RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘Center’

Center Field – 9 Acceptable Ways For Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

22 Nov

When starting, most photographers tend to shoot all subjects center-frame. As they learn more about photography and composition, they learn that centering a subject is not appealing and that they must follow the ‘Rule of Thirds’ to have a good composition. What if I suggest breaking Rule of Thirds?

The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is taking a frame and dividing it into three equal sections both horizontally and vertically, creating a rectangular ‘tic-tac-toe’ box. Framing a subject so that it falls on one of the four intersecting points of that box can sometimes make an image more appealing to a viewer engaging with it.

2 - Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

Implementing the Rule of Thirds.

While you may not perfectly frame your subject to fall within one of those four points, if your subject falls on one of the four internal lines within the box, in most cases, it still gives a better appeal than a centered image.

When It’s a Good Idea to Center Your Subject

1. Centering as a Compositional Tool

Placing your subject dead-center can work to your benefit if the subject still tends to comply with the Rule of Thirds guideline. Such as, when more than one point of focus falls on more than one line within that ‘Rule of Thirds’ box as shown in the image below.

The sets of pillars fall on one of the two vertical lines in the frame according to the Rule of Thirds even though the entire image is centered.

2. Place Focus on Your Main Subject

Sometimes when there is a busy foreground or background, placing your subject dead-center helps to draw the viewer’s attention to it. While the image below shows much texture, centering the stool brings focus to it.

4- Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

Bring better focus to a subject by centering.

3. Emphasize Symmetry

You may sometimes run into a subject that has a symmetrical value to it. The item could include columns at a building’s entrance, a person’s face or something with repetitional characteristics. Centering the subject, in this case, allows the viewer to relax because the order in the image makes sense.

5- Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

This nonsymmetrical image is not as appealing as the image below.

In the next image, there is a sense of order due to the equal number of pillars to the right and left of the fountain, producing symmetry.

6 - Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

This image represents symmetry.

4. Draw the Viewer’s Eye Inward

One of the most common goals for a photographer is to draw a viewer’s attention into the image instead of out of it. Straight roadways, paths, or sidewalks are great examples that keep your viewer’s attention within the frame – by drawing the eye inward.

The hall and chandeliers are centered taking the eye inward into the photo.

5. Create a Sense of Size and Space

Centering a subject can often showcase its size, especially when surrounded by people, buildings or other objects that serve as a comparison. Such as in the image below.

8 - Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

Centering a subject can sometimes emphasize the size of a subject.

Centering a subject can also give a sense of space. A good example is when there is water or cityscape in the foreground of an image and a clear sky in an upper part of the image. See an example below.

9 - Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

Centering the Eiffel Tower in this image works to show a sense of space.

6. Square Image Format

A great way to justify centering an image is when you use the square image format. A square has all equal sides in length, so placing a subject dead-center works well. I also like it because, in most cases, it’s an equal distance from the subject to all edges of the sides.

Centering the Eiffel Tower in this image works to show a sense of space.

7. Shooting With Shallow Depth of Field

When you open up your aperture and shoot with shallow depth of field around your subject, it creates a more three-dimensional feel, adding depth to your image. In this case, centering your subject works because it washes out distraction around your subject, as in the image below.

11 - Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

Shooting with a shallow depth of field.

8. Overcoming Location Difficulties

Sometimes the location of a fixed subject makes it difficult to capture a stunning shot. During these times try to get creative, as I did in the image of the clock at Grand Central Terminal in New York City below. I could’ve taken that shot from any number of directions or angles. However, for a better shot, I centered it at an angle that included the American flag in the background.

12 - Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

Center a subject to overcome location difficulties.

9. Simplicity

You know the saying, ‘less is more?’ While placing a subject off-center adds tension to an image, placing a subject dead center can give a calm and orderly feeling. In addition, placing your subject in a central position is like opening a book to its story. You are making it the most important element in the image. A natural environment, a natural face – it’s an open book. What is your subject’s story that you are introducing to your viewers?

13 - Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

Simplicity

Tying It Altogether…

Some ‘rules’ are meant to be broken. The Rule of Thirds is not the only way to guarantee a good composition. As long as you understand why you’re breaking the rules and foregoing guidelines with a specific intention, your images can be as compelling subject-centered as with your subject off-center.

The post Center Field – 9 Acceptable Ways For Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Center Field – 9 Acceptable Ways For Breaking Rule of Thirds in Photography

Posted in Photography

 

Manfrotto launches a trio of new center ball heads

09 Oct

Italian tripod maker Manfrotto has updated its line of ball tripod heads. The new 490 center ball head is an affordable model designed with simplicity in mind. The entire head is controlled via single knob, making sure the new model is easy to use. It comes with Manfrotto’s RC2 200LT-PL plate and allows for quick positioning of the camera into portrait orientation.

The company has also redesigned its 492 and 492LCD heads. Both models are manufactured in Italy and designed with ergonomics and convenience of use in mind. The LCD version comes with a cold shoe mount, allowing for mounting on top of a camera to hold external displays or others accessories via a 1/4-inch tripod mount.

The new heads are targeted at amateur photographers and have a payload of 4KG, making them ideal for smaller camera/lens combination, such as Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras or entry-level DSLRs.

At $ 50 (GBP 44.95) the 490 is the most affordable of the new center ball heads. The 492 is $ 60 (GPB 54.95) and the 292LCD will set you back $ 70 (GBP 64.95).

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Manfrotto launches a trio of new center ball heads

Posted in Uncategorized

 

How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images

08 Jan

Drawing the viewer’s attention to the main subject in your photographs will help them understand your story more clearly. If you have a busy scene with no clear focus point it will possibly give your viewers an overall idea of what you were photographing, but they may not scrutinize it for long. Adding a clear center of attention will help you create better storytelling images.

How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images

Particularly when you are photographing a locality with a lot going on you can seek to isolate or draw the viewer’s eye to one main subject within your composition. By using this technique, you can develop a style which may become easily recognizable in your photographs.

Lessons from documentary photography

I first learned to make photographs like this while working as a newspaper photographer. My task was to illustrate and support the journalist’s story with my pictures. Making photos that compelled people to stop and look was always my priority. We wanted people to take notice, look at the photo, and read the story.

Photos of broad, general scenes will not achieve this so well as people will typically just flick past them.

How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images

Creating a photo essay to tell of your travel experience, an event you attended, a parade, etc., you will be aiming to convey what you saw and how you felt to best engage your audience. By creating a series of images where you have focused in on one main subject in each image you can build an overall illustration communicating to the viewer what it was like to be there. That is storytelling at its best.

How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images

Techniques

There are various techniques you can use to draw attention to one part of your composition. Using a shallow depth of field to isolate is one method. Using the contrast in light between your subject and the background, and various composition methods you can obtain pleasing results.

Play with the background

All of the photos I am using to illustrate this article are from a street parade in Chiang Mai, Thailand. With a lot of people, often cluttered backgrounds, and no real control or means of setting up photos, it’s a challenging situation in which to shoot.

How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images

Finding a dark background to help isolate your subject is not always so easy, but when you can it will produce some great photos. In this photo of the boy playing a large drum, I positioned myself so the background was totally in shadow and therefore underexposed.

This has achieved isolation of my main subject and you easily focus your attention on him. My timing to capture a smile and interesting positioning of his drumstick also helped. On its own though, this photograph does not do much to illustrate the parade and environment.

How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images

Coming in close to the French horn player (with a 35mm lens on a full frame camera and a wide aperture) I was able to isolate him and at the same time convey more information about his activity and location. Making him the center of attention and at the same time leaving him in context helps tell the story.

Had I used a longer lens it would have included less background and it may have been even more blurred, further distorting the detail and therefore the context of the story would be lost.

Using compositional elements

How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images

Using different composition methods such as framing or converging lines you can help draw your viewer’s attention to your chosen subject.

Often during our workshops, I find people want to include too much in their photos. I encourage them to include less and take more photos build up a story that way.

While it is good practice to create a photo essay which has a varied selection of wide, medium and close-up photos, trying to capture too much of what’s in front of you can often produce rather uninteresting photographs. Bringing one part of your composition to the foreground as the center of attention is a more effective means of holding a viewer’s focus.

How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images

Single or multiple photos

At the newspaper most often each story was accompanied by a single photograph. So the challenge was to produce one image supporting the narrative of the story. Not always so easy, especially with an event like a parade.

I often encourage people to photograph as if they are shooting to cover a story for a magazine. The aim being to come away with a series of photographs that together will tell the story of their experience. To finish up with 6-10 photos having a clear center of interest in each one and conveying the overall experience of the day.

How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images

If you produce a small collection of photos most social media and photo sharing sites have means to display them together in an album or gallery so it’s a great way for you to share your stories and your experiences.

Your turn

You can see some of these tips in action in the video below. Please share your tips and thoughs on creating more storytelling images by having a center of attention in the comments below.

The post How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images by Kevin Landwer-Johan appeared first on Digital Photography School.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on How to Create a Center of Attention for Better Storytelling Images

Posted in Photography

 

Behind the scenes at Canon’s new Burbank Technology and Support Center

24 Jul

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

A few days ago, Canon officially opened its newest Professional Technology and Support Center in Burbank, California, and DPReview was part of a select group of media invited to tour the facility prior to the grand opening.

‘Canon Burbank’ is primarily focused on meeting the needs of filmmakers and the Hollywood film production industry, and includes post-production facilities that could be used to produce a blockbuster film. However, as I discovered during my visit, Canon wants this space to attract more than just the filmmaking elite.

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

According to Elliot Peck, Canon Imaging and Technologies’ Executive Vice President, the project to build this new center started about a year ago when Canon realized that it was effectively out of space at its old Hollywood location. Canon designed a completely new facility from the ground up and took the opportunity to move to Burbank, at the heart of the filmmaking industry.

Although it’s officially called a ‘Technology Support and Service Center,’ the description I kept hearing from many staff was ‘Integration Center.’ Canon recognizes that it’s still relatively new to the cinema market, and almost every part of this facility is designed to show how seamlessly Canon products can integrate into an existing production workflow.

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

While there’s a natural focus on Hollywood, Tim Smith, Canon’s Senior Advisor for Film and TV Production, told me that he wants all types of content creators to utilize this facility, particularly people like emerging filmmakers, some of whom may even be using equipment like DSLRs, and who aren’t on Hollywood’s radar yet.

“That was us six years ago,” he said, drawing a parallel to Canon’s own rise in the motion picture business. “In a sense, we’ve spent the last several years figuring out how to go from DSLRs to cinema. This facility is the culmination of all of that work.”

Smith says he wants people early in their careers, who have the desire but not the established name, to come to the facility to network and learn. Canon plans to do seminars and classes for filmmakers at all levels, including topics such as writing or lighting that don’t have a direct relationship to Canon products. Best of all, most of these classes will be free.

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

The new service facility has double the space of Canon’s former Hollywood location, as well as an improved workflow for processing repairs. Canon’s goal is to achieve a one-day turnaround time for customers.

While the service center will see a lot of motion picture products given its location, it provides full support for all Canon camera products, including Cinema EOS, EOS DSLRs, EF and EF-S lenses, and EOS cinema lenses. In addition to repairs, the center has loan equipment available for CPS members.

(If you happen to live in Southern California, the center is open for walk-in visits from 9-5 Monday-Friday.)

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

Part of the service facility is the lens room, where technicians can test and verify lens performance after repair. The room might be better described as a very wide hallway, stretching about 65 ft. (20m) in length. The extra distance allows technicians to mount lenses up to 600mm on a master body to check for optical alignment and resolution, meaning that all but a couple very specialized Canon lenses can be tested here.

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

The broadcast TV projection room is designed to test 4K cinema lenses, which need to deliver sharp performance from corner to corner at every aperture and focal length. Appropriately, the design of this room is all about precision.

Although you can’t see it in the dark, the testing hardware is mounted on a rail system that is precisely aligned to the projection wall. In fact, Canon told us that its engineers, along with the construction firm, spent over a week just building the projection wall to ensure that it was perfectly vertical and without imperfections.

Targets projected through a lens allow technicians to celebrate for sharpness, color, flare, and uneven focus. The target in this photo is a generic pattern to demonstrate the equipment; Canon assures us that it has proprietary targets that are used when calibrating lenses.

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

At first glance, what Canon refers to as the ‘workflow area’ appears to be a standard editing suite, but the main purpose of this room is to to help filmmakers figure out how to integrate Canon cameras and lenses into their production workflows.

Canon acknowledges that filmmakers can be a finicky group of people who like to do things their own way. That poses a challenge for a company that’s still somewhat new to the cinema market. Canon created the workflow area so that filmmakers could test their full post-production workflow, using their tools of choice, while introducing Canon cameras and lenses into the mix.

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

Whatever a filmmaker’s post-production workflow looks like, chances are pretty good they can replicate it here. The facility supports all major editing suites (Avid, DaVinci, Adobe, and Apple), and even includes both Mac and Windows systems so visitors can work on whatever system is most comfortable for them.

There are also three reference displays for use while editing and grading: a 30-inch Canon DP-V3010 4K reference display and a 24-inch Canon DP-V2420 1000NIT HDR reference display (both of which cost around $ 30K), and also a ‘consumer confidence’ display that’s representative of what would be found in a nice home theater. This gives a colorist a rough idea of what the image will look like on a consumer device.

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

The prep room is a facility where cameras can be mounted and fully rigged for production, making it possible to design and test a setup before taking it into the field. Both podiums are wired into the rest of the building so that camera output can be instantly analyzed somewhere else, like the workflow area or the 4K screening room.

Canon wants cinematographers and 1st ACs (1st assistant camera operators) to come in and experiment with their Canon equipment, configure it the way they would for a production, to see how it performs and verify that it meets their needs. Additionally, Canon plans to use this space for other purposes, such as education. For example, it could offer classes for new ACs on how to rig a camera for a shoot.

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

Going one step further, Canon invites filmmakers to bring in its competitors’ cameras to set up side-by-side with its own cameras for comparative testing. According to Smith, “We want to go head to head, with whoever we need to go up against, to convince filmmakers that we have the right product for their project.”

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

The 4K screening room is just what it sounds like. At its heart is a Barco DP4K-P 4K projector, the same projector used by post production facilities such as technicolor. Canon wants filmmakers to have confidence that any work they do in the facility will be up to Hollywood standards.

There are a few seats up front, but most of the action takes place in back where there’s a full edit suite, including 7.1 surround sound and a 2000NIT display for doing HDR grades.

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

In my conversation with Tim Smith, he expressed a strong desire for Canon Burbank to be much more than just a technology and service center. He wants it to be a location where people in the filmmaking community, from DSLR shooters to Hollywood pros, can come together to meet and network.

“In this industry you have to network to find a job,” he says. “Even if you’re the best in the world, you need to network. The more circles you build, the better. One of our visions for this facility is for a cinematographer to use our space to pitch a film to a producer, who then decides to move forward with the project.”

Photo courtesy of Canon

Behind the scenes: Canon Burbank

It’s clear that Canon wants its Burbank facility to be a resource for everyone from beginners to Hollywood pros, and I sensed a genuine desire to engage with and support the filmmaking community.

For all its history, Canon is still the new kid on the block in the cinema business, but the company is confident in its products and isn’t afraid to go head to head with the established players. However, to paraphrase Tim Smith, Canon needs to build circles and create its own networks within this community to be successful long term. Canon Burbank certainly seems to be a step in that direction.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Behind the scenes at Canon’s new Burbank Technology and Support Center

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Canon opens its ‘most advanced’ service & support center yet in Burbank

13 Jul
A photo from our tour of the Canon lens factory in Utsunomiya, home of the L-series.

Today, Canon officially opens the doors to its latest and greatest Professional Technology & Support Center, a state-of-the-art facility in Burbank, California. Canon is calling this facility its “most advanced cinema industry resource to date.”

“Evolving from what began at Canon’s original Hollywood facility, the new state-of-the-art Canon Burbank facility provides these customers with enhanced technical environments and accessible service and support,” explains Canon. “Canon Burbank is poised to support Canon’s clients’ productivity through a dynamic mix of product evaluation and testing, product & workflow training, industry events and expedited repairs.”

The center was built mainly to support the Cinema EOS community, speeding up service and support times for studio customers in LA, but stills photographers in the area will be able to take advantage of it like any other CPS center. Just don’t expect the workshops, demos, and software trainings offered there to be focused on still imaging.

DPReview is actually going to the grand opening today, and we’ll have more to share in the very near future. In the meantime, head over to the official Canon Burbank facility webpage and have a look around.

Press Release

CANON U.S.A. CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF ITS MOST ADVANCED CINEMA INDUSTRY RESOURCE FACILITY TO DATE

New Professional Service & Support Center in Burbank, Calif., Becomes Dedicated Location for Studios, Post-Production Facilities, Suppliers and Professional Organizations

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 12, 2017 – Continuing its support of professional clients in the filmmaking and still imaging communities, Canon today officially opened its doors to its newest Professional Technology & Support Center in Burbank, Calif. Evolving from what began at Canon’s original Hollywood facility, the new state-of-the-art Canon Burbank facility provides these customers with enhanced technical environments and accessible service and support.

Canon Burbank is poised to support Canon’s clients’ productivity through a dynamic mix of product evaluation and testing, product & workflow training, industry events and expedited repairs. Every aspect of the new facility’s design and operation was made in consideration of improving customers’ experience with Canon products from input to output, and in improving access to the highly trained Canon service and support team. Facility highlights include:

  • Enhanced on-site repair capabilities
  • Industry standard 4K projection and DI capabilities
  • Workflow Lab for software training and NLE workflows
  • Image lab for in-depth camera & lens testing, demonstration and troubleshooting
  • Fully equipped multipurpose room for training, events, demonstration and shooting
  • Immersive product showroom

“Since our 2011 launch of Cinema EOS, Canon has been steadfastly committed to exceeding the high expectations of our professional clients in the production community,” said Eliott Peck, executive vice president and general manager of the Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Our new Burbank location represents the culmination of our commitment to listen to our clients, understand their needs and provide them with what they need to bring their artistic and passion projects to life. As Canon continues on its journey to support the production community and evolve with changes in this industry, our mission is now clearer than ever, to be a resource and a beacon for industry professionals.”

At Canon Burbank, customers may now take advantage of walk-in service Monday through Friday, with plenty of convenient parking. The location will feature a steady calendar of educational offerings from top professionals on the latest equipment and filmmaking techniques, the ability to color correct and screen content, and a lab for testing Canon cameras and lenses. The facility’s multipurpose room is also configurable for industry gatherings and special events..

The new Burbank location is yet another extension of Canon Professional Services’ (CPS) powerful support network for the region’s professional photographers, filmmakers, and videographers. CPS members are invited to visit Canon Burbank for all of their service needs, Canon Live Learning sessions, and professional training tailored to their needs.

For a virtual tour and more information on the Burbank facility – usa.canon.com/canonburbank

###

† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Canon opens its ‘most advanced’ service & support center yet in Burbank

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Behind the Curtain Wall: Theatrical Facade Rotates Around Cultural Center

28 Jun

[ By WebUrbanist in Architecture & Offices & Commercial. ]

This mesmerizing mobile facade is an aesthetic and engineering marvel, but one has to wonder: could the mechanisms behind it be appropriated for other architectural purposes, like: providing light and shade on demand or on a schedule?

The dynamic design wraps a new cultural center in Shanghai, part of a 190,000-square-meter development by Foster + Partners in collaboration with Heatherwick Studio (images by Laurian Ghinitoiu).

It was inspired by Chinese theaters with bamboo-like bronze tubes set in three layers around the perimeter, constituting what the designers describe as “a moving veil, which adapts to the changing use of the building, and reveals the stage on the balcony and views towards Pudong.” The effect is certainly stunning, but despite the description, it seems to be mostly for show — an novelty experience for visitors and viewers.

The same kinds of systems, however, could be deployed more strategically, using other kinds of semi-opaque screens, for instance, that could automatically position themselves throughout the day to provide layers of shade. Such an application would have practical benefits, reducing cooling costs inside structures and increasing human comfort.

Alternatively, a similar screen system could be controllable by occupants, allowing building users to block off sections for things like meetings or film screenings requiring different amounts of natural light. For now, it remains a fascinating one-off work, but hopefully architects will consider adding this as a tool in their kit, applying similar technical sophistication to solve other site-specific design problems.

Share on Facebook





[ By WebUrbanist in Architecture & Offices & Commercial. ]

[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]


WebUrbanist

 
Comments Off on Behind the Curtain Wall: Theatrical Facade Rotates Around Cultural Center

Posted in Creativity

 

Prison Reformed: Amsterdam Structure Now Hosts Refugee Center & Art Hub

26 Jan

[ By SA Rogers in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

screen-shot-2017-01-25-at-5-42-46-pm

A structure that once housed thousands of prisoners now hosts up to 1,000 refugees as well as a creative hub, offering space “in a time of fear and division.” Amsterdam’s Bijlmerbajes first opened in 1978 and closed in 2016, and the complex, which consists of six towers, went up for sale shortly thereafter. It’s set to be demolished later this year – but until then, it’ll function as a temporary home for those seeking asylum in addition to art studios, offices for entrepreneurs and other projects.

lola-lik-2

lola-lik-3

The new ‘Lola Lik’ cultural hub opened on January 20th in the former main building of the prison, neighbor to the refugee center known as Wenckebachweg. The complex’s courtyard has been transformed into gardens, and will host Solar World Cinema, a project bringing free films to open-air public spaces.

lola-lik-5

lola-lik-6

Lola Lik also hosts The Favela Painting Foundation, which “invigorates public urban spaces by turning them into inspiring and colorful artworks of monumental size.” The group, which is responsible for large-scale art projects in Haiti, Philadelphia and Rio de Janeiro, also helped give the drab concrete prison buildings a cheerful makeover.

lola-lik-7

The space aims to be an incubator for inspiring projects and businesses operated by both the refugees who live next door and residents who have lived in Amsterdam a bit longer. The space is open to the public, and its studio spaces can be rented. The prison’s former kitchens have been transformed into a ‘Start-Up Kitchen’ run by Jay Asad, a Syrian entrepreneur who formerly owned several restaurants, a hotel and specialty donut shops in Damascus.

Share on Facebook





[ By SA Rogers in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]


WebUrbanist

 
Comments Off on Prison Reformed: Amsterdam Structure Now Hosts Refugee Center & Art Hub

Posted in Creativity

 

Think Tank Photo Outlet Center launches with discounted goods

03 Dec

Think Tank Photo has launched a new online Outlet Center offering discounted camera bags. These items, as is sometimes the case with outlet stores, are new products that may for one reason or another lack their original packing material and/or their sales tags. The Outlet Center currently lists 16 bags, though no doubt the number will fluctuate based on inventory. Price reductions are steep, and include the Shape Shifter bag, originally priced at $ 264.75, for $ 149.75.

Via: Imaging Resource

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Think Tank Photo Outlet Center launches with discounted goods

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Leica and Huawei to create joint R&D center

24 Sep

Leica’s Dr. Andreas Kaufmann with Ren Zhengfei, founder of HUAWEI

Camera manufacturer Leica and telecom brand Huawei have announced they are to create a research and development center so they can jointly work on optical and software systems. The Max Berek Innovation Lab will be established at Leica’s headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany, and will build on the relationship the two companies formed while producing the Huawei P9 and P9 Plus smartphones. There was some doubt about the level of Leica’s involvement in the P9 project, but Huawei clarified the extent of the German brand’s contribution in a statement in April.

This next step of the partnership intends to push forward lens and software technology, according to Leica, with the aim of improving the image quality it’s possible to obtain from the tiny cameras that phones and other mobile devices use. The pair also state that they will work together on solutions for virtual reality, augmented reality and computer-based imaging, and that they will involve universities and other research establishments in their projects.

The new research lab is named after optical engineer Max Berek, the man who developed the first lens for the Leica 35mm camera system. He joined Leitz the year after Oskar Barnack came to the company from Zeiss, and designed the 50mm F3.5 lens that was coupled with the Leica 1. The lens was named Elmax – E rnst L eitz Max and the 50mm focal length became the standard for the 135 format. The Elmax developed into the Elmar, a lens that Leica still uses today.

For more information see the Leica and Huawei websites.

Press release

Leica Camera and HUAWEI Establish New R&D Centre

‘Max Berek Innovation Lab’ will conduct R&D in the fields of new optical systems, computational imaging, virtual reality and augmented reality

HUAWEI and Leica Camera AG today announced that they have expanded their strategic collaboration with the establishment of a jointly operated research and innovation centre, the Max Berek Innovation Lab. The launch comes seven months after the public announcement of their long-term technology partnership in the field of optical engineering, and five months after the launch of the globally successful, multi-award winning HUAWEI P9 and P9 Plus smartphones.

The new lab, located at Leica’s global HQ in Wetzlar, Germany, will drive further development of optical systems and software-based technologies to improve imaging quality in a wide range of photographic and mobile device applications. Additional outcomes will include the creation of computational imaging, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) solutions. In addition to R&D resources from both companies, HUAWEI and Leica plan to collaborate with German and international universities and research institutions.

The Lab’s establishment is the result of the vision and support of Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, majority shareholder and chairman of the advisory board of Leica Camera AG, and Ren Zhengfei, founder of HUAWEI.

“With the founding of the Max Berek Innovation Lab, HUAWEI and Leica Camera AG are expanding the scope of their successful strategic relationship and are laying the foundation for close collaboration in research and development of ground-breaking technologies in the imaging segment,” emphasised Dr. Andreas Kaufmann.

“In the future, over 90 per cent of the data traffic will be images and videos,” said Ren Zhengfei, founder of HUAWEI. “The Max Berek Innovation Lab provides the capacity to establish an even closer partnership with Leica, leading to continuous improvements in image and video quality. As a result, we will deliver the most advanced innovations in the smartphone camera market and bring greater value to consumers.”

“HUAWEI and Leica share not only enormous innovation power and years of research experience, but also their dedication to providing the highest quality standards. The Max Berek Innovation Lab offers us a historic opportunity to unite the resources and extensive expertise of both companies to pioneer game-changing technologies,” confirmed Markus Limberger, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Leica Camera AG and director of the Max Berek Innovation Lab.

The R&D centre is named in memory of Max Berek (1886 – 1949), the German pioneer of microscopy and creator of the first Leica lenses. Berek was also responsible for the optical design of more than 20 lenses for the legendary 35mm camera, invented and built by Oskar Barnack. Thanks to the exceptional imaging performance and perfect harmonisation of the lenses, coupled with Barnack’s ingenious construction, Leica achieved worldwide success in 35mm photography.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Leica and Huawei to create joint R&D center

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Manfrotto and Benro settle 90 degree center column dispute

18 Aug

Tripod manufacturers Manfrotto and Benro have settled their patent dispute after Mamiya America Corporation (MAC Group) agreed not to market its GoClassic and GoTravel series of tripods in the USA. The battle between the two brands began when Benro began selling tripods that allow the center column to be lifted out of the collar and held at 90° to facilitate shooting directly downwards, an idea that Manfrotto claims is protected under a collection of patents it filed in December 2000.

Manfrotto said that the Benro design copied its own for ‘tripod camera supports wherein the column can be housed alternatively and removably either in a seat coaxial with the principal axis or in a second seat perpendicular to the principal axis’ that was first introduced in the Manfrotto Q90 range. Defendants MAC Group denied their products infringed Manfrotto’s protected designs and claimed that Manfrotto’s patent itself is invalid.

The case was resolved when Benro agreed not to sell the offending products in the USA, though Manfrotto has not agreed that this means Benro hasn’t infringed its rights. In the complaint Manfrotto claimed that MAC Group had achieved a great deal of success with its copied designs which had harmed Manfrotto’s income and market share. The company also accused MAC Group of poaching its employees, and demanded compensation not only for the infringement but also ‘treble damages’ as the Benro continued on its course even after Manfrotto filed its complaint.

For more information read the complaint and see Manfrotto’s original patent.

Press release:

Manfrotto Resolves Patent Infringement Lawsuit with MAC Group and Benro

Upper Saddle River, N.J. (August 16, 2016) – Manfrotto Distribution Inc., Lino Manfrotto +Co S.p.A., Mamiya America Corporation (MAC Group), and Benro Precision Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Benro”), announced today that they have resolved Manfrotto’s patent infringement lawsuit which has been pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Manfrotto and Lino Manfrotto had sued MAC Group and Benro contending that Benro’s GoClassic and GoTravel lines of tripods infringe Manfrotto’s U.S. Patent No. 6,164,843, for a photographic tripod providing support in various axes. MAC Group and Benro had denied that their products infringe and also contend that the patent was itself invalid.

Manfrotto is dismissing the litigation with prejudice and Benro and MAC Group have agreed not to import or sell the accused product in the United States until the expiration of the ’843 patent on November 12, 2018. The terms of the settlement are otherwise confidential.

Manfrotto Distribution Inc., and Lino Manfrotto +Co S.p.A., are Italian manufacturers of photographic equipment. Benro Precision Industrial Inc. is a Chinese-based manufacturer of photographic equipment. MAC Group is a New York-based distributor of photographic equipment.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Manfrotto and Benro settle 90 degree center column dispute

Posted in Uncategorized