EC Container 4
Tips & Tricks
Call Barring on an iPhone
30/10/10 18:30
So here's a thing... that swizzy fantastic iPhone from Apple has no concept of call barring!
This is a facility that's been around for ever on much lesser phones than the iPhone!
So how do you stop unwanted calls or texts on the iPhone? Well, the simple answer is; that you can't!
However you can do a pseudo-call barring facility yourself, with no cost and a few minutes of your time.
1) If you're a Mac user create a silent "ringtone" in GarageBand. Quite easy to do, just go into the piano, and record a track lasting 8 seconds (default ringtone length for iPhone), insert a single note somewhere in the track, and then delete the note so the whole track is silent (you need to put the note in and delete it, or it won't work!). Save the track and call it something like "silence". Export the track as an iTunes Ringtone.
2) Plug your iPhone into the Mac and copy the "silence" Ringtone over to the iPhone.
3) On the iPhone create a contact called: Blacklisted Numbers (or something similar), and add the numbers to that contact that you want to blacklist.
4) Set the ringtone for that user to be the "silence" ringtone you copied over.
That's it - each time that blacklisted number calls you, your iPhone will not ring, and the "missed call" will show up as "Blacklisted Numbers"!
Windows users can use a similar method as above, using the Windows software of their choice to create a silent ringtone.
This is a facility that's been around for ever on much lesser phones than the iPhone!
So how do you stop unwanted calls or texts on the iPhone? Well, the simple answer is; that you can't!
However you can do a pseudo-call barring facility yourself, with no cost and a few minutes of your time.
1) If you're a Mac user create a silent "ringtone" in GarageBand. Quite easy to do, just go into the piano, and record a track lasting 8 seconds (default ringtone length for iPhone), insert a single note somewhere in the track, and then delete the note so the whole track is silent (you need to put the note in and delete it, or it won't work!). Save the track and call it something like "silence". Export the track as an iTunes Ringtone.
2) Plug your iPhone into the Mac and copy the "silence" Ringtone over to the iPhone.
3) On the iPhone create a contact called: Blacklisted Numbers (or something similar), and add the numbers to that contact that you want to blacklist.
4) Set the ringtone for that user to be the "silence" ringtone you copied over.
That's it - each time that blacklisted number calls you, your iPhone will not ring, and the "missed call" will show up as "Blacklisted Numbers"!
Windows users can use a similar method as above, using the Windows software of their choice to create a silent ringtone.
Tips & Tricks - Panoramas without a tripod!
02/04/10 13:50
The tripod is an essential piece of equipment when taking panoramic pictures, as it keeps everything level and and steady to make the life of the stitching software easier.
But what if you're out with your camera and don't have a tripod with you, and you spot the chance of a great shot?
One little tip is to stand still, put your index finger under the lens of the camera (as near to the camera as possible, but still allowing freedom to move the camera in either direction), and then rotate the camera around on your index finger - using it as a make-shift tripod! Keep your finger in the same position throughout (better still if you can rest your hand on, or against something to provide extra stability), and take the shots as required, allowing between 30-50% over-lap between each shot.
It's not always perfect, but its a nice down and dirty way to obtain an acceptable result with the minimum of equipment!
But what if you're out with your camera and don't have a tripod with you, and you spot the chance of a great shot?
One little tip is to stand still, put your index finger under the lens of the camera (as near to the camera as possible, but still allowing freedom to move the camera in either direction), and then rotate the camera around on your index finger - using it as a make-shift tripod! Keep your finger in the same position throughout (better still if you can rest your hand on, or against something to provide extra stability), and take the shots as required, allowing between 30-50% over-lap between each shot.
It's not always perfect, but its a nice down and dirty way to obtain an acceptable result with the minimum of equipment!
Tips & Tricks - Image Stabilisation
02/04/10 13:47
Have you ever wondered why an image taken on a camera mounted on a tripod, or other stable platform, sometimes comes out blurred?
Image Stabilisation is a wonderful thing, but it's only really ideal for hand-held photography, and when mounted on a tripod, the IS mechanisms can actually cause the camera/lens to "judder", and therefore cause your pictures to blur!
There are some fancy new IS mechanisms in lenses and cameras that have "Tripod Detect" systems, and will automatically turn off the IS when it knows the camera is on a tripod, but if your camera or lens doesn't have this, the best rule of thumb is to always switch OFF Image Stabilisation, when using a tripod.
Also to minimise camera shake, there are a few other tricks you can use when using a tripod....
Mirror-Up-Lock: If your DSLR camera has a mirror-up lock (MUL) then use it to lock the mirror in place, as the movement of the mirror being flipped up when the shutter is pressed can cause camera vibration.
Self-Timer: Most DSLR cameras have a self-timer built in, and its a relatively easy method to use. Compose the shot, press the shutter, and wait for the timer to complete. However, it does lack the immediacy that some shots may require, but generally is a good way to reduce camera shake.
Remote Control: If your camera supports a remote control this could be the option for you. It gives you the immediacy that is lacking with the Self-Timer method. However, some cameras remote control receivers are not always that brilliant, and some only work if you're standing directly in front of them - ideal if you want to be in every shot you take, not so ideal if you're trying to take a picture of a landscape!
Cable Release: The old cable-release found on analogue cameras, has been updated and is available for the majority of DSLR's . This is my preferred method of reducing camera shake, as you can stay close to the camera, you get the immediacy of the shot, and you can normally "lock" the shutter for "Bulb" mode shots for super-long exposures. Cable Releases can be picked up as OEM equipment on eBay for just a few pounds, and I for one would highly recommend having one in your camera-bag!
Image Stabilisation is a wonderful thing, but it's only really ideal for hand-held photography, and when mounted on a tripod, the IS mechanisms can actually cause the camera/lens to "judder", and therefore cause your pictures to blur!
There are some fancy new IS mechanisms in lenses and cameras that have "Tripod Detect" systems, and will automatically turn off the IS when it knows the camera is on a tripod, but if your camera or lens doesn't have this, the best rule of thumb is to always switch OFF Image Stabilisation, when using a tripod.
Also to minimise camera shake, there are a few other tricks you can use when using a tripod....
Mirror-Up-Lock: If your DSLR camera has a mirror-up lock (MUL) then use it to lock the mirror in place, as the movement of the mirror being flipped up when the shutter is pressed can cause camera vibration.
Self-Timer: Most DSLR cameras have a self-timer built in, and its a relatively easy method to use. Compose the shot, press the shutter, and wait for the timer to complete. However, it does lack the immediacy that some shots may require, but generally is a good way to reduce camera shake.
Remote Control: If your camera supports a remote control this could be the option for you. It gives you the immediacy that is lacking with the Self-Timer method. However, some cameras remote control receivers are not always that brilliant, and some only work if you're standing directly in front of them - ideal if you want to be in every shot you take, not so ideal if you're trying to take a picture of a landscape!
Cable Release: The old cable-release found on analogue cameras, has been updated and is available for the majority of DSLR's . This is my preferred method of reducing camera shake, as you can stay close to the camera, you get the immediacy of the shot, and you can normally "lock" the shutter for "Bulb" mode shots for super-long exposures. Cable Releases can be picked up as OEM equipment on eBay for just a few pounds, and I for one would highly recommend having one in your camera-bag!
EC Container 5