reward your good boy with a treat or two!

Let your pet be himself

Instead of forcing your pooch to preen and pose for you, try to take photos of your pet in his element. Enable ‘burst’ mode to capture your pet’s frolicking, and try to zoom in when your pet is catching a snooze. The goal is to document your pet’s cutest moments as they naturally occur.

Capture your pet’s best summer with Nixplay! Get 15% off all Nixplay Seed 8 and Iris Smart Frames, only until June 30!

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.

Wine, Friendship, and Photo Organizing: What You Can Expect at the 7th National Photo Organizing Conference

By Cathi Nelson

On March 26, 2019

In Photography

Nixplay is in New Mexico to join one of our long-term partners, the Association of Personal Photo Organizers (APPO), in celebrating their Seventh National Photo Organizing Conference. We talked to APPO founder Cathi Nelson to give us some insights on how this event can open up opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping people tell their stories through photos and videos.

Please tell us about APPO.

Cathi Nelson: APPO is a professional organization that provides community, education, access to quality products, and entrepreneurial business knowledge to support the growth and success of professional photo organizers.

What can people expect for this year’s annual conference?

Cathi Nelson: APPO’s National Conference is the only educational conference for photo organizers in the world. The conference features dozens of small group and interactive learning workshops, led by an impressive collection of passionate experts and certified photo organizers. We cover all aspects of the art and business of photo organizing, with topics focused on photo organizing techniques, skill development, client management, pricing and profitability, and marketing and sales.

We’re excited to offer an educational lineup that meets the needs of today’s astute photo organizer. We proudly partner with top-quality sponsors and vendors, eager to support the growing field of photo organizing with a marketplace designed to showcase leading-edge products and services.

What has happened over the course of 10 years?

Cathi Nelson: Ten years ago, being a photo organizer was not a profession. Today, we have over 700 members in eight countries. We have been featured in countless news articles, podcasts, and blogs, including The New York Times, Better Homes and Gardens, The Wall Street Journal, and Real Simple. Our members have helped thousands of clients preserve their memories, especially after fires and floods.

How has Nixplay helped you achieve your goals as an organization?

Cathi Nelson: Nixplay is an amazing partner to photo organizers. They provide quality products and support the work of independent business owners. Nixplay frames offer photo organizers the option to return a client’s digitized collection to them in a unique way, giving all family members the joy of seeing photos from the past and connecting them with memories happening at the moment. Part of our mission as an organization is to connect our members with quality products to help them in their work, and Nixplay has been the perfect partner.

What are your future plans for APPO?

Cathi Nelson: We envision APPO to grow to thousands of professional photo organizers as the need for our services increases. APPO is built around the values of mutual support, shared success, and giving back. Cooperation, not competition, will help us grow into the future.

What’s your advice for Nixplay Smart Frame owners who might still be struggling to digitize and organize their photos?

Cathi Nelson: We have two resources for those who want to Do It Themselves. The first is my book, Photo Organizing Made Easy, available on Amazon.

We also just launched two online courses with great reviews, Printed Photo Organizing Made Easy and Digital Photo Organizing Made Easy, which you can purchase separately or as a bundle. The courses take you through the step by step process, developed by professional photo organizers.

Interested in the business and art of photo organizing? You can learn more about APPO by visiting www.appo.org or their Online Academy.

Cathi Nelson

Cathi Nelson, author of Photo Organizing Made Easy; Going from Overwhelmed to Overjoyed, is the leader of a global photo organizing movement. A cutting-edge entrepreneur and speaker, in 2009 she founded The Photo Managers, the leading organization serving entrepreneurs through training, a professional certification program, best practices, and a code of ethics that sets high standards for the rapidly growing photo management industry. She’s built a worldwide community and organization around supporting people in creating thriving businesses doing work they love. She’s been featured in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Real Simple Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal about how to organize and preserve the legacy of your family heritage through photos.

https://thephotomanagers.com/

How To Improve Your Selfie Game This 2019

By Nixplay Team

On February 18, 2019

In Photography

We’re almost two months into 2019—time just flies, huh? That said, have you changed your profile pictures already? While it’s far from being a necessity, it’s a nice way to edit and reevaluate your social media presence. The easiest way to do this is to take a selfie and get on with your day, but it has to be a really good selfie to be considered profile picture-worthy.

So, how exactly can you take a selfie that’s majestic enough to be featured prominently online? Read on for some easy tips. Don’t forget to display your best selfies on your Nixplay frame!

Use the rear camera.

While the front camera lets you examine how you look while you’re taking your pictures, the lens’ resolution is admittedly less clear. The rear camera has a higher resolution compared to the front camera, resulting in clearer, more defined images. Using the rear camera also forces you to look at the lens instead of your phone’s screen, letting you engage with your selfies’ viewers in a better way.

Find your light.

The key to looking great in all your photos is to look for the most flattering light source and face it. But choose your light carefully. Harsh, fluorescent white light can be extremely unflattering, so opt for natural light as often as possible. Take your selfies outdoors or near windows, when the sun isn’t so high up in the sky. The few hours after sunrise and before sunset, in particular, can bathe you in a beautiful golden glow. If there’s no source of natural light, opt for warm yellow indoor light instead.

Mind your background.

Look for pretty wallpaper, vibrantly hued walls, colorful tiles, or picturesque sweeping views. These seemingly small details will go a long way in making your selfies more interesting and more worthy to be a replacement for your current profile picture. But before you take that photo, don’t forget to check your background first. Look for wires, mess, or trash that you can take out of the frame. And if you’re taking a selfie at a particularly beautiful bathroom—for the love of all that is photogenic, please keep the toilet bowl out of the frame!

Don’t over-edit!

It’s okay to do minimal edits to your selfies: minimize eyebags, neutralize red spots, and adjust the lighting to achieve a great glow. But don’t go overboard and start resizing your nose and shaving your jawline! Too much editing will make you scarcely recognizable, turning you into a completely different person. You want to still be recognizable in your selfies, not to look like a cartoon version of yourself.

Angle away.

You probably have at least one friend who always looks good in all her photos. Either your friend is just really good-looking, or maybe he or she just knows all the most flattering angles. Practice your poses in front of the mirror, and try different angles and smiles until you find the perfect angle: One that elongates your neck, conceals your eye bags, and just makes you look like a better version of yourself.