November 16, 2017 – Day 17 – iPhone Daily B&W White Photo Challenge: Bikes! While I was out today chasing and photographing trains I passed by this Mennonite Store in Crofton, Ky and spotted all these bikes parked in a row and hoped they’d still be that way when I came back by from photographing the train I was chasing. I know, you should never pass up a picture, but I was torn between the two and chose the train! Fortunately the bikes were still there when I came back and as a result this is my picture for the day!

Camera Mode on the iPhone.

This photo really helps to illustrate a tip that I want to pass onto everyone as well! When shooting with the iPhone camera do you ever wish you could do so using the full screen of the phone, instead of the scaled back camera you normally get?

Video Camera Settings

Most folks don’t realize that, you can do this by using the video camera of the iPhone! To do so first you need to head to the camera settings on your iPhone under the Settings App on the iPhone. Open it up and scroll down till you find the Camera settings and open them up.

Then change the Record Video settings to the highest Quality your iPhone will support. For mine it’s 4k video at 30fps (Frames per second). This will insure that you’ll get the highest quality photograph from the phone.

Now you’re set to capture your first full screen photograph! Open the Video Camera and click on the record button. After your video starts recording notice the small silver shutter button that shows up under the video camera’s red button.

Shooting video, showing the still camera button below the video record button.

Each time you press this button the camera will create a photograph of the scene using the full screen of your camera!! This is a great feature for the times you have a long skinny photograph you’d like to shoot and not crop from the regular camera! You can also shoot tall verticals by turning the camera vertically!

You’ll end up with a bunch of little video clips on your camera roll, but after you’re done you can go back and delete them, keeping only the photographs you shot! That’s it! Hope you enjoy using this little tip and please feel free to share!!

November 15, 2017 – Day 16 – iPhone Daily B&W White Photo Challenge: Fall – I’ve been eyeing this tree since Sunday for the right time to capture it for this series. I knew that the yellow gingko leaves would produce a great contrast to the ground and sky under the right conditions and today was the day! When you find an interesting picture it’s always a good idea to capture it when you’re there as it may be gone the next time you pass by. However, there’s nothing to prevent you from revisiting the scene on a day where you think the light and conditions might produce a better photograph. Be flexible in your shooting! Also when shooting black and white keep an eye out for good contrasting colors as they can help make for great photos!

November 14, 2017 – Day 15 – iPhone Daily B&W White Photo Challenge: Patterns – Every time in Louisville, Ky I try to swing by the train yards there and see if I can’t capture a few pictures. Today when I was there I found the light on these silos next to the Paducah and Louisville Railway line lit with these beautiful patterns from the light and captured today’s photo with my iPhone. I included the rails and cars as I thought that their lines helped to add to the vertical lines of the tanks! Incorporating patterns into your photos is a way to help add visual interest to your shots!

November 13, 2017 – Day 14 – iPhone Daily B&W White Photo Challenge: Bike! – Shooting with the iPhone at night can be a real challenge as with any smartphone. One of the keys is the pick a subject that is well lit. Another is to use your smartphone as you would any other camera! Hold it steady, brace yourself and press the shutter slowly! You’ll come away with a better photo!