NAB Workshops, Updated iPhone Camera App, Amazon's QVC like ads

And St. Augustine on Sunday!

The NAB convention is in 2 weeks, during which I will be leading or co-leading several workshops, on mobile video production, how to use AI for YouTube ideation and marketing and how to make a TV show on an iPhone.

It’s going to be busy!

Today, let me tell you more about the NAB post-production workshop as it’s in a very special place: the Nelson Ghost Ranch, which is about 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas.

I’m joining travel journalist and filmmaker Juliana Broste (Traveling Jules) and Ryan Grams and the three of us will offer hands-on instruction for how to make the Ghost Town shine, on both mobile phones and bigger cameras. The focus here is completely on video.

Attendees will harness the power of telling your story and apply the “need to know” skills and shortcuts necessary to survive in today’s growing content creation industry. Join us for a unique opportunity to co-mingle and compare notes with fellow content creators while brushing up on the latest tools, trends and techniques in this master class dedicated to the makers.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to Uber or drive to the Ranch. Attendees will meet at the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall N239, where bus transportation will be provided from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Folks will return to the convention center after sunset.

Here’s the link to sign up

And here’s the complete link to all my sessions.

Updated Reeflex Pro Camera App

If you ever get tired of using a camera app where all the decisions are made for you by Apple, you might want to check out Reeflex’s updated Pro Camera app, V3.

(But don’t worry if you’re confused. There’s another app called ProCamera which I wrote about recently when I used it to capture the New York subway trains. If you do a search for this new one, be sure to have Reeflex in the title. Look at the difference in their names below in the graphic!)

In a nutshell, the updated Reeflex app lets you shoot in manual or auto focus, and has a tool to zoom in and check your focus, it has a slow shutter mode that will let you capture light streaks at nighttime and things like that, and white balance for when Apple doesn’t get it right. (Like when you’re in a church that now looks really orange.)

The app only does photos, no video, so if you want an app that does both, you might want to stick with the native iPhone app. The Reeflex app is not available for Android phones.

The app is listed as free, with in-app purchases, on the Apple App Store, but in playing with the app, I didn’t get stuck on any feature that I was asked to pay for. Perhaps that day will be coming.

There’s an Operator Standing By!

Remember the days of infomercials, when we’d watch a half-hour commercial urging us to buy something, with a call to action that would send us to the phone to order?

Then came the Home Shopping Network, QVC and Amazon’s Live channel, where it’s informercials all day long, with live demonstrators and the ability to buy direct.

But how about using the remote to buy from actual 30-second and 60-second commercials? Amazon this week announced an alliance with Samsung to do just that, beginning in July.

This is a new concept Amazon is testing out on Samsung smart TVs with the “TV Plus” app, which offers hundreds of digital channels (including Scripps News) for free.

How will this work? Say you’re watching an ad for kitchen stuff and want to add a pot or pan to your home collection? Click the remote and it will go directly to your Amazon cart.

I spoke about this on Scripps this week with anchor Del Waters.

Rich on Tech Radio Saturday

I’ll be joining my pal and fellow Substacker Rich DeMuro on his Rich on Tech radio show Saturday. Rich gives the latest tech news, takes your questions and has discussions with guests. This week they include Helix CEO Alex Oberg on online privacy, my new friend Johnny Jet on TSA-related travel woes, and I’ll be talking how to take better photos with your phone on the road.

The show airs in Los Angeles on KFI from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. live and then replays as a podcast. I’ll be on from 1:30-1:45. Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in!

With Johnny Jet in Manhattan Beach

St. Augustine Debuts Sunday

We’ve got the Photowalks episode from St. Augustine, Florida all cued up and ready for your Easter day viewing pleasure.

The show debuts on Scripps News at 10 a.m. ET, and brings you to the oldest city in the United States and one that says it’s the most photogenic anywhere—and that phrase is trademarked!

Tune in and see what you think!

Thanks as always for taking the time to watch, read and listen! Have a great holiday if you celebrate, and save some chocolates for me.

Jeff