Author Archives: Keith

Does Verizon Hate the iPhone, Fan Mail, and a Tripod Listener Question

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Welcome to episode 9.

News – Verizon sales associates actively steering customers away from the iPhone, iOS 5.1.1 hits the street, and IEEE will begin ranking camera phone image quality. Instagram surpasses 50 million users and pulls up the E-brake.

Fan Mail! – Thanks to Kristen, Alan Jenny & Alexis, Blaine, and Fan from Tacoma for the awesome Postagrams! Use promo code TinyShutter and get two free Postagrams, if you send one to us we’ll add you in the running for Keith’s iPhone Shutter Grip.

Featured – A brief discussion of Keith’s Belkin iPhone Shutter Grip review here on Tiny Shutter.

Listener Question – @iPhoneFarmer wrote in this week with a question about tripod mount options for the iPhone using the Mophie Juice Pack . Mark suggested getting the Telephoto kit from Photojojo that comes with a mount that would work. Matt suggested the Capta from Adorama, And Keith suggested a Manfrotto Super Clamp . Other option are the Camarush and Phoneboat Slide.

Focus Points – Matt talks about FilterStorm and Keith suggests Mobitog.

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Belkin iPhone Shutter Grip Review

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UPDATE: We are giving away the iPhone Shutter Grip that we used for this review to a lucky Tiny Shutter fan, learn how on episode 9.

When I saw the iPhone Shutter Grip on Photojojo I did the same thing I often do when I see a neat or cool product, I get excited then I confuse want with need and I buy it with little or no research. Like I did with that stupid tiny digital camera 🙁 . Sometimes I will research it and still buy it, but in this case I bought the product without even reading the description. I mention this because listed as the last bullet point feature on the Photojojo product page is what makes this accessory nearly useless for me.

The Pros – Having a useable shutter but placed in a placed in the traditional location is a clear pro. The grip is pretty comfortable, though I think it could easily be next leveled ergonomically. Having dedicated buttons for camera and video independent of each other is very nice and useful. Having the Belkin LiveAction camera app start up automatically when the grip is installed is a nice quick step saved.

The Cons – This grip can only be used with the Belkin LiveAction Camera app, and this is a huge HUGE drawback. In retrospect it makes perfect sense that the grip wouldn’t be able to operate other camera apps, and I can be understanding of that. But the Belkin camera app is more basic then even the standard ‘Image Picker Camera’ that other apps default to. I will even go so far as to call the app an outright fail. Sadly a good product in the grip is completely marginalized by an app that seems like it could’ve been coded by a grade school kid. The app is glitchy, slow, and I’ve read reports of incessant crashing from some users.

Final Thoughts –  I would strongly recommend holding off on this product until the app has been updated to contain a feature set that should accompany such a product. Without an upgraded app all this grip does is turn your iPhone into a cheap $40 point and shoot.

What’s Wrong With Instagram Today? Breaking News!

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NOTE: This post was related to a previous Instagram Outage. If you’re coming here to complain about Instagram, feel free to let us know that something is wrong. However, we are NOT tech support, and we have no affiliation with Instagram.

And listen to the Tiny Shutter Podcast. Find us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Alpha Geek Radio.



Update 6/30/12 17:30 : Instagram is back up! Yay!

Update 6/30/12 13:00 : My Instagram feed has updated but will not allow uploads. #GettingThere

UPDATE 6/30/12 12:00 :Amazon has continued to update their AWS with information about continuing outages related to the N. Virginia Cloud server. These outages have been caused by violent storms that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands and killing 5 people. Amazon’s most recent update:We are continuing our recovery efforts for the remaining EC2 instances and EBS volumes. We are beginning to successfully provision additional Elastic Load Balancers.

Are you a Tiny Shutter Fan?

UPDATE 6/30/12 08:00 : Instagram has been down since @ 23:00 eastern time 6/29/12. The cause of the outage is an Amazon Elastic Cloud server in N. Virginia that has apparently been affected by severe thunder storms in the area. Instagram has tweeted a generic statement acknowledging the outage
– @InstagramHelp
We’re currently experiencing technical difficulties and we’re working to correct the issues. Thanks for your patience

As usual IG has avoided offering any information regarding the outage to the > 1M fans on their Facebook page, IG has updated their wall with a brief description of the cause of the issue. Netflix, Pinterest, and a host of other services are feeling the outage. The latest update from Amazon is: Jun 30, 4:42 AM PDT We are continuing to work to recover the remaining EC2 instances, EBS volumes and ELBs.

EDIT: If you found your way to this page because Instagram is giving you grief by not updating, add your 2 cents to the comment section. We want to know… because odds are we’re feeling the same pain.

Breaking News! What’s wrong with Instagram today? Complaints and questions from frustrated users are piling up on IG’s Facebook page. Messages to the IG help desk have been un-answered to this point and if you’re dwelling on it, the problems may appear to be becoming more severe.
Current issues involved include:

  • Feed not refreshing
  • Profiles not loading
  • unable to upload photos
  • unable to follow users
  • data not refreshing

What kind of issues are you having? add them in the comments below.
Have you received any response from Instagram or found other info related to the issues?

Do you think this has something to do with Android?
Do you think this has something to do with Facebook?

National Photography Month, Jag.gr Interview, and Iphone Beers and Bras

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Episode 8 is live.

News – On this light week in news we mention National Photography month, Instagram NYC hosts first ever exibit at W Times hotel. Need an iPhone holder? There’s a Bra for that, and the Jag.gr 645 Pro v1.1 update.

Featured – This week we have an interview with Mike Hardaker, owner of Jag.gr and maker of 645 Pro for iOS. In this interview Mike talks with us about his history in photography, the challenges of making photography apps, his drive behind 645 PRO and his other apps, as well as offering us some behind the scenes app knowledge and a great photography tip.

Focus Points – Matt talks about LensFlare, Marc plugs his buddy’s Instagram, Keith likes beer.

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Review of Macro Cell Lens Band from Photojojo

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Two weeks ago I got hooked on shooting macro with my iPhone thanks to a tip from Doctor Popular the community manager for Sincerely and Postagram. My results using that tip floored me, and while using it I also came across a unique product from Photojojo that had a tiny lens incorporated into a rubber band. I ordered the Easy Macro Cell Lens Band and continued playing with the water drop trick while I waited for the new lens to arrive.

This is a fairly simple item that doesn’t require an elaborate review so I will get straight to the important points of note, offer some samples and let you go.

Continue reading →

Snapseed updates, Citizen Journalist, Doctor Popular, and a Postagram Promo Code

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Episode 7 is here for your listening pleasure.

News – We start with some quick news including iPhone 5 rumors, 645 Pro launch, Snapseed update, and citizen journalist apps and issues.

Featured – This week we have an interview with Doctor Popular the community manager from Postagram. We talk about some cool Sincerely apps, Postagram News, iPhone photography tips, Objective Scenes, and Doc offers up a Promo code for the first 50 Tiny Shutter listeners.

If you’d like, use your Postagram Promo Code to send us a Postagram, Head to this link http://sincerely.com/tinyshutter enter your contact info and we will show up in your contact list, and you will show up in ours, all without actually sharing eachother’s physical address. We’re looking forward to getting your Postagrams!

Focus Points – Matt talks about Instacanvas, Marc says iTimeLapse, Keith teases future Belkin Grip Review

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Bullet Proof iPhone, Use Multiple Apps for the Best Result, Our First Listener Question

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Episode 6.1 is here for your listening pleasure.

News – Facebook buys Instagram… yeah yeah, old news, moving on many reports coming in that Apple will be eliminating the use of the +Volume button as a shutter button and rumors are afoot that the iPhone  will be sporting a dedicated shutter button. Worried about snipers? A new iPhone case may set your mind at ease. Ticker tape and marching bands as Snapseed brings home the title, … again!

Featured – This week we share some of our favorite tips, techniques, and so forth. Keith Mentions using the iPhone camera for things no other camera can do, Matt brings some great insight into the iPhone photography creative process, and Mark has alternative uses for your sunglasses. Next round Keith makes rain, or water droplets at least with an epic tip for capturing macro shots with the iPhone. Matt has an alternative use for a cool app!

Listener Questions – This week we answer our first listener question from Oliver. Submit your questions by commenting on any of the show posts, on Facebook or Google+, or on the Tiny Shutter Contact page. You can use any method to record and send an audio question, but Audio questions can be recorded in Voice Memo on your iPhone and sent directly from the app to ‘questions (at) Tiny Shutter (dot) com’

Focus Points – Keith says Operation and it’s BTS, Mark says InstaDM, Matt says Photographer’s Rights!

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Episode 6 Delayed

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Hello everyone, we are very sorry for the late notice and any inconvenience but episode 6 of the Tiny Shutter Podcast will be delayed until next week.

On a side note we would like to thank all of the fans for the tremendous success that the show has experienced and we are looking forward to continually improving the show and gaining new listeners.

If you have the chance, take this time to share the show with your fellow iPhone photography fans, “LIKE” us on Facebook, and add us to your circle on Google +.

 

Thanks again,

-Keith

Iphone Saves Boy in Well, These Are Not the Droids You’re Looking for, and Photo Journeys with Matt Hoffman

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Welcome to episode five of the Tiny Shutter Podcast.

News – City of Boston settles camera phone case for $170,000, iPhone 4 and Canon MKII seesaw in Flickr popularity, iPhone 5 3D camera rumors, rescuers use iPhone camera to retrieve toddler from well, Instagram debuts on Android.

Featured – Three way iPhone Camera app battle royale between Camera Awesome, Camera+, and the native camera app. Leave your votes in the comments here, on Facebook, or on Google+.

Focus Points – Keith says PicFX, Marc loves his new iPad, and Matt offers a magic freebie.

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iPhone Camera app Battle Royale, Who Will Be the Best?

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photo by @ahangman

Welcome to episode four of the Tiny Shutter Podcast.

News – Instagram joins forces with Hipstamatic  and Camera Awesome. Instagram sends tweet to Android users. iPhoto for iOS passes one million downloads at $4.99. Revolution Mosaic App looks cool.

Featured – Three way iPhone Camera app battle royale between Camera Awesome, Camera+, and the native camera app. Leave your votes in the comments here, on Facebook, or on Google+.

Focus Points – Matt shares an HDR app, Keith shares the gorilla cam, and Mark has a unique Focus Point.

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