photography tips | favorite photo editing apps

Since buying my first iPhone - the 3G - in 2010, I have used my phone as my point and shoot camera.  I am still amazed how much better they have gotten over time and with each upgrade the photo quality just gets better and better. 

I have since upgraded to the 5 - albeit barely (the screen is cracked from a drop) - and usually have it nearby because you just never know what will happen that I need to capture.  at least that is my excuse for being on my phone a lot.  Anyway, after I get the image I want and before I post to Instagram or on the blog, I have three steps I go through to edit my iPhone photos. vsco cam, afterlight, and whitagram. 

 

STEP 1: vsco cam app. I only recently discovered vsco cam app in the past few months.  I upload the photo to my library then browse the filters to see which is the best.  I love their filters and in my opinion they are the best around.  While you can download the app for free, you will have to pay for most of the filters.  The cost for the different filters range anywhere from $.99 to $5.99.  They have specials for free or discount filters so I usually take advantage when that happens. 

image via google images

STEP 2: afterlight. I then turn to afterlight to adjust the brightness, contrast, clarity, saturation, etc of the photo.  This app is also a paid one - only $.99 - but is well worth it.  It's like having access to Lightroom or Picmonkey while on the go. 

image via google images

STEP 3: whitagram. Whitagram is another I just recently discovered.  I used to get so annoyed when I would upload my photo to Instagram and the gorgeous landscape I just captured is cropped into a square, eliminating a decent portion of the scene.  But with whitagram, you are able to keep the original size of the photo, with a white background, and upload it to instagram without any of the scene being cropped.  And guess what?!  This one is free.

 image via google images.

It only takes me 5 minutes, if that, to go through these steps before I hit the publish button in Instagram.  I want my photos to look their best when I share them with the world and these three apps help to accomplish that.  

What are your go-to phone photo editing apps?

What's your favorite?

Are you on Instagram?

 Linking up with Nicole and Ash today!

park mornings | find beauty friday

Now that 5 year old girlfriend is in Kindergarden until 2:00, I get the morning with 2 year old girlfriend, just the two of us.  One of her favorite places to go is the "big pak" next to the Sewickley YMCA.  Last week, instead of parking next to the park, we parked a little bit farther away so we could hike to get to the park.  With the leaves changing to beautiful vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds, we had to stop a few times to capture nature at her finest along the way.

As much as I was dreading the change in season, I have really enjoyed Fall this year.  For the first time I am really taking in the scenes and doing my best to live in the moment.  Perfect time of the year to rediscover Netflix, crochet, and warm lemon water.  

What are your favorite things about Fall?  What are your favorite Fall activities?

linking up with Aimee and Casey today!

iphone mornings

When my alarm went off Monday morning, I rolled over and thought to myself: "Hey, at least it's Friday."  You can imagine the disappoint I felt as soon as I came to a little more and realized, hey you, you dumb ass, it's Monday.  But then I took the long way to work and came across this beautiful sunrise.  Then I didn't hate Monday so much. 

Thursday morning was the exact opposite of Monday morning.  We live in the valley, covered in heavy fog most mornings, but once we reach the top of the hill the sun is shining through trees blinding you.  However, Thursday there was no respite from the fog once I climbed to the top.  However, below's view while listening to Michael Jackson's Thriller on WYEP made for the perfect early October morning. 

Hope everyone had a great week.  HAPPY FRIDAY!  Cheers to the next two days of relaxation and sleeping in. 

What did you capture this week?

What's your favorite part about your morning commute?

Linking up with Aimee today!

morning fog {find beauty friday}

I had a completely different idea for today's Find Beauty Friday post.  But then I was driving to work this morning and this happened.  Reason number 21673131864 why I love mornings.  You just never know what you are going to get. 

Happy Friday! 

What is your morning commute like?

Does it ever stop you in your tracks?

What are your plans for the last weekend in June (<--what)?

Linking up with Aimee and Whitney today!

tegan & sara {find beauty friday}

I have a bit of a confession to make today.  I enter giveaways on blogs.  I spend my Saturday mornings entering anything that someone is giving away that I deem worth my time, more than $25 and if it's something I would use.  It only takes me a few hours of my morning.  The husband works on Saturdays so it is not taking away from our time together.  That is what Sundays are for. phew, that felt good to get out. 

Anyway, about two weeks ago I got an email from Melyssa from The Nectar Collective letting me know I won the $130 to Amazon and $100 to Etsy giveaway she held on her blog.  I have won my fair share of these giveaways but it is always like Christmas morning when I get a notification saying that my time paid off.  Then while I was hanging out with my girlfriends, that same week, the husband sent me a message letting me know he won tickets to see Tegan & Sara through a local radio station WYEP.   The freebie gods were working in our favor. (he's not around to confirm it, but I think he played the lottery shortly after.) 

Despite WYEP forgetting to add us to their guest list, we had a great night in the city and listening to some live music.  Tegan & Sara put on one of hell of a show.  By far one of my favorite shows I have been to in a while.   

Do you enter giveaways?

If so, have you been lucky?

Are a Tegan & Sara fan?

Have you gone to any concerts lately?

and because my ears are still ringing (in a good way)...

Linking up with Aimee and Whitney today!

walk

I took the Monday after the Pittsburgh 13.1 off.  I had a feeling I would be pretty beat up and knew it would not be a good day to be with my girlfriends.  I knew I needed to get the blood pumping through my legs to recover a little faster, so the husband (Mondays are his Sundays) and I took a walk to our local library.  

We live in Ambridge, PA, a suburb NW of Pittsburgh.  It once thrived as a steel town in the 50s, 60s, and 70s until the mills were closed in the early 80s.  While there is much character and history to this small town, most of the storefronts are bare and/or boarded up.   However, there are many streets and homes hidden from the main drag that are well cared for.  Those hidden streets are what make the walk through to town more enjoyable.  

Grape vines on the side of the Rapp House in Old Economy Village. 

The Laughlin Memorial Library is small but I love it's architecture.  So much character. 

There are also a few antique shops along the way that are always fun to walk through when you aren't with your husband have the time.  

As much as the city of Ambridge has deteriorated over the years, there is character.  With a local coffee shop a block from our house and yoga study opening in the heart of the town,  I have a feeling things are slowly starting to turn around though.  

Where are you from?

What are you favorite things about the city you live in?

Do you explore your city often?

Linking up with Shanna, Julie, and Melyssa today!

favorite commute

When I am a little early to see my girlfriends I like to take the scenic route.  The night before it stormed pretty good and as I was driving I noticed the fog hovering over the valleys.  I took my favorite scenic route and when I turned the bend and saw the Sun shining behind the trees I had to stop and capture her beauty.  Makes me feel as though I am lost in a fairy tale.  

I just wish it had been taken with a better quality camera (it was taken with my iphone).  This would be beautiful blown up onto a canvas, don't you think?  

How was your week?

What are your favorite moments you captured?

What camera do you use?

Linking up with Jess, Kayleigh, and Aimee today!

until next time

hobbies {twosday tuesday}

my hobbies shown through grainy iphone photos 

Linking up with Stephanie and Tiffany today!

until next time

sunday at the park

I had just gotten back from a walk/run with a friend on Sunday and asked husband what he wanted to do.  Sun, blue skies, and high 50s were in the forecast so he suggested going to see the Pirates play.  Husband has been a huge fan of the Pirates since he was a kid.  Always a believer even when they continued to lose for 20 years.  Last year they had a winning season and actually made it to the playoffs for the first time since the early 90s. So the husband has been itching to return to PNC Park ever since.  I agreed.  

We parked where we always park.  It's probably a mile walk down this riverside trail but it's free and we don't have to wait for traffic when we leave.  There are some pretty views along the way too.

^abandoned IC Light.

PNC is one of the most beautiful baseball parks in the country.  If you are anywhere along the 1st base line, behind home plate, or the 3rd base line, you get an amazing view of the city.  We both dressed inappropriately thinking it was going to be cooler than it was so we ended up moving into the shade under the roof to coo off and get away from the sun.  If you are ever in Pittsburgh, I recommend getting tickets.  And if you aren't a huge of baseball, then the views are worth it. 

It finally feels like Spring around here.  Days spent at the baseball park and the sun shining on your face is what Spring days are made for. 

Do you enjoy going to baseball games?

Who is your home team?

Is Spring finally coming around for you as well?

Linking up with Aimee, Jess, and Whitney today!

and because this song just makes me want to dance. 

until next time

sun {find beauty friday}

Today I am excited to be co-hosting my second Find Beauty Friday with the wonderful Aimee from Click. Pray. Create.  Friday's are some of my favorite days for link-ups since most of them (at least the ones I like to participate in) are photography related. 

On Wednesday I was on my way to book club around 7 thinking "Shoot, it's Wednesday and I haven't gotten any photos for FBF yet, what am I going to do?"  And at that moment I looked over while waiting at a light and saw the below scene.  Boom.    

Even though the temperatures have not been cooperating, the sun blinding me at 7pm is something to celebrate.  Another reminder that warm weather is just around the corner.

What are your favorite captures from the week?

What is helping you get through these last few days of chilly temps?

Linking up with Aimee, Jess, and Whitney today! 

... and just because this song makes me want to dance. 

until next time

An InLinkz Link-up

31 is the new 30

So my sneaky husband threw me a surprise party on Saturday night, the day after my actual birthday, at Narcisi Winery.  Apparently he felt guilty for not planning anything for me for my 30th.  Glad he waited until 31 to surprise me because who would have thought you be thrown a surprise party on your 31st?  Certainly not me.  Looking back on it, there were hints that he was planning something but I just didn't get it.  I'm good like that.  And it's a good thing I am not the snooping kind of girl.  He made a super secret FB event and invited all of my favorite people.  Since he is still a man, he didn't get around to planning the party until 3 weeks ago, so a lot of the people he invited couldn't come because they already had plans.  But it's the thought that counts, right?  It was the perfect night of good wine with even better company.  

Danke bayba for the amazing night!  Ich Liebe Dich, so viel!:)

Walking up to what I thought was just dinner for the two of us.  Apparently we passed both my in-laws' and SIL's cars.  In case you couldn't already tell, I am pretty observant (ha!). 

Party people

Props to my awesome MIL for the beautiful Fall decor on the tables.  She knows how to throw a good party. 

Ice cream cake is dabomb.com

Everyone sang to me.  Embarrassing. 

Party loot.  We now have 8 bottles of wine.  Might have to actually throw a "Open that Bottle" party this year. 

How was your weekend?

Do anything fun?

Linking up with Sami, Tarole, and Bre today!