Mobile Photography Masterclass: Apple Photos Walkthrough, AI Editing, and Printing Options 9.24.2026

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Mobile Photography Masterclass: Apple Photos Walkthrough, AI Editing, and Printing Options 

A smartphone displaying a photo editing app resting on a wooden desk next to a Canon SELPHY compact printer printing glossy 4x6 family photos.
Organizing Apple Photos, editing with mobile AI tools, and printing 4x6 photos at home with a compact printer.

Recap of Previous Session

  • Topics covered last session: cloud backup (iCloud, Google Photos, Amazon Photos, Dropbox), Android photo editing, iPhone photo editing intro, and photo scanning
  • Reminder: avoid using duplicate cloud services unless intentionally keeping redundant backups

Apple Photos App — Interface Walkthrough

  • Shared Albums: Albums shared with or by others, e.g., for group events where everyone contributes photos
  • Recent Days: Auto-generated by Apple to encourage engagement with recent photos
  • Albums: User-created, for personal categorization by trip, person, or event; removing a photo from an album does NOT delete it from the library
  • Utilities section includes:
    • Favorites: "Heart" a photo to bookmark it for quick access (e.g., passport photo); removing a heart does not delete the photo
    • Hidden: Hides sensitive photos (e.g., credit cards) behind Face ID
    • Recently Deleted: Photos are recoverable for 30 days, then auto-deleted permanently
    • Duplicates: Finds similar photos; option to merge or delete
    • Auto-categories: Receipts, handwriting, QR codes, documents — Apple automatically sorts photos into these
  • Maps: Uses GPS geotagging to show where photos were taken on a map; zoom in/out to explore by location ; does not work for scanned photos
  • People: Facial recognition feature that identifies and groups photos by person; tag a face once and it will find matching faces throughout the library
  • Pinned Collections: Customize which utility categories appear at the top for quick access; use "Modify" to add/remove/reorder
  • Memories: Apple auto-generates themed slideshows with music from your photos
  • Trips: Auto-organized based on geotagging
  • Media Types: Filter by photo type — panoramas, live photos, slow motion, videos, etc.
  • Customize and Reorder (bottom of library): Lets you show/hide and reorder all sections to your preference
  • Widgets: Add a photo album widget to your home screen as a mini digital frame; press and hold home screen → Edit → Add Widget → Photos
  • iOS version differences: iOS 18 uses a vertical layout; iOS 26 separates library and albums behind a second button; iOS 27 demo deferred to next month

Photo Printing Options

  • Home printing — Canon SELPHY:
    • Compact dedicated photo printer, uses dye sublimation (no liquid ink, never dries out, waterproof prints)
    • Connects via Bluetooth/AirPlay or has a built-in card reader for memory cards and USB
    • Approx. $179; high-quality glossy 4x6 prints
  • Walgreens app (recommended for convenience):
    • Download the Walgreens app → Photos section → select prints → choose photo from device → select size/finish → add to cart → choose store for pickup
    • 4x6 print costs ~$0.39; pay at the store when picking up
    • Also offers calendars, photo books, and other custom products
    • Nearest location: 1524 Polk Street
  • PhotoWorks (Castro & Market): Professional-quality printing; prints on glossy, matte, or metal; higher cost but premium results
    • Vintage photo booths available next door; avoid weekends
  • Online services: Snapfish and Shutterfly for photo books and custom prints; Snapfish may partner with Walgreens for in-store pickup
  • Key tip: Download the app of whichever printing service you use — they include all the tools needed

Photoshop Express Demo (Adobe)

  • Free to download; $34.99/year for full AI features
  • Works on current phones without needing the latest iOS — a good alternative for those who can't upgrade
  • AI background/sky replacement: Replace backgrounds in real time using the camera
  • Outfit Swap: AI replaces clothing in a photo (e.g., adds a tuxedo or jacket)
  • Generative Fill: Expands narrow/vertical photos by AI-generating surrounding content (ocean, skyline, etc.)
  • AI Retouch tools: Skin smoothing, lip plumping, eye enhancement, hair changes — all without manual masking
  • Available on iPhone and iPad under the same Apple subscription
  • Much more user-friendly than traditional Photoshop (no complex tool icons to learn)

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