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| 6/7/16 inks, watercolor, colored pencil (scanned using CamScanner and Android phone) |
This sketch is none too exciting -- it's just an intersection near the Green Lake Starbucks where I sat this bright, warm morning. But I'm hoping the image and the rest of this post look as "normal" as ever. As part of my gig next month as an Urban Sketchers Symposium correspondent, I have to be able to blog daily using only my mobile devices. So far I've tried three apps that are supposed to enable this seemingly easy task, but none is as straightforward as it should be. (I'm currently using Blogaway.)
In addition, my own process is not as straightforward as I wish it were. First I have to take the image of the sketch with CamScanner on my phone, and upload it to Blogger. Then, to avoid having to type the entire post on my phone, I access the draft post from my tablet, and compose the text. (And I see now that this app has no spellchecker! Argghh.) If I wanted to carry the tablet around, I could make the scan from it instead of the phone, skipping the use of two devices. But I know the phone's camera is better, and I don't want to carry the tablet all over Manchester just to save myself that step. Tedious, I know.
I am pleased, however, about CamScanner, the app that enables my phone's camera to "scan" images almost as nicely as my desktop scanner. I've tried a lot of these so-called scanning apps too, and this one seems to be the easiest to use and creates the best-looking images.
(If you know how to do all of this in an easier way, I'm all ears! But at least I made it through this post.)
Edited: Dana's comments below made me curious about comparing the CamScanner image with my usual desktop scanner image as well as an image shot directly from my phone without an app (as in my typical "trophy" shots). I actually prefer the brighter colors of the CamScanner image above, but I think the one made with the desktop scanner (immediately below) is more accurate to the original. At the very bottom is the image taken as a regular photo without any app.
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| Scanned as usual with my desktop scanner. |
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| Image taken directly with my phone's camera without an app, unedited. |
Just a thought Tina... And Sew it Goes is a blog by Terry Grant and she uses Blogsy. And can you dictate a pos?... either directly or into a note app where you can cut and paste? I'm curious though, what's the benefit of having a scan instead of a photo?
ReplyDeleteHi Dana,
DeleteI'm guessing Blogsy is for the iPad...? I'm on Android, so my choices are limited. I'll look into dictation -- that's an idea! As for the benefits of scanning -- the app automatically or manually straightens and crops the image, and it's much brighter and cleaner. When I shoot directly with my phone's camera, it's usually a lot darker and requires a lot of manual adjusting to get it looking good. But that just gave me an idea -- I'll edit this post to include a scan from my scanner for comparison. Thanks for the ideas!
Great post, Tina. Dictation is easy on Android as you just press a button on the "keyboard" and start talking. The only problem is punctuation where you've got to say "Period" to get one :-)
ReplyDeleteI use a photoeditor but I like the idea of CamScanner that does the basic things we want without you having to think about it. It should help a lot with the big job you have ahead. Thanks in advance for doing it, by the way --- Larry
Glad you enjoyed the post! I've had some hilarious mis-speaks using Android's microphone! :-) But it's certainly easier than typing on my phone.
Delete- Tina
Thank you for the photo / Cam Scanner comparison. You've convinced me to give it a try! I blog with WordPress and use their app but I still have to straighten and crop my photos then use the PhotoToaster app (which I love) to brighten and blur out any sensitive text then use the Image Size app to downsize to 72dpi. All steps that don't take too much time and I don't *have* to do but make for better phone posting (iPhone user here). And I can visualize the dictation errors... Siri does it too!
ReplyDeleteI also want to thank you for being our field correspondent. I loved Teoh Yi Chie's (Parka) videos from Singapore and can't wait to see your vision of the Manchester conference!
Thanks again, Dana!
DeleteHi Tina! Did you know that Blogger/Blogspot has an official app for Android? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.blogger
ReplyDeleteIt appears to have spellcheck and text editing. I can't try it though because I'm on Apple devices. Dictating would be a huge time and hand saver, even if you had to go back in to add punctuation and correct a couple words manually with your keyboard! I use it all the time for my emails, texts, etc. I'm actually using it right now! Lol! Also, all three photos above look good. I think the direct, no app, no editing photo looks more than fine. With the top photo from Cam Scanner I cannot tap on the photo and make it screen sized to get a closer look, but I CAN do it with the bottom two photos.
Yeah, using that official Blogger app is what led me to search for others. . . :-( It's got some bag bugs that lots of people are complaining about and can't get resolved! Annoying. I noticed that about the CamScanner image, too -- that it can't be enlarged. I'll have to keep experimenting until the symposium -- I'm glad I started early! Thanks for the ideas!
DeletePS: it helps to speak directly into your phone's microphone when dictating, especially if you have a case on it.
ReplyDeletePPS: I like being able to see the texture of your paper in the bottom photo!
ReplyDeleteI just tried CamScanner... fabulous... one click and the image looks great! Thanks Tina! Now about the enlarging... does it not enlarge because you posted it to the blog directly from the app while the other two were uploaded from your phone's camera roll? ... just thinking.
ReplyDeleteThe top one was the only one uploaded from CamScanner. The other two came from my desktop afterwards. Hmmm. . .! Will do more tinkering and test posts!
DeleteI've never thought about needing a scan-to-phone solution, but it would sure be convenient while on vacation (or traveling at all). I see pros and cons to all these options and I'm sure whichever one (or combo) you settle on will be great - we just want to see your images! :) Looking forward to your posts from Manchester.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, thanks for the Instagram tip on my flickr pic - that's a big help! Technology is great, but the people in the sketcher/art community are fabulous as we help each other figure everything out!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Terrie! It took me a while to figure that out myself!
Delete- Tina
I haven't tried doing my blog from my phone, but have done it from my iPad. I recently had to upload a new app to use it. I changed from when I traveled in Ireland. It is never easy, but it is such a pain to have to drag everything around with you. I hope you find a good solution!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joan! Although technological challenges are usually a pain, figuring out a solution to this one is actually kind of fun!
DeleteBeautiful. You have an amazing talent.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda!
Delete