Taking great selfies requires the right light, angle, setting, and editing. Getting a great shot is so much more than just clicking a button. It requires skill, practice, and good technique. Come along and learn how to master the art of the perfect selfie using photography tricks and tools described below. In general, a great selfie is shot using an Continue Reading
Photodoto
Posts Tagged ‘Selfie’
How to Take the Perfect Selfie: The Right Angle, Lighting and Photo Editor
19
Sep
ZTE reveals the Axon 20 5G, the first smartphone with selfie camera hidden under the display
03
Sep
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After multiple promises to release such a device, Chinese company ZTE has officially unveiled the Axon 20 5G, the first smartphone to feature a selfie camera located beneath the display. The mid-range handset, which is otherwise unremarkable, was introduced by the company on Tuesday, but questions on availability remain.
The Axon 20 5G is the first smartphone brought to market that features a front-facing camera under the display, something ZTE says was made possible using a variety of ‘high transparency material that includes new organic and inorganic films’ in addition to image software, The Verge reports.
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Quite obviously, this design means the Axon 20 5G does not feature a visible selfie camera, rather presenting users with a clean, uninterrupted display free of notches, hole punches and thick camera-packing bezels. The actual quality of images produced by the hidden camera remains unclear, however, due to the current lack of reviews and sample photos.
The camera located beneath the display packs 32MP; it is joined by a 64MP primary rear camera alongside an 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP depth/macro cameras. The primary camera supports video recording at up to 4K/60fps with real-time HDR and real-time subtitles.
Novelty aside, the Axon 20 5G is a solidly mid-range device packing a 6.92in 20.5:9 FDH+ OLED display with 10-bit 1.07B color and 100% DCI-P3, as well as a 90Hz refresh rate. Circling back to the unique hidden camera, ZTE’s website explains that this unit features high-transparency micron-level material, a ‘special pixel matrix,’ triple selfie algorithm, an integrated circuit and an independent driver chip.
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The light sensor, sound system and fingerprint sensor are likewise hidden beneath the display, according to ZTE, which has packed a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor and Adreno 629 GPU under the hood. Other features include an ‘AI performance engine,’ smart power-saving mode, ‘liquid cooling circulation,’ carbon nanofiber thermal pad and nano-level textured design.
Buyers will have two models to choose from, one featuring 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM, the other featuring 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. Both variants will feature a microSD card slot, 4220mAh battery and support for 5G. At this point in time, ZTE is only offering the Axon 20 5G model in China for the equivalent of around $ 320 starting price. It’s unclear whether the model will get an international release.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Ricoh spins off its 360-degree camera division, announces new ultra-compact selfie camera
10
Mar
 |
Ricoh has announced it’s spinning off its 360-degree camera division into a new startup called Vecnos and simultaneously releasing the first product from the Ricoh-backed venture.
The Vecnos venture started back in 2018 when Ricoh decided, as part of its new business development initiatives, to create a team tasked with creating ‘specialized cameras for a new generation of consumers.’ This new team, led by Shu Ubukata (now Vecnos’ CEO), proved entrepreneurial enough to Ricoh that it decided to turn it into a separate startup, with Ricoh as the investor.
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There’s not much information about Vecnos, aside from a bare Twitter account, but to drum up some interest, Vecnos has announced its first product, a 360-degree ultra-compact camera that’s designed to ‘reinvent the selfie for social media natives.’
Specifications are scarce for the prototype camera, but Vecnos does say it will feature a proprietary four-lens optical system with a single lens on the top and three lenses around the perimeter of the wand-like device. Vecnos says the camera will work with an upcoming mobile app that will allow users to ‘users can easily enhance and share their images and videos on social media platforms.’
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Based on the above promotional video, the camera appears to function almost identical to the Ricoh Theta cameras, with the ability to capture 360-degree photos and video and recompose the content as you see fit using the accompanying mobile app. The device itself features a power button, a shutter button, a dedicated button for switching between still and video mode and a what appears to be a pair of holes for an internal stereo microphone.
No pricing information has been shared, but Vecnos says the camera will be available in 2020.
Ricoh spins out Vecnos to focus on consumer 360-degree camera segment
First product aims to reinvent the selfie for social media natives
MARCH 10, 2020, YOKOHAMA, Japan – Vecnos Inc., the visual revolution company, today unveiled its vision to be a leader in the consumer 360-degree camera market and announced its first product, an ultra-compact camera that aims to reinvent the selfie for social media natives. Vecnos is a new startup venture spun out of and funded by Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Vecnos was founded by the core team that designed and launched the pioneering Ricoh Theta 360 camera in 2013. At Vecnos, the team—led by CEO Shu Ubukata—will leverage its expertise in optical and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to develop new approaches to 360-degree and other specialized cameras, software and apps with a goal of making advanced imaging accessible to and enjoyable for broad consumer audiences.
“Enabled by advances in technology, combined with new social networking platforms, we are building a new generation of cameras, with our first product designed to reinvent the selfie and be used by a younger consumer,” explained Ubukata. “Our objectives are to combine ease of use with advanced capabilities for shooting, enhancing and sharing images, in beautiful and elegantly designed products that people will want to use. We aim to inspire a new generation.”
Vecnos’ first product will be a 360-degree camera that achieves new levels of miniaturization in a sleek and sophisticated design. A proprietary four-lens optical system, with three lenses on the side, and one on the top, enables the camera to be ultra-slim and pen-shaped. Using the Vecnos app, users can easily enhance and share their images and videos on social media platforms. The 360-degree camera and app will be available in 2020.
Emerging from Ricoh’s new business development initiatives, Vecnos was founded on the principles of open innovation and leveraging third-party knowledge, said Ricoh Company, Ltd. President and CEO Yoshinori “Jake” Yamashita. He explained: “Ricoh has always been committed to supporting innovation in visual communications. As part of our new business development initiatives, a team led by Shu Ubukata was formed in 2018 to create specialized cameras for a new generation of consumers. Ultimately, we all realized that it made sense for this highly entrepreneurial team to be spun out into its own venture. And with that, Vecnos was born. Ricoh is proud to be the lead investor in a young company with a Ricoh pedigree and a vision to build revolutionary products.”
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Fujifilm’s new Instax Mini 11 features an ‘Automatic Exposure’ mode and dedicated ‘Selfie Mode’
27
Feb
 |
Although not nearly as exciting as its new X-T4 camera, Fujifilm has also announced the Instax Mini 11, its latest-generation instant film camera.
The Instax Mini 11 looks very similar to its predecessor, the Mini 9 (don’t ask where 10 went), but it’s received a subtle facelift. Specifically, the camera is more rounded than before and uses a material around the lens that’s different from the material used in the rest of the camera body. The shutter button and the button used to extend the lens now have dimples as well, presumably to make it easier to locate the buttons by feel when shooting.
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Aside from the slight design change, Fujifilm has also added an Automatic Exposure mode that adjusts the shutter speed and flash output based on the ambient lighting environment. Previously, the only option was to choose from a selection of presets that were changed by twisting a ring around the lens.
Fujifilm has also added a new Selfie Mode that, according to Fujifilm, ‘makes it super easy to take selfies and close-up pictures.’ A small convex mirror on the front of the camera makes composing selfies a bit easier as well (this has been on previous-generation Instax Mini cameras).
The Mini 11 also comes in different color options: Blush Pink, Sky Blue, Charcoal Gray, Ice White and Lilac Purple. The Instax Mini 11 is set to ship in mid-March with an MSRP of $ 69.95. In addition to the new camera, Fujifilm has also unveiled two new Instax film varieties: Instax Mini Blue Marble film and Instax Square White Marble film.
{pressrelease}
Fujifilm Unveils Its next Generation Instant Camera: The New Instax Mini 11 Is Here!
Valhalla, N.Y., February 25, 2020 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of INSTAX® Mini 11 (Mini 11), the latest innovation in its long line of popular INSTAX instant cameras and Smartphone printers.
The INSTAX® Mini 11 has been designed for optimal portability along with a fresh, trendy look. Available in five new colors, the Mini 11 boasts the following new features and benefits:
Automatic Exposure function for better pictures day or night
The “Automatic Exposure” function automatically senses the level of ambient light when the shutter button is pressed, and optimizes the shutter speed and flash output according to the condition. It allows even novice INSTAX® users to take photos that are automatically properly exposed regardless of conditions, producing high-quality instant photo prints on the spot.
Selfie Mode for quick and easy selfies
Users can activate the Selfie Mode, perfect for taking selfies and close-up shots, by simply pulling out the front end edge of the lens after powering the camera on. This makes it super easy to take selfies and close-up pictures.
Custom, interchangeable shutter buttons for style and personalization
The Mini 11 comes with two replaceable and stylish shutter button stickers; a fun and easy way to change the button’s look and to personalize the camera.
Updated design with attention to detail
Mini 11’s rounder, softer, modern look is a direct homage to its Mini 9 predecessor. Contrasting design elements on the Mini 11 are achieved by using a different material around the lens from the rest of the camera body. The Mini 11 is available in five pastel, pale-tone colors – Blush Pink, Sky Blue, Charcoal Gray, Ice White, and Lilac Purple.
Also accompanying the launch of this exciting new instant camera are two new INSTAX instant film varieties; INSTAX® Mini Blue Marble film and INSTAX® Square White Marble film. Both have marble-patterned print frames transforming everyday photos into unique, fun keepsakes.
Fujifilm’s INSTAX® Mini 11 instant camera will be available at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $ 69.95 USD ($ 89.99 CDN) and is expected to be available for purchase mid-March, 2020.
{/pressrelease}
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
The Motorola One Hyper tosses a 64MP main cam, 32MP selfie cam inside a $400 phone
06
Dec
 |
Smartphone manufacturer Motorola has launched a new model that features a 64MP rear camera and a pop-up selfie camera with a 32MP sensor. The Motorola One Hyper comes with 128GB of internal storage, can accept microSD cards of up to 1TB to boost storage and has 4GB of RAM.
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The device will run Android 10 and uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 platform with its 2GHz Kryo 460 octa-core CPU, and is powered by a 4000mAh battery that Motorola claims provides up to 38 hours of use. The phone’s screen measures 6.5in, all of which can be used to display images as the selfie camera pops up out of the top of the phone instead of shooting through the main screen as happens in smartphones with ‘teardrop’ or ‘punch hole’ selfie cameras. The 19:9-screen has a resolution of 1080×2340 pixels, which equates to 395 pixels per inch.
The main camera offers users a choice of the 64MP sensor or a secondary 16MP sensor, both of which use a F1.9 aperture. A further 8MP rear-facing camera is fitted with a wide angle lens that has an angle of view of 118° — about 13mm on a full frame camera — and an aperture of F2.2.
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The rear camera can shoot RAW files as well as JPEGs, and offers auto modes that shoot when a smile or a wave is detected and will also suggest modes according to what its AI thinks the subject is. Video can be recorded in 4K at 30p and FHD at up to 60p, while slow-motion modes are also available.
The Motorola One Hyper has both a USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio port, features NFC and Bluetooth 5.0, and can take on a full day’s charge in ten minutes using the optional 45W charger. It costs $ 399 in the US and will cost £269.99 in the UK later this month.
For more information see the Motorola website.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Xiaomi patent hints at future smartphone with pop-up selfie camera and 8K recording
08
Nov
 |
A new patent belonging to Chinese company Xiaomi has surfaced revealing a new camera design that includes a pop-up selfie camera and a rear square zoom lens. The patent was first spotted by Dutch website Let’s Go Digital, which notes that the patent was recently registered by the Hague International Design System.
The Xiaomi patent covers a mobile phone that features a vertical array of cameras on the back of the handset; the top square lens is believed to possibly be a zoom lens, whereas the lower three circles potentially include another camera, an LED flash, and a third sensor of some type.
The pop-up illustration below shows how the company will handle offering a front-facing camera that doesn’t blemish the model’s bezel-less display.
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The patent was granted on August 9, about a month before XDA Developers revealed the existence of a new Xiaomi smartphone featuring a camera with 5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom. The discovery was made in the beta version of a Xiaomi software update, which itself came shortly before the official unveiling of its new Mi Note 10.
The Mi Note 10 features five cameras, including one with 50x digital zoom and one with 5x optical zoom. It’s unclear whether XDA’s discovery was ultimately pointing toward the Mi Note 10 or a future Xiaomi model, which may have been teased in the newly-published mobile phone patent.
The details uncovered in the software update indicated that the related Xiaomi phone would include 8K/30fps video recording capabilities. In that case, the combination of a newly granted patent and the beta software details make the case for there being another major Xiaomi smartphone in the pipeline, one that may be introduced in 2020.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
The OnePlus 7 Pro comes with 3x hybrid tele, ultra-wide-angle and pop-up selfie cam
15
May
 |
Chinese manufacturer OnePlus has announced its latest flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 7 Pro. The new model comes with a completely new triple camera module that features a 48MP Quad-Bayer sensor, F1.6 aperture and optical image stabilization in the primary camera. The 16MP ultra-wide-camera offers an equivalent focal length of 17mm and an F2.2 aperture.
The stabilized tele puts out 8MP image files and has an F2.2 aperture lens. It combines a longer focal length with digital zoom for an 78mm-equivalent focal length (3x). The AF-system combines PDAF and laser methods and there’s also an improved night mode.
By default the primary camera produces 12MP image files but can be set to capture at full 48MP resolution. In video mode the OnePlus is capable of recording 4K footage at 60 frames per second. In super-slow-motion mode you can shoot 1080p video at 240 fps or 720p at 480fps.
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The 16-megapixel f/2.0 front selfie camera is built into a pop-up mechanism, eliminating the need for a camera notch in the display. OnePlus says the mechanism has been tested for more than 300,000 actuations.
The device is powered by Qualcomm’s high-end chipset Snapdragon 855 and UFS 3.0 storage should help increase operating speeds. The 4,000mAh battery supports fast charging. The OnePlus 7 Pro will be available from May 21st. Unfortunately it’s not quite the same bargain as its predecessors anymore. It the US is will start at $ 669 for a 6GB RAM / 128GB storage model. There also an 8GB / 256GB version for $ 699 and the top-of-the-line 12GB / 256GB model will set you back $ 749.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Apple wants to patent a ‘Synthetic Selfie’ app
05
Apr
 |
Group self portraits are a great way of capturing memories with friends at events or while traveling. However, they’re notoriously difficult to take. It tends to be near impossible to get everyone together to pose for the shot and then there´s always someone in the group who don’t like their expression in the photo and want it retaken or even deleted.
Apple is now tackling this problem with technology. In a recent patent application titled ‘Generating Synthetic Group Selfies’ the company describes a system in which several mobile devices are used to capture self portraits of each user individually. This allows everyone to get the perfect shot of themselves in their own time.
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The process is started by one user sending out invitations to the rest of the group. Everyone then captures their selfie and sends it to the first user’s device. Invited users have the possibility to reject participation. The app could also be setup to limit participants to persons within a certain geographical distance to the originator. This way only people at a specific event at that time will be able to appear in the shot.
Computational imaging methods are then used to cut out the subjects in all images and arranged in one shot in a way that resembles a real group shot, with heads staggered in rows to fit subjects at the back into the gap between the to faces in front of them. The final layout will be be optimized for the number of people in the shot and the scaling of the image.
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Once all subjects have been arranged, a background is added to the image. This could be the background of the initiator’s selfie shot or a completely different photograph. Of course the final result can be saved and shared via all usual methods.
The final synthetic group portrait can also be stored as a collection of self portraits, along with the background image, and data on positioning of each person within the group shot. This allows for manual reordering of faces by each participant to their own liking.
As usual there is now way of knowing if we will ever see the system operational on a smartphone or other mobile device. However, all the technologies to create the described system in the form of a mobile app should already be at Apple’s disposal today.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Photography project ‘Selfie Harm’ tasked teens with editing their portraits for social media
09
Feb
Photography project ‘Selfie Harm’ tasked teens with editing their portraits for social media
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Photographs by Rankin used with permission.
A new photography project called ‘Selfie Harm‘ from British photographer Rankin tasked 15 teenagers with editing portraits of themselves until they believed the images were ‘social media ready,’ highlighting their internal ideas of ‘perfection.’ The image editing and filtering was performed with a readily available photo app, one of thousands of similar products offered through popular app stores.
‘Today, more so than ever, people are mimicking their idols, making their eyes bigger, their nose smaller and their skin brighter,’Rankin explained, ‘and all for social media likes.’
Rankin points toward the media and advertising industries’ heavy use of image editing tools, something Rankin has both been involved with as part of his job and has criticized with projects like ‘Flawless Girls’ and ‘Ageless Beauty.’
Though these industries have shifted their editing practices in light of public discussions and backlash, the average person has more access than ever to tools for transforming their own digital appearance. The technology is, among other things, ‘encouraging a disturbing culture of homogeneity,’ the photographer notes.
Speaking about these apps, Rankin said:
They are free, accessible, easy to use, game-like and (I think) much more dangerous. When doing research for this project, I played with these apps a lot to understand the appeal. They’re addictive, very impressive and you can have a lot of fun warping, changing and reimagining your appearance. But it’s when people are making an alternative or ‘better’ social media identity that this becomes a mental health problem.
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Rankin has called for public discussion over the growing trend of using the apps to alter one’s appearance for social media:
Instead of simply telling people to stop, we need to accept that this is a complex issue; the technology is here and it’s here to stay. But we need to challenge the way image manipulation is being used and abused in the wider world. Selfie Harm is my attempt to get people to talk about the issues threatening mental health today.
Photographs by Rankin used with permission. You can find more of Rankin’s work on the social media platforms below:
Twitter: @rankinphoto
Facebook: @RankinPhotographyLtd
Instagram: @rankinarchive
Vero: @rankin
Photography project ‘Selfie Harm’ tasked teens with editing their portraits for social media
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Photographs by Rankin used with permission.
Photography project ‘Selfie Harm’ tasked teens with editing their portraits for social media
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Photographs by Rankin used with permission.
Photography project ‘Selfie Harm’ tasked teens with editing their portraits for social media
 |
Photographs by Rankin used with permission.
Photography project ‘Selfie Harm’ tasked teens with editing their portraits for social media
 |
Photographs by Rankin used with permission.
Photography project ‘Selfie Harm’ tasked teens with editing their portraits for social media
 |
Photographs by Rankin used with permission.
Photography project ‘Selfie Harm’ tasked teens with editing their portraits for social media
 |
Photographs by Rankin used with permission.
Photography project ‘Selfie Harm’ tasked teens with editing their portraits for social media
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Photographs by Rankin used with permission.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Study sheds light on selfie deaths from around the world
06
Oct
 |
A study newly published by the US National Library of Medicine NIH sheds light on deaths that occurred while taking selfies. The team behind the study found a total of 259 selfie-related fatalities had occurred between October 2011 and November 2017 from a total of 137 incidents around the globe. Risky behavior is cited as the primary cause of these tragedies.
The researchers conducted their study “to assess the epidemiology of selfie-related deaths across the globe,” according to the published research paper. Selfie-related deaths were categorized into two “causes” categories: non-risky behavior and risky behavior.
Risky behavior accounted for the majority of deaths, 72.5% of which involved male and 27.5% of which involved female victims. India was found to have the highest number of reported incidents, with Russia, the US, and Pakistan following. Falling, drowning, and transport-related incidents topped the reasons for the deaths.
As well, the study found that male victims were three times more likely to die during selfies due to risky behaviors, whereas non-risky behavior was the primary cause of female selfie-related fatalities. A recent example of such a tragedy involved 26-year-old Chinese “rooftopper” Wu Yongning who died after falling from a skyscraper.
The researchers conclude that regions with tall buildings, bodies of water, and other similar perilous places should be declared “no selfie zones” to help protect people from potential injuries or death.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)