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Friday 27 July 2018

*review* Smart-Phone Camara lenses - Apexel APL-DG10

*I wasn't given the products or any incentive for this review, and all thoughts are my own*


This year I have got more into my photography, and as there is no way I'll be getting a DSLR camera anytime soon I thought it might be nice if there were lenses I could put onto my phone.


As a set it's great, there are some that help you take clearer 'better' photos and some that are more 'fun'. There is a case for carrying them around in, which is very useful. They are easy to put onto a phone in the right position (though I do have to check the lens is over the camera and not just off it as that affects the photo).


Review of the separate lenses -
Wide lens and Macro lens – The Macro lens can be used on its own, but it is advised in the instructions to use with the wide, this has given me the best results. I have some nice photos taken with this. I've yet to get any brilliant photos with this, but I think that's more due to my photo skills.
CPL – This is used to remove unwanted reflection such as from glass or water. I haven't had much chance to use this, but I do like the photos I have taken it.
Telephoto – This has given me some lovely photos so far, it's brilliant for getting close to plants in the garden.
 Fisheye – Gives images a round fishbowl effect. I love this, the photos look odd, but cool in a way, and it's great fun. I remember one of the earliest camera apps I downloaded onto a smartphone had a fisheye effect, I thought that was cool too, but obviously, this is more powerful because it's a proper lens.
Star Filter – Catches lights, and makes them more like stars. I haven't had a chance to use this much, possibly more of a winter lens, but I love the effect it gives when I have used it
Radical filter – Takes the static object into dynamic effect, makes it look like the object is moving, or just gives you nice lines coming from the object. Nice, I like the photos I've taken with this, none so far of an object that would be moving, but I can see how it would work.
Flow filter – another interesting effect with static objects, again fun to use, but not had the chance to use to the best opportunity yet.
Kaleidoscope filters – There are two of these, the effect is to take the image you see, and multiply it in a kaleidoscopic way. This is really enjoyable to play with, I really like the photos I have taken with this

So to finish I certainly recommend getting this set, or there are others sets around that do a similar thing, just search for 'Smartphone Camera Lenses'


Wide + Macro lenses
fisheye
telephoto
radical filter

Friday 20 July 2018

Here we are again

So what's going on? In January /February you thought I was blogging again, then it just stopped... Well, the answer is that at the beginning of February I was diagnosed with ITP which is a blood disorder that affects the clotting of the blood (low number of platelets ). This has taken most of the energy I had, so that is why I haven't been writing. Now, I'm on a low dose of the steroids that are keeping things in check and getting back to more of 'normal life' so here I am.


What have I been doing in the last six months? Not a lot, because of the reasons stated above. I did have a lovely holiday in Seaton, Cornwall back in early June. And enjoyed celebrating my birthday at the end of June. A few nice shopping trips, cinema visits, and some lovely meals out. While I haven't been able to do anything in my writing, I have been doing more photography, which I will post more about in a future post, but it was good to have something that felt creative / was fun/ and gave me a sense of happiness when I was low. I was also lucky to have my faith, as there were times I couldn't get by without knowing God was with me. I am also so very thankful to all my family, friends (in real life and on Social Media), who have supported me through this, hopefully, I am on the mend, although there will always be a chance the ITP could come back, I am really hoping it won't for some time.


I'm going to use the post to re-evaluate my 2018 goals – as posted here
  • To Live Life More – I've not really had a chance to do that, most of the plans I made for this year haven't happened, and I don't think I'll be back to making them happen until next year, but at least there's a good reason.
  • Give in less to fear – That has happened in an unexpected way, I have had some scary times and awful things because of the ITP but I'm getting better at dealing with them.
  • Writing – Not done anything, but again good reason, and hopefully now getting back into it
  • Photography/Editing – As I mentioned earlier, I have been doing more photography not so much editing, I have done some and I will keep trying to remember to do more.
  • Faith/ Closer to God – At times, yes, but already I feel like I've been less good at spending time working on this very recently, I really want to get back into it.
  • Self-love – At times this has been a struggle this year, but I think I'm getting there again, still a work in progress though.


So that's it, hopefully not six months till the next post.
 

Beach in Seaton, where I was on holiday in June