Archive for Photography
US Mobile Use Doubles
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I’ve written about this before and this just adds more fuel to the fire. More and more people are using their mobile devices to access the internet. Here is the latest report from comScore: Mobile Internet Becoming a Daily Activity for Many.
“The number of people using their mobile device to access news and information on the Internet more than doubled from January 2008 to January 2009.”
“Social networking and blogging have emerged as very popular daily uses of the mobile Web and these activities are growing at a torrid pace.
We, Henderson Hills, has created a mobile web site so that people can access the most current information from their mobile device. You can access that site via your mobile device by going to m.hhbc.com.
Typically the church is the last to adopt new technology. I’m seeing some churches that are trying to change that rule. People are using their mobile devices to access:
- Maps
- Social Networking Sites
- News & Information
- Video
- Searches
What are the next steps, other than creating a mobile web site, for a church to consider? This is an area where I REALLY get excited…using technology for Kingdom purposes.
Yes…She’s Wicked Good!
Posted by: | CommentsI have the great opportunity to work with some insanely talented people: Eric Granata, Krystal Harlow, Sara Wilson, and Justin Jennings. Each one has their own personal strengths and together as a team we are able to do so much more than if we worked independently.
Krystal has some amazing talent in the graphics design. It’s very evident that she loves what she does. (Although she is never really pleased with her work. I know others who are like her…and some of you are reading this!)
Lately she’s been working on her freehand skills. She needed something to draw so she chose some from our team. Here are the photos that she used and her illustrations.
She does some freelance work. So, if you need an illustration…I think you know who I’d suggest.
Al Mohler Offers Facebook Suggestions
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Here are some suggestions from Al Mohler for using social networking:
- Never allow social networking to replace or rival personal contact and communication.
- Set clear parameters for the time devoted to social networking.
- Never write or post anything on a social networking site that you would not want the world to see, or anything that would compromise your Christian witness.
- Never allow children and teenagers to have independent social networking access (or Internet access, for that matter).
- Do not allow children and teens to accept any “friend” unknown to you.
- Encourage older friends and relatives to sign up and use the technology.
- Use the social networking technology to bear witness to the Gospel, but never think that this can replace the centrality of face-to-face evangelism, witness, and discipleship.
- Do all things to the glory of God, and do not allow social networking to become an idol or a display of narcissism.
Here is a link to his complete post: Facebook Turns 5: Thoughts On Social Networking.
Looks like he doesn’t think I’m crazy!
Did You Get a Camera for Christmas?
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I’ll bet many of my friends got shiny new digital cameras for Christmas. If so, then you’re probably excited about taking GREAT photos. Trial and error are one of the best ways to learn, but it always helps to have a little knowledge to get those eye catching photos.
I’ve written a few articles about photography on my blog. These posts are a great way to get started. Here is a blog site that I read regularly. Digital Photography School. I would highly suggest you subscribing to this blog. It’s full of great ideas and the post some wonderful photos to get your creative mind going.
Digital Photography School also posted their, 10 Hot Photography Tips and Tutorials from 2008. Most people I know would benefit from reading points: #8, #4, #1, and #9 for tonight’s light show.
If you’re still looking for a present for me, I’d take the camera in the photo. Here’s a link just to make your shopping easier: Jeff’s Christmas Present. Don’t worry about a lens, the body is enough.
Hope you and your family have a Happy New Year!
Another FREE Online Photo Editing Application
Posted by: | CommentsAdobe has thrown themselves into the free online photo editing ring with Adobe Photoshop Express. I’ve added a few of my photos and have spent about an hour playing around with the program. Here are a few facts about Adobe Photoshop Express:
- It’s focus is for the casual photographer.
- Offers 2gb of online storage.
- It offers these tools: cropping, red eye correction, sharpening, touch-up and more,
- Additional tools include: effects for changing colors, distorting images and converting photos to black and white.
- It uses easily understandable words to help the amateur make the changes they desire.
- Integrates with Facebook, Photobucket and Picasa, but not Flickr (boo!)
If you’d like to see some of my photos on Adobe Photoshop Express go to: http://in2photo.photoshop.com
I’d suggest trying it out, but I’m leaning more towards Picnik for my online editing.
My New Blog Design
Posted by: | CommentsIf you read my blog via a feed reader like Google Reader, Bloglines, FeedDemon, NewsGator, etc. then I’ll ask if you take a moment and go to my actual blog.
I’ve been looking for a new design for my blog. My friend Cory Miller, of iThemes.com, came out with a new ‘Grunge’ series and I fell in love with it immediately. It didn’t take long to set up thanks to his great programming and attention to details.
I was looking for a design that I could better share some of my photos and also details about the photos while still blogging about ministry, communication, and IT. The ‘Grunge’ design with widgets met my expectations.
So…what do you think about the new look?
Apple TV and the Church (pt. 1)
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve had an Apple TV now for about 9 months. I purchased it to see how we could use the technology in the church. I’m always looking for ways to use today’s technology to reach those who don’t know Christ and build up those that already know Him.
Apple TV is a really cool product that is getting better. Read here about Apple’s newest update to the Apple TV firmware. The update will basically provide these things:
- Rental of movies
- Viewing video podcasts without the need of a computer
- Access to YouTube videos without the need of a computer
- Access to photos on Flickr and also Mac Web Gallery
- and more…
So how will this newest upgrade help the church reach and teach? Great question!
I’ll explore that more in the next post…
Flickr & Picnik now live!
Posted by: | CommentsI wrote about this a couple of months ago and now it is live. Flickr is a great way to store and also share your photos online. You can make them public for all to see or set limitations for only family and friends.
One drawback to Flickr has been that it only allowed you to post photos. It didn’t allow you to edit the photos. I usually edit my photos before uploading them to Flickr, but there have been times that it would have been nice to do some ‘quick’ editing to the photos I had already uploaded. Now you can.
With the addition of Picnik it all changes. Picnik is a great online free editing program. It will allow you to do basic editing to your photos: crop, adjust exposure, fix red eye, etc. I just found out that on the Picnik web site you can edit your photos that are on Flickr and also upload them to Facebook. Wow! That’s way too cool!
In my opinion, with the addition of Picnik, Flickr is hands down the best online photo storage/sharing program available. If you’re serious about using an online photos storage program, you can’t beat the Pro account for $25 per year.
State of the Church
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I took this photo while in South Bend, IN. When I took it, thoughts of the church came to mind. How does this photo affect you?
Flickr & Picnik going to UNITE!
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve mentioned many times that I’m a Flickr fan. I’ve also mentioned that Picnik is a great FREE online tool to edit photos. Well it’s finally happening, Flickr and Picnik are getting ready to work together to provide one great service. Read the announcement here: Flickr + Picnik = AWESOME.
In my opinion one of the downsides to Flickr was that it didn’t allow you to make any adjustments to your photos after uploading them. All you could do is rotate them. Whoopee! Now with Picnik you’ll be able to crop, fine tune, adjust exposure and more. This just makes plain sense.
If you’re not a Flickr user, my only question is… “Why Not?” It’s a great way to store your photos, share them, and now edit them all for free for a limited amount of uploads and $25 for basically unlimited uploads. $25 for unlimited storage. What a deal!