CES2014: JK Imaging has announced an array of Kodak-branded cameras, including a superzoom compact with a 65x optical zoom and a couple of ‘Smart Lenses’ designed to clip onto smartphones (very much like Sony’s QX cameras). It’s also given more details about its long-in-development PIXPRO S1 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera. Click through to learn more.
[ By WebUrbanist in Architecture & Public & Institutional. ]
New York’s elevated park is expanding in new directions both physically and proverbially, its new addition a stark circular shift from the overall linear nature of the existing spaces.
Situated at the intersection of West 30th Street and 10th Avenue, the lush green Spur is at the heart of the new High Line section, providing a fresh kind of urban gathering, interaction and performance space.
Converting more disused rail tracks into raised green space, the nest-like bowl of seating and vegetation provides both background sound relief from the surrounding city and views back out onto its streets below.
Designed by James Corner Field Operations in collaboration with Diller Scofidio + Renfro, this pivotal turning point (quite literally a bend in the overall plan of the park) features woodland grasses, maples, perennials and ferns. The rest of the park bends up into the rail yards at this key point, wrapping back west across Manhattan toward the Hudson River.
The second section of the High Line park has opened in NYC. The unique park was once an elevated railroad track but now provides a slice of nature in the city.
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A unique green retreat and pedestrian pathway is set to rival elevated parks around the world, including New York’s own High Line, right in the heart of …
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Imagine being able to walk for miles through the heart of New York city – without ever touching the ground!
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[ By WebUrbanist in Architecture & Public & Institutional. ]
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[ By WebUrbanist in Architecture & Public & Institutional. ]
A unique green retreat and pedestrian pathway is set to rival elevated parks around the world, including New York’s own High Line, right in the heart of London. This project stands out from its lofty peers in many regards, but most boldly: it is set over the River Thames rather than buildings or roads.
Heatherwick Studio, known for work in architecture, urban infrastructure, sculpture and design, is teaming up with landscape designer Dan Pearson and global engineering firm Arup to realize this massive and bold cross-disciplinary endeavor.
Crossing over 1,000 feet of river, the bridge will branch out into smaller spaces and seating areas and be populated with a wide range of regional flora. The complex plan will frame views of the city and provide opportunities for different kinds of performances and interactions.
The bridge is intended to bring a place of peace, quite and greenery back to the heart of the city as well as serving the role of pedestrian route. It will be both an activator of the two newly-joined neighborhoods and a stunning green landmark.
[ By WebUrbanist in Architecture & Public & Institutional. ]
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[ By Steph in Architecture & Houses & Residential. ]
A glittering glass apartment block with volumes flowing into each other in dynamic stacked arrangements will be architect Zaha Hadid’s first building in New York City. Set to overlook the second section of the High Line, the city’s elevated park, the 11-story sculpted glass and steel development aims to draw in luxury buyers with a double-height lobby, private courtyards, a communal garden and residences measuring up to 5,500 square feet.
The mid-rise apartment block will feature approximately 37 apartments, each with its own private terrace, 11-foot ceilings and state-of-the-art features. Located in Chelsea at 520 West 28th Street, the building will also offer a large roof terrace and an indoor pool and spa.
“Our design is an integration of volumes that flow into each other and, following a coherent formal language, create the sensibility of the building’s overall ensemble,” says Hadid. “With an arrangement that reinvents the spatial experience, each residence will have its own distinctive identity, offering multiple perspectives and exciting views of the neighborhood.”
The creation of the High Line, which was formerly an abandoned section of elevated railway, has spurred a rash of new economic and real estate development in areas of the city that had slumped a bit. According to The New York Times, the High Line as generated $ 2 billion in private investment, including a number of other deluxe apartment buildings, art galleries, restaurants and boutiques.
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Fujifilm has updated its venerable line of Instax instant film cameras with the new ‘Neo Classic’ Mini 90, which takes its styling cues from recent X-series digital cameras like the X100S and X-E1. As well as an updated (or rather backdated) design, the Mini 90 includes a lithium-ion battery and features several shooting modes including a macro focus mode, double exposure and bulb – where the shutter can be held open for very long exposures or creative effects. Click through for more details and a link to Fujifilm’s (Japanese) Mini 90 microsite.
Lines are all around us in photography. Conscious use of line can add depth or dynamism to your composition. Let me show you what I mean. Take a look at the following image:
It’s an okay landscape. l like it, but it’s nothing special. Maybe what it lacks is a sense of depth. Now compare it to this landscape:
See how three-dimensional it looks by comparison? The lines in the composition create the illusion of depth. They converge as they disappear into the distance creating a sense of distance and space. I’ve marked the lines so you can see them clearly:
Not every landscape has lines that are so easy to find. Most of the time they are more subtle. In this landscape, the triangular shapes of the rocks in the foreground are like arrows that point to the island in the distance and the setting sun:
It is almost a case of implied line, rather than actual line. The shape of the rocks is a visual clue that directs the eye along invisible lines to the horizon:
Let’s look at this image again in a different way. There is a strong horizontal line in the distance created by the horizon. What happens if we crop the image to a panorama? The ‘feel’ of the photo is completely different. Horizontal lines direct the eye from side to side and create a sense of stability and peace. The panoramic crop emphasises that:
Whereas in the original image the implied lines create a sense of motion. The composition is more dynamic. The principles here are:
Line comes into play in subjects other than landscapes. You need to train your eye to look for lines, and then figure out ways to use them in your composition. Remember lines are not just straight. They can be curved, they can even be implied. Here’s a photo I took with a very powerful diagonal line that creates a dynamic, exciting composition:
Next, here’s a photo that uses a strong vertical line. The line created by the shape of the red sign is echoed by the lines in the wooden wall. The red string creates another line that intersects the others. See how the vertical line isn’t nearly as dynamic as the diagonal line in the previous image?
The most obvious use of line is in landscape photography, but is it useful in portraiture? I think so, although again it’s a case of subtle use of line. In this example, the woman’s arms create lines that lead the eye up through the image to her face:
The lines are created by tonal contrast – her arms are a light tone and contrast strongly against her black dress and the dark background:
Lines are all around us and are a very useful tool that can help you create strongly composed images. One way of making the most out of line is to keep the composition of your images as simple as possible. A busy image has lots going on that may distract the eye from elements such as line. Simplifying the composition makes elements like line stronger and more effective.
My latest ebook, Mastering Photography: A Beginner’s Guide to Using Digital Cameras introduces you to digital photography and helps you make the most out of your digital cameras. It covers concepts such as lighting and composition as well as the camera settings you need to master to take photos like the ones in this article.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Composition and the Power of Line
Zeiss has posted a blog article that talks about the inception and development of its latest line of lenses, led by the 55mm F1.4 that was first shown at Photokina last year. Titled ‘No Compromise’, it explains how the company is aiming to meet the demands of the latest high resolution sensors, to satisfy the needs of both professional photographers and ambitious hobbyists. Click through to read more, and the link to the original article.
Sandisk has announced its new Connect line of wireless flash memory storage devices, including the SanDisk Connect Wireless Flash Drive and SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive. SanDisk says its Wireless Flash Drive allows for wireless connectivity from a smartphone, tablet or computer without an Internet connection. It’s available in 16GB or 32GB capacities, priced at $ 49.99 and $ 59.99 respectively. Click through for more details on our sister site, connect.dpreview.com.
British sports photographer Tom Jenkins has written a thought-provoking article for The Guardian about how quickly sports stories can turn into breaking news events. In the aftermath of the bomb attacks at the Boston Marathon, Jenkins draws parallels with past tragedies including the Hillsborough disaster, which occurred on the same day 24 years earlier. Jenkins also adds personal reminiscences about how he has made the transition from sports to ‘news’ photography in the past. Click through for excerpts and a link to the full article at The Guardian.
Benro has announced a new ‘Cool Walker’ line of camera bags through its UK distributor, Kenro. According to the press release, the Cool Walker line is aimed at travel and sports photographers, and includes thirteen variants of backpacks, shoulder and zoom bags. The smallest bag in the line can carry one SLR and a lens, while the largest is designed to carry two SLRs, eight lenses, two flashguns and a 15″ laptop. Click through for the press release from Kenro.