YouTube channel DailyTekk has put together a mockup of the yet-to-be-announced iPhone 8 based on the rumors flying around. What will it look like? Will it even be called the iPhone 8? It’s all pure speculation at this point, but let’s go ahead and imagine life with a bezel-less iPhone.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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| Uh, what’s that thing on your head? |
Did you know it rains a lot in Seattle? No? Well, it does. It rains every day for 11 and a half months. Naturally, this poses some challenges for outdoor photography. Sure, more and more cameras are offering some degree of weather sealing, but staying dry is a hot commodity in our rainy city, and weather sealing can’t keep moisture off your lens.
‘If only there were some sort of hands-free device that could keep me dry all the time, while also making me look like a total and complete dork,’ we find ourselves musing.
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| “Yeah I’ve got a Nubrella bro.” |
Fortunately for us there’s the Nubrella, a back-pack style umbrella marketed toward photographers. It is essentially a $ 60 product ($ 66.98 with shipping) that not only keeps you dry but makes people on the street wonder whether you’re headed to Comic-Con dressed as Spaceball’s Dark Helmet.
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| Let’s hope the wind doesn’t catch that thing. |
One wonders if they called it the Nubrella because you must be a certain degree of ‘nu(m)b’ to social norms to actually wear it. Then again, perhaps the SoloWheel-riding, vape pen-toting crowd has yet to catch on to this marvelous device that offers hands-free convenience for the small price of $ 66.98 and one’s dignity.
Here’s an idea: instead of wasting your money on such a silly and overpriced solution to a simple problem, our ever-wise colleague Wenmei suggests investing in an $ 11 umbrella hat. Not only does it serve the same purpose as the Nubrella, you can purchase one with a silver reflective lining that allows it to double as a reflector. Sure, you’ll still look like a dork wearing one, but at least you’ll be a thrifty dork.
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| This umbrella hat is about $ 10 and can double as a reflector. |
After all, it’s easy to come across a product and jump to the conclusion, “I need that in my life!” That’s why infomercials continue to exist. But please, before spending any cash on some sort of expensive photography gizmo, shop around and see if there’s an affordable alternative. Because sometimes the job of a $ 60 wrist-strap can be done with a $ 6 bootlace.
Moreover, $ 66.98 could go a long way to purchasing photo gear that will actually, you know, make you a better or more creative photographer.
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| Wenmei in umbrella hat. |
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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A couple of weeks ago a Sony-sponsored study found that consumers are ready to embrace selfies as a tool. Now a research paper, published by Sarah Diefenbach and Lara Christoforakos of Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich published in Frontiers in Psychology in January suggests that a majority of smartphone users enjoys taking selfies, but very few people like looking at selfies of others.
The paper is titled ‘The Selfie Paradox: Nobody Seems to Like Them Yet Everyone Has Reasons to Take Them’ and is based on a study that surveyed 238 people from Austria; Germany and Switzerland. Of those who responded, 77% said they take selfies at least once a month and 49% said they receive selfies from others at least once a week. While respondents thought of their own selfies as somewhat ironic and playful, they had less favorable views on others’ selfies.
‘Altogether, participants expressed a distanced attitude toward selfies, with stronger agreement for potential negative consequences (threats to self-esteem, illusionary world) than for positive consequences (e.g., relatedness, independence), and a clear preference (82%) for viewing more usual pictures instead of selfies in social media.’
Many respondents also thought selfies could have an adverse effect on self-esteem and create a superficial and inauthentic image of the person taking and sending them. 90% of participants regarded others’ selfies as self-promotion. However, only 46% of respondents said the same about their own selfies. The research team acknowledges that the results are potentially biased towards the surveyed regions, and that other cultures have more accepting attitudes towards selfies. As so often in science, further study is required.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
[ By SA Rogers in Design & Products & Packaging. ]
Popping up from the rooftops of everything from rugged Jeeps to adorable BMW MINIs or extending from the sides of motorcycles and bicycles, these vehicle-based tents make shelter on the go as easy as it can be. Some cantilever dramatically over the ground so you feel like you’re hovering in midair, and others stretch surprisingly high into the sky, like your own personal portable ‘treehouse’ built right onto your car.
This pop-up tent by Nemo Equipment is custom-designed to fit the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, using a hardtop as a base for a lightweight aluminum structural shell that opens and closes with the help of gas springs. When standing in the truck bed, users have an impressive 7 feet of headroom.
The SkyCamp by iKamper is envisioned as a mobile treehouse experience that’s secured to the roof of a vehicle rather than a tree, complete with ladder access to the sleeping quarters. Nearly flat when not in use, the SkyCamp expands to impressive proportions, and add-ons can make the setup extend all the way to the ground for a lofted suite. The Hardtop One is a similar design, but expands vertically rather than diagonally.
The ‘Bivouac’ by Exposed is designed to extend from a motorcycle to fit a single sleeper and their luggage, and pack up so tiny it can be mounted to the handlebars for transport. It may not be luxurious inside, but it’ll keep you and your motorcycle seat dry in the rain, and it’s perfect for the one-person explorer.
There’s something hilarious about the proportions of this hard-shell ‘Prius Plus’ camper, which is made to clamp right onto a Toyota Prius hybrid as a camper converter. It’s been described as a ‘saggy diaper,’ ‘tumorous growth’ and a ‘giant marshmallow from outer space,’ and it’s not hard to see why. But Japan-based manufacturer Camp Inn did pull off quite a feat in creating a full-height entry to the back of a compact vehicle, leading to enough space for for or five people to sleep. It’s not clear how it latches on, it probably causes a significant plunge in your fuel economy and it costs twice as much as the Prius itself.
Cyclists can get in on the portable tent action, too, with ‘The Travel Tent’ by Chung-Jung Wu, Pei-Chun Chen & Li-Fu Chen. The design clips onto a bike wheel for easy portability while freeing up cargo space for other items, and extends into a pretty decently-sized one-person shelter.
[ By SA Rogers in Design & Products & Packaging. ]
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If you’ve searched high and low for the perfect USB charging station but come up empty handed, Fotodiox might have your number. It’s offering the Mirage Trio USB Charging Station, which is fashioned to look like a Sony a7-series mirrorless camera for no discernible reason. It offers charging for an Apple or Android phone, a USB port for another device and a compartment for an Apple Watch magnetic charging cable.
Here’s the kicker – the replica lens sold with the station can be removed and swapped out for any E-mount lens of your choice. And as Fotodiox points out, you can simply add an adapter (see what they did there?) to attach a beloved vintage lens so you can gaze upon it as you wait for your GoPro to charge.
Head to Fotodiox’s site to pick one up for $ 75.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Sculpture & Craft. ]
Using a simple material palette of thread, wood and nails, artist Gabriel Dawe‘s latest cascading color creation combines thousands of threads to make a remarkable interior rainbow.
Plexus #35 is on display at the Toledo Museum of Art (images by Andrew Weber), a featured highlight in the center of the Great Gallery illuminated against dark red walls and framed oil paintings via a skylight above.
The entire color spectrum is represented, meticulously organized strand by strand — a single twist between a pair of origin and termination lines ensures that the work appears different from every angle.
Other works by Dawe feature similar themes in different hues and shades, often intricately woven to create overlaps. By comparison, this is one of his simplest pieces yet arguably one of his most powerful.
“Originally from Mexico City, Gabriel Dawe creates site-specific installations that explore the connection between fashion and architecture, and how they relate to the human need for shelter in all its shapes and forms.”
“His work is centered in the exploration of textiles, aiming to examine the complicated construction of gender and identity in his native Mexico and attempting to subvert the notions of masculinity and machismo prevalent in the present day.”
[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Sculpture & Craft. ]
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[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Sculpture & Craft. ]
An unusual collection of found-object art in Chichibu, Japan is home to nearly 2000 rocks that naturally feature what appear to be facial expressions.
A jinmenseki (or: rock with human face) can look like anything from an abstract emoji to a famous figure, including ones in this array that are purported to resemble Donkey Kong, Nemo and Elvis Presley.
The founder of the museum, Shozo Hayama, passed away after 50 years of collecting and left the space and its collection to his wife Hayama six years ago. The key criteria: nature is the only artist in the mix (no modified rocks allowed).
Some of the rocks are named while others simply set on the shelves, left open to interpretation. Visitors can simply show up but are advised to call ahead since the hours of opening are not entirely consistent or predictable (h/t Spoon & Tamago).
[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Sculpture & Craft. ]
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It might be the fabulous pages of magazines or it might just be that urge to create something chic. Either way, we are now living in this digital era where fashionable shoots are just around the corner. Hashtag #OOTD (outfit of the day). But that’s where the similarity ends. Planning and executing a fashion photography shoot takes more than that.
I hate to break it to you, but placing all your good looking friends in front of your camera, and purchasing the latest mirrorless technology probably won’t make you the next Guy Bourdin. From my personal story as a fashion photographer for over five years now, your biggest learning experience comes from learning through your own team, fellow creatives, photographers, stylists, models, and make-up artists. So, here are some tips I’ve learned through my years of trials and tribulations on how to produce a fashion shoot like a pro.
“Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I’ve ever known.” or so the saying goes. Nowadays, let’s challenge the concept of people stating there’s no such thing as originality anymore. Is that true? But truthfully, the best ideas may not be the first ones.
Creativity is a limitless concept. You can always start developing your ideas by sourcing inspirations from practically anywhere. When you start noticing the littlest things in your life, it will do wonders as your source of inspiration. This is fundamental because it is the ground work before every shoot. To develop a concept that is strong and authentically yours is the key to the next step of creating the perfect frame in a fashion photo shoot.
Create your perfect squad. When you meet someone you are comfortable working with, continue to develop a great relationship with them. Because at the end of the day, the perfect frame is not just in the hands of the photographer. Everyone needs to be equally involved and the greater the chemistry ultimately leads to the perfect picture.
Make sure you succeed in getting everyone on the team on the same page, from the vision for the shoot to work ethics. A solid team of creatives that gel well together is really ideal because in the end, it’s all about teamwork.
A fashion shoot is never complete without the right model. You need to find a model who has the right look for the concept. Whether it’s height, hair color, skin tone, eye shape, etc. Bonus points if you get to know the model first beforehand. Good chemistry between the photographer and model is also very important to create a comfortable shooting environment.
When you are shooting, there’s only the photographer, the model, and a camera. Putting on a music that’s enjoyable to everyone can also help the model get into character.
Outdoors or indoors, it’s crucial to prepare everything beforehand. You don’t want to be stressed out on the big day right? When it comes to studios, the physical environment has to be a positive working environment. Think about how much space you need, equipment, facilities, etc. An outdoor fashion shoot are tad trickier. Always double check if you need to have permission beforehand if it is a private area, and always, always check the weather! The sun can be your best friend or your enemy in this case.
This is where the good team work really shows. I personally think it is important to get everyone on the same page for the vision and mood of the shoot. Also, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion if something can be altered. Such as the hair is too big, the model needs more mascara, the button’s falling off, etc. Don’t be afraid to speak up, it’s team work after all.
Lastly, never forget to have fun! It’s always a blessing to be able to work passionately. Enjoy your ride along the way, stay curious, and bring positive vibes. Good luck.
Please share your fashion photography tips and photos in the comments below.
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The post 5 Quick Tips to Help You Make a Fashion Photography Shoot Like a Pro by Sally Ann and Emily May appeared first on Digital Photography School.
[ By SA Rogers in Conceptual & Futuristic & Technology. ]
Dragonflies experience their brief lives on this planet 10 times faster than humans, and in 12 color wavelengths as compared to our three, a viewpoint that’s been impossible to comprehend prior to the arrival of virtual reality tech. Thanks to a project called ‘In the Eyes of the Animal’ by the creative studio Marshmallow Laser Feast, we can see the world the way super-sighted creatures do in a feat that’s being called ‘sense hacking.’
Aerial drone footage, CT scans and LiDAR remote sensing technology taken from the Grizedale forest in the UK gives the team 800 million data points upon which to render a hyper-rich environment in tandem with a real-time visual and audio engine. Visitors to the real, actual forest put on virtual reality headsets obscured with moss to take it all in.
“Visual engine generates and renders whole environment in realtime with certain generative elements which makes each experience unique,” explains Creative Applications Network, . “Visual engine communicates with 3D Audio Engine via OSC [OpenSound Control] to provide positional data as well as head tracking data from the Inertial sensors of the VR headset. The sound uses Binaural audio, a technique mimicking the natural functioning of the ear by creating an illusion of 3D space and movement around the head of a listener as immersive as reality can be.”
The result is an immersive experience at the intersection of science and digital art, and the images of the helmets in use in Grizedale Forest are pretty incredible, like something from a film. If you didn’t get a chance to see it yourself during the installation’s tour of festivals, you can watch the video to see an approximation of what it looks like.
[ By SA Rogers in Conceptual & Futuristic & Technology. ]
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[ By SA Rogers in Art & Installation & Sound. ]
Some art just can’t be contained, even by the buildings that house it, expanding beyond these constrictions like alien appendages to burst through windows, wrap around columns and slink onto the sidewalks below. Inorganic materials take on the qualities of living things, manifesting as artificial parasitic growths as they cling to the facades of buildings in architectural installations that take on lives of their own.
An alien-like growth wraps itself around the corner facade of a historic building in Lodz, Poland, stretching tentacle-like appendages in shades of vivid pink, blue and purple. The site-specific work by Crystal Wagner is made from woven strips of plastic.
Wooden forms expand to fill entire interior spaces, taking over light root systems to push through windows and doorways and into the streets, or in one case, to act as a secret system of interior tunnels. Artist Henrique Oliveira of Brazil typically installs his organic sculptures in gallery spaces, but one particular work has it bursting out of the confines of Casa dos Leoes in Porto Alegre.
Thousands of bats stream straight out of the front door of the Nature Concert Hall at Zalenieki Manor in Latvia, forming a surreal cloud on its lawn. Architecture firm DJA took inspiration from the unpredictable formations found in nature when assembling the congregation of 10,000 paper bats, which create a tunnel effect when viewed from below.
Strips of wood have taken it upon themselves to escape one building and grip the exterior of another, streaming toward it in a manner suggestive of autonomy. ‘Vortex’ is a generative light sculpture by 1024 Architecture almost completely made of scaffolding, installed on the Darwin Ecosystem Project’s green building in Bordeaux, France. “Merging organic materials with new technologies, this hybrid architectural artwork wraps around and embraces the footbridge between the complex’s two buildings, revealing and enhancing the venue’s dynamic energy while working as a live visualizer of energy consumption.”
An ornate second-floor window seems to vomit thousands of books onto the sidewalk below in this installation by artist Alicia Martin, as if they, too, are hoping to escape the building. The effect is enhanced by the movement of the pages as they’re blown by the wind. Martin has created similar site-specific installations in buildings all over her home country of Spain.
Like some kind of alien life form that started out tiny and suddenly expanded, impaling an entire building upon itself, this five-story star made of light by Jun Ong suggests rapid growth that could not be contained. The artist envisions the LED sculpture as a physical manifestation of a glitch.
[ By SA Rogers in Art & Installation & Sound. ]
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