iPhone Apps that Help Save a Photo from Deletion

I found some interesting apps for my phone. I have an old phone that does not have the best camera options so most of my pictures on it are left there or even worse, deleted. It kills me to delete any captured moment. I use my real camera for my blog photos and challenges, but I still use my phone camera as it is handy for those quick captures. Too often though, they are grainy and not really worth keeping until I discovered these fun little tools. Now I can try to be artsy and creative with some of my photos that I do not use for blogging and just keep for the fun of having been creative. I did find these apps fun to play with, fairly easy to use, contain some cool options, and they help improve the low quality result of taking a picture with my old phone camera. More importantly, less deleted moments!I usually use my real camera for my photos but sometimes I try capturing a moment using my old phone because for some strange reason I do not have my real camera (which is very rare these days) with me. Sometimes it is just one of those quick moments when reaching for the phone is easiest. Often, the original capture is fuzzy and or oddly colored and the image is not very appealing. More times than not, it would end up nixed from the ‘photo library’. These cool apps allow for some creativity to help spruce up the sad little images my phone captures and a plus is the fun of being somewhat artistic (at least in my own little world). I am sure most of the issue with less than appealing phone photos is ‘operator error’ rather than the phone camera.

I was not given access to these apps for a review or any such notion. I just wanted to share what I have found as a fun and creative way for me to spruce up some sad little photos taken by my camera phone. When stuck in line at the grocery, waiting for a meeting to start, or if I have a few spare minutes (rare indeed), I can pull up one of these apps and get creative. Often I find myself combining different apps to create different results.

One app may have a tool that works well for that image, but I want a different tool and it is only on another app. It would be great if all the tools would be joined into one app, but of course life does not work that way. So a little of this and a little of that with some creative thinking and effort, I make trying to save another moment from the ‘Are You Sure You Want To Delete This File’ fate of most bad photos in my phone.

While I do not share these app altered phone photos on my blog (I think I am the only one that really thinks my creations are, well, actually creative! I often get laughs or that lost stare at my goofy creations.), being able to share with the social platforms would most likely be a plus for some people.

There are many photo apps available but these are the ones I have used for these photos.

HALFTONE by Juicy Bits (an older version…there is an updated version compatible for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch with iOS 4.0 or later): has various tools and options such as ‘paper’ choices, layout options, text bubbles, stamping options, font choices, ability to save to album, send in mail, to Facebook and Twitter.

Luminance by Subsplash (an older version…there is an updated version compatible for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch with iOS 4.0 or later): has various tools and options such as filters, cropping, hue/saturation settings, brightness/contrast settings, exposure, rotation abilities, history of changes tracking, Sharing with Twitter, Facebook, email, and saving abilities.

MobileMonet by East coast Pixels, Inc (is compatible with iOS 3.2 iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad): has various tools and options such as ability to adjust color and line intensity, vibrance, color, brightness, and softness adjustments, and ability to share with email, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, Tumblr, copy, and saving.

PhotoPower by wzbbj (an older version…there is an updated version compatible for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch with iOS 4.1 or later): has various tools and options such as flipping, cropping, and rotating as well as a range of filters, touch-ups, adjustments, and ability to share with Facebook and Twitpic.

Nostalgio by Apalon (compatible with iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad iOS 3.0 or later): has various tools and options to create collages using a variety of frames, borders, layouts, filters, processes, and template choices and the ability to save and share with email, Facebook Twitter, Tumblr, and Flickr.

Just Ramblin’

Book Review: The Leanin’ Dog

Need a last minute gift for that dog enthusiast? Here is an option.

 

Review: The Leanin’ Dog by K. A. Nuzum 

Publisher: Harper Collins 2008  Length: Hardcover 256 pages  ISBN – 10: 0061139343  ISBN – 13: 978-0061139345 Price: Approximately $16 Hardcover and $6 Paperback  Genre: Realistic Fiction  Audience: Approximately age 8 and up

Summary: Set in the winter during the 1930’s this story demonstrates that even when in the midst of loss, hope is near. Dessa Dean has experienced a great loss and struggles with her fear of going outside due to the trauma resulting in the loss of her mother. Having to be responsible beyond her years and dealing with debilitating daymares, Dessa struggles to learn how to deal with her grief. What better way to deal with grief than to have a dog walk into your life? While Christmas is just around the corner and her father is trying to find food, there is a noise at the door of the cabin and Dessa meets an injured dog that has fear issues as she does. This book revolves around the relationship and bond that develops between Dessa and the Leanin’ dog and centers on hope and having the courage to heal.

Overall Reaction: This book is a quick read for the animal enthusiast. Even though written for the younger audience, adults may also enjoy it, as it is a sweet story about how two souls in need of healing are able to move forward with the help of a friend.

Strengths: Warms the spirit and quick read about dogs. Good read independently, as a small literary group book, or as a ‘read aloud’.

Weakness: Needs a little more depth in character development. For the reader than needs quick excitement, this book moves at a slightly slower pace.

Conclusions: I enjoyed this book written with dialect and at a pace that allowed for short bursts of free reading time. It seems adults as well as elementary aged children could enjoy this story. Often books about dogs seem to have an unhappy ending, but this story focuses on the positive healing a dog can have for the human soul. For me, this is one that I will keep on my shelf to share with my children’s children should I ever be blessed with a grandchild.

Just Ramblin’