At first glance, Michael Wolf’s photos look like they could be a tapestry or abstract art. Look closer and you’ll see that they’re actually cleverly composed photos of Hong Kong’s ubiquitous high-rises. Wolf would head to one of the many hills in the city – or sometimes just go upstairs in an adjacent building – and set up his camera. The results are spectacular, as you’ll see after the link.
The Plugin Site has created the MetaRaw plugin for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements that allows the conversion of Raw files not supported by the associated version of Adobe Camera Raw. The MetaRaw plugin offers access to three Raw conversion methods – ACR, DNG Converter or its own, dcraw-based converter. It also allows Elements 10 and 11 users to access ACR’s lens correction and chromatic aberration tools.
A new app asks users to step back into the darkroom as it offers digital equivalents of the developing process. Koloid (available for $ 0.99 in the iOS App Store) is inspired by 19th century’s wet-plate collodion photography. The app creates a unique texture and exposure on a black and white image. Koloid takes a little longer than most camera apps but it also gives the satisfaction of using something other than a one-touch filter. We give it a go on connect.dpreview.com.
Tokina has announced a US price of $ 599 for its AT-X 12-28 F4 lens. Soon to be available in both Canon and Nikon mounts for APS-C bodies, this lens was announced at the CP+ tradeshow back in January and will replace the company’s existing 12-24mm F4 wideangle zoom for APS-C cameras.
Nikon UK has announced a summer cashback offer on its 1 system cameras. From 30th May to 4th September, buyers can claim back £50 on the S1 and J3 models, and £80 on the V2 (or €60 and €80 respectively for customers in Eire). The offer applies to both body-only purchases and single- and twin-lens kits, and all colours of camera; cashback has to be claimed by 4th October 2013. Click through for full details.
The XiStera smartphone tool is one of the more interesting Kickstarter projects we’ve seen lately. It is an all-in-one device promises to do just about everything the mobile photographer on the go might require. XiStera serves as a lens adapter, phone stand, tripod mount, headphone wrap and stylus for your iPhone 5. It also works as a bottle opener and key chain, and can attach an optional LED light to your phone. Click through to Connect for more details.
The 2013 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest is accepting submissions. Now in its 25th year, this photo contest offers a top prize that includes a 10-day expedition to the Galapagos Islands and publication of the winning image in the upcoming December/January edition of National Geographic Traveler magazine. The entry fee is $ 15 and contestants can submit as many images as they wish. Submissions must be received by June 30. Click through for more entry information and a look at some of the current submissions.
Nokia surprised everyone today by announcing its new Lumia 928 in advance of next week’s big launch event in London. The Lumia 928 comes equipped with an 8.7-megapixel camera on a 1/3.2″ sensor, xenon flash, optical image stabilization and a f/2.0, 26mm-equivalent Carl Zeiss lens. These specs mean it’s only a relatively minor upgrade to the current Nokia flagship Windows Phone but still good news for mobile photographers: see why on connect.dpreview.com.
A recently released app in the Apple App Store promises the focus-shifting experience of a Lytro camera for a much smaller price tag. FocusTwist takes a series of images with different focal planes and allows users to choose a focus point after they have taken the photo. We take the app for a quick spin and offer our take at connect.dpreview.com.
[ By Steph in Architecture & Houses & Residential. ]
Artists are taking over billboards all over the world, subverting their messages or dedicating them to fun and meaningful art installations instead of advertisements. But the Scribe Billboard takes the concept of billboard art even further: hidden behind its face is a tiny living space for the artists to stay in as they work. Located in Mexico City, this ongoing urban art project is a collaboration between paper company Scribe and architect Julio Gomez Trevilla.
An elevated house made of steel and chipboard measuring about 170 square feet provides a sheltered space and meets the basic needs of the artist. It includes a kitchen, bathroom, closet, shower, dressing room and work desk. A barrel mounted into a rooftop tower provides gravity-fed water for plumbing. The only way to get in and out is through a door in the face of the billboard. The house even has a rooftop deck.
The first resident was Mexican artist Cecilia Beaven, who spent ten days living inside it while working on the hand-painted campaign for Scribe. The interactive project called for ideas from the brand’s fans on Twitter, which Beaven incorporated into the work.
Another billboard house concept by design firm Apostrophy’s is more spacious, with an open, multi-level design. See more photos of the Scribe Billboard at Scribe’s Facebook page.
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