Using Android Phone to take photos/videos in parks

[MC0810]

I am thinking of using my Samsung Galaxy s4 EXCLUSIVELY as my camera/video camera when we go to WDW next month.

I am new to using smart phones and android and was wondering what the best way is to store my photos & videos from my phone? Is there an app that is really good that will do this?

Every night I was hoping to upload my photos & videos from the day in the parks to a storage type of site (not sure where)..to keep them safe incase something happens to my phone..and also to clear space on the phone...

Does anyone have an recommendations or apps or site to use to do this?

 

[g8torphan]

Post them directly to GooglePlus, but dont share them with any of your circles
Or
Use dropbox

 

[kbonner]

Post them directly to GooglePlus, but dont share them with any of your circles
Or
Use dropbox

these are great options, especially since both have options to automatically back up every photo and video that you take.

 

[MC0810]

I saw google+ but I was trying to avoid making a google+ account...I was afraid if people search for me on google they would be able to find my email...I'd rather keep that private and be anonymous..

I will look into dropbox

 

[ucfknight]

If you don't want to use Google+, Microsoft OneDrive will give you 10 GB of free storage and it will automatically backup all of your photos to the cloud when the phone connects to WiFi.

 

[imthemamahere]

I'm happy using Dropbox to back up my cell phone photos. I like having easy access from my phone and my laptop (once Dropbox automatically syncs via wifi). They're pretty generous with their free storage, as well...

 

[Jrsy Boy]

Are you an Amazon.com customer? Look at Amazon Cloud Drive. You can download the app and your photos will automatically upload to your cloud drive account.

 

[Kfamilly]

I used a Galaxy S4 exclusively for our trip last June. Pictures looked good. Google+ Auto Upload is INSANELY good. Use it daily, and find it to be a great service.

It's also possible to use one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Media...id=1398109490&sr=8-1&keywords=Samsung+USB+OTG and plug a USB Thumb Drive or External HD right up to the phone, and copy and paste the photos onto the External Storage as well.

If given the opportunity, USE BOTH. Always good to have multiple backups of those pictures.

 

[MC0810]

I used a Galaxy S4 exclusively for our trip last June. Pictures looked good. Google+ Auto Upload is INSANELY good. Use it daily, and find it to be a great service.

It's also possible to use one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Media...id=1398109490&sr=8-1&keywords=Samsung+USB+OTG and plug a USB Thumb Drive or External HD right up to the phone, and copy and paste the photos onto the External Storage as well.

If given the opportunity, USE BOTH. Always good to have multiple backups of those pictures.

Thanks! Do You have any tips on using the Galaxy S4 camera, are there certain "modes" that are better to take photos, or resolutions?

 

[kbonner]

I saw google+ but I was trying to avoid making a google+ account...I was afraid if people search for me on google they would be able to find my email...I'd rather keep that private and be anonymous..

I will look into dropbox

Google+ is as private as you want it to be. They can do some great things with your photos once there. You can also check out iDrive.

 

[starlionblue]

Dropbox is what I use but I strongly recommend that you take a micro USB powered backup battery, they're only about $20 but worth the money. I have one. And I have a portable 3x lens that I carry on a keychain. You can try searching for it on cell phone accessories sites. Mine sticks on top of the lens with a magnetic ring. You will have to lightly glue the metal ring around the lens so the magnetic section has something to hold on to. It makes a difference. I got mine for less than $9 and it weighs nothing.

 

[11290]

Dropbox is what I use but I strongly recommend that you take a micro USB powered backup battery, they're only about $20 but worth the money.

Just go on ebay and get 2 or 3 phone batteries and a wall charger for about $10 or $12 (example link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-2X-2600m..._Cell_Phone_PDA_Batteries&hash=item3f344084fa). When the battery gets used up, pop off the back and put in a fresh battery (something you can't do with "i" products). Wife and I do that with our S3's all the time, have a couple of batteries each. Then at night recharge the depleted battery in the wall charger and the phone with it's own wall charger.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just go on ebay and get 2 or 3 phone batteries and a wall charger for about $10 or $12 (example link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-2X-2600m..._Cell_Phone_PDA_Batteries&hash=item3f344084fa). When the battery gets used up, pop off the back and put in a fresh battery (something you can't do with "i" products). Wife and I do that with our S3's all the time, have a couple of batteries each. Then at night recharge the depleted battery in the wall charger and the phone with it's own wall charger.

I agree. There are so often long running discussions on how to charge cell phones batteries while in the parks. I have 2 spares, pop in as needed, charge overnight at the resort.

 

[sunb75]

Or this: Anker® Astro E5 15000mAh Dual USB Portable Charger Ultra-High Densi... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D5T3QK4/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_e4Avtb089PGDQ

I LOVE mine. Not this model, but similar.

 

[RoosMama]

In addition to an app to backup your photos (I use Google+ also FWIW), I'd recommend just getting an external SD card. You can get 16 or 32 GB ones that are not too expensive. You will not have to worry about clearing space in your phone for a long time.

 

[Kfamilly]

Thanks! Do You have any tips on using the Galaxy S4 camera, are there certain "modes" that are better to take photos, or resolutions?

I honestly never messed with all the different "modes" on the Galaxy S4. Found them to be quite overwhelming. Auto, and occasionally HDR is all you'll really need.

And as someone said here in another response, uploading your pics to Google+, allows Google to analyze those pictures and they will edit some of your pictures, and apply what they call "Auto Awesome" features to them. They tend to do a VERY good job with them. And of course all the "editing" is completely non-destructive, and can be undone with the click of a button.

They will also take video clips and pictures from the same day and same event and put them together and compile small "highlight" videos called Auto Awesome Videos. You can adjust the look and music within those videos to fit the mood youre looking for. Again, they do a really good job with this. A nice added touch.

 

[RyannB]

Dropbox is what I use but I strongly recommend that you take a micro USB powered backup battery, they're only about $20 but worth the money. I have one. And I have a portable 3x lens that I carry on a keychain. You can try searching for it on cell phone accessories sites. Mine sticks on top of the lens with a magnetic ring. You will have to lightly glue the metal ring around the lens so the magnetic section has something to hold on to. It makes a difference. I got mine for less than $9 and it weighs nothing.

Link?

 

[starlionblue]

You mean the lens? It's from cellphoneshop.net. I suggest you order it soon so you don't get tripped up by the long shipping times.

 

[rpayton1974]

I am thinking of using my Samsung Galaxy s4 EXCLUSIVELY as my camera/video camera when we go to WDW next month. I am new to using smart phones and android and was wondering what the best way is to store my photos & videos from my phone? Is there an app that is really good that will do this? Every night I was hoping to upload my photos & videos from the day in the parks to a storage type of site (not sure where)..to keep them safe incase something happens to my phone..and also to clear space on the phone... Does anyone have an recommendations or apps or site to use to do this?

I have since returned back to iPhone, but last October I used my galaxy s3 while at WDW. Took great pictures and video with just the standard camera app. I use Dropbox to upload everything. You'll want to get a good wifi spot or if you have unlimited data on your phone. I used a combination of both since I do have unlimited data still on my phone plan. I use to take either a point and shoot or my dslr but found it was easier just to use my phone and took almost as good as pictures as my other cameras. Hope that helps.

 

[RyannB]

You mean the lens? It's from cellphoneshop.net. I suggest you order it soon so you don't get tripped up by the long shipping times.

Yes, the lens, thank you. I'm not going till September, so it'll be ok if it takes awhile to get here. I'll still have time to mess around with it, too. Thanks!