Best Apps for Finding What to do When Visiting a New City?

Best Apps for Finding What to do When Visiting a New City

Vacation vs VanLife
Some people plan months in advance when going on vacation but that isn’t often the case when living on the road full time. Many times I find myself wandering from one place to the other because of recommendations by others. This way of travel is exciting and often brings me to places I never would have visited otherwise.

Often when I arrive I will go to the visitor center and ask questions: What shouldn’t I miss doing or seeing when here? Is there a special event happening this week? Where can I take a shower? Is there free camping? Do you know of a vegan restaurant? 

The answers are often helpful but there are other options that provide much more information. Here is a list of apps I often use as reference.

Yelp
Yelp is most known for finding great restaurant options around you. Not only will you find a large variety of food but each location is rated helping you to weed through the not so good places. Yelp however is helpful in many other ways, try searching: “comedy clubs”, “hiking trails” or “beaches” for things to do. If you are in need of personal care search: “shower”, “haircut”, “pedicure”, or ”laundromat”. The options are pretty much limitless. I like to filter my search with the “open now” option checked so I don’t drive across town just to realize the place is closed. Yelp provides phone numbers, directions, website links, reviews and so much more. If you haven’t yet used Yelp you will soon love it.

Facebook - Events

If you have never accessed this portion of Facebook you will be amazed at the options listed. Where ever you are or might be going to you can find an abundance of events that are happening, Today, Tomorrow, This Weekend, Next Week or Choose Date. The events are searchable by type if you tap ‘Filter’ and pick from choices like: Art, Health, Music, Party, Food, etc.
The events will provide information on number of people going or just interested, the date and time, location, details and how to get tickets, if applicable.

Meetup
If you aren’t already a member of Meetup you should be. Meetup is an App that gives you access to groups of people that gather for all kinds of activities. Hiking, happy hour, board games, coffee and chat, and photography; are just a few of the 1000’s of options. Each city has their own options.
If you are a planner you can start joining groups all over the country that have like interests and see what activities are planned or join when you arrive at a particular city. Some Meetup groups have fees, but most likely waive it for the first time attendees. Sign up for the activities/events you want to attend. If you change your mind or can’t attend change your status to “not going” as being a no show isn’t polite since you most likely stopped someone else from being able to attend.

Other Apps
Another favorite suggestion is to search and download  apps that the visitor center or chamber in the city you are visiting created. By searching the name of the city you may find a variety of options. Start with the free ones to find “Things to do in ....”
Also Travelocity is a great reference for option of things to do and see in different cities.

Where do plan to visit next? What will you do there? Who will you meet? Enjoy the adventures that lie ahead!

Pinterest Contributors and iPhone Photography

Yesterday it was mentioned that I am now a 'Pinner' on Pinterest, pinning various iPhone Photography items along with a few other interesting things. When learning the ropes I discovered that community boards can be created, so an idea.

I have created two boards that allow 'others' like you to contribute. The first one is for iPhone Photography -  'iPhone Photography on Pinterest - A Board'.  The second board is for pinning Photographic Apps -  'iOS Apps for Photography - A Board' So here is how it works: The boards can be found on Pinterest by clicking on the links above. If you would like to contribute first follow me in Pinterest and then send me an email asking to be invited as a contributor, make sure to send your Pinterest Name.  teri@terilou.com

Once added you can contribute by pinning to the board. With your help these boards will be a wealth of information for all iPhone Photographers. If all goes well I will continue to add other community boards...so what do you think? Send me an email.


The Last Pixel Show is pleased to announce two destination iPhone Photography Workshops. The first is in Napa Valley this April and the second is in Palouse this August. Please click the images on the sidebar links for more information. You can also go directly to the website at http://thelastpixelshow.org. 


 Online courses start again on March 5th. Sign up soon.

Lesson One - Playing with Apps

Sunset near Klamath Falls, OR

The sunset tonight was fantastic. I captured it with ProHDR hand held because I didn't have time to set up my tripod. After dinner, while sitting in McD's where I could get internet, I started processing the image.

My traveling companion, Mark Hosko, has watched me process my images over the last few months and has offered artist advice when asked, but he has never apped an image himself. Until tonight.

I was asking his advice on some simple contrast and saturation techniques to use in Filterstorm that he might use in Photoshop and handed him my iPad so he could show me 'what he would do'. (Actually it was a sneaky way to get him to prepare my blog post while I worked on other things.) Two hours later, after 'playing' in Filterstorm, fxPhotoStudio and Blender, he took the image in a "direction that I wouldn't normally have gone."

I really enjoyed watching him make creative choices and introduce more possibilities along the way. It is always fun to show off the capabilities that the apps have.


iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts October 3rd - only six student per session. If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Creative Blending with Various Apps

Using Juxtaposer I combined two of the below blended images and continued to play.

In my iCreativity course I share many different ways and concepts of blending. I believe that realizing the possibilities is how my artistic vision has grown the most. There are many apps that allow for blending. Below are a few options.

Above are two Hipstamatic photos I took of this portable Candy Store. I took them with the iPhone on a tripod so they would line up perfectly. I will refer to them as 'the originals'.

I blended the two originals in Autostitch and this is the image I got.

I blended the two originals with Filterstorm to get this image.

I blended the two originals with Blender in Normal Mode to get this image.

I will share many more ideas and concepts in my iCreativity class, sign up for the Sept 12th class and get FREE fxPhotoStudio for the iPad - which now includes masking.

 iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts September 12th - only six student per session. If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

The greens of Iceland

Getting lost in Iceland

"When all the cosmic tumblers click into place, you can see what is possible..."

Every day I am grateful that I have so many of my cosmic tumblers clicking into place.


iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts September 12th - only six student per session.
If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Ice of Iceland - Big Girl Camera Captured - iPad Processed

Well I actually brought two cameras with me, a Nikon and my iPhone. I mentioned that I would post an image from my Nikon that I apped and here it is!  I finally had some time to download all my Nikon photos and picked one of my favorites for this post. Iceland is the land of ice that is for sure.
I did several tests when importing this image through iTunes in the sync mode. I didn't try the PhotoTransfer app or the email option because I don't have the option of wireless on my iPad here in Iceland at this time. The largest image that would sync was 3,523,584 pixels.
I used just two apps for this image as I really didn't want to app it that much. PerfectPhoto for sharpening and fxPhotostudio filter Tokyo. Impression for my copyright.
Remember that the last day for the fxPhotoStudio competition is on August 2nd for a free online iPhoneography 101 course from yours truly.  Post the images on Facebook site for fxPhotoStudio. If you have questions you can email me at teri@terilou.com.

In conclusion: Iceland will stay with me for a very long time. It is an incredibly diverse, colorful and inspiring country.  When I visit again I will rent a camper or car camp so I can be where the sunrises and be in the magical places longer. I really just wanted to perch and soak it in at times. I am very grateful to Harry and Michael for the great times and the opportunity to join them for a short time during this journey we call life!

Tomorrow I fly home - 12 hours of flight time. I have everything charged so I should be able to create more great art, however I won't be posting until Tuesday most likely.

iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts September 12th - only six student per session, So sign up now. Last class filled up quickly If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Iceland Photo Tour Day Two

What a variety of images I captured today. The day started out strong with a beautiful scene of the hotel setting (see my FB page) and ended with a great trip to some wonderful rocks, seaweed and kelp along the ocean.
I processed my image while riding in the car so I won't be staying up until 2am to complete everything I needed too.
I had a wide variety of processing techniques. Sorry for the brief post as I am literally falling asleep at my keyboard. (Now that is a first!)
Iceland continues to amaze and excite me. We are off to a new hotel tomorrow heading southeast.

iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts September 12th - only six student per session, So sign up now. Last class filled up quickly If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Scrape Metal? - please NO!!!

As I have explained before, I spent about 6 wonderful weeks in the Palouse last summer. I asked lots of questions and had many adventures. Rod introduced me to Scott and Paula, two hard working farmers. Paula is the owner of these two combines that have been put out to pasture years ago. She has many heads of cow that frequently graze among them in the true spirit of a family farm. Last year I spent many days returning to these jewels to photograph them at different times of the day and weather conditions. One of my favorite images of the 7500 I captured last summer was this scene.

So this year one of my first stops was to show my clients this great photographic opportunity they presented. We spent a couple hours here getting the panoramic scene to close ups of the colorful rust. With my favorite image of last year in my head. I took the same angle with my iPhone this year. I like this scene because of Steptoe Butte, the icon of the area, in the background.

A few days after spending time photographing these antique combines I ran into Scott. He had a very welcoming joyful smile for me. I once again I told him how I had much I loved the setting of Paula's combines. It was then that he told me he almost turned them into scrape metal last winter but Rod told him, "Teri will kick your butt if you get rid of those combines." So glad that I have friends watching my back while I am gone!

So as today's blog I present this year's iPhone image of my favorite combines thanks to Scott listening to Rod's advice!

ProHDR

Autostitch

Noir

ShockMyPic

Blender

fxPhotoStudio

Filterstorm

iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts July 11th - limit 6 student per course. If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Grungetastic - Bricks on the Wall

The Bricks on the Wall

Captured in the city of Palouse on the wall of a restaurant after etting a great Rueben. 

Hipstamatic

Grungetastic

Filterstorm

Montage

PerfectPhoto

Impression

iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts July 11th - limit 6 student per course.

If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

A Wonderful Day to take Hipsta for a Hike!

View of Lake Cle Elum

This wonderful view is just a short distance from my house and about an hour hike. Whenever I get out and enjoy the great outdoors I wonder why I don't do it more often!

Hipsta
Filterstorm
Rays
Impression

iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts July 11th - limit 6 student per course. 


If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Toon Paint - Yard Work!

Mowing the lawn!

I am like many others, I really don't enjoy mowing the lawn. So as you can see I let it grow a bit high before I tackled the job for the first time this season. Thank goodness the backyard isn't a thick lawn and more like a play one instead, hence the Volleyball court. However after mowing the lawn, I did enjoy completing the many more tasks of weeding, spraying, sweeping and watering. I have always likes playing in dirt!

I can see that I blended in this border about as good as I mowed the lawn leaving a little white along the upper left edge just like I left a strip of tall grass in places. Oh well I guess it adds to the story!

ProHDR
ToonPaint
Blender
PhotoStudio
Filterstorm


iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts TODAY! - sign up now!!


If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

RetroPak One - Hipstamatic

The sea floor within the peeling paint

Today the big news on Facebook was my students and fellow iPhoneographers asking, "When am I going to be able to download the RetroPak from Hipstamatic." Seems that it was later than promised but by the end of the day it was available and many had downloaded it and starting playing.

I had intended to go out and capture some great images using the Salvador 84 lens and Dream Canvas film in honor of the RetroPak one, however when a iPhoneography girl sees some of the best peeling paint ever she changes her mind. I did capture some fishy peeling paint with the Hipsta and blended them into my creation tonight.

The peeling paint reminded me of scuba diving in Figi. The sea ferns and algae flowing with the current. I also found some fish, if you think very creatively. So I created a montage with Juxtaposer tonight.

The native camera
Hipsta
PerfectPhoto
Juxtaposer
ArtistaOil
Filterstorm

The fishy - Peeling paint Hipsta Dream Canvas style

iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts June 13th.


If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Back in Time - Saint Boniface Church - Uniontown, WA

 

I was very surprised to find this church in the Uniontown, WA. What a treat it was to photograph the inside of it.
This is a 3 image Autostitch, creatively processed using Filterstorm, ArtistaOil and PhotoStudio. If you look closely you will see that the foreground is painted and tinted to give it an antique look whereas the background was kept sharp and brilliant. I chose to process it this way to create the feeling of walking from the past into the preset.

iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts May 23rd. 
If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Perkins House - Colfax, WA

The Parlor

The Perkins House is an amazing place in Colfax, WA. My iPhoneographer friend, Dick, and I were treated to a special time there today. Thanks Steve! I captured so many images that my head is spinning today. Here is a very unique version of an image that I saw years ago and couldn't wait to capture myself. It isn't my normal work the high contrast image but it works for me.
I combined two Hipsta images in Blender and finished my work flow in Filterstorm.

I am sure I will be posting other images from not only the Perkins House but also the Palouse for days!


Sign up Now!!!
iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts May 23rd.

If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Merry Bicycle

One of the first images I captured with the Hipstamatic Camera App

To have someone 'try' to copy your technique, workflow or creation is a great compliment. Look at how many people studied under Ansel Adams and no one has ever said, that I am aware, his students are better than he is. Why is that? How can someone show you exactly how they create something and no two artist's work look the same. I believe it is because of so many variables. 
First of all we see differently. For instance, at a crime scene 10 people that were witnesses to the crime can all be interviewed and have a different version of what happened. Therefore, if you are shown a technique step by step there are always different ways to see things. 
Secondly we think differently. Everyone's life experiences are different and I believe those experiences play a big part on how we express ourselves. Isn't art an expression of oneself? 
Seeing and thinking differently create an infinite amount of possibilities. Now to take it a step further. The great artists and mentors are always growing and learning themselves. Their passion drives them to become better and 'see out of the box'. Therefore the students who are 'trying' to copy the technique are always a step behind. 
So what is my message. You can and should 'try' to copy many of the great artists techniques, you should have a mentor who is willing to take the time and effort to guide you and you should follow your artistic passion. However, keep in mind that no matter how hard you try to be like someone else, it is never going to happen. So become the artist you were meant to be. 


Case in point... Harry Sandler described his processing technique in detail on his blog post today. So I decided to 'try' it. The first thing I discovered, is that I had no idea where he set his slider in PhotoStudio. Next I discovered I didn't know where he chose his light source to come from in Dynamic Light. Then I had no idea what blending mode he used while in Blender or Iris, let alone which image he started with first. Plus what were his settings in Sketchmee? So, in the end I added my own vision and thoughts to create an image with guidance, inspiration and ideas from my mentor. 


The conclusion to this story is: I want to thank Harry for the inspiration and explanation of his processing technique, I am very grateful that he shared it. I hope you like my variation of it! (oh and I didn't forget to sharpen, I promise!)

iPhoneography Classes Available Now!  starts May 16th

If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Scrapbooking on the iPad

My crazy daughters!!!

This afternoon I was thinking of strong, capable, nice women and was reminded of this poem, one of my favorites. It is hanging in my hallway on the way to the kitchen. I thought it would be fun to take a photo of the poem for a montage that I was planning to work on. I thought I was going to use it as the background or place it in the corner of my latest work. I also went upstairs looking for texture papers to shoot, never can have enough of those. Then I sat down and opened up Montage on my iPad and started adding various images. Nothing was blending the way I hoped, so I started concentrating on just framing the poem. As I framed it I was reminded of the days I was into scrapbooking (yes I have all the papers, punches, stamps, stickers, glitter....) and thought I would create 'a page' with  Montage. It was fun to build one element after the other, framing, sizing and placing. The main difference is that I didn't use scissors or glue, and I could resize the image to fit, so much easier. It is also very cool that I will always have this page with me on my iPad. I will admit that I used some photos from the archive files just as I would have if I was doing old fashioned scrapbooking so my daughters were not shot with the iPhone (me bad). The photo came from a Mother's Day about 5 years ago - a wonderful memory!

Montage - placement, sizing, text and clip art

Filterstorm - blending, framing and sizing

Grungetastic - framing

PhotoStudio - framing and rotating

Poem by Eleanor Roosevelt

Please note: I have created 'Pages' for my online iPhoneography classes - see box in upper left column. There you can find information on each class I instruct and a simple Buy Now button to sign up. Of course you can always contact me with additional questions prior to signing up if you like. Remember iPhoneography 101 starts again on Monday, May 9th. Space is limited. 

A Walk Through Roslyn

I have been working on a project called 'A Walk Through Roslyn' for several years. Roslyn is a small town famous for its coal mining, cemetery and that Northern Exposure was filmed there. I have several images, non iPhone ones, posted on my website, take a look if you like.
No matter how often I visit there is always something interesting to capture. This door that has no outside access is a favorite of mine. I have never liked capturing it at this time of the year before because I found it to be colorless and boring. However as I walked past it yesterday I knew I would be able to create a beautiful image with my newly acquired processing skills on the iPhone. Within the last 7 months I have not only discovered the power of blending and masking but I have learned how and when to apply those skills.
In the years past I just couldn't get my self excited to process my images on my computer while sitting at my desk. Furthermore, it always seemed that another plug in was needed to accomplish the latest techniques and they each cost $99 or more. I always felt that I was behind the technology curve and was discouraged by that somehow. Also, if I did have the plug in I knew that shortly I would have to spend another $99 for an upgrade to keep up. It was a continuous money pit game.
However with the iPhone and all the photographic apps available, I am creating the art I have always dreamed of, actually I have reached beyond my dreams. I am stretching myself beyond the limits that I knew were possible. I am able to achieve this because the apps are affordable and powerful. Now when I spend my $1.99 I invest in a longterm relationship of creativity and possibilities, and the updates are free, go figure.
So if you feel as I did about expense and confinement of software holding you back from becoming the artist you were meant to be, I hope that I am inspiring and motivating you to play and experiment with the photographic apps available to you.
"Lose your dreams and you might lose your mind." Mick Jagger

ProCamera

PhotoStudio

Iris

Filterstorm

Dynamic Light

Impression

iPhoneography 101 starts again next Monday, May 9th. During this course you will learn to use the apps of the iPhone to create photographs beyond a basic snapshot. With my vast knowledge of relevant applications and how to use them in the most interesting ways, in four weeks and with real-life guidance you will increase your photographic creativity dramatically. My goal is to inspire and motivate you to discover your artistic vision through experimentation, fun and play. Ask for an outline of the course at teri@terilou.com.

Dynamic Duo - Iris for iPad and Filterstorm

I was at the cafe this evening sitting in a comfortable chair when I saw the sky light up and dramatic clouds, so up I got and off I drove to my favorite yellow truck.
I knew I wanted to once again play with a Hipsta Stitch and I used the whole camera roll shooting this image in 9 frames. When I stitched it I was a little disappointed with the framing edges so I knew I had to be creative.
So where to start. I really wanted to practice and play with Iris for iPad and Filterstorm. What is wonderful about both of them is the power to blend. Both have there own special purpose: Iris is needed to blend at different modes and to add Fx effects whereas Filterstorm is needed to accomplish the task of brushing on the blend.
So I needed to create different versions to blend with. In order to accomplish this I used PhotoForge for one version, PhotoStudio for two of the blends, AutoPainter for one blend and Iris for one blend. However I used some of the blend more than once. All in all I blended 9 times adding different elements each time. I also cloned out some unwanted trees in the background.
My hope is that you realize the power of blending and are motivated to try it for yourself.
I have a feeling you haven't seen the last of this truck!

Two more things:
First of all very few people guessed the apps used in this weeks mystery post and no one guessed correctly, bummer. The apps used were: Bad Camera ArtistaSketch, Blender, Filterstorm, Grungetastic,and Photo Forge. I may have a contest again next week.
Secondly, I wanted to mention that you have one more day to take this month poll - see side panel.

Update: Top iPhone Processing Apps

Weekly there are several new photography apps introduced and even more that are updated. It is an impossible task to stay on top of it all. Every now and then a few will stand out and I will purchase them. Since most of them are just a variation of something I already have, with nothing new that stands out, I rarely use them again. Occasionally though you get a winner that deserves recognition. Therefore I am updating the top list. It was hard to eliminate some of my old favorites from the list but I did to make room for a few new favorites.

Current Top 15 iPhone Processing Apps: PhotoArtista Series, AutoPainter,  PhotoForge, Blender, Iris, picGrunger, PhotoStudio, Crop'n'Frame, Impression, DynamicLight, MontagePro, Filterstorm, Diptic, Autostitch and TouchRetouch.

Below are a few Hipstamatic, a favorite camera app, captures I took in February while walking around Seattle. I only sharpened them and add my copyright info.

Dreamy

 Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"  ~Robin Williams


The camera was faithfully used and then processed with BlurFX, Filterstorm, Iris, PhotoStudio and Impression.  That is it. No painting apps whatsoever. I was thrilled!