More Than Selfie: What You Can Discover Through a Photo

Photos have long ceased to be just a way to preserve memories. Today, a single photo can tell you much more than you expected! 

Thanks to modern technology, it is now possible to recognize objects, text, plants, animals and even coins in just a couple of clicks. For example, want to know how much an old coin you found at home is worth? Now you don't need to go to a professional appraiser - just take a photo and the service will instantly determine the 1958 nickel value or any other denomination.

And this is only the beginning! Today technology can offer all 33 pleasures. That is why today we will talk about four useful services that will turn your smartphone camera into a real research tool.

AI Plant Finder: Identify Plants with a Photo

Have you ever seen a beautiful plant and wondered what it was? Thanks to AI-powered plant identification apps, you no longer have to guess. Simply take a photo of a plant, and in moments, an AI-powered plant finder will tell you its name, species, and care tips.

How AI Plant Recognition Works

AI plant identification apps use machine learning algorithms trained on thousands of plant species. Users need to upload a photo, and the app compares the image with its vast database, identifying key features. They include leaf shape, flower color, and texture. The result? A precise match in seconds and you know all details about your plant. Who may be interested in the app? It is the perfect tool for:

  • For gardeners to identify plants in the backyard and learn proper care techniques.

  • For nature lovers to discover rare plants while hiking and ensure you’re not touching poisonous species.

  • For students and researchers to use the plant identification feature for studying  botany in an interactive way.

A homeowner struggling to keep a houseplant alive can also use the app to identify the species and get recommendations on ideal sunlight, watering schedules, and pest control. Instead of relying on generic advice, you may opt for this AI app to make plant care more personalized and precise.

Additional tip: To get the most accurate results from an AI plant finder, make sure to take a clear, well-lit photo of the plant. Try to avoid blurry images or pictures taken in low light, as these can lead to incorrect identifications. Then, when making a photo, try to capture multiple angles (including leaves, stems, and flowers) to help the AI provide a more precise match. If you're still unsure about a plant's identity, you can also compare your AI results with trusted botanical websites or gardening forums to be sure.

A young boy in his backyard is taking a close-up photo of a plant with his smartphone to identify it.

Coin ID Scanner: Instantly Recognize and Value Coins

A simple coin can carry decades or even centuries of history, but without expertise, recognizing its origin and value can be difficult. However, AI-powered coin identification apps have changed the game. Due to these apps users can snap a photo and instantly receive detailed information about a coin’s rarity, composition, and market price. And one of the best apps for coin identification is Coin iD Scanner, based on the reliable AI algorithms.

How It Works: Turning Photos into Coin Valuations

Coin ID Scanner app is a reliable tool for anyone who has an old or unusual coin (or any other example) and wants to learn more about its history and worth. Whether you have inherited a collection, stumbled upon a coin in an antique shop, or simply found an interesting piece in your pocket change, an AI-powered scanner can quickly provide answers without requiring expert knowledge.

The app is particularly useful for people  who enjoy numismatics as a hobby, historical lovers who appreciate the background behind old currency, or even casual users who are simply curious about a foreign coin they received in change while traveling. Since coin values can fluctuate over time, the app alo is used by sellers and buyers to determine whether a coin has increased in value, which allows them to make more informed decisions.

Using the app is straightforward:

  1. Take a clear photo of the coin, capturing both sides.

  2. Upload the image to the app, where AI algorithms analyze the details.

  3. Receive instant results, including the coin’s name, origin, composition, historical significance, and estimated market value.

Beyond just identification, one of the app’s biggest advantages is its ability to manage your collection online, provide some care tips, track value trends over time, and even use the help of an AI assistant (your personal consultant from your pocket). 

Additional tip: Once you’ve identified a valuable coin, it’s important to store it properly to preserve its condition and maintain its value. So, consider keeping it in a protective holder or coin album to prevent scratches, tarnishing, or exposure to moisture. Remember that proper storage can help you to maintain a coin’s integrity, as well as its top condition for future evaluation or sale.

Google Lens: Smart Image Recognition

What if you could point your camera at anything - a landmark, an object, or even text in another language - and instantly get information about it? This is exactly what Google Lens does. This is exactly what Google Lens does - far beyond a simple photo tool, the app serves as a visual search engine, which connects everyday images to a huge database of knowledge.

How Google Lens Works

With this app, a simple snapshot turns into a powerful research tool, and all you need to do for it is to point your camera at an object, text, barcode, or product. Then Google Lens scans the image and matches it with related information. And finally, you receive instant results with all details, similar images, purchase options, or translations. The app is also popular among travelers, students, and everyday users, i.e. people, who need quick, real-time information about their surroundings.

What about everyday uses of google lens? Just imagine you are walking through a historic district and spotting a beautiful but unfamiliar building. Instead of searching manually, you take a photo with Google Lens, which instantly identifies the landmark, provides historical facts, and even links to articles about its significance.

For shoppers, Google Lens is also a game-changer: e.g., if you see a stylish outfit or an interesting gadget but don’t know where to buy it, just snapping a picture can bring up shopping results, prices, and online stores that sell the item.

It’s also incredibly useful for language translation. Point your camera at a foreign menu or street sign, and Google Lens will translate the text in real time, which is quite useful for travelers navigating new destinations.

A person is using their smartphone in a bustling city to find some info about the sights. 

Seek by iNaturalist: Identifying Wildlife with a Photo

For people who love nature, few things are as rewarding as encountering a rare butterfly, a bright wildflower, or a mysterious bird. But unless you are an expert, identifying these species can be a challenge. That’s where Seek by iNaturalist comes in - a powerful AI-driven tool that makes discovering the natural world effortless.

Seek allows you to identify any plant, insect, or animal with just a quick photo, even if you are trekking through dense forests, walking in a city park, or simply relaxing in your backyard. Within seconds, the app scans its database and provides detailed information, i.e. the species’ scientific name, habitat, and conservation status.

Seek doesn’t just tell you what something is - it turns every nature walk into an interactive learning experience. And due to  augmented reality (AR) and AI-powered image recognition, the app offers you real-time insights into biodiversity.

The app is a great tool for students (to supplement biology lessons with real-world exploration); for hikers and adventurers (ato identify flora and fauna on the go); for backyard naturalists (to uncover the ecosystem just outside the doorstep).

Interesting Fact: Did you know that some of the world’s largest living organisms aren’t animals, but underground fungal networks? One such example is the Armillaria ostoyae, a single fungus in Oregon that covers over 2,385 acres (making it the largest organism by area)! Seek can even help identify mushrooms and fungi, though experts recommend caution, as some species are poisonous.

Photography - the Key to the World's Secrets

One shot and you're no longer just looking at an object, but getting all the information you need about it. Due to modern technologies now we may turn our smartphones into powerful research tools to instantly recognize the value of finds, identify plants, translate texts and identify animals.  So open your camera and immerse yourself in an amazing world where every photo is a discovery!