Close portrait with an iPhone? Try a panorama!

Leave a reply

Gail and Amy

While enjoying breakfast at Peach Cafe with Amy and my mother–in–law, Amy wanted a photo in front of the large heart artwork on the wall.

But, a few problems:

  1. I was four feet away from the artwork. How could I get it and them in the frame?
  2. The restaurant was full, so I wasn’t going to stand up and take a few steps back.
  3. I only had my iPhone, not a DSLR with a wide angle lens.

Solution: Use the panorama feature in iOS 6!

If you haven’t used it in the default Camera app:

  1. Tap Options at the top.
  2. Tap Panorama.

With my iPhone in landscape mode, I tapped the arrow so I’d start taking the photo at the bottom, then asked them to sit still for a few seconds before I pressed the shutter button and panned up.

Note: You don’t need to get to the very end of the “route” when panning to capture the panorama. Just press the shutter after you’ve captured everything you need.

I started the panorama at the bottom of the frame to minimize any movement from them in the final image.

When I processed the photo in Lightroom, another bonus was that the aspect ratio was super close to 3:2. This means we can print a 4“ x 6” photo with minimal cropping.

Most importantly, they loved it! :)

P.S. Props to Ryan Brenizer for the idea, which he uses regularly with the Brenizer Method, who was just named American Photo’s Top 10 World’s Best Wedding Photographers for 2013. Congrats!

My thoughts on NMX BlogWorld 2013

1 Reply

Brett Kelly and Bryan Villarin

Almost one month has passed and I’d say it’s a good time to share my meager notes of my experience at NMX BlogWorld 2013 in Las Vegas.

  • If you aren’t able to help a visitor with their super–specific question(s), give at least one takeaway so they don’t leave empty–handed. For example, someone’s blog was focused on browsing sites securely, and an Incognito window with Google Chrome was new to them. That was nifty.
  • For the most part, most attendees are shy. If someone glances in your direction, and they’re a few feet from your booth, introduce yourself or say “hello”. You never know.
  • WiFi will not work consistently.
  • Keep your laptop and phone charged.
  • Save a few relevant Twitter searches for the event/conference.
  • Bring business cards. I didn’t, and I won’t make that mistake again.
  • Carry a couple pens and pocket notebook.
  • After seeing a panel of speakers, open your notebook and write for 5–10 minutes about anything that comes to mind. Do the same thing at the end of the day. (This is also useful for everyday life.)

I also met Brett Kelly for the first time ever in real life and we took a photo. He’s super cool. (He spoke at “Productivity Power Panel: Learn the Tools, Tactics, & Workflows of Highly Productive Bloggers”, and I’ll post my notes from that separately.)

Overall, I had a great time working at the WordPress Happiness Bar in the exhibitors’ area with several other fine Automatticians, and I look forward to more opportunities like this in the future.

Traveling? Relax with a checklist

2 Replies

A couple of weeks ago, I had an awesome opportunity to go to NMX BlogWorld in Las Vegas to spread happiness at the WordPress booth. The night before, I decided to make a checklist of all the things I need.

The goal of making this list is to help you relax (in addition to making sure you have everything you need.)

Have you gotten on the road or powered your phone on during your flight, wondering if you did something at home?

For example, did you:

  • Remember to pay that bill?
  • Close all the windows and lock the door(s)?
  • Leave the stove lit?
  • Temporarily stop mail at the post office?
  • Pack your laptop and cell phone charger?
  • Print your boarding pass?

Wonder no more! Your list will save your sanity.

It doesn’t matter what method you use for this list. Write a list, and save it somewhere. (Yes, I created a new project in Things.)

While you’re packing, you’ll likely add things to your list. Even though it’ll take an extra ten seconds to write it down, make a note of it. This is super important.

Bonus tip: Note the location of the item in your bags to save time finding it later.

(You can also fill out this partial template of a travel checklist from Lifehacker.)

In a few hours, when you start questioning yourself about forgetting something, refer to that list. It’ll be your warm blanket, gin and tonic, or chill pill.

Bryan Villarin

January 16, 2013

While I was making breakfast this morning, Monica was walking between my legs, rubbing with each pass, meowing every so often. (Precious!) As I made coffee over the sink with my back turned to her, she leapt and tried to paw claw her way towards my shoulders — like the first couple months of her youth — as if she were T-1000 chasing a police car in Terminator 2! I stifled a painful squeal and side stepped a couple feet to my left, and she ran away into the living room.

My first opt-out at Burbank Bob Hope Airport

5 Replies

After reading a bunch of posts from a former TSA agent (Taking Sense Away, hosted at WordPress.com), I’m finally convinced to opt–out every time I fly. Why? If he and other TSA agents call people who opt–out “smart passengers”, that’s good enough for me.

Bob Hope Airport in Burbank obviously isn’t as busy as LAX, so it was a good opportunity to see how this would go.

I spoke with nice TSA screeners. I voiced my anxiety about my stuff going through the x-ray machine, then the screener — let’s call him “John” — who was about to pat me down eased my fears and we walked over to it to gather my things.

John explained the process thoroughly, and asked me if I wanted a private screening before proceeding. I politely declined while gazing forward at other passengers, noticing that nobody else opted out. All while a stranger felt around me with latex-covered hands.

I’m relieved John didn’t linger on any areas. He also asked about my right foot since I was limping, and hoped that I felt better soon.

The only awkwardness I can remember is John exhaling/grunting every few seconds during the pat down. His breathing was somewhat labored. (He was a bit heavyset, so I hope it’s nothing serious.) The entire process seemed to take about five more minutes than if I went through the millimeter wave scanner.

I’d like to think he earned his paycheck, and I’m glad to stop putting my health into technology that hasn’t been thoroughly tested.