POTD: A Rose in a Flower

A Little Budding Rose

It was a little budding rose,

Round like a fairy globe,

And shyly did its leaves unclose

Hid in their mossy robe,

But sweet was the slight and spicy smell

It breathed from its heart invisible.

The rose is blasted, withered, blighted,

Its root has felt a worm,

And like a heart beloved and slighted,

Failed, faded, shrunk its form.

Bud of beauty, bonnie flower,

I stole thee from thy natal bower.

I was the worm that withered thee,

Thy tears of dew all fell for me;

Leaf and stalk and rose are gone,

Exile earth they died upon.

Yes, that last breath of balmy scent

With alien breezes sadly blent!

-- Emily Bronte

1. Camera+ version

(taken with Camera+ app on iPhone)

2. Big Lens version

 

(Camera+ picture edited in Big Lens app)

POTD: An Autumn Road

This road, between St. Paul’s and One New Change, has been specially decorated for autumn with all dried and colored leaves stamped on the road. It looks quite beautiful. I am sharing some of the pictures I took with my iPhone last week.

1. Camera+ Version

 

(edited with Deep Focus filter in Camera+ app)

2. Snapseed Version

(edited with Grunge filter in Snapseed)

3. Big Lens Version

(edited with a Lomo filter in Big Lens)

POTD: Lovely lights of flame + Reader's Contribution

My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends -
it gives a lovely light.
- Edna St. Vincent Millay "First Fig"

All these pictures were taken last night while celebrating a peaceful, cracker less Diwali at home. Wish you all (and your families) a very Happy Diwali and a prosperous New Year!

1. A flame of joy

(taken with Nikon D5100 and Raynox 150 close up filter)

2. Colourless Flames

(taken with Nikon D5100, Night vision mode)

3. Light of Prayer

(taken with Camera+ on iPhone and edited in Big Lens app – Gray BG filter)

4. Vibrant Flame

(taken with Nikon D5100 + Raynox 150 close up filter)

Reader’s Contribution

Today’s contribution comes from my colleague and friend, Carolyne Salmen.

5. St. Paul’s Nail

May 2011 saw the unveiling of Gavin Turk’s first ever permanent public sculpture, ‘Nail’, in the heart of the City of London.

Turk, one of Britain’s most celebrated sculptors, was commissioned by Land Securities to create a striking new art installation that will be set into the pavement at the main entrance to the One New Change City mall. 

Resting at a slight 5° angle, the 12-metre high, cast bronze sculpture of a nail sits between the gleam of 21^st century glass and the historic facade of St Paul’s Cathedral. ‘Nail’ represents Turk’s interpretation of the dialogue between these two monuments, and the extraordinary changes that have taken place over the centuries in an area rich in history and heritage.

(Source: http://www.onenewchange.com/the-nail.aspx)

Yesterday’s voting result

Number 2 (Basic Edits on iPhone apps) was the clear winner by double the margin to the runner up Number 1 (Original)

POTD: Teardrop on a Rose

A Teardrop on a Rose

--------------------

Written and recorded by Hank Williams (SR)

While strolling thru a lovely garden

As day was drawing to a close...

My eyes be-held a tragic story

I saw a teardrop on a rose.

It should have been a tear of gladness

But deep inside the sorrow shows

A trusting heart had just been broken

I saw a teardrop on a rose.

A sobbing tear that follows parting

Holds all the pain that sorrow knows

A false goodbye a life is shattered

There lies a story on a rose.

The tear will dry the rose will wither

When spring and winter comes and goes

I loved, I lost, my story ended

With just a teardrop on a rose.

1. Rose1 - SLR Pic

 

(taken with Nikon D5100)

2. Rose1 – Converted into a sketch in Pocket Monet iPhone app

3. Rose2 – iPhone Pic (Big Lens)

(taken with iPhone using Big Lens app – I found the effects produced by this app simply amazing – almost SLR like!)

4. Rose3 – SLR Pic edited with Snapseed iPhone app

(taken with Nikon D5100 and edited for saturation and sharpness in Snapseed)

5. Rose3 – Van Gogh version

(taken with Nikon D5100 and converted into a painting in Autopainter app – Van Gogh filter)

6. Rose3 – Monochrome version

(taken with Nikon D5100 and converted into a monochrome in Monochromia app) 

iPhoneography Apps Review - Big Lens

Big Lens is one of the best iPhone photography apps that I have purchased. It is a simple to use, yet very powerful, app. You can either take a photo from the in app camera shortcut or even import your own photo from the camera roll / photo album. You get six command options at the bottom to edit your photo. Aperture option allows selecting a lens from f3.5 to f1.8 - lowest number (largest aperture) gives a very focused macro type effect. The blurred background looks very natural and very much like what you would have got on a SLR pic. You can select from a circle or linear type focus and the app also provides around 9 different types o lenses to choose from. There are 19 filters to change the look and feel of your photo.

Overall I am very impressed with this app and will definitely recommend buying it.