RAW Phone Snaps In Affinity Photo 2

I'm happy to share newfound facts. First, my 2024 Moto Razr can shoot RAW pictures natively; I didn't know that before! It makes .dng files. Second, those pictures automatically open in the RAW developer part of Affinity Photo 2, where edits are made easily. And the icing on the cake: I was wide-eyed when I first saw how good Affinity's noise reduction and detail enhancement are. Sure, these are tiny-sensor, tiny-lens phone snaps. Yet being able to shoot RAW provides a little more leverage to make the most of pictures.

It's Time For Affinity Manager

Since refocusing on Adobe Bridge to manage photos on my laptop, I've been trying to choose a good image processor to go with it. At first, I thought Photoshop Elements was best, but now I'm favoring Affinity Photo. I noticed two things: it could use a digital asset manager of its own, and the Affinity company (Serif) was bought last year by Canva. So now I wonder (worry?) about the quality of Affinity's future.

Managing Photos On My Laptop

A few months ago, I was deciding between traditional photo apps and settled on Adobe Bridge. But then I reverted to Google Photos because I had started to lean back into a Chromebook. Yet moving my photo collection from my local PC into Google's cloud over time pressed me: I would soon need to subscribe to a paid cloud storage plan, and I would need to further cull and organize my picture files on my laptop. Then I snapped out of Google Photos. Bridge is the way to go.

Adobe Is My Photos Abode

These days, most people manage their huge photo library with the default app on their phone: Google Photos on Android or iCloud Photos on iPhone. I did likewise, until recently. I took back control of my pictures, trying out Lightroom alternatives: Darktable and Digikam. I almost settled on the latter. But I ended up going with Adobe programs after all: Bridge and Photoshop Elements with Adobe Camera Raw. You might call it something like, "Lightroom Elements."

Darktable Or Digikam To Free My Photos

Once upon a time, I used Lightroom. It was awesome. But that was before the Adobe cloud rained down the subscription model - thunderbolts, lightning, very frightening. Now there are alternatives that I'm checking out because I migrated my photo library from Google Photos (the cloud) to my laptop (local drive). The two photo apps in focus are Darktable and Digikam. The cherry on top: not only are they subscription-free, they're just plain free!

I Miss Point N Shoots

Looking at cameras online this evening, I think wistful nostalgia took hold. What happened to the good ol’ days of going to a physical store and having no shortage of cameras to choose from? Pocket-sized, point-n-shoots, bridge cameras, DSLRs… Why can’t I easily pick a pocket camera at my local Best Buy that’s reliable and affordable…and just available at all?

Focusing On iPhoneography

What’s the best camera? The one you have with you, of course. With that in mind, Apple is on the cusp of announcing its newest iCameras 14, presumably with ever-better camera systems. Meanwhile, I’ve been enjoying a reawakening of my dormant hobby: photography. And for a pocket phone cam that’s always with me, my iPhone 8 Plus isn’t half bad. Yet newer Apple cameras (phones) are even better. Why not make the camera that’s always with me the best it can be?

Bokeh Will Soon Be Beta

Way back in 2019, an alternative to Instagram was kick-started. The name: Bokeh. After some delay, it is still inching toward the finish line. In fact, private (beta) testing is almost here. And being a backer, I should be able to soon give it a try – exciting! Will it take off? The potential is there.

Figuring Out Photo Sites Again

Like me, I bet you take lots of pictures. With your phone…er camera. And they’ve gotta go somewhere. You likely just back’em up with the default photo/cloud system on your phone. And the ones that are share-worthy, you probably have your go-to site or service like Instagram. But I’m not sure where I stand with all that now.

Dumb Cameras Died

You remember point-n-shoot cameras? Maybe you’ve got an old one tucked away in a closet or drawer. It still works just fine, but so does your camera-phone that’s always tucked in your pocket or purse. You’ve probably seen a news headline in the last few years declaring that the point-n-shoot camera is dead. But in case you missed it, yeah, dedicated consumer digital cameras died a while back. Yet digital photography thrives now more than ever, so maybe those old cams could make a comeback.

Photo Therapy

You know what I did about a year ago? I drafted a blog post pursuing the idea of using photography as a type of therapy. I never got around to fleshing out that draft, but given our current state of affairs, now seems like maybe a good time to bust this one out.

Cameraphoning Bluebonnets

Guess what, my friends? The Bluebonnets are back! For about three weeks each year, they bloom their blue earth decorations around Texas. My yard in the past two years had huge thick patches of them. This year, we have only a few small thin patches. Nonetheless, I’m enjoying them through photography but in a simpler way than before.

From Flickr To Forever

I wonder, have you heard the recent news about Flickr? You’ve heard of Flickr right? The awesome photo sharing site before photo sharing sites were common, before social media was really a thing? In fact, two years ago, I asked “Is Flickr Still A Thing?” I wanted it to be; I found it mostly was. But my use of it never really resurged. Now the latest news has tugged on me to reconsider Flickr.

The Online Photosphere

When it comes to photos: snap it, edit it, share it, repeat. But where do you share it online? If you’re a fickle photo shooter like me, you may bounce between multiple sites. Wouldn’t it be simpler to settle on just one?

Is Flickr Still A Thing?

Recently I was bit by the shutterbug again! Being outside and collecting pecans, the vivid fall colors of the leaves caught my eyes. So I tried taking some photos to capture their beauty. I’m not saying I succeeded, but I enjoyed it none the less.

What Is A Shutterbug?

Shutterbug – an amateur photographer, especially one who isgreatly devoted to the hobby; a photographer, esp. anenthusiastic amateur.

Flower Bugs Made Me A Shutterbug

A photo I took of a single Texas Bluebonnet with bugs on it is the picture that made me become a shutterbug.