Santa Monica Pier

After playing in the desert again recently, we escaped the heat and headed to the coast. It was overcast and a little chilly in Santa Monica, which makes for dull photos. I tried to spice this one up with a number of apps, but it still doesn’t pop too much.

Shot with camera+. Edited with Snapseed at first to add saturation,contrast, and to crop. Then TouchRetouch was used to remove a distracting element. Aquarella was used for the conversion to a painterly image. Snapseed was used again to add more contrast and saturation.

Foolproof

Last month, a friend of mine sent me a painterly image and told me to check out this app called Foolproof Art Studio for iPhone. There is a free version that you can play with. I was lucky enough to get the paid version while it was available for free.

Basically, you import your photo and make all of the strokes with your finger, or try the auto mode. Its very simple, you can adjust the brush size and the paint effect, and then go to work. It even saves a video of you creating your painting if you’d like to watch it back or share it.

I have a few apps that turn photos into paintings. Foolproof delivers the ability to create some dreamy paintings. I’ll be keeping this app on my phone for a while

Summer at the Beach

Isn’t this what we all picture ourselves doing during the summer? Flying a kite. Watching the sunset from the pier or the shore, with or without a camera.

I love the warm tones that the sunset provided on this day. I think this photo could easily be turned into a puzzle if I reduced the texture.

Shot with camera+. Edited with Snapseed and PhotoToaster.

Hearst Pier

This is the pier at WR Hearst Memorial State Beach. I think its pretty photogenic as far as piers go. There were 2 other photographers out there with their tripods shooting it from the other side.

I sold another iPhone print today at a garage sale. Its always funny seeing people’s reactions when I tell them its from my phone. She also took my card for her daughter who is an event planner. That would be great if I wasn’t moving.

I finally found time to sit down and create some new stuff with LensLight while manning the garage sale today, so I’m going to work on that review now. Keep an eye out for it either today or tomorrow.
Shot with ProHDR and edited with PhotoToaster.

Cayucos Pier

I stopped and shot a couple of piers along the coast on my way north. This is the one in Cayucos, CA. I was feeling more of a grungy/gritty type of pic to bring out the detail in this one.

I know these pier shots have been done a lot, but I thought I’d share one anyway. Theres something about all of the lines that are appealing to the eye.

Shot with ProHDR. Edited with Snapseed and SimplyHDR.

 

Pismo Beach

I’m lucky to live just a few miles from the beach so I can pop down there for sunrise or sunset anytime I want…unless its tourist season. That’s when I head to the lesser known beaches.