Loading...

Mar 1, 2025

Tips and Tricks for City-Cost images

Are you like me, relying on a mobile device for your photography? I shoot with an iPad Mini 4, now a vintage item! I can't update it to the latest version of iPadOS, but I still get a lot of use out of it. How do you shoot your photos? What photo apps or processing do you use? Have you got tips or tricks on how to shoot or edit the photos you use in blogs?

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

Living between the Tone and Edo Rivers in Higashi Katsushika area of Chiba Prefecture.

5 Answers



Best Answer

  • genkidesu

    on Mar 1

    The issue I often have is the size -- I find that sometimes my image files from my phone are too big to upload, so I have to crop or resize them. For that, I use https://imageresizer.com/ which is quick, easy, and free. A lot of the photos I use on my blogs (especially ones that need more generic images) are ones of scenery/favorite destinations here that I have already uploaded to my social media accounts, and those are already compressed in size a bit from the originals. After the changes to the site and not being able to use CC images anymore, sometimes I make my own header images via Canva when I don't have an image that fits the theme well (e.g. sometimes I like to share interesting expat news articles, and I don't always have an image that fits what I want to write about).

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    on Mar 2

    @genkidesu I'm running into the same issue as you and also resorting to Canva to create original images. Some of the images I use are original photos edited with Lunapic, transforming them into illustrations. Did you notice one of my reviews has a photo of the product with no background? Background removers or blurs have improved a lot. The product really stands out.

    0
  • helloalissa

    on Mar 2

    I'm still using my laptop to add any content here, so when I need to edit photos, I usually use my phone's editor or the Windows Photos app. It also has the option to compress image sizes, remove backgrounds, markup, etc.

    1
  • genkidesu

    on Mar 4

    @TonetoEdo I like the idea of taking out the background, you're right, it really does make the product stand out a lot. I'll have to look into that!

    1
  • BigfamJapan

    on Mar 25

    Following with interest! Even on Instagram, I don't really edit photos anymore. I just don't have time. But sometimes I will edit when absolutely necessary. I use Google Photos which automatically reduces the file sizes, so photos that I take with my phone most often don't need to be resized for City-cost, they're normally around 2mb only. If I have to resize them, I just use Google photos.

    1

Awaiting More Answers

3 Answers

What do you most associate with Yamanashi?

Today, November 20th, is Yamanashi Prefecture Day. So... when I say "Yamanashi Prefecture" what first comes to mind? I love reading people's answers to these type of questions! It's very interesting how sometimes we all think of something different, and sometimes the same! About Yamanashi Prefecture day; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/GB7VA-living_yamanashi

BigfamJapan

on Nov 20

1 Answer

Your "buy it for life" purchases in Japan

There's a reddit community I really enjoy reading called r/buyitforlife. As the name suggests, people outline purchases that they've made that truly stand the test of time. Kitchen items, clothing, shoes, etc... What have been your "buy it for life" items here?

genkidesu

on Nov 18

3 Answers

How well does your home country insulate homes compared to here?

One thing I struggle with is the lack of insulation in Japanese homes, with summers often feeling like you're living in a sauna and winters feeling like outside is the same temperature as inside. In saying that, my home country isn't fab with insulation either. They're still very much a nation of single paned windows and minimal stuff in the walls to regulate temperature well. Does your home country do insulation well compared to here?

genkidesu

on Nov 18

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Saitama?

November 14th is Saitama Prefecture Day. I am curious, especially as I live there, what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when I say "Saitama Prefecture"? About Saitama Prefecture Day; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/wmeY2-living_saitama

BigfamJapan

on Nov 16