Friday Favorites No. 14

I experimented with a few new apps this week including AfterGlow.  I also discovered that I love the filters in the Big Lens app even when I’m not using it to blur an image!

Man’s heart away from nature becomes hard ~ Standing Bear (Above)

App Recipe:  Shot with ProCamera  Edited with Snapseed, PS Express, Camera Awesome and Sketch Club

Every woman’s heart has different instructions.  They’re written through her eyes, in her smile, through her actions and in her tears.  She just has to find someone who cares enough to read them. (Above)

App Recipe:  Shot with SneakyPix  Edited with Glaze, Sketch Club and Snapseed 

A Classic (Above)

App Recipe:  Shot with Almost DSLR using Olloclip Fisheye lens.  Edited with Snapseed, Dynamic Light, AfterGlow, PS Express and Big Lens

Music is what feelings sounds like – Author Unknown (Above)
App Recipe:  Shot with SneakyPix  Edited with Snapseed and Big Lens

Beauty (Above)

App Recipe:  Shot with ProCamera  Edited with Snapseed, Camera Awesome and Typic

Strolling By (Above)

App Recipe:  Shot with SneakyPix  Edited with Snapseed and Big Lens

I am not anti-social. I am pro-solitude (Above)

App Recipe:  Shot with Sneakypix  Edited with Snapseed, Sketch Club and Camera Awesome 

App Recipe:  Shot with ProCamera  Edited with Snapseed, iCameraHDR, PS Express, Sketch Club, Camera Awesome and Typic

About Me

I never properly introduced myself to all of my readers.  A few of you have been around since my old blogging days at My Heart Art, but for the new readers, here's a brief introduction.
After several years as a sci-fi sketch card artist, I was bitten by the iPhoneography bug.  I've discarded my Copic markers to pursue this new passion.  This blog, is dedicated to my journey.  All of my mobile art is shot with my iPhone and edited on my iPad. 
Sharing what I learn and who inspires me is also part of my passion so you'll also find tutorials, FREE app links, interviews with amazing mobile photographers and the latest iPhoneography news on iARTCHRONiCLES.

Using Instagram to Edit Without Posting

If you’d ever like to use Instagram purely for an editing app without posting to your gallery it’s easy to do.
Go to Settings and turn your device to Airplane Mode.  Edit using Instagram filters and frames and trying posting the image.  Since you’re not connected to the internet, it will be saved to your Camera Roll!  (Thanks to Geek is the New Chic for this tip)

Alternative to the Native iPhone Camera–KitCam is Here

I just downloaded KitCam ($1.99) and already I like the choice of live lenses (13) films (30) and frames (18) that you can add in a variety of combinations.

 

Check out the video to learn more about this new release from the makers of PhotoForge.

Elasticam Tutorial–Get the APP FREE!

The Elasticam app is currently FREE for both the iPhone and iPad.  If you’re not sure how you would use it, watch this video by Keith Tharp from Tiny Shutter!

Get Hipstamatic Tips with the FREE Snap Magazine App

I’m not a big Hipstamatic fan and maybe that’s because I have never mastered all the ins and outs of the different films and lenses.  Now with the Snap Magazine app I hope that will change.

Download the free app and get all the helpful tips and tricks from some of the best mobile photographers!

Winners for JixiPix Giveaway

I drew 6 names today and luckily it all worked out that everyone who had a first choice got their first choice!  The stars must be aligned correctly.

Congrats to Pam Arthur, Leslie and Diane!  I will contact you directly with your promo codes for Photo Artista Oil 

 

 

 

Congrats to David Graham, Khooper and P.O. Pejsjo!   I will contact you directly with your promo codes for Portrait Painter.

 

 

Happy Editing!  Thank you again to JixiPix who provided this generous giveaway.

Kelly Kardos–Pure Photography

I first met Kelly Kardos @kellykardos on Instagram) through her blog Just a Click Away.  Although we’ve never met, I think it’s in our future as Kelly also lives in Southern California. 
I thought she was only using her big girl camera (DSLR) and not about to indulge in iPhone photography, but I was so wrong.  When I found out that her beautiful IG images are almost entirely shot on her iPhone, I couldn’t wait to feature her work here.  When I think of Kelly’s work two words come to mind – pure and story. Her images have a pure quality to them that I love and they tell a story – something a good photographer can do well!

Please enjoy her work along with my conversation with Kelly. 

Geri:  How long have you been on Instagram?
Kelly:  I've been on IG for 8 months now & love the community support and inspiration that is happening there.

Geri:  When did you begin experimenting with mobile photography?
Kelly:  I started experimenting with mobile photography soon after I got my iPhone.  I took what I knew from owning a DSLR & was only interested in playing & learning about the features the "i-camera" has to offer.  It didn't hit me until after I uploaded the 1st photos from my phone to the computer that I knew something really explosive and fun was about to happen.

Geri:  For me your work might be described as pure because you don't rely as heavily on the apps, but it's more about the story and the composition.  What inspires you?
Kelly:  Details inspire me.  I remind myself daily to slow down, catch my breath, and enjoy the moment I'm in, paying close attention to the little things that might otherwise be overlooked. I'm never disappointed and constantly amazed.

Geri:  I love your fantasy self-portraits - can you tell me more about them?
Kelly:  I love doing fantasy self-portraits because it's an artful way to express myself when I want to share and remember a life event. It's liberating to be able to emote sadness, joy, excitement, anger, pain or just be whimsical and explore ideas you have. Writers write, artists draw, and photographers shoot.  I've had many "happy accidents" by keeping an open mind about a idea I've been mulling around.

Geri:  Do you have a favorite image that you photographed with your iPhone – if so why?
Kelly:  This is tough but I do.  My youngest son is graduating high school in May and hopefully attending the Naval Academy soon after. I'm trying to hold on to any shred of his childhood to help soothe my soul for the expected empty nest syndrome.This image is the very first photo I put on canvas. The details blew me away that I actually cried happy tears looking at it in disbelief thinking  "I did that...my phone did that!"  (image below)

Geri: Do you shoot with the native camera or another camera app?
Kelly: I shoot exclusively with the actual iPhone camera ( I think that's what you mean by "native") I'm completely comfortable with it and I trust the factory settings.

Geri:  I know who Danbo is, but visitors to your gallery may not.  Please introduce him.
Kelly:  Ahhhh Danbo (smiling from ear to ear)  Danbo, short for Danboard, (from the Japanese word "danboru," which means "cardboard") is a popular character in the Yotsuba&! Manga.  I fell in love with the character from the first photo I saw of "him" ages ago on Flickr. I've developed his character through my photography over the years as a curious, chocolate loving, daydreaming, enthusiast about the world and what goes on around him. He's slightly naughty at times and completely in awe of anything new and shiny!  I get completely giddy and childlike when I set him up for a "photo shoot!"  (photos below)
 

Geri:  Another subject that your gallery visitors will find are images of monarch butterflies in various stages of growth.  Please tell me about the monarch project.
Kelly:   The Monarch project started 4 years ago when I began following their fascinating migration from Mexico.  I decided to plant milkweed (the only plant adult females will lay their eggs on) 3 years ago.  It wasn't until about 7 weeks ago that I spotted the first egg.  It turned out to be a much bigger project than I anticipated. The number of caterpillar kept growing.  Soon I was buried in Google searches for as much information as I could arm myself with, so I knew what to expect next.  I felt I was blessed with a gift and decided I was their steward for survival & it was my duty to do absolutely everything I could to make sure these amazing creatures would, in the end, be set free to continue their own journey.  I got my husband, Frankie, involved too.  He built this amazing 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 butterfly enclosure to house the "critters" where they could pupate in safety.  To date we've released 12 males, 16 females and there are 4 more in their chrysalis state. This is going to be a shameless plug but the complete story is on my blog, Just a Click Away.  The folks on IG have been so supportive and really enthusiastic through this Monarch process. It's been an all consuming, but totally rewarding experience. My heart is full.

Geri:  What are some of your favorite apps?
Kelly:   I love PicFX & BeFunky Photo Editor and I've recently discovered WowFX  and Lo-Mob.
Geri:  Do you do all editing on your iPhone or do you use an iPad or computer?
Kelly:  I do all my editing on the i-phone.
Geri:  Have you ever exhibited any of your work -  either traditional photography or iPhone photography?
Kelly:  I have never exhibited any of my work. I'd like to someday, when the time is right for me.
Geri:  Anything else you'd like to add?
Kelly:  A HUGE thank you Geri. For taking an interest in my little piece of the iPhone world when I'm just doing what I love to do, capturing the world around me one photo at a time.

Thank you Kelly for your friendship and for adding beauty to my world! 

Find Kelly:  Instagram / Blog. 

All images in this feature are copyrighted property of Kelly Kardos published on iART CHRONiCLES with the consent of the artist.

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Friday Favorites No. 13

Here are the favorite edits I created this week with one collaboration with @blacksmithpat (who will be featured in an upcoming post).
First I’ll share the collaboration because I’m absolutely in love with the portrait he took of his daughter.  The only thing I did was crop and edit it in a gritty way.

Original image by @blacksmithpat – edit by Geri Centonze (Above)

App Recipe:  Edited with Snapseed, Camera Awesome, Afterglow, Sketch Club  

Abstract Portrait (Above)

App Recipe:  Shot with SneakyPix   Edited with Snapseed, PS Express, XNView Photo FX

App Recipe:  Shot with ProCamera  Edited with Afterglow, Snapseed

App Recipe:  Shot and edited with Camera Awesome

App Recipe:  Shot with ProCamera  Edited with Snapseed, Simply HDR, Glaze, Sketch Club

Abstract Wave (Above)

App Recipe:  Shot with ProCamera   Edited with Pixlr Express Plus, Glaze, TwistCam, PS Express, MirrorCamFX

JixiPix APP Giveaway!

Hey there everyone.  I’ve got some iPhone apps to give away and you’re going to love them!
The first is Photo Artista Oil.  Check out what you can do with this fabulous app from JixiPix!  Give your photo the look of an oil painting in three art styles – Oil, Oil Impression and Oil Abstract!

The second is also from JixiPix (who generously provided this giveaway!) and it’s called Portrait Painter.  I’ve been using this one a lot lately to get my painterly portraits just right.

To enter:
Leave a comment and tell me which app you prefer (I have 3 of each to giveaway and will draw 6 names – I will give them out in the order drawn, so you may not get your first choice).
YOU MUST LEAVE A WAY TO CONTACT YOU IN THE COMMENT.  If I cannot contact you, another name will be drawn.  No duplicate entries please.
Good Luck!
Winners will be announced on Sunday, November 25th.  You have until noon PST on Sunday to sign up. 

Gangster Squad Hipstamatic FREEPak Now Available

If you’re a fan of Hipstamatic, you know that the bonus camera and film packs are available for purchase within the app, but the latest Gangster Squad lens, film and camera case are a FREEPak available for download within the app now.

Warner Brothers partnered with Hipstamatic to promote their upcoming film Gangster Squad.  Below is the official press release.

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Warner Bros. Pictures and Hipstamatic announce the Gangster Squad FreePak: a Hipstamatic lens, film and virtual camera case inspired by Gangster Squad, the forthcoming movie set in the 1940s, starring Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and Sean Penn as notorious mobster Mickey Cohen, with Nick Nolte and Emma Stone. The movie’s director, Ruben Fleischer, collaborated with Hipstamatic to develop the Gangster Squad FreePak—from the lens effect to the photo border to the camera case design, each element is a reminiscent nod to the film and the era.

“It’s been great working with the Warner Bros. Pictures team and director Ruben Fleischer, all of whom understand that photos are the new digital currency of our time,” said Lucas Buick, CEO and co-founder, Hipstamatic. “This latest collaboration gives us the opportunity to continue helping our partners pioneer a new era in brand marketing, while simultaneously adding value to our Hipstamatic community and inspiring them to take more photos.” 

Gangster Squad FreePak Details
Beginning today, Hipstamatic users can download the Gangster Squad FreePak for free, from directly within the app, which includes:

GSQUAD Lens: produces vibrant tones with an antique feel.   

GS-0 Film: this carefully cropped circular film on warm paper adds a unique emphasis to prints.

Gangster Deco Camera Case: virtual stainless steel case with art deco leather grip.

After a photo is snapped, it's auto-tagged with the virtual "equipment" used—#GSQUAD lens and #GS-0 film—and users can share them directly to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr and Flickr, all without ever having to leave the Hipstamatic app.

Gangster Squad and Hipstamatic Photo Contest
Warner Bros. Pictures and Hipstamatic will host a photo contest to drive excitement for the Gangster Squad FreePak and movie. Beginning today and running for six weeks, Hipstamatic users can download the FreePak, snap photos, and enter a contest from directly within the Hipstamatic app. Photo submissions will be judged by director Ruben Fleischer, and one winner will receive a Canon D Mark III. 

To download the Hipstamatic app, visit the iTunes store here. To learn more about the Gangster Squad movie, visit here. 

Colormania is Temporarily FREE!

Get it while it’s FREE gang!  Colormania FX.  Sorry I’m late on this one – I think the price goes up tomorrow!

 

 

 

Featured Mobile Artist–Amanda Briggs “This is Life”

I don’t remember when I first discovered the gallery of mobile artist Amanda Briggs @brushstroke0000 on Instagram, but I do remember that under her name was the phrase “This is Life”.  That is exactly what Amanda captures with her mobile photography -  a little slice of life beautifully and artfully edited.
Amanda who lives in Hertfordshire, UK has been on Instagram for only two months and she says,“this is when my whole photography obsession began.”
Below you can read my conversation with Amanda discussing her work.

Geri:  What inspires you?
Amanda:  Many things inspire me. Recently, I have been very interested in collage.  I like the idea of mixed media creations - the possibilities are endless. I am inspired by great collage artists like Charlotte Henning, Sean Hillen, Kurt Schwitters and many more.  I experiment with photocopiers, layering, reflection and text.  Facial expressions also influence how I will edit an image.  I am also inspired by architecture – not only the finished object but the whole process of design.  Fellow Instagrammers are always inspiring and interesting to watch.  Many other things are inspiring such as life, world issues, shapes, human emotion, music, art, poetry, film, artistic process, and relationships.

Be Yourself and Nobody Else (Above)

Geri:  Your images all have a beautiful mood to them.  Do you have something in mind when you're shooting to create this mood?
Amanda:  Most of the time I don't. I just walk out the door and keep my eyes open to the world. Where I live is not overly inspiring but this can create more of a challenge and I believe that if you look really hard there is always something to be seen. 

Geri:  Do you have an art background?
Amanda:  Yes, very much so.  My father is a full-time musician and my grandfather was a professional artist.  I studied architecture (foundation), design and art so creativity has and always will play a big part in my everyday life.

Geri:  What are some of your favorite apps?  Do you do all your editing on your phone?
Amanda:  I do all my editing on my phone.  I'm not incredibly experienced when it comes to apps but the ones I most frequently use are Snapseed, ScratchCam FX, Image Blender and Pic Grunger.

“Lost Change” (Above)

I like to imagine that one day mobile photography will be fully embraced by the art community at large and there will be museums filled with beautiful works like those of Amanda Briggs.

Find Amanda:  Instagram

All images in this feature are copyrighted property of Amanda Briggs published on iART CHRONiCLES with the consent of the artist.

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