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Posts Tagged ‘Detection’

Sony’s new HVL-F28RM flash uses camera face detection for better portraits

18 Sep

Sony has just announced the HVL-F28RM flash. It’s designed to be compact and easy to use, but also comes with features that more advanced photographers will appreciate.

When combined with Sony’s a7C, a7S III, a7R IV and a9 II, the F28RM will use face detection information from the camera to better balance its output with the ambient lighting of the scene, as well as adjust white balance for a more natural look.

The flash angle can be adjusted up to 120 degrees and it’s powered by two AA-sized alkaline or NiMH batteries. Other features include radio wireless communication, a stronger metal hot shoe and dust and moisture resistance.

The HVL-F28RM will be available this winter and will retail for $ 249 USD ($ 329 CAD).

Press release:

Sony Electronics Introduces Alpha 7C Camera and Zoom Lens, the World’s Smallest and Lightest[i] Full-frame Camera System

New HVL-F28RM Compact Flash is also Announced

SAN DIEGO, CA – September 14, 2020 – Today, Sony Electronics Inc. announced several additions to an already impressive imaging lineup — the Alpha 7C full-frame camera (model ILCE-7C), the FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 (model SEL2860) zoom lens and HVL-F28RM flash.

The Alpha 7C is the world’s smallest and lightest[ii] full-frame body with uncompromising performance, featuring advanced AF (autofocus), high-resolution 4K video[iii] capabilities and more. When paired with the world’s smallest and lightest[iv] FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 standard zoom lens, this versatile combination delivers an experience unlike any other, maximizing portability and versatility without sacrificing any of the power of full-frame imaging. The HVL-F28RM flash allows users to broaden their photo expressions with outstanding compactness, and an intelligent light intensity control linked to camera face detection[v].

“We are committed to creating the best tools possible, based on the needs of our customers,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Products and Solutions Americas, Sony Electronics. “The new Alpha 7C camera and FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 zoom lens pack many of our most advanced imaging technologies in a brand new design that is the smallest and lightest full-frame camera and lens system in the world. This opens up a new world of possibilities for creators, giving them the uncompromised power of a full-frame system in the palm of their hand.”

…

New HVL-F28RM: Compact Flash with Light Intensity Control Linked to Camera Face Detection[v]

The HVL-F28RM is a compact flash designed to match Sony’s mirrorless cameras for a compact, manageable system, and offers the type of reliable, stable performance that only a genuine Sony product can provide. When compared to the HVL-F32M, the HVL-F28RM features a 12 percent reduction in volume and 7 percent reduction in weight. This compact, easy-to-use flash unit delivers the capabilities and dependability to meet the needs of both professional and advanced amateur content creators.

The HVL-F28RM offers consistent GN28[xxv] light output, optimized light distribution and continuous flash performance that won’t interrupt the user’s workflow, as well as stable radio wireless communication and multi flash radio control. The new flash also features Sony’s newly introduced flash control linked to camera face detection[v] advanced technology. When used with a compatible camera, the balance between the light falling on the subject’s face and ambient light is evaluated to automatically adjust accurate white balance so that the subject’s face is rendered with natural, lifelike color. In addition, flash compensation, light ratio, and other detailed flash parameters can be controlled directly from a compatible camera[xxvi]. A camera custom key can be assigned to call up the flash parameter display so that adjustments can be made while looking through the viewfinder and gripping the camera. Flash parameters are shown in the selected camera display language.

A newly developed “Metal Shoe Foot with Rugged Side Frame”[xxvii] that also houses the unit’s electrical contacts offers improved resistance to physical shock and impact from all directions. The Multi Interface foot is fabricated from metal for higher strength. The HVL-F28RM also features a dust and moisture resistant[xxii] design. When the HVL-F28RM is mounted and locked onto the Alpha 7C, Alpha 7S III, Alpha 7R IV and Alpha 9 II, durability to dust and moisture is improved, even when used in challenging outdoor environments.

The HVL-F28RM also features simple, intuitive operation with minimal controls including +/- light level buttons, pairing button, test button and lock lever. Plenty of light is available for bounce applications. The flash angle can also be set as required via 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 120 degree click stops for easy positioning. The new flash also features a built-in wireless radio trigger for reliable flash triggering when mounted on a compatible camera[xxvi] and paired with an off-camera unit. When used as a transmitter, the HVL-F28RM can control up to 15 flash and/or receiver units in 5 groups[xxviii] at distances of up to 114 feet (35 meters)[xxix] for extraordinary lighting control and versatility. The HVL-F28RM is powered by two AA (LR6) alkaline or NiMH batteries. A fresh pair of alkaline batteries can provide power for up to 110 continuous flashes (1/1 manual flash with alkaline batteries)[xxix].

Pricing and Availability

The HVL-F28RM flash will be available this winter and will be sold for approximately $ 249.99 USD and $ 329.99 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new camera, lens and Sony’s other imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony ? – Alpha.

[i] An Alpha 7C with an FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 lens mounted. Among full-frame interchangeable-lens digital cameras, in combination with an interchangeable zoom lens. As of Sept. 2020. Sony survey.

[ii] Among full-frame interchangeable-lens digital cameras with optical in-body image stabilization mechanism, as of Sept. 2020. Sony survey.

[iii] A Class 10 or higher SDHC/SDXC card is required for XAVC S format movie recording. UHS speed class 3 or higher is required for 100 Mbps recording.

[iv] Among interchangeable zoom lenses for 35mm full-frame format digital camera bodies, as of Sept. 2020. Sony survey.

[v] This function is only compatible with Alpha 7C as of Sept. 2020

[xxii] Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and water resistant.

[xxv] 50 mm, at ISO 100 in meters

[xxvi] Visit Sony support webpage for functional compatibility information.

[xxvii] Design registration application pending.

[xxviii] In group flash mode. 3 groups (A-C) in TTL or manual flash mode.

[xxix] Sony internal test conditions.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Adobe releases Premiere Pro update, including scene detection and improved HDR

17 Sep

Adobe has announced an update for Adobe Premiere Pro and released a new beta for After Effects. In Premiere Pro, which is now at version 14.4, Adobe has added Scene Edit Detection, HDR for broadcasters, exporting with proxies and more. The beta update for After Effects includes a new 3D Gizmo and new camera navigation tools. Both the new Premiere Pro release and the beta update for After Effects include improved performance.

The new Scene Edit Detection feature, powered by Adobe Sensei artificial intelligence, allows you to add edit points in any footage as you import it into Premiere Pro. When using Scene Edit Detection is used, Premiere Pro analyzes imported video, detects original edit points and adds cuts or markets at edit points. You can learn more about the feature in the video below and by clicking here.

Premiere Pro 14.4 includes a new Rec.2100 color space, allowing broadcasters to work with more dynamic HDR content. Additional HDR features include fully color managed and GPU accelerated workflows for Apple ProRes and Sony XAVC-I formats, color space overrides and the ability to set scopes for Rec2100 HLG. Additional information about HDR for broadcasters can be found here.

The next new feature for Premiere Pro, exporting with proxies, allows users to select to use proxies while exporting, such as when you want a quick export that doesn’t require full-resolution media. There is also a new export feature, Quick Export, currently in a public beta. This feature allows easier access to popular and frequently used export settings from the menu bar in Premiere Pro. You can see a preview of this feature below.

Premiere Pro and After Effects (beta) have both received improvements to overall performance. Premiere Pro’s improved performance results in third-party audio plugins now scanning up to 10-15 times faster than before. ProRes multi-cam performance has been doubled as well. After Effects’s channel effects incorporate GPU acceleration, which results in performance improvements ranging from about 1.5 to 3 times.

After Effects’s new beta includes a new 3D Gizmo. This feature allows for faster motion graphics work and improved speed for scene navigation. There are also new camera navigation tools, including support for multiple virtual cameras.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon Z50 gets Animal Detection AF, Z6 and Z7 get minor improvements via firmware updates

22 Jul

In addition to a new camera, a pair of teleconverters and a compact zoom lens, Nikon has also released firmware updates for its Z50, Z6, Z7 cameras and FTZ adapter.

Nikon Z50 firmware version 2.00

The most substantial firmware update is firmware version 2.00 for the Nikon Z50. In addition to support for the new Z-mount teleconverters and the ability to update older F-mount lenses via the FTZ adapter, firmware version 2.00 brings Nikon’s Animal detection autofocus (AF) as a custom AF mode. Nikon says this mode can detect the eyes and faces of dogs and cats when shooting stills (only faces will be detected when shooting video).

Additional improvements, taken from the changelog, are listed below:

  • Changed some of the f/-number values displayed when exposure is adjusted in steps of 1/3 EV (f/1.2 is now displayed as f/1.3). As of July 21, 2020, this applies to NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lenses.
  • The bracketing increment is now properly applied to photos taken with exposure locked during AE bracketing in Continuous H (extended) release mode.
  • Release-priority is now enabled if AF-S Single AF is selected for Focus mode when AF-ON is assigned to the AE-L/AF-L button.
  • The following improvements have been made to subject tracking:
    • Users can now switch between the auto-area AF and target selection displays using a custom control such as the Fn1 button.
    • The behavior of subject tracking when AF-C is selected during still photography now more closely resembles that for 3D-tracking on digital SLR cameras.
  • The conditions for displaying the prompt suggesting the use of the flash have been reviewed and the prompt is now displayed under more appropriate conditions.
  • Fixed the following issues:
    • The crop selected for “tall” (portrait-orientation) pictures using PictBridge would not be accurately reflected in the printed image.
    • In rare circumstances, autofocus would not engage if a NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 VR lens was extended at the same time the camera was turned on.

You can download firmware version 2.00 and find installation information on Nikon’s support page.

Nikon Z6, Z7 firmware version 3.10

Firmware version 3.10 for the both the Nikon Z6 and Z7 adds support for Nikon’s new teleconverters, as well as the ability to update Nikon F-mount lenses when attached to the cameras via Nikon’s FTZ mount adapter. Other updates for the cameras, taken from the changelog, are listed below:

  • Changed some of the f/-number values displayed when exposure is adjusted in steps of 1/3 EV (f/1.2 is now displayed as f/1.3). As of July 21, 2020, this applies to NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lenses.
  • The bracketing increment is now properly applied to photos taken with exposure locked during AE bracketing in Continuous H (extended) release mode.
  • When an external recorder compliant with Atomos Open protocol is connected, movie recording can now be started and stopped using camera controls if all the following conditions are met:
    • The camera is in movie mode and the recorder is connected via HDMI.
    • A memory card is inserted.
    • The following are selected for HDMI > Advanced in the SETUP MENU:
      • External recording control > On
      • Output data depth > 10 bit
      • N-log setting > Off
    • 3840×2160; 30p/25p/24p is selected for Frame size/frame rate in the MOVIE SHOOTING MENU.
  • Fixed the following issues:
    • The camera monitor would exhibit a green cast when the camera was connected to an external display via HDMI if:
      • Adobe RGB was selected for Color space in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU,
      • Shutter-release button > Record movies was selected for Custom Setting g2 (Custom control assignment) in Group “g” (Movie) of the CUSTOM SETTING MENU,
      • 10 bit was selected for HDMI > Advanced > Output data depth in the SETUP MENU,
      • On (cannot record to card) was selected for HDMI > Advanced > N-Log setting in the SETUP MENU,
      • On was selected for HDMI > Advanced > View assist in the SETUP MENU, and
      • movie mode was selected with the photo/movie selector.
    • The crop selected for “tall” (portrait-orientation) pictures using PictBridge would not be accurately reflected in the printed image.
    • In rare circumstances, autofocus would not engage if a NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 VR lens was extended at the same time the camera was turned on.

You can download firmware version 3.10 for both the Z6 and Z7 on Nikon’s support pages.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Samsung’s new ISOCELL GN1 sensor features Tetracell tech, phase detection on all active pixels

20 May

Samsung Electronics has launched a new image sensor that is designed for use in the primary camera of high-end smartphones. Like other sensors from the the ISOCELL family, the ISOCELL GN1 comes with the company’s pixel isolation technology that creates a barrier around each pixel in order to reduce color cross-talk.

At 50MP the sensor´s native resolution is fairly moderate when compared to the 108MP juggernaut used in Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S20 Ultra, but has other tricks up its sleeve: it’s Samsung’s first image sensor to combine Dual-Pixel autofocus with the company’s Tetracell technology, allowing for increased light sensitivity in low light as well as precise and fast autofocus performance in all light conditions.

The GN1 comes with 100 million phase detection autofocus (PDAF) sites, meaning all of the sensor’s active pixels double as focus pixels, allowing for fast focusing in all light conditions and at all angles. Dual Pixel technology places two photodiodes side-by-side within a single pixel. When an image is captured the outputs from the two photodiodes are merged into a single pixel. Samsung also offers a software feature that can analyze light information from both photodiodes to compute image output that is comparable to a 100MP file.

Tetracell uses pixel-merging methods to increase light sensitivity in low light conditions. Four adjacent pixels are merged into one doubling the effective pixel size from 1.2?m to 2.4?m and quadrupling the light sensitivity at a 12.5MP output size. In bright light the sensor can operate as a standard Bayer sensor and capture full-sized 50MP images.

In addition the GN1 sensor offers a Smart-ISO function that ‘intelligently sets the optimal ISO value, and a real-time HDR mode. Electronic image stabilization uses data from the device’s built-in gyro to avoid shaky video and blurry images and video shooters can make use of an 8K video mode that can record at 30 frames per second.

Overall the GN1 looks like a very versatile image sensor that can adapt to a multitude of shooting situations. In bright light the 50MP resolution should allow for excellent detail. In dimmer conditions the Tetracell tech can deliver images with low noise and a wide dynamic range. At the same time the all-sensor Dual-Pixel autofocus system is making sure subjects are in focus, even in difficult scenes.

Samsung says mass production of the ISOCELL GN1 sensor has started this month. We’ll find out how it performs in real-life conditions once the first GN1-equipped devices make an appearance in the marketplace.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon’s entry-level EOS M200 offers eye detection and 4K video

25 Sep

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Canon has introduced the EOS M200, an entry-level mirrorless camera. It’s a fairly modest upgrade to one of our favorite cameras, the EOS M100. Its new Digic 8 processor allows for Dual Pixel AF with eye detection, heavily cropped 4K/24p video and improved battery life.

Everything else is the same as before: the M200 has a 24MP APS-C sensor, compact body with a selfie-friendly touchscreen and an easy-to-use interface.

The EOS M200 will be available in October, bundled with the collapsable 15-45mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM lens for $ 549/£499/€569.

Go hands-on with the EOS M200

Press release

DOCUMENT YOUR DAY AND EFFORTLESSLY SHARE YOUR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS WITH NEW CANON EOS M200 CAMERA

The Newest Compact Interchangeable-Lens Camera is Perfectly Positioned to be Your Next Travel Buddy

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 25, 2019 – Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or revel in documenting everyday moments, memories should be captured and easily shared. Offering social media enthusiast high image quality, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, introduces the EOS M200 camera. Great for those with wanderlust in their hearts, this camera ushers in a variety of new features, such as vertical video1, for those looking to step up from smartphone photography and enter the realm of interchangeable-lens cameras.

“Ease of use, convenience and shareability are imperatives for consumers today, especially when introducing new imaging products into an ever-changing market place,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The new EOS M200 camera is a mix of tried and true Canon features as well as new ones, and combined they create a non-intimidating mirrorless camera for the experienced photographer – yet it is approachable for someone beginning their visual storytelling journey.”

Standout Attributes of the EOS M200 Camera

Designed to capture life’s special moments in vibrant color and clarity, the EOS M200 camera is built with quality and connectivity at its core. Key components include:

  • DIGIC 8 Imaging Processor
  • 4K UHD, Full HD up to 60p, Vertical video support1
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF
  • Eye Detection Auto-focus
  • Convenient Wi-Fi®2 and Bluetooth®3 Technology
  • Capable of Sharing Photos and Videos to Social Media Platforms
  • Compact and Lightweight Design
  • Compatible with Extensive Line of EF-M, Canon EF4 and EF-S4 lenses

Thanks to an impressive 24.1 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor, the EOS M200 camera is capable of rendering detailed images of your travel escapades or your family milestones. The tilting LCD with touch screen allows for artistic expression when shooting subjects from a variety of angles, including selfies. Understanding the importance of sharing photos and videos, this camera is capable of transferring files directly to compatible smart devices using the Canon Camera Connect app. Images can then be seamlessly shared on social media platforms and web services or printed directly to compatible wireless Canon printers.

Pricing and Availability of the EOS M200

The EOS M200 camera has an estimated retail price of $ 599.99*, and is currently expected to be available in October 2019. For more information and the full list of product specifications, visit http://shop.usa.canon.com/

Canon EOS M200 specifications

Price
MSRP $ 599 (w/15-45mm lens)
Body type
Body type Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Body material Composite
Sensor
Max resolution 6000 x 4000
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 26 megapixels
Sensor size APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Processor DIGIC 8
Color space sRGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Auto, 100-25600
White balance presets 6
Custom white balance Yes
Image stabilization No
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Fine, normal
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.31)
  • Raw (Canon 14-bit CR3)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 143
Lens mount Canon EF-M
Focal length multiplier 1.6×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Tilting
Screen size 3″
Screen dots 1,040,000
Touch screen Yes
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type None
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Program
  • Shutter priority
  • Aperture priority
  • Manual
Built-in flash Yes
Flash range 5.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flash No
Flash X sync speed 1/200 sec
Drive modes
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Self-timer/remote control
Continuous drive 6.1 fps
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
  • Partial
Exposure compensation ±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Modes
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 120 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
USB charging Yes
HDMI Yes (micro HDMI)
Microphone port No
Headphone port No
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.2
Remote control Yes (via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed No
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description LP-E12 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 315
Weight (inc. batteries) 299 g (0.66 lb / 10.55 oz)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 35 mm (4.25 x 2.64 x 1.38″)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
GPS None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DJI AirSense will add aircraft detection to DJI drones starting next year

23 May

This morning, DJI hosted a panel of experts in the aviation field, including the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Jay Merkel and AUVSI’s Tracy Lamb, to discuss the implementation of airplane and helicopter detectors in its new consumer drones starting January 1, 2020. Every drone model weighing over 250 grams will have AirSense Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) receivers installed.

AirSense technology, which is a product of over 30,000 hours of development efforts by DJI engineers on all security measures, works by receiving ADS-B signals from nearby airplanes and helicopters. It allows drone pilots to detect and avoid traditional aircraft nearby. ‘I was an F-18 pilot years ago, and when you’re going that fast, it’s really hard to see anything. … ADS-B is certainly one of those things that for all pilots, and for controllers as well, becomes a situational awareness tool’ said Houston Mills of UPS Airlines, at the panel.

AirSense is currently embedded in some of DJI’s enterprise-level drones including the Mavic 2 Enterprise. The manufacturer now aims to make the same level of safety and security available to consumers. Instead of relying on sound or sight, ADS-B can identify planes and helicopters from miles away, and display the location on the screen of the remote.

Along with the announcement, DJI has released a comprehensive 37-page ‘Elevating Safety’ white paper outlining efforts they have taken to ensure that drones and their operators remain compliant. One significant burden to innovation in improving safety measures has been the media’s numerous inaccurate portrayals of reckless drone use. Most claims, including the incidents at Gatwick and Newark airports, are still unfounded.

DJI stands by the fact that existing data on drone safety is inaccurate. However, they understand they need to continually focus on research, development, education, and advocacy for solutions that will improve safety. They’ve outlined their intentions with the following 10 points:

1. DJI will install ADS-B receivers in all new drones above 250 grams.
2. DJI will develop a new automatic warning for drone pilots flying at extended distances.
3. DJI will establish an internal Safety Standards Group to meet regulatory and customer expectations.
4. Aviation industry groups must develop standards for reporting drone incidents.
5. All drone manufacturers should install geofencing and remote identification.
6. Governments must require remote identification.
7. Governments must require a user-friendly knowledge test for new drone pilots.
8. Governments must clearly designate sensitive restriction areas.
9. Local authorities must be allowed to respond to drone threats that are clear and serious.
10. Governments must increase enforcement of laws against unsafe drone operation.

These 10 steps are DJI’s proactive plan for addressing the continual growth in the drone industry. It divides responsibility between the government, remote pilots, and the company to ensure drones continue to safely integrate into airspace.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm announces FW 3.0 for X-T3 coming in April: Improved AF and face/eye detection

11 Feb

At its X-Summit event in Dubai, Fujifilm announced a major firmware update for the X-T3, coming in April. Firmware 3.0 will bring improvements to Eye-AF, and should provide faster AF tracking performance and face detection. Face selection will be added, and ‘touch operability’ will also be improved.

You can see a preview of the changes in the video above, which will start playing at the relevant point in the presentation.

Read our review of the Fujifilm X-T3

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Using Face Detection and Recognition in ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2019

11 Dec

The post Using Face Detection and Recognition in ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2019 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Stacey Hill.

Are you a person who takes lots of photos of people? Perhaps you shoot weddings or events? Family portraits? Maybe you like to capture images of family and friends? Eventually, you end up with many images. Some are easy to sort through when they have only one person in them.

However, what about group photos? How do you tag/catalog/sort through those? Do you have to list out everyone’s name in the meta tags manually?

What if you don’t know all the names immediately? What if you find out later that Heather is actually Helen and you have to go back and change it?

Finally, how can you find all the images with a specific person quickly and easily?

Luckily, ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2019 makes this task easy with the new Face Detection and Recognition capabilities.

How to set up Face Detection and Recognition

1.  Open the program and in ‘Manage’ mode, navigate to the desired folder where you have stored your images.

2.  Click on an image of the person you want to name and click on ‘View’ to open in View mode.

3.  Face Detection identifies the person by outlining their face.

4. If this outline box is not present, click on the ‘Show Face Outlines’ button (or Shift + B).

5. Once the face is selected, we need to apply the name. Click on the ‘Face’ Tool (or Shift + F) and a dark grey text bar pops up under the outline.

6. Click in the text bar and type the name of the person and press ‘Enter.’

7. If you select any other image with that person and open it in ‘View mode,’ it should automatically select their face and apply the name.

A key point regarding the naming structure you use is to put some thought into what naming convention you use and then keep it consistent. For example, something along the lines of: first name (space) last name or first name_last name. Doing so makes a difference later if you are using search parameters to find people.

What happens if you have more than one Joe Smith? What if you start off using only first names and then you have 3 x David, 4 x Michael, 2 x Louise all in the same wedding party? Being as specific as possible when naming addresses this issue.

How it becomes useful

Once the software has recognized the face and you have assigned a name to it, it detects that face amongst all your other photos. While it works across any images currently stored on your computer, the data is saved and applied to any new images you import onto your computer.

Therefore, you should only have to tag the person once. ACDSee remembers their name and applies it to any future image with their face in it.

Now you might want to search for all the images with Heather.

1. In ‘Manage’ mode, select ‘Catalog’ on the left-hand panel. The panel is broken up into different sections. At the top is ‘Categories.’

2. The second panel down is ‘People.’ All the names you have applied to your images are listed. Click on any name, and it goes through the database to pull out all the images with that face present in them.

3. In ‘Manage’ mode, you can ‘Quick Search’ by typing the name in the Quick Search box.

Searching for multiple people

1. Search for two or more people by holding down CTRL while selecting a second name in the People section of the Catalog panel. The software finds the images for those people. You can also utilize the ‘Easy Select’ arrows next to the names to select multiple people.

2. Find an image with two specific people in it together by typing both of their names in the ‘Quick Search’ bar as Person 1 + Person 2 to run a Boolean AND search. It is during this process that it’s essential to understand the naming convention you used originally.

In ‘Manage’ mode, select the folder you want to search in and click F3 to search (or right mouse click and select Search). Make sure you put ‘People’ in the ‘Categories’ section or it will search the entire database and potentially pull up other images.

3. You can also run a search from the ‘Catalog’ pane. In the ‘People’ section, select all the people you want to search for by using the ‘Easy-Select’ arrows or CTRL/SHIFT clicking. Click the gear icon on the People section header, and change the search type to ‘Match All.’

Managing name data

You can edit/change/remove the name data you have stored, which comes in handy if you have to update the spelling on one. Maybe you forgot you already had a ‘Sebastian’ in there, and you need to change one of them.

1. In ‘Manage’ mode, select ‘Tools’ from the top menu option.

2. From the drop-down menu, select ‘Manage People.’

3. A ‘People Manager’ box opens up with all the names you have saved. You can edit each one as needed by selecting them and using the bottom buttons.

Things to note:

1. The naming convention you use is important, so plan that out in advance.

2. If the face is not automatically detected, and you have to create it manually, the software will not further recognize it in Face Recognition. Also, note that if you use the Remove Faces or Redetect Faces command on an image, manual faces aren’t retained. The Rerun Face Detection option remembers them if you edit images.

3. Currently, there is no facility to import face recognition tags from other software (Picasa as an example). However, a search through the support forums has this listed on the ‘Potential Ideas for Future Updates’ list. It also appears to apply to the exporting of images from ACDSee as well, with the intention of retaining the face recognition tags.

4. There is no easy way to establish if there are currently any unnamed faces.

5. If the software has assigned the wrong name to someone, you can remove it with the Remove Faces function. This removes all face data from the selected image, not just the one wrong one.

6. To ensure a better success rate, you may need to manually select several images of one person so that the software can ‘learn’ that face with accuracy. You achieve better accuracy by naming as many faces in the (first) image as possible.

7. You can manually remove the names from incorrect selections and can rescan in ‘Manage’ mode via Tools | Redetect Faces. You need to correct the wrong name, rather than remove it, otherwise rescanning continues to return the wrong name over and over.

Conclusion

Face detection and recognition is a tool that can make life easier for a photographer with many images of people in their portfolio. The ability to assign a name to a person and have the computer run an algorithm to find all the other images is significantly faster than doing it manually.

To be able to search for images with a specific person (or range of people) becomes faster and more efficient as well.

Is it perfect?  If I am honest, not 100% all of the time. However, it is easy to use, easy to manage and does a pretty good job for most requirements. It could be useful for many other things that they may implement into the next version.

Right now, it is an effective time saver for the home photographer with photos of family and friends, through to commercial photographers with wedding/event shoots filling up the portfolio.

The previous 2018 generation of ACDSee was the first version that bought a range of features all together in one space. Thus, giving you the capability to manage and view files, edit Raw files, do creative editing with layers, all in one piece of software.

Leading with this Face Detection and Recognition, the 2019 iteration builds on that initial foundation by bringing specific functionality to boost capabilities even further. Thus, making for a compelling consideration for anyone looking to purchase editing software, especially when it is available via one-off perpetual license purchase.

 

 

 

The post Using Face Detection and Recognition in ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2019 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Stacey Hill.


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ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2019 Review: Face Detection and Recognition

16 Oct

A question seen frequently on photography groups is “What software do I get to process my images in?”. There is the usual flurry of recommendations for the familiar choices and a few random ones thrown in. One option that doesn’t get mentioned as often as it should is ACDSee. In particular the Photo Studio Ultimate 2019 bundle is worthy of consideration for both beginners and more experienced users.

The 2019 version with the newly included Face Detection and Facial Recognition features is a step up from the previous 2018 program, indicating an intention towards AI-based digital asset management.

For anyone wanting a one-stop shop to manage, view, process RAW files, and edit with layers, etc, PLUS only having to pay once for a perpetual licence, ACDSee offers a compelling option in the marketplace.

My background is in Lightroom and Photoshop which is the basis for comparison in this review.

Let us assess this software from the point of view of what it offers a beginner.

CONTENTS

  1. Getting Started – installing and setting up
  2. Layout and Features
  3. Importing and Viewing Images
  4. Editing your RAW Image
  5. Advanced editing with layers
  6. New Features in 2019 version
  7. General Comments

1. Install and Setup

Setup and installation are fairly standard as per most software. ACDSee does require you to set up an account as part of the install process (it’s mandatory and cancels the install if you try to opt out), which then requires an extra registration step with an email confirmation. However, once sorted, no further registration is required. If you have registered before, you can use the previous login details.

It does allow you to choose which drive/directory/folder you want to install it into, as well as if you want to use a non-standard install path. As per the splash page below that opens on Startup—you can auto select the folder to open when the software starts.

Also new is the next screen, which helpfully shows you what the key functions and features are, and where to find them. Both of these can be turned off if desired. You can click on any of the words on the left panel and it will take you to the appropriate screen. Or click through on the NEXT button. Or close it.

 

Once you have navigated the splash pages, you will be taken to the Manage mode screen.

2. Layout and Features

ACDSee has five main modes in separate tabs for each function—Manage, Photos, View, Develop, and Edit.  There are some extra features but these are key ones used in general.

Summary of the features:

Manage mode has access to your computer, direction to find images where they are stored on the computer, and the default option is to view your images in thumbnail view (similar to Grid in LR). It shows EXIF data, histogram, and shot information for a particular image. You can colour code or rate images in Manage Mode.

Photos mode is similar to Manage. It allows a more comprehensive way of viewing image files on your hard drive, and you can drill down to specific day/month/year views.

View mode allows you to view a single image in full screen mode (similar to a single image view in LR) and has some basic editing functions included.

Develop mode is where you edit your RAW image files (similar layout and functions to LR or ACR).

Edit mode is where you can do advanced editing with layers (similar to PS).

There are also the 365 tab, Dashboard tab, and Messages tab. 365 is where you have access to your subscription information, if you opt for it. The Dashboard shows graphical data on image/camera information—if you want to know your most commonly used ISO setting, type, and number of files, it is visible here.

 

3.  Importing and Viewing Images

Importing is not required with ACDSee. The software will read folders directly off your computer, displaying and respecting its existing folder structure, just like Explorer. However, users can import off of external sources if they wish to achieve other organizational goals at the same time, such as culling, tagging, renaming, etc.

Once imported, you will then want to view them, cull, tag, and select the best ones for editing.

I have all my images stored on a NAS and it found those with no issues.  Above is the Manage page showing the hard drive directory structure and images in thumbnail grid view.

You can rate your images either using numbers or color tags. In the above image it has picked up the color rating I gave one image in LR. If you select the Catalog tab on the left hand menu, you can further refine your search parameters with selecting a specific rating or color tag. In the below example it has used the Red color tag to select images to view.

 

Also visible in the above image is the histogram (color graph below left) with camera settings above it for the selected image. The fine print at the bottom of the window has the name, file format, date/time taken, and file size information.

The full Manage mode window above, with directory tree/histogram/camera data on the left hand menu, and EXIF data for the selected image on the right hand pane, and all the images on display.

Other Image Viewing Options

ACDSee has two other image viewing options included. Photos mode and View mode

Photos mode opens with a splash screen explaining what it does.

It offers another way to sort and view your image files and has some granular control. You can get it down to a specific day quite easily and just see the images shot on that day. Probably very helpful for wedding or event photographers. Below is an example where it shows all the shooting days, with a blue bar that gives an idea of how many photos are stored under that day.

View mode is where you can see just a single image using the full screen size. You can zoom in to check the image quality using various zoom features. There is a floating Navigator panel you can activate and use that to ensure you are viewing the correct part of the image.  Similar to the Navigator in LR/PS.

There are some very basic editing tools available here, but better functionality is had in Develop mode.

4. Editing RAW Files

RAW image editing is done in Develop mode and it is laid out very similarly to LR. By default, the Editing tool panel is on the left but it can be moved.

Image with Edit Tool Panel on the left

It’s not immediately obvious, but the white section of the grey bar that ends with the triangle cut out of the bottom is the active slider. You move the light bar to the desired settings. Or type in a number or use the Up and Down arrows on the end.

There are 4 main tabs in the Tool Panel:

Tune – The usual tools for editing a RAW file, exposure, etc. Very similar to LR

Detail – Sharpening, Noise Reduction, and Skin Tuning

Geometry – Lens Correction, Cropping, Perspective adjustments

Repair – Heal/Clone and Red Eye adjustments

In Develop Mode with the Tune Panel open

In general, I found the sliders a bit fiddly to operate; it wasn’t smooth, but apparently it is easier to incrementally adjust sliders with a mouse wheel. My perception of the program is that its application of the settings is quite harsh, so careful use of the sliders is necessary.

While you can activate a second screen in Develop mode, the only purpose is to maintain a view of the unedited image for comparison.

The Tune tab also has some spot editing features—Develop Brush, Linear Gradient Tool and Radial Gradient Tool—the equivalent of Adjustment Brush, ND Grad, and Radial Tool in LR.

5. Advanced Editing With Layers

Edit mode gives most of the expected features you would find in Photoshop and other programs that offer layer/mask functionality. The Filmstrip is visible (similar to Bridge), although you can turn it off to gain the screen real estate back.

Edit Mode open with all the default settings and panels visible

Edit mode offers quite a few extra or useful features. The 2019 version also has an Adjustment layer for Color LUTs, which is a recent new feature brought into LR.

A new feature in the 2018 version was an Actions Menu—a range of preset creative edits you can apply with one click. The 2019 update to this allows you export and import actions as well.

Some of the actions have a really harsh effect like overdone HDR or similar, which was quite noticeable in the 2018 version. In the 2019 version they have toned down the effect in some of the actions, but not all of them. So it pays to pick and choose as it does depend on which action you choose as to what outcome you get. Also it applies it directly to the image so you can’t do it as a layer and then blend in, unless you duplicate the base layer and blend back which has its own issues.

One of the features that did impress me in both the 2018 and 2019 versions was how good a job the Heal tool did in tidying up spots and other issues. On the above image I have removed several spots and imperfections. On the right hand side, in the center of the flower, was a long black mark on a petal (near the small curled one), and that has been seamlessly removed.

An oddity also visible in the above image—in View mode I applied a LOMO preset and liked what it did, and further edited the image to mute the tones and lower the saturation.However, when you use the Navigator tool, as per above, it shows the original RAW file in its unedited state.

Finally I dragged some texture layers, (can be dragged from a second monitor into the Layer Palette), apply some blend modes, adjust the opacity, and soften areas with a mask to reach the final image.

New Features in 2019

Several new features have been included in the 2019 edition, but one key one is Face Recognition. A short video explains how to use it HERE.

I don’t shoot people/portraits generally but had a few tucked away to test. I could get the Face Recognition to function, however it didn’t automatically find all the other images and assign them correctly.  I suspect this is because I have all my images on a NAS and not in the usual directory. If I clicked on each image individually, it did recognise the face and the person.

General Comments

There are some things I find odd about how the program functions; three different ways to view the image can be a bit confusing. The second monitor view in Develop mode that only holds a copy of the unedited file for a comparison seems like a major waste of screen real estate.

Many new features were included in the 2018 version, and the ones assessed in this review of the latest version have been further enhanced and improved—I am guessing in response to user feedback.

This 2019 version adds a lot of nice new mature touches, and helpful splash screens to introduce you to different features.  More accessible help options is a vast improvement: there are links in the Help menu to a Support Community, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account.

Any new software program takes a bit of getting used to, but once you understand it, ADCSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2019 offers any beginner (and more experienced users) a compelling package. It has all the features you need for image management, RAW editing, and more advance editing in one place, with the advantage of a ‘pay once and it’s yours’ option instead of a subscription.  Although a subscription option is available, if desired.

At $ 149 USD for the single purchase perpetual licence, you get a LOT of capability all wrapped up in one software program.

Rating

8.5 out of 10

Disclaimer: ACDSee is a paid partner of dPS

 

 

 

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Fujifilm developing 100MP medium format with phase detection and IBIS

27 Sep

Fujifilm has said it is developing a 100MP GFX medium format camera that will include both phase detection autofocus and in-body image stabilization. The 4K-capable camera will sell for around $ 10,000.

The development was announced at the company’s press conference at the Photokina trade show in Cologne, Germany, alongside the unveiling of the 50MP GFX 50R model.

A mockup on display at the event shows it to resemble a dual-grip variant of the existing GFX 50S model but without the protruding hump at the back of the body.

No details beyond these headline specs were made available but the company said the camera would be available in 2019.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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