It’s hip to be instant

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I love photography, always have. Started out using film cameras as a kid and even took a few classes on film developing. But as digital cameras took hold, it made it easy to take hundreds of pictures and experiment more.

I waited on buy a digital SLR, but jumped in with one of the Canon Rebels a couple of years ago. Yes, I already am saving to upgrade to one that shots HD video. Then came the camera on my iPhone. It wasn’t until I got the iPhone 4, that I ditched my point-and-shoot Canon.

I always carry my cell phone and it’s easier to just carry one device than many. The quality isn’t the greatest, but for 4×6 prints and sharing on the web, it’s perfect. Along with the mobile camera, there has been a host of photography apps available.

My new love is Instagram and Hipstamatic. Both allow you to create photos with the flare and look of retro photographs. I know can recreate those washed-out, light burst photos of that of the 70s that I love in old family albums.

I prefer Instagram over Hipstamatic because of the ease of use. The different looks are easy to apply and the photos are easy to share on multiple sites and it saves a copy to your photo so you can send them to your local 1-hour photo to make up some prints. You can even follow friends and other Instagram users, like photos and leave comments.

Above are photos I took using both apps. The ones with cream-colored borders are from Hipstamatic and the others are from Instagram.

Here are stories and resources to learn more about these great photo apps:

• Techcrunch: What photo sharing app should you use
• NYTimes: Instagram: A Stream of Postcards, Shot by Phone
• Techcrunch: At 5 million users, it’s hard not to view Instagram through a rose-colored filter
• Instagr.am
• Hipstamatic

A view from the top

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From the road below, following the Columbia River along the Gorge, you would never know that tucked high on the cliffs above is a place with breath taking views. Off an exit on Interstate 84 at Corbett, you climb a winding road up the face of the cliff, only to find yourself in the country side once you reach the top. A couple of miles to the east, past the country store and down another small road along the cliffs, the Vista House and all the beauty the Gorge can afford awaits.

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I try to stop at the house whenever I can and I’m not in a hurry in my travels between western and eastern Oregon. It was one such day last Friday that I took the time out of my schedule and drove to the top. It was a beautiful evening and you could see for an eternity. The photos above are from this stop. To view more photos, see my Intersect gallery.

Sitting pretty like a crown on one’s head, but in this case on top of Crown Point, the Vista House offers a scene unlike that of any you see while traveling along I-84. It sits some 733 miles above the interstate. Construction was finalized in 1918 . It was said that it was built to inspire the traveler along Highway 30. The structure is 44 feet in diameter and 55 feet in height.

Learn more about the Vista House:

• Friends of Vista House

Snowy commute at the beach

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This morning’s intermittent sunshine made for scenic snowscapes as I commuted from Long Beach, Wa., to Astoria, Or. At the same time it also made for treacherous icy roads. Several vehicles were along side the road, one spun a 360 right in front of me and speeds were at an all-time low of 20 mph the entire trip. There is a prospect of more snow throughout the day. Can’t wait for the commute home.

All photos by Crindalyn Lyster.

Painted canvas of clouds

I love how the sky lends itself to an open canvas. The past few days, the weather has afforded itself to some beautifully painted skies in both vibrant and muted hues.

This morning the clouds used that canvas to show off it’s playfully & beautiful side. The photos are from my morning commute along the mouth of the Columbia River between Oregon & Washington.

Fire in the sky

A beautiful sunset off the Washington coast – Jan. 25, 2011