Instagram + Rhonna Designs + Phonto = cReative FUN!

 So, you know how much I *adore* my phone camera & all the fun apps combined with Instagram! (remember my posts HERE & HERE?) Well....I've been busy creating various dingbat fonts for Rhonna Designs...the things I want on my own Instagram photos...YEA!

Tonight, I'll be releasing the first 5 new kits in the Insta Lovin' series 

but...wanted to give you a sneak peek!  Banners, Icons, Numbers, Patterns & Tags...

Each kit includes a TTF font (so you can use PHONTO in your Instagram photos as shown HERE!) &...HUGE ***bonus***, I've got the Digital Brushes/Stamps in there, too!  Seriously, a STEAL for all of your design needs. Since it's a font, you can use them on your phone AND use the vector fonts in your designing, the ABR brush/stamps on your blogs, photographs, invitations, scrapbooks, crafting....you name it! **remember to check out the Licensing info to know which license you need**

And, make sure you're on the Newsletter so that you can get the discout we offer ONLY to our Newsletter subscribers! *wink*

I've got a few more kits being released, too...but, I'll let you see them when they are LIVE...tonight!

Happy cReating!

Photography Tips and Tricks with your phone apps

You know how much I LOVE my phone & the apps I can use...I shared my top ten fave apps HERE & now I'm sharing my fave tips& tricks with my phone!

Since my post of my top ten fave apps, a lot of them have been upgraded with new bells & whistles AND I've found some fun tricks to use with them! When I post to my Instagram feed, I try to remember to post my #appmashup, where I tell which apps I've used in my photo. But, with so many questions about HOW I create the various looks, I'll show you some of my tips & tricks:

Don't be afraid to mix apps.  There's no rule to how many apps you can use at once on any given photo. In fact, when I have time, mixing & layering apps is one of my favorite daily Creativity Exercises to do!

*Here's my original photo I took with my regular Camera app on my phone.

*Here's the example of applying cropping & adding 2 different filters in Picture Show (click on top at "Original" & then scroll down to apply various filters you love for that particular photo. TIP: each photo is different, therefore, there is no set recipe. This is where your creativity comes in...play around. experiment. don't be afraid.)

Play with light & textures. I saved this version out of Picture Show into my Camera Roll & then opened it up in Pic FX to add the bokeh light effect. (click on 'Light' & apply any of the bokeh filters you love. TIP: You can tap on the face of the photo & adjust the rotation AND opacity...brilliant!)

*This is where I add Lens Light into the mix. See the 2 'halo' light effects? I love Lens Light for this reason; you can apply as many light effects as you want by hitting: Render Add Light.  You can also change the size by pinching your fingers on the light effect AND hit the far left button to adjust the Opacity levels.

Get creative with collages. Now, for frames & rounded corners, there are lots of apps you can use, but on this one, I used DipTic. I love this one for the variety & how rounded you can make the corners. (you can even make it a complete circle!) AND it gives great Photo Collage looks like these:

Have fun with text & dingbats. And, lastly...I love to add text to my photos in Phonto.  Yes, there are lots of other ways to add text, but the latest upgrade to Phonto allows you to sync your OWN fonts with the app! My friend, Lindzie Head did a great little tutorial on syncing & getting started HERE. 

TIP: In Phonto, you can use DINGBATS! Yes...all of my Rhonna Designs fonts can be used PLUS the dingbats that are my art in font format! Isn't that fun? 

So on this one photo, I had 5 different versions I saved on my Camera Roll until I was ready to upload it into Instragram.  

TIP: Go in & delete the ones off your roll so you don't fill it up w/ various versions of the same one....unless you want a lot! LOL!

Tricks:

Leme Cam App: This has become one of my favorites to shoot directly from. BUT...I trick I've found is: I always keep it on Manual with the Camera Bag settings at: Leme Leme + Margarita + Wide Screen. This gives a lovely color & vignette to pics and I like the very neutral frame. BUT, one TIP: You need a good light for this. If it's dark at all, it will turn out way too dark.

Filter Mania App: I LOVE the texture that the Grunge filter gives...see above? That awesome text & canvas texture is the Grunge filter. TIP: It looks good on backgrounds, scenery, but not so great on faces, unless it hits a place that's not directly on the skin...that looks a little creepy!

Pic FX App: The LIGHT filters are fab in this app. I LOVE that you can apply the Bokeh effect, then adjust the opacity & rotate it when you simply tap on the screen.  Again....if you want to mix & layer, simply go to: 'Add Another'.

Labelbox App: I love that you can layer the labels. Here, I've got the doily tape (extra $) and I just added it w/ no text. THEN added the Black Dymo label with text.  So fun & easy!

LensLight App: There are so many light effects in this app that it's crazy fun! One tip I like is: Look at the shapes....use them in your photos as Design Elements...i.e. Here, I needed a circular shape to balance out the top left corner. I used the Sparkle effect, pinched with my fingers to make it the size I needed & then adjusted the Opacity so it wasn't SO bright. 

Masking Tape App: This is one everyone must have FOR SURE! It's amazing with the upgrades. You can adjust the colors, sizes, even the end 'tape rips' design along with GOBS of designs! I love this one! TIP: again, this is a fun app to use for not only decorations & text, but also for design elements. Try a little diagonal snippet on the corners of your photo, or even create a frame out of it!

Phonto App: This is a must have as well. I loved it before, but love it even more now that you can sync all of your own fonts! The fact that you can use dingbats in there is so fun! The above design has the flowers & swirly from my Rhonna Designs Dingbat font. 

And the fact that you can add a stroke around the font, change colors & opacity, size and tilt...well....it's a cryin shame if you don't have Phonto! LOL!

The main thing to remember: have fun & explore all your options in the apps. Each picture you take is different...the light, the textures, the look & feel you want to evoke, etc. So, there's no set recipe or formula....get creative with your iPhoneology! I'm serious iPhonesia is addictive, so be careful! I warned you!

My fave photo apps...beginning with Instagram!

***ETA: July 2013  Since this post...I now have my own app: Rhonna Designs Photo Editing App!  See my app HERE in the App Store and HERE are a bunch of How-To Video Tutorials! 

Seriously...this app has CHANGED the way I edit my photos for Instagram, blogs, printing out...it's changed my life! *wink* and no...I'm NOT being dramatic!

This ONE app has replaced most of the ones below...

_____________

I've had lots of questions about HOW I edit my photos that I post on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook. So, rather than copying & pasting my responses to hundreds of ya..I figured a blog post was in order. So...I'm sharing my TOP TEN fave photo apps!

My phone camera is one of my fave Creativity Tools I use everyday with my Creativity Exercises...seriously...this has changed my creative life! So, I'm always thinking of ways to capture, create & then share...in real time!

Enter....

1. Instagram~ free

Pros: My fave place/community to upload. Yes, I've tried other communities, like Hipstamatic, My365, etc...but, this feels like my home. I love the filters, friends, etc. So...I go through various other apps to get the look I want & eventually post them to IG (Instagram) in the end.

Come & follow me: @RhonnaFarrer

Cons: limited in versatility...not type/text. but, hey...it's free!

2. Picture Show~ $1.99

Pros: Best bang for your buck.  If you only want to purchase one extra app, this is my fave. You can add bokeh, fab frames, text, tons of filters, light leaks, crop, noise, blur, and more. I had this one for a long time & it did everything I wanted, but then I ventured out for more fun.

Cons: hmm...i can't find one..i really love this one!

3. Phonto~ free

Pros: Best Font/Type/Text app I've found...it has TONS of various fonts & you can change colors, tilts, fonts, sizes AND the opacity...which is fab to me. I love this one!

Cons: again...can't find any. I am really happy with this one!

4. PicFrame~ $.99

Pros:  This is the app I use to create diptychs, triptychs, & split them up to make collages.  I know there are other apps like this, but this is the first one I got & didn't feel the need to buy more that does basically the same thing...You can round corners, change the color of the  frame & move the size of the frames.

Cons: only about 20 various frames...I know some apps have more options...but, hey! It works for me!

5. Labelbox~ $.99

Pros: Ok...for the dymo label look, masking tape, scotch tape....this is great. You can buy *add-on* tapes for $.99 cents more, too! I bought the set with the doily tape in it & I love it!

Cons: I'm not fond of the fonts/text that comes with it...so, I add my own in some. (i.e. Me no likey the 'light' font on the below pic...I was learning at the time! LOL)

6. Lenslight~ $.99

Pros: This is a VERY fun light app. I'm talking, various bokeh, lens flares, light leaks, cloud rays, sparkles, halo rings...& even the sun, moon, lightning & rain. You can add 1 on top of the other & even adjust the opacity..I love that about this app!

Cons: Not much to complain about on this one..I've been very happy!

7. Filter Mania~ free

Pros: This one is FAB! It has very unique frames, filters & lighting.  Some a little over the top, but really  cool ones! (The above wings & crown is one of them~ And this TIME photo...see the grungey/words in it? Yea..it's this app! cool, huh?)

Cons: Since the filters are so funky...they don't look good on all photos...but, it's fun to experiment!

8. Maskingtape~$.99

Pros: This is one of my faves to add a little *flair* to my photos. With the swipe of your finger, you have TONS of washi/decorative tapes in tons of colors. To 'undo' you just double tap & *poof* it's gone!

Cons: Not a one, IMHO.

9. Pixlromatic/ Picture Magic~ both free. both equally used by me.

Pros: I had to lump these together because I really couldn't pick one or the other...they are both for the same thing: cool frames, light filters, and bokeh... And I have found that there are specific frames or lightings that I like for certain photos in each of the apps.

...but, I do have to say, I think I like Pixlromatic a tidge better....see for yourself..they are both free...come on...have some fun!

Cons: Picture Magic seems to freeze more for me...ugh. And, when you open it up it ALWAYS asks if you want to buy the full version. Gets a little buggy.

10. Picfx~ $1.99
Pros: Fab frames, cross processes, vintage & classic filters, & I am in LOVE with the bokeh filters...they are giving Lens Light a run for their money! One of my fave things is: You can rotate the bokeh filters...I haven't found that in any other Light app!

Cons: The ONLY thing I wish it would do is give you the ability to adjust the Opacity levels in the lights.

'das all. 

So, here's a snippet of my process:

1. Take Photo: I normally just take my photo in the 'Camera' or 'Pro Camera'..they are both sitting next to each other, & which ever one I hit...I snap away. THEN, it's stored in my Camera Roll & I can go in later & edit as I wish. 

2. Add filters: I then, go into my fave apps above to see what will enhance the photo. If I"m in a 'photo collage' mood, out comes Pic Frame. Or if I just want a subtle light leak & cool bokeh, I'll go for Picture Show.

3. Add Text: Here's where I'll add Labelbox, Phonto....or whatever I want.

4. Add flair: This can be the decorative washi tapes in Maskingtape, or some of the faces in Finger Faces...LOL...whatever I want!

And, yes, each of these steps saves in my Camera Roll...so, I go in & delete the unnecessary ones!

REally....this all depends on me, how much time I have & what kind of mood I'm in. If I have a few minutes waiting in the car for my kids' carpool, out comes my phone & away I go!

Sometimes, I only have time to do the Instagram stuff...no worries. just have fun!

Now...here are some honorable mentions that deserve a little shout out:

iDarkroom: $1.99

Pros: I do like this one. It's got a lot of the regular photo editing features, and I LOVE the various bokehs' they have: flowers, hearts, FUN ones!

Cons: For some reason, this one isn't my 'go-to'...but I do use it a bit.

BlendCam: free

Pros: This is a funky one that allows you to blend photos together...cool effects!

Cons: Again, this one isn't in my day to day tool box, but it's fun to have!

Tag Writer Pro: .$99

Pros: This is a fun one like Labelbox that lets you do some fun tags on your photies.

Cons: There's a free one; but very limited. The Pro version has more, but again...I only use it sometimes.

iLabeler, Vintage Cam, Lemme Cam, Pic Collage....all are fun, but for their purposes, I've found the above apps to be my fave.

One that I have LOVED (or my KIDS have loved) is the Finger Face app: $.99

We've had many a laughs over this one...one to play & enjoy with the family!

Ok...that does it...those are my Top Ten Faves! Again, you may or may not agree with me, but this is what I use & what I love!

I always LOVE to hear about new ones, so please share YOUR fave apps with me!

Happy Thursday!

new christmas card kits...and a free card, too!

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Did you see? 

Rhonna Designs is already jumpin in the holiday festive spirit! *grin* I'm so excited to share the first (of many) Christmas Card Kits with you! If you're like me.....you LOVE sending out Christmas cards each year! I love designing them & getting the perfect pictures all ready.

But...I am always late in doing it...so, this year...I'm helping you get ready EARLY!

If you are a Newsletter subscriber, you got the great discount code for these kits....and, wow! You will be all set for everything you need this year!

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Photos courtesy of Cherie Mask Photography

So...to try out one of my Photo Christmas Cards, I'm giving you a FREE Download. It's a PNG file, which means you can add your photo right under the card so it's framed....love this effect!

and...FREE!

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Photos courtesy of Cherie Mask Photography

But..I wanted to share these kits.... cuz they are getting me so excited for Christmas....

each kit includes EVERYTHING you need for a coordinated Christmas: 

8 different digital Christmas Card files....everything you need to create your cards or photo cards this year.  

2 4x9 Cards- 

2 5x7 Cards:

(Each has 1 with a window for your photo or the other simply drop your photo or greeting onto the card design.)

Address Wrap Label. Perfect for envelopes, gift tags, spirits bottles, jars, etc.

Newsletter in JPG format. Can be resized for a blank card or gift tag.

Label Art & Word Art in PNG files to add as Clip Art OR use in Photo Editing Program to create your own cards, add to photos, scrapbooks, hybrid scrapbooking or blogs!

Also, offered with 4 8x10 High Resolution PDF Printables. 

Address Wrap Printable

Label Art Printable

Word Art Printable

Newsletter Printable

**Everything coordinates in each kit for so many possibilities!**

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Photos courtesy of Cherie Mask Photography

see? TONS of things in these kits....& you are good to go.

Try printing out the Circle seals, labels & Address Wraps on sticker paper for INSTANT stickers.

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So cute on your gifts, jars, bottles, envelopes, decor....you get the picture!

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Each kit also has coordinating word art & label art that can be used on your blogs, home decor, etc.

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Or, how about your annual newlsetter? yea...type it up on the Printable, print them out & you've got coordinating Address labels, sticker seals...YOU are set!

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Photos courtesy of Cherie Mask Photography

I love the Cards, too. 2 different sizes with a window for photos OR plain so you can either put your own greeting on there OR size it down for instant gift cards, notes, ...you name it!

I'm giddy to see what YOU create with them! Be sure to check back as we get closer to see what the Creative Team does, too! 

Bring on the Holiday Season.....

Photographers & Creatives: Over[Exposure] launch is NOW!

Today: 10am Pacific Time
Think Big Art's marketing program will be launched to the public!

But..... guess what I have... a secret early bird link: HERE>
Go on & check out the amazing tools to help your Photography business!

**Today only: special price. Go watch the video & see what its' all about!
enjoy! R

psst...calling all photographers>>>>>

and artists.
and designers.
and anyone creative who is learning the ins & outs of marketing themselves online. I wanted to share this with you.

It's called Over[Exposure].

It's a very cool photography marketing system ...a step-by-step system to teach you how to get massive exposure on the web and grow your photography business in any economy. Tyler Garns teaches you how to market & sell your work online.

Check out the Think Big Art blog.

Most artists will never make real money until they realize that they must be a MARKETER first and an ARTIST second.

An artist by definition creates art. That’s it. Art does not sell itself.

A marketer can take that art and tell its story to the right audience in such an effective way that the audience comes clamoring to buy.

Ka*pow. That hit me hard. So true. So true.

I'm not a professional photographer, but the concepts I've read over there flow over to my work as a graphic artist. So, it intrigues me & makes me want to read more. learn more.

I love this post about the changes in photography & keeping up with the evolution of change & Photoshop!

Or this post about capturing the moment....in photography AND in marketing.

I love the way he writes. He's got talent...both as a photographer ( I mean, hey...look who his dad is! ) and as a marketer!

And..I believe in his marketing strategies, knowledge & expertise. After all...Tyler is my cousin. Jerry Garns is my uncle.

Over[Exposure] launches on Sept. 14 & you can get on the early bird list here to sign up. They'll send you great business and marketing tips every few days.

I know I can always learn new stuff about marketing..it doesn't come naturally to me, so...bring on the help, Tyler! Thanks! I can't wait!
R