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Posts Tagged ‘original’

nothing is original

09 Jun

From Jim Jarmusch’s Golden Rules:

“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery—celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to.”

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iPhone users get free unlimited Google Photo storage for original photo files, for now, while Pixel 4 owners have to pay up

22 Oct

All Android phones running Google apps come with free Google Photos cloud storage for images and videos captured with the device. However, image and video files are not stored at original quality. Instead, they are compressed to what Google calls ‘high quality’. Users who prefer to store their original out-of-camera files in the cloud have to shell out for one of Google’s storage plans.

On its own Pixel device, Google has in the past made an exception. Users of the Pixel 3 and previous Pixel devices could store unlimited original files for life, but this perk has ended with the brand new Pixel 4. Users of the latest Google flagship will just be treated like users of any other Android phone.

Now it seems the only ones benefiting from Google’s free unlimited storage for original photos are actually the users of one of Apple’s recent iPhones. Reddit user u/stephenvsawyer discovered that images in the HEIC/HEIF format, which recent iPhones use by default, will be stored without any compression.

A screenshot from Google’s Pixel 2 promotional page captured at the time of the release showing the no-longer-current benefit of getting unlimited storage of original files for free.

The reason for this is pretty simple: if Google tried to compress the images, the file size would actually increase. So the decision to save original HEIC/HEIF files to its cloud platform saves Google both storage space on its servers and computing power. It’s worth noting that this only applies to photos. iPhone videos are saved at 1080p resolution, even if they were recorded at 4K settings.

The latest version of the Android OS, Android 10, technically supports the HEIC/HEIF format, but Pixel 4 devices don’t currently offer this option. So, at least for now, iPhone users are actually getting more out of Google Photos than users of Google’s own flagship phone.

In a statement made to Android Police, Google said ‘We are aware of this bug and are working to fix it.’ What exactly this ‘fix’ entails remains to be seen, but there’s a good chance this iPhone loophole could get closed down in the near future.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Google ends free ‘original quality’ image backups for the Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL

20 Oct

The newly unveiled Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL smartphones will not include three years of free ‘original quality’ Google Photos storage, the company has confirmed. Details about the change were quietly listed on the Google Store’s Pixel 4 product page following the company’s press event on Tuesday, revealing an elimination of the perk Google has offered since the launch of its original Pixel model.

All Android mobile devices come with free Google Photos storage for images and videos captured with the handset, but there’s a catch: the content is compressed from its original quality down to ‘high quality.’

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The Pixel smartphone line has remained notable among its peers by offering atypically excellent camera quality, particularly in low-light environments. Before the Pixel 4, Google relied on computational photography, not extra lenses, to give its phones an edge. This time around, however, Google has taken steps to remain competitive with Apple by packing more than one camera into its newly unveiled Pixel 4 devices.

Many consumers, particularly photographers who prefer Android over iOS, have anticipated the launch of this phone specifically for its mobile camera capabilities. That makes Google’s decision to end its free ‘original quality’ photo storage particularly baffling. Buyers must either sign up for a paid storage plan or settle for compressed backups.

As recently noted by XDA, the Google Store’s Pixel 4 page reads, ‘Never worry about storing, finding, or sharing your memories thanks to unlimited storage in high quality on Google Photos.’ That feature comes with a small disclaimer that states:

Google Photos offers free unlimited online storage for all photos and videos uploaded in high quality. Photos and videos uploaded in high quality may be compressed or resized. Requires Google Account. Data rates may apply.

Google offers multiple cloud storage plans under its Google One subscription, which starts at $ 1.99/month for 100GB of storage if you pay annually. The Pixel 4 smartphone is available to preorder from the Google Storage now for $ 799.


Update (October 16, 2019): Corrected pricing of the entry-level Google One subscription plan.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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7 Techniques for Original (and Stunning) Nature Photos

04 Jul

The post 7 Techniques for Original (and Stunning) Nature Photos appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Do you want to capture original nature photos?

The kind of photos that are both stunning and unique?

You can.

While capturing original nature photography might seem hard, it doesn’t have to be.

Because there are a few simple tricks that you can use…

…which will help you create original photos, consistently.

And it’s not about finding new locations.

It’s not even about finding new subjects.

Instead, it’s about looking at the subjects you have in a completely different light.

Let’s get started.

1. Use unusual lighting for surprisingly dramatic shots

For a long time, I felt like my images were frustratingly similar. I couldn’t find any new compositions. I couldn’t create the kind of magic I wanted. I felt like I had hit a wall.

Until I discovered the power of directional lighting.

Now, directional lighting is something that most photographers are familiar with. You get directional lighting when the sun is low in the sky – so that the light hits your subject from a particular direction.

If the light hits your subject from the front, it’s frontlight. If your light hits your subject from the side, it’s called sidelight.

But while frontlight and sidelight are nice enough, they pale in comparison to the power of backlight.

(Which is the type of light that completely changed my photography.)

Backlight comes from behind your subject. If you want a backlit photo, you should make sure that your subject sits between you and the sun – and then point your lens at your subject.

What’s so great about backlight?

Backlight allows you to capture intense, dramatic light. It allows you to create a contrast-heavy photo, one with a beautiful background and a detailed subject.

However, you want to be careful not to create a silhouette. If you underexpose the photo too much, the subject will lose all its detail, leaving you with nothing but a bright backdrop.

So here’s what I recommend:

Point your camera at your subject. And then crouch down so that the sun moves behind the bulk of your subject. If you can block the sun, you’ll reduce the background brightness. And you’ll be able to capture some nice detail in your subject while giving the overall shot some gorgeous background light.

One more tip:

It can be useful to let the sun fall through a background object. If there’s a tree in the background, angle yourself so the sunlight falls through the tree. This will create some spectacular bokeh.

And it’ll take your nature photos to a whole new level.

2. Shoot from strange angles for a completely new perspective

Shooting from new angles is a classic method for capturing original photos.

That’s because it works. Really, really well.

Of course, you don’t want to use the same new angles, over and over again. That will just cause you to fall into a cycle of creating similar photos once again!

Instead, try to find a new angle for every subject you photograph.

I’m a fan of getting down low, and I recommend you try it, too. Crouching, crawling, or even lying on the ground is a great way of opening up more intimate perspectives.

And more intimate perspectives can make for stunningly original images.

Another tip is to make yourself feel disoriented. Try lying on the ground, looking up at your subject. Or try climbing high above your subject, so that you’re shooting straight down.

These particular angles are just starting points. Take them and make them your own. Experiment as much as possible.

That’s how you’ll capture original photos.

3. Apply creative techniques for unique takes on a subject

Another easy way to produce original nature photos is to add something new to your photography arsenal. Something you’ve never tried before.

One way to find these techniques is to look at photographers in other genres. What are they doing that you like? What’s creative about their work? Is there something that you can take from their photos and apply to yours?

I’ll mention just a few creative techniques here. These will give you a sense of the possibilities of nature photography. And they’ll also open up new shots for you, right now.

First, one of my favorite creative techniques is freelensing. This involves detaching the lens from your camera and tilting it in different directions for a tilt-shift style image.

Freelensing will give you some striking images filled with shallow depth of field, gorgeous bokeh, and stunning light leaks.

Second, I recommend trying intentional camera movement photos (or ICM). ICM photos are beautifully abstract and impressionistic.

To capture amazing ICM photos, simply set your shutter speed to something low (in the 1/2s to 1/20s range). Then experiment with moving your camera when you take the photo.

If you persevere, you’ll soon be taking some amazing images!

Third, you should try the ‘shooting through’ technique, also known as ‘cramming.’

Find a subject – then change your angle so that you’re shooting through something in the foreground. This is generally vegetation, but it doesn’t have to be.

If you can create a shallow depth of field, you’ll blow the foreground into a beautiful wash of color. And you’ll capture some highly-unusual nature photos.

4. Create abstracts of your subjects for something impressively different

One thing I love about abstract photography?

It forces you to see your subject in a whole new light.

And that’s why abstract photography is perfect for creating fresh perspectives of a subject.

But this leads to the question:

How do you actually create stunning abstracts?

I have a few tips:

First, get close. For abstract photos, closer is almost always better.

Two, try to think in terms of shapes and lines, rather than subjects. Compose while keeping these geometric elements in mind.

Third, be careful not to underexpose your photos. It’s easy to do this with close-up abstract photography because you lose light as your lens focuses closer. So make sure to compensate for this possibility.

Finally, use your viewfinder a lot. Move your camera, and watch as the composition changes.

And when things start to look really good…

…take your shot!

5. Switch lenses for a fresh focal length (and fresh feel)

Sometimes, all we need to do for a fresh perspective…

…is switch lenses.

After all, you probably use the same lens for your nature photography pretty often. I know that I have a few lenses in my kit that I use regularly.

And this can cause you to get comfortable with your photography. You might struggle to find new images.

So switch lenses. And make the switch as big as possible.

If you’ve been shooting flowers with a long lens, try using something very short. If you’ve been shooting landscapes with a short lens, try to go for something long. And if you’ve been shooting birds with an ultra-telephoto, why not try something that shows far more of the environment?

Whenever I try this technique, it works wonders. The completely new perspective feels wonderfully fresh – and I get photos that I really love.

6. Find a photo you like and take something different

This technique is a tricky one.

If you can do it correctly, you’ll capture stunning original images. But if you approach it without much motivation, you’ll end up creating something boring and derivative.

Here’s how it works:

Start by finding some nature photos you like, but that were taken by other photographers.

Then recreate those photos. Recreate the setup, the composition, everything.

Finally, make three major changes to the shot.

The changes can be anything: settings, lighting, composition, and more. The point is to create a shot that’s radically different from the original, but that still captures the magic that the original possessed.

You can even use some of the techniques from elsewhere in this article. Add in a bit of ICM. Use a wildly different angle.

You’ll ultimately capture an original image. An image you can be proud of.

7. Shoot until you can’t shoot anymore, then keep shooting

Here’s one final technique for original nature photos:

Find a subject. Then photograph that subject as you normally would, taking all the obvious photos.

But then, once you’ve run out of easy ideas…

Keep going.

Keep taking photos.

And keep trying to innovate. Keep trying to find new nature images.

At first, you’ll struggle. You’ll think there’s nothing more that can be done.

But then you’ll start to have new ideas. Your mind will open up.

And that’s when you’ll get some of your most original photos!

Techniques for original (stunning) nature photos: next steps

Capturing original nature photos can be really, really tough.

Or, at least, it might seem that way.

But the truth is:

Anyone can take original nature photos! As long as they know a few simple tricks.

So as long as you follow the techniques laid out in this article…

…your nature photography will be gorgeous, stunning, and – above all – original!

Got any more tricks for original nature photos? Be sure to share them in the comments!

 

original nature photos

The post 7 Techniques for Original (and Stunning) Nature Photos appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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KONO! launches new 35mm Original Mirage film stock and Original Sixpack

15 May

European analog photography company KONO! has announced a new film stock called Original Mirage. This 35mm C-41 200 ISO pre-exposed color negative film offers ‘two awesome colors at once,’ according to KONO!, which has added the product to its ‘Original’ line.

Images captured on the Original Mirage film experience a distinct color shift from warm to cool; when the environment is bright, KONO! likens the color shift to ‘a warm, late summer day’ that, in the same photo, transitions toward a late day likeness in which the ‘colors get more prominent and richer.’ Below is a collection of sample images captured on the new Original Mirage film:

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In addition to the new Original Mirage product, KONO! now offers an Original film bundle containing six film products in the series: Original Sunstroke, Original Moonstruck, Original Monsoon, Original Candy, and Original Galaxy. The new Original Mirage film is included in the six-pack bundle for free.

A roll of the 24-exposure Original Mirage costs $ 14 USD; the KONO! Original Sixpack is available now for $ 67 USD.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Mastin Labs’ Kodak Everyday Original Styles Pack launches for Capture One

05 Apr

Mastin Labs, the company behind a number of film emulation style packs and the Filmborn smartphone app, has launched its Kodak Everyday Original Styles Pack on Capture One. Until now, Mastin Labs’ film emulation was only available for Adobe programs; this is the first time Mastin Labs has made its emulation presets available for Capture One, the photo editing software from Phase One.

The Kodak Everyday Original Styles Pack supports Capture One 11 and later. Customers get access to three styles in this pack: Kodak Ektar 100, Gold 200, and Tri-X 400. A number of tone profiles and custom white balance options join the styles, as well as 35mm and medium format grain settings. The company claims its style pack can recreate the ‘micro-contrast’ appearance of real film.

Kirk Mastin, photographer and founder of Mastin Labs, introduced the new Capture One pack in an announcement video that provides customers with a quick look at the emulations. Capture One customers can purchase the Kodak Everyday Original from Mastin Labs now for $ 99.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Rare, original Marilyn Monroe contact sheet by Bert Stern appears on eBay for $195K

23 Jan

A new eBay listing is offering a 76 x 99.7cm / 30 x 39.25in contact sheet created by commercial photographer Bert Stern that features a dozen images of Norma Jeane Mortenson, more widely known as Marilyn Monroe. The mounted photo worksheet, which is described as being in excellent condition, was acquired by the New York-based seller rarepics914 from ‘an artist friend.’

The rare contact sheet features images captured during Stern’s ‘The Last Sitting’ portrait series, which was notably Monroe’s last photo shoot before she passed away due to a barbiturate overdose. Though the contact sheet shows some marks and minor wear from handling, it was kept safe for more than four decades in a storage facility, according to the seller, where it was protected from fading and damage.

The contact sheet is currently listed for sale on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $ 195,000 USD. Interested potential buyers can also make an offer and request to arrange a private viewing with the seller. Seller rarepics914 has a 100% rating with 633 confirmed reviews.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Panono’s new owner offers camera to original backers at production cost

23 Dec

Despite raising about $ 1.25 million in a crowdfunding campaign, now-defunct company Panono GmbH went bankrupt after failing to deliver its 360-degree camera to many of the people who had backed the product. The company was bought by the Swiss-based private equity investor Bryanston Group, which acquired most of its assets but none of its obligation to Indiegogo backers.

Bryanston Group AG has brought back the Panono camera under a new holding company called Professional GmbH. Despite stressing that it doesn’t have any “liability or obligation” resulting from its assets acquisition, the company has said that it feels it has “a moral obligation to compensate the project’s early supporters.” For that reason, the company is offering the project’s original backers the opportunity to purchase the resurrected Panono camera at production cost.

The production cost is about half-off
the camera’s retail price

About 2,000 Indiegogo backers who received neither refund or camera have been sent this offer, according to the company, which says the production cost is about half-off the camera’s retail price. In addition, these former backers are also offered unrestricted access to Panono’s cloud features, which is said to have about a $ 600 value.

According to the Verge, this discounted rate means backers who take up the offer will pay around $ 1,120 to $ 1,240 for the production-cost camera bundles available. This is on top of the $ 500 or more these backers already spent on the camera (they never received) as a pledge during the original Indiegogo campaign.

Professional GmbH is limiting discounted Panono camera sales to 50 units per month; customers are limited to one discounted camera each. The Panono website lists the Panono camera set, which includes a case, stick, tripod adapter, and messenger bag, at 1899€ / $ 2,250. Cheaper alternatives exist, though not necessarily with comparable specs, such as the Ricoh Theta V.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Hasselblad drops H6D-50c price again, now $11,000 off original price

12 Sep

This past June, Hasselblad dropped the price of the 50MP medium format H6D-50c by a whopping 30% from an original price of $ 25,995 to just $ 17,995. But if that’s not enough, Hasselblad told us this morning that they’re dropping the price even further, from the current $ 17,995 all the way to $ 14,995 (€11,900 // £10,800 )—that’s $ 11,000 off the original retail price.

This new price isn’t being reflected through online retailers yet—Hasselblad still has the model listed at June’s $ 17,995 on Amazon, for example—but the official announcement went live this morning so we’ll expect to see that change take effect soon.

As with the last price drop, there’s no indication of whether or not this ‘special promotion’ is temporary, but if you’ve been looking to make the jump into medium format, now is as affordable a time as ever.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Oldest existing Nikon I camera goes up for auction with original lens and case

25 Oct

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The oldest known Nikon camera in existence has gone up for auction at WestLicht. This particular Nikon I, serial number 60924, was made in April 1948 and is notable as being the third camera produced by Nikon. WestLicht describes the camera’s condition as ‘B+,’ and says it includes the original Nikkor-H 2/5cm no.70811 with a matching Nikon cap in ‘fantastic original condition.’

The Nikon I still has its original shutter, according to WestLicht, as well as engravings that indicate the serial number, ‘Nippon Kogaku Tokyo’ and ‘Made in Occupied Japan.’ In addition to the camera itself, the auction includes the original double-strap carrying case; WestLicht describes the case as ‘extremely rare.’ 

The auction’s starting price is €90,000, with WestLicht estimating the camera will sell for between €160,000 to €180,000 (about $ 174,000 to $ 195,750). 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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