The Hidden Cove

Waking up at 5am, I jumped in the car and headed to Auckland’s West Coast to catch some early morning images. With a host of beaches to choose from, I settled on my favorite – Piha Beach.

39km west of Auckland’s CBD, its a long windy road to get to Piha. From the direction I came, I took a road called Scenic Drive. Scenic drive itself was built in the 1930’s depression by those on unemployment at the time. Often crossing ridge lines, when an opening in the trees becomes available, it offers a magnificent view of various parts of Auckland.

Unfortunately for me, the sky was very overcast at Piha the whole morning I was there, only clearing in the afternoon, on my home journey. I did take a number of shots however, and will look to edit through them and share a little later in the week, along with some more information on the local area.

Today’s shot was taken just around the corner from the southern end of Piha. The image does not show it, but it was blowing fairly strong winds! (I had to retrieve my hat which blew off the cliff!).

Image/Editing wise, the same as the last few days. Shot on the Samsung Galaxy S2 using Vignette with a digital Polaroid setting. Writing added in Photoshop CS5.

January 7, 2013 0

Balmain Reserve and the Beach

As the days rapidly count down to the end of Holiday time, I have decided to continue on with my ‘digital Polaroid’ theme for the last few days. Hitting 25 degrees in Auckland today, we headed down to Cheltnham beach for a swim (I have written about the beach numerous times in the past so wont spend time on it today)

As with the last few days, image was shot on the Samsung Galaxy S2 using the vignette app. I made some minor tweaks to the film type and exposure today, giving it mostly an overexposed quality – as a comment pointed out in the past, this almost gives more of a feeling of bright, hot summer. Photoshop CS5 provided the written content and resizing.

I have used CS5 these last few days simply out of convenience in that its on the laptop in front of me, rather than my usual desktop unit with Gimp 2.8. Its been, lets say refreshing to use CS5 these last few days – more just so I don’t totally forget how to use it (just almost).

With two days left on my break I am hoping to get to the West Coast – Piha. Fingers crossed for tomorrow or the day after. I will take a combination of mobile, digital and film shots all going well.

Until tomorrow!

January 6, 2013 0

Looking out at Whitford

What was to be a few hours in the morning trip to view a car, turned into a full day out at the south eastern beaches of Auckland. On our way there I stopped at a high point, looking down at an area called Whitford and out into the harbour.

In hand I had mobile phone and Pentax 35mm SLR – of which both took some shots, but I have yet to finish the 35mm film off.

Aside from mentioning it was a fairly hot, and beautiful day, not much else to add for today’s image.

Shot on the Samsung Galaxy S2 using Vignette on Polaroid mode. Wording added in post processing with Photoshop CS5.

Hmm…looks like I forgot the year also…

January 5, 2013 4

Devonport, the mobile polaroid

Out and about in Devonport today, I played around with the Vignette app on my mobile. Vignette has had a number of updates in recent months – mostly fixes, but also extra bits and pieces, so I thought it was time to give it another run.

As I have mentioned before, my favorite android camera app is Afterfocus. However, I have had Vignette since its early days and have always loaded it on various devices I own – so its right up there also. In many ways Vignette was the Android version of Instagram – before it finally came to Android. It potentially offers more creative filter options now, and for me, I like it more because it is not so integrated into the social media side of things (especially with recent change scare for Instagram users that was quickly withdrawn). This being said, Instagram is a great app – just different strokes for different folks!

As can be seen in today’s posting, I was playing around with the Polaroid type option within Vignette. As well as the ‘Polaroid frame’, one can alter multiple sizes, colors and film types.

The writing was added later in Photoshop CS5 – I like the idea of replicating a snap from a Polaroid and then writing the where and when on it – I would love if Vignette looked to add this into their already great app!

Image wise, as in the title, I captured this down by the waterfront in Devonport. Below the walkway, between beaches are volcanic rock shores. Whilst being a beautiful day, it was very windy & I attempted to keep my feet dry whilst stepping up to the water trying to catch some wave action!

incidentally (well, sort of), I noticed Polaroid has started marketing a new ‘Instant Digital Camera‘ that offers both saving to SD and close to instant printing with its ZINK technology. Reading a few reviews and looking at images, I quite like it, and that Polaroid has seen what they can do to come into the current digital age. That being said, for the film and traditional Polaroid shooters amongst us, check out the impossible project. The Impossible Project is doing a great job keeping traditional Polaroid cameras alive. I intend to give them a go sometime…when I have some spending cash and find a old model Polaroid that is!

January 4, 2013 0

Birthdays and Handball

Another quick ‘on the run’ photo day.

Some kids chalk, a ball and group of friends resulted in a round of Kiwi rules handball 4 square. – remembering our younger days!

Image shot on samsung galaxy s2 and shot using vignette.

December 22, 2012 0

Over the Motorway

Last week on my walk in town I crossed a recently finished walkway bridge linking Ponsomby to the eaterfront. Its been a long time in the making, initially, to my knowledge, being planned for completion a year ago.

A combination of steel, glass and concrete, its certainally a nicely finished unit.

Shot on my galaxy s2, I edited in Afterfocus, adding vignette and an olive hue tint.

Today also marked the last day of work for me for the year.yay! Between shopping, birthdays, christmas, new year and then more birthdays, the next few weeks will be busy!

All going well in a few days I will head over to Franklyn Road – famous in Auckland for its Christmas lights.

December 21, 2012 0

Roaming the City

I had some time early this afternoon to roam some of the close to cbd suburban and park areas. Mostly I was shooting with my 35mm Ricoh tls, but I also grabbed a few shots on the mobile phone.

Im sure I have said it before, but there is something quite cool with park areas in or to the side of a built up city area. In walking distance for many who work in town, they offer a natural retreat from hetic lifestyles.

Shot using the Pro HDR Camera app and further edited in afterfocus, todays shot was halfway up a set of stairs by the motorway looking back at the city.

I also managed to finish my film in the slr, so when I get a chance, in what looks to be a busy week, I will share something from that.

December 16, 2012 2

Standing in the Window

A quick mobile shot for Friday. Taken on the Samsung Galaxy S2 and edited using Afterfocus.

Until tomorrow…

December 7, 2012 0

Run Santa Run

A quick mobile photo on the go today.

After work hundreds of people around the country (and other countries I think) gathered in their main towns to take part in ‘The Great KidsCan Santa Run’.

A short fun run that raises funds towards children with cancer, its likely the most santas anyone will see in one place, and without a doubt running!

Snapped on my Galaxy s2, using the afterfocus app I blurred the background added a vignette and a vintage filter.

December 5, 2012 0

Fish, Shrimp and Photo Editor

Some time ago I downloaded an app ‘Photo Editor’. I had forgotten about it until revisiting mobile phone photography this week.

Unlike several of the other Apps I have spoken about over the last week, Photo Editor offers no range of simulated films, cameras or focus depths. Its a nice simple tool for cropping, adjusting contrast, saturation, and allowing magic wand like selection to parts of the image for selective adjustments of the above also.

Todays image, simple as it is, appealed to me as I had a late lunch/late dinner (busy day). It was enough to test out the crop, selective saturation and contrast adjustment of Photo Editor.

As above, no amazing creative tools, but a decent photo editing app for mobiles on the run.

As I wind up a week of sole mobile photography, I must say I have a new found motivation for the ease and creative fun it offers. A camera that slips in the pocket, edits and uploads – as well as makes calls etc really is the ultimate in portable image seeking. It has limitations, but then so do all our other cameras and tools of the trade…

App wise, all tested had their pros and cons. Keepers (well i can keep them all, but ones I will use often) are Vignette, After Focus, and Photo Editor. The others were good also, but didnt quite have the flow or creative filters I tend towards.

Thats all for Friday!

November 9, 2012 0