360Photography

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  • New FAA drone rules restrict flying near 10 major US landmarks

    The FAA has released a new set of drone rules that restrict UAV flight near 10 major Department of Interior landmarks in the United States, including the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and the Hoover Dam.

    According to the FAA, it has decided to exercise its authority under Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 § 99.7 to establish these new restrictions after receiving multiple requests from both law enforcement and national security agencies. Starting October 5th, when these new rules go live, drone owners will no longer be allowed to fly their drones within 400ft of the following 10 monuments:

    • Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York, NY
    • Boston National Historical Park (U.S.S. Constitution), Boston, MA
    • Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, PA
    • Folsom Dam; Folsom, CA
    • Glen Canyon Dam; Lake Powell, AZ
    • Grand Coulee Dam; Grand Coulee, WA
    • Hoover Dam; Boulder City, NV
    • Jefferson National Expansion Memorial; St. Louis, MO
    • Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Keystone, SD
    • Shasta Dam; Shasta Lake, CA

    Anyone who violates these new rules could face criminal and/or civil penalties. The FAA says that there are “a few exceptions” to the restriction, though it doesn’t specify what they are, instead saying that the drone operator has to coordinate their plan with the FAA and/or the landmark site specifically if they wish to fly within 400ft of the above landmarks.

    Drone operators can view a full list of restricted airspace on the FAA’s website.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Japan Camera Hunter is designing a 35mm ‘premium compact’ camera

    During last week’s Save Analog Cameras live broadcast, it was announced that Bellamy Hunt of Japan Camera Hunter (JCH) is working on a new 35mm compact camera project, according to Kosmo Foto. This revelation follows Hunt’s recent launch of the JCH StreetPan 120 B&W film, which itself followed JCH’s first film launch about a year and a half ago.

    Hunt reportedly didn’t reveal much about the planned 35mm camera, though he did refer to it as a ‘premium compact,’ indicating what potential future buyers can expect. The project aims to fill a growing void in the camera market, giving analog enthusiasts a modern compact 35mm option, although it could be many months before the camera actually launches.

    Kosmo Foto reports that the camera may be ready for testing some time next year, though they didn’t mention whether they got that information directly from Hunt or elsewhere. Hunt discussed the topic of compact film camera scarcity in a blog post earlier this year, saying, among other things:

    I would dearly love to make a compact camera, and I know what I want too … A simply [sic] point and shoot with a decent 28mm or 35mm lens, flash, iso selector and manual override. As simple as possible and made from metal for durability. The less electronic components the better, so that it can be easily serviceable and less prone to breaking down.

    Whether the camera discussed last week will follow these design principles is yet to be seen, but we’ll definitely be keeping a eye out for Hunt’s creation.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Video: The difference between Saturation and Vibrance explained

    You’ve probably heard this question once or twice from a novice, or maybe even asked it yourself: what exactly is the difference between the Vibrance and Saturation sliders? Well, fortunately, Jesus Ramirez of Photoshop Training Channel has put together a quick, simple, and thorough explanation that you can reference from here on out.

    At the most basic level, both options increase color intensity—the difference lies in which colors they affect and how.

    Saturation impacts all color intensity equally, which is why it’s so easy to go overboard so quickly. Vibrance, on the other hand, only increases the intensity of the less saturated colors in an image while simultaneously trying to avoid skin tones and prevent the gaudy posterization that happens when you crank your saturation up to the max.

    Jesus covers this difference in his video—with appropriate demos of course—but he also goes a bit further by diving into how the Saturation slider differs between the HSL panel and the Vibrance panel, and showing how the two options, Vibrance and Saturation, can be combined to achieve pleasing results that don’t look like you puked a rainbow all over your image.

    Check out the full 5-minute video above to see the useful rundown for yourself, and then head over to the Photoshop Training Channel for even more handy tutorials like this one.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Face ID sensor slowdown could lead to iPhone X shortages and shipment delays

    Photo: Apple

    Most iPhone launches involve some sort of shortage because demand frequently outstrips supply, but if you’re excited about Apple’s new flagship iPhone X and the impressive camera equipment inside, the news is worse than usual. According to both the Wall Street Journal and Fast Company, manufacturing difficulties surrounding the phone’s Face ID hardware could lead to serious shortages and shipment delays come November 3rd.

    Many photographers and photo enthusiasts are very excited about Apple’s newest smartphones. According to Apple’s keynote, both the iPhone 8/Plus and iPhone X boast bigger image sensors, and the iPhone X in particular features OIS on both the wide angle and telephoto lenses built into the back of the phone.

    Add to that some image processor advances and a seriously powerful new video encoder that Apple built into the A11 chip, and there’s good reason to be impressed by the performance of the iPhone 8 Plus so far, and expect even better performance out of the iPhone X.

    But even if you pre-order your iPhone X on October 27th, the day the phone goes up on Apple’s website, this Face ID manufacturing snafu could mean availability is severely limited for months. Similar manufacturing issues with the iPhone 7 Plus dual camera module kept that phone in short supply well into December.

    Bottom line: if you’re holding out on buying the iPhone 8/Plus in favor of the iPhone X, don’t be surprised if your wait extends well past November 3rd.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Instagram celebrates 800M users with update that takes on comment trolls

    Photo: Instagram

    Instagram officially hit 800 million users this week, but the Facebook-owned company has no interest in resting on its laurels. In fact, alongside its “hey, we added another 100M users… no big deal” announcement, the company continued its crusade against comment trolls by launching the most powerful commenting controls the app has seen yet.

    The numbers bit was only mentioned briefly in Instagram’s news release. “Our community has grown to 800 million, with 500 million using it every day,” writes Instagram. “It’s more important than ever to strengthen our commitment to safety and kindness.”

    And so the company has added some interesting new comment controls. Namely: filtering who can comment on your posts if you have a public account, and the ability to block individual accounts from commenting on your pictures. The controls look like this in your Settings:

    In addition to the updated commenting controls—which is just the latest in a series of ‘safety and kindness’ updates the company has released—Instagram also added anonymous reporting of Live Video to their mental health resources. If you are viewing a live broadcast that has you worried about the poster, you can anonymously report the post, which will show the person “a message offering help with options to talk to a helpline, reach out to a friend or get other tips and support.”

    To learn more about these updates or see them in action for yourself, head over to the Instagram blog or update your iOS and Android apps to the latest version.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Polaroid unveils flexible LED panel you can bend into different shapes

    Polaroid has been on a lighting spree of late, and the brand continued that trend this week by launching a lightweight, flexible LED light panel that can be bent into various positions and shapes.

    The 12×12-inch (30.5 x 30.5cm) panel offers flicker-free 5600K color temperature light at a thickness of just 16mm / 0.6in. Inside are embedded 256 total LEDs that output 4500 lumens of light, which Polaroid says makes it nearly as bright as direct sunlight; however, the panel does include a diffusion filter to produce a softer “dreamy glow.”

    According to the product’s Amazon page, Polaroid’s new panel includes a remote control for toggling the light’s channels and settings, it is dimmable, and it’s being described as durable, though Polaroid doesn’t detail the exact materials it used to make the product.

    The Polaroid flexible LED panel is available now for $ 125 USD.

    Press Release

    Polaroid Announces the Polaroid Flexible LED Lighting Panel; Brings Bendable, Controlled Lighting to Photographers and Videographers

    Super-bright, featherweight LED light that folds and bends into the perfect shape for every shot

    Edison, NJ – September 26, 2017 – Polaroid today announced the Polaroid flexible LED lighting panel, an incredibly lightweight, bendable light source that is a must-have accessory for any photographer or videographer. Mold the light to the desired form and position, as the pliable flat-mat material can be reshaped to give focused control over the light’s direction and fall-off. Anyone from professional photographers to casual enthusiasts can use the simple wireless remote control to quickly dim the daylight balanced light source, making it perfect as a main light or as a versatile fill light in larger set-ups.

    The Versatile Light That Fits Any Situation

    Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, the 5600K color temperature light source delivers flicker-free brilliant light wherever you take it. Bright and flexible enough to be part of a larger professional shoot, the Polaroid flexible LED lighting panel is also light enough for use at solo outings, weddings and location shoots. The compact design and bendable material make this the perfect accessory for the photographer on-the-go.

    Perfect Lighting for Portraits, Products or Macro Photography

    Measuring at 12×12” and just 16mm wide, the super slim Polaroid flexible LED panel mat weighs a mere one pound, making it easy to arrange and mold the light into your ideal position. Even at this ultra-portable size, the Polaroid flexible LED lighting panel delivers superb color reproduction similar in comparison to a natural light source; with 256 LEDs it can produce up to 4500 Lumens – nearly the brightness of direct sunlight. For those looking to achieve a softer look, the included special diffusion filter turns the brilliant LED light into a dreamy glow – perfect for portraits and product shots!

    Photographers and videographers can purchase the Polaroid flexible LED lighting panel from Amazon for 124.99 USD.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Inspiration: How the Lofoten Islands changed Chris Burkard’s life

    Chris Burkard is one of the most prolific, successful, and recognizable adventure travel photographers in the world. But before the TED talk and the crazy adventures to remote parts of the world, Burkard was a working surf photographer who was bored and unfulfilled despite having achieved success with his art.

    In the short film above by Vincent Urban Film, Burkard tells his story of self-discovery; he tells the story of visiting the Lofoten Islands and finding, not just a beautiful landscape, but his calling and passion in life.

    Our friend and Resource Travel editor Michael Bonocore actually got to visit the Lofoten Islands with Chris three years ago, when he was working for SmugMug on an inspirational film about Burkard’s work. Michael got to see Chris in his element, and meet the man he now describes as a “humble bad ass”—at once one of the most talented and successful photographers in the world, and the guy who rarely if ever talks about himself or his own work.

    Check out a selection of photos Bonocore took on that trip below, and if you like what you see, check out this article on Resource Travel to learn more about this experience and see even more candid photos of Chris in action.

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    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Manfrotto is teaming up with Sony to make accessories for Alpha series cameras

    Manfrotto has announced that it will make accessories for Sony Alpha series cameras as part of a new partnership between the accessory giant and the camera maker. The collaboration was revealed at the Gitzo 100-year anniversary event held in Tokyo today, where Manfrotto explained that it will kick things off next year with a line of premium products made specifically for professionals using Sony’s Alpha cameras.

    The first product released under this partnership will be a Manfrotto Befree tripod designed specifically for Sony’s Alpha cameras, which the company plans to show off at PhotoPlus in New York City next month. Following that, Manfrotto will make special versions of both Manfrotto and Gitzo tripods, video and photo heads, and plates. Finally, there will also be a special version of Manfrotto’s Digital Director.

    To learn more, check out the press release below

    Press Release

    VITEC PHOTOGRAPHIC AND SONY ANNOUNCE COLLABORATION IN THE IMAGING MARKET

    Market leaders will work together to produce a range of premium products targeted at the professional market

    Tokyo, 28th September 2017 – Vitec Photographic, world leader in the photography and videography, imaging equipment and accessories industry has announced its collaboration with Sony, a leading manufacturer of audio, video, imaging, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. This agreement will consolidate both companies position as the innovation leaders in their respective sectors. The collaboration is announced on the occasion of Gitzo 100 years anniversary event in Tokyo, which represents the perfect moment for communicating the common values of innovation and premium quality.

    “We are proud to announce the agreement with Sony”– states Marco Pezzana, CEO Vitec Group Photographic Division – “This collaboration sees our brands Manfrotto and Gitzo, leaders in the market of photo and video accessories, working side by side with the prestigious Sony brand, globally renowned for product excellence and superior technology, with the primary intent of collaborating to the development of even more innovative products for professional content creators, thus further increasing customer satisfaction and future business growth.”

    The collaboration will begin with a brand new line of products developed for ?, Sony’s interchangeable lens camera, that will be launched in 2018. First to be released will be a special version of the Manfrotto Befree tripod, a world class best seller in the traveller segment and the premium lightweight companion solution for compact system camera, unveiled at PhotoPlus in New York on 26th October.

    The full range will include new Manfrotto and Gitzo tripods, plates, photo and video heads that are targeted at professionals who demand outmost quality and high performance. A customized version of Digital Director will complement the new range of products that will be showcased at events and tradeshows worldwide throughout 2018.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • GoPro Hero6 arrives today with 4K/60p recording, improved image quality, better stabilization

    A more powerful processor is at the center of GoPro’s Hero6 Black announcement today, enabling features like 4K/60p video recording and improved dynamic range compared to its previous Hero action cams. The custom-designed GP1 processor also enables 1080/240p slow motion video, and claims that improved image stabilization and better low light performance come with the package.

    Like the Hero5, the Hero6 is waterproof without a case to a depth of 10m/33ft. It also supports GoPro’s QuikStories, a mobile app feature that analyzes footage and automatically assembles short clips of what it identifies as the highlights of your adventure. GoPro says that the new GP1 chip offers advanced machine vision and computer learning capabilities to analyze scenes and create better automated stories.

    Other improvements include 3x faster offloading speeds and a new digital zoom feature. The Hero6 comes of course with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as GPS, accelerometer, and gyroscope sensors to track all of the action.

    The GoPro Hero6 Black is on sale today for $ 500.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • GoPro Fusion makes official debut, captures 5.2K spherical video

    GoPro’s pro-grade spherical camera has been in the works for a while now, but today Fusion gets its official debut today. It’s capable of 5.2K/30p and 3K/60p spherical video capture, in addition to 18MP spherical stills. It touts gimbal-like stabilization without a gimbal, and provides a feature GoPro calls OverCapture to create tradition fixed perspective video from 360-degree footage.

    It’s not quite as rugged as its Hero siblings, but Fusion is waterproof to 5m/16ft. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are included and the camera is compatible with the existing GoPro app. It’s up for pre-order now to US, UK, European and Canadian customers for $ 700.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)