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High-resolution telescope images show Sun’s surface in ‘unprecedented detail’

01 Feb
‘This image covers an area 8,200 x 8,200 km (5,000 x 5,000 miles, 11 x 11 arcseconds).’ — Credit: NSO/AURA/NSF

The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope has produced high-resolution images that show the Sun in ‘unprecedented detail,’ according to an announcement from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The telescope is located close to the summit of Maui’s Haleakala volcano. Each of the ‘cell-like structures’ visible in the images and video are approximately as large as Texas, according to NSF.

Understanding the Sun is an important step toward improving space weather forecasts, which will help humanity anticipate potentially disruptive events. The Inouye Solar Telescope is a key tool that will shed light on a number of the Sun’s mysteries. According to the NSF, having hours of advanced notice about potential space weather events will give officials time to put satellites and important infrastructure like power grids into safe mode.

The Inouye Solar Telescope features a massive 4m (13ft) mirror and more than 11km (7 miles) of piping as part of the cooling system that protects the telescope and its optics. The NSF explains that Inouye feature’s adaptive optics designed with an off-axis mirror placement that compensates for the blur that would otherwise result from the Earth’s atmosphere.

Astrophysicist and cosmologist Katie Mack chimed in on the above video, sharing a fun little anecdote about how the forces at work on the sun can be seen here on Earth in everyday life:

Ultimately, the Inouye Solar Telescope has the largest aperture of any solar telescope in the world, according to director Thomas Rimmele. The first half-decade of the telescope’s operation is expected to produce more solar data than humanity has generated in the past few hundred years.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon launching limited-time ‘Trade Up’ program in the United States for its D780 DSLR

01 Feb

Nikon has launched a new trade-in program that gives its customers in the United States credit to put toward the purchase of a new D780 full-frame DSLR. The program will be live from February 3 through March 29 and includes credit for the value of the customers’ trade-in as well as an additional $ 300 credit. Nikon will allow customers to use the credits for the D780 body-only and for the D780 bundled with a lens kit.

The trade-in program is currently listed as ‘coming soon’ on Nikon’s website, though interested consumers can sign up to receive an alert when it goes live. The program will accept any camera from any brand; the only requirement is that it must be in working condition.

Nikon customers who have already ordered the D780 can retroactively apply the credit toward their purchase. The full-frame DSLR is available to purchase from a number of retailers for around $ 2,300 for the body only or around $ 2,800 with an included 24-120mm lens.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Weekly Photography Challenge – Coastlines

01 Feb

The post Weekly Photography Challenge – Coastlines appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

This week’s photography challenge topic is COASTLINES!

Image: © Jeremy Flint

© Jeremy Flint

Coastlines are a stunning place to visit (or if you are lucky enough, to live). They can be dramatic and moody or sunny and light depending on the weather and the landscape itself.

So go out and capture coastlines near you. Take note of the wide expansive shots or the details that you find there such as rocks, shells, boats and shacks.

So, check out these inspiring pics, have fun, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Great Coastal Photography

The Gower Peninsula, Wales by © Jeremy Flint

Image: Photo by Jim Hamel ©

Photo by Jim Hamel ©

Image: Photo by Nisha Ramroop ©

Photo by Nisha Ramroop ©

Check out some of the articles below that give you tips on this week’s challenge.

Tips for photographing COASTLINES

6 Ways to Capture Coastal Scenes to add Impact to Your Photos

Important Considerations for Great Coastal Photography

Travel Photography Tips – Photographing the Coast

5 Quick Tips for Coastal Photography

How to Photograph Coastlines [10 Tips]

How to Take Better Beach Portraits at Anytime of the Day

4 Tips for More Dramatic Beach Photos

7 Tips for Better Beach Photography

Simply upload your shot into the comment field (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section) and they’ll get embedded for us all to see or if you’d prefer, upload them to your favorite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them. Show me your best images in this week’s challenge.

Share in the dPS Facebook Group

You can also share your images in the dPS Facebook group as the challenge is posted there each week as well.

If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites – tag them as #DPScoastlines to help others find them. Linking back to this page might also help others know what you’re doing so that they can share in the fun.

The post Weekly Photography Challenge – Coastlines appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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Nikon’s Nikkor Z 70-200mm F2.8 VR S lens is being delayed ‘due to production reasons’

01 Feb

Nikon Japan has announced [translated] that the much-anticipated Nikkor Z 70–200mm F2.8 VR S lens and three of its accessories will be postponed.

Originally set to be released on February 14, 2020, Nikon Japan says the lens has been ‘postponed due to production reasons.’ No specific details have been given regarding production issue at hand and no timeframe is given for the new release date. Nikon Japan says it ‘apologize[s] for any inconvenience this may cause to customers waiting for this product.’

DPReview has contacted Nikon for a comment and will update this article accordingly when we receive a response.

We will provide further updates regarding the situation as they become available.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Profoto adds Android support to its B10, B10 Plus strobes via Profoto Connect app

31 Jan

Profoto has announced it’s added Android compatibility for its B10 and B10 Plus strobes via its Profoto Control Android app.

Until now, only iOS users were able to control their B10 and B10 Plus strobes on their mobile devices. Now, Android users can control nearly every setting available on the strobes and even perform wireless firmware updates.

The Profoto Control Android app is free to download in the Google Play Store and works with smartphones running Android 7 or later.

Now for Android – Profoto B10 & B10 Plus

Profoto announces Android compatibility for B10 & B10 Plus’s control, offering seamless smartphone connectivity to more photographers.

In September 2018, Profoto launched the B10, a powerful battery-powered flash in a compact size. Shortly afterward in 2019, Profoto released the ever so slightly bigger brother the B10 Plus. Since then, the B10 series has been the preferred light for on-location photographers globally.

At the time, iPhone users could enjoy the freedom to control light by a simple swipe on their smartphone screen. Today, Profoto also offers that freedom to Android users through the Profoto Control Android app available on Google Play Store.

The Profoto B10 series are seriously small with the Profoto B10 similar in size to a medium camera lens and the B10 Plus around the size of a large camera lens. That said, both lights punch significantly above their weight with the Profoto B10 delivering five times the power of a speedlight and the B10 Plus providing twice that amount; light that’s natural and beautiful with a soft, gentle fall-off.

Trigger and control them wirelessly with ease from any Profoto Air remote, from Profoto Connect, or the Profoto A1 or A1X. You can point and shoot with TTL or switch to manual control at any time.

With the B10 & B10 Plus connected to the Profoto Control Android app, you can easily view and control all B10 and B10 Plus settings from the palm of your hand and install new updates in seconds.

Wherever your shoot takes you, Profoto B10 series provides you the power to create with seamless smartphone connectivity – now available for all Android and iPhone users.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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X-Peditions’ 2020 Trips Announcement

31 Jan

Just a quick note to announce that X-Peditions’ 2020 season has opened. Seats are going very quickly, and we expect both trips to fill shortly.

X-Peditions is a collaborative project between Strobist.com and Washington DC-based Focus on the Story. You can learn more about this year’s classes, or our program in general, at X-Peditions.com.
Strobist

 
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PSA: Download your photos from Canon’s Irista platform by the end of the day before they disappear forever

31 Jan

Back in October, Canon announced it was shutting down its cloud-based photo platform, Irista. Today is the final day the platform will be live, so if you have any photographs still on the platform that you would like to download, you will need to do so by the end of the day, as the platform will no longer be accessible after today.

As noted in our original coverage, all of your photos can be downloaded as a ZIP folder using the ‘Download Your Photos’ link on the Irista homepage. It’s worth reiterating too that none of the tags, photo ratings, titles or albums you have assigned to the images will be downloaded alongside the images.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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7 of the Best Photography Podcasts to Inspire!

31 Jan

The post 7 of the Best Photography Podcasts to Inspire! appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Carl Spring.

7-best-photography-podcasts

While this is an article that I want to be educational for us all, it is a bit of a selfish one – I love seeking out new recommendations for podcasts! Rather than position this as the definitive list, I wanted to give you the best photography podcasts that I love to listen to in the hope that some of you may find a new podcast to love in 2020.

However, I also want to hear your recommendations for the best photography podcasts I can check out in 2020!

Podcasts are currently seeing serious investment, with streaming giant Spotify investing over $ 400 million.

This has paid off for Spotify, with their podcast audience doubling in the first half of 2019 alone. With that investment, means more podcasts produced, and the quality is getting higher all the time. This is a serious win for us as Podcast listeners.

For me, at least, Podcasts have made their way into part of my daily routine. Like waiting for the next episode of a TV show, I look forward to hearing the latest episodes of my favorite podcasts each week. I tend to listen to them whilst working, commuting, or just to chill out.

The podcasts I listen to tend to be less gear-based and more based on the story of photographers or how to improve in business. This type of content makes me excited to check out the work of photographers I haven’t before. It also inspires, either for strategies to try, or just visual inspiration from the discovery of new photographers.

Not only are big companies investing, but the quality of podcasts on all levels is better than ever. People are spending serious time in making their podcasts sound great. Gone are the days of what felt like listening to a phone conversation between people. Many modern podcasts are well-produced, great-sounding shows that allow me to imagine my perfect radio station, curated just for me.

The 7 Best Photography Podcasts

Why 7? Well, to be honest, I like to try and listen to one podcast per day. I could give you the top 15, or top 20. If you’re not careful, though, your podcast feed (like my own) will be jammed with episodes or entire podcasts you never get round to listening to.

So, in no particular order, here are my 7 best photography podcasts. 

Best photography podcast for business Photobiz X

1. Photobiz X

Seen by many as the number one photography business podcast, Photobiz X is also the only podcast on this list with a premium version alongside the free version.

The podcast will give you great tips, whichever you listen to. Premium listeners get more of a deep dive into business techniques and access to the excellent PBX group on Facebook. As a member myself, I find the amount of help and support you get from the premium version worth the price. If you do find yourself enjoying the podcast, you can try it free for 30 days to see if it is a worthwhile investment for you.

This podcast interviews a huge variety of photographers and related business experts that can help you improve your photography business. Previous topics have included selling more wall art, website design, copywriting for your business, and a whole host of other topics.

Andrew, as a host, intuitively asks the questions that you find yourself asking as you listen along. He picks away the guest’s layers to get to the heart of the strategies that make their businesses successful.

Also, every episode has actionable takeaways that you can take and apply to your business. The only issue may be that you have too many ideas to try!

Best enjoyed: Monday morning, setting you up with business inspiration for the week.

 

The FujiCast Logo

2. FujiCast

This is a podcast with two UK-based wedding photographers, whom both shoot with Fuji.

You would think that this would be a pretty niche podcast. However, if you can get beyond the name, what you will find is a funny, beautifully-produced podcast that has a great mix between answering readers’ questions and interviews with photographers.

FujiCast is the perfect listen on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee.

The tone of the podcast is that of two mates chatting about photography, except these mates are very knowledgeable and regarded as some of the best UK wedding photographers.

Yes, the gear talk that features usually has a Fuji slant, but gear talk isn’t where this podcast sings – it is the interviews and stories of the guests that are inspiring.

Again, one of the best things about this podcast is the community that Neale and Kevin have built. They host regular meet-ups for recordings, etc.

The FujiCast is a great listen that will introduce you to some amazing photographers.

Best enjoyed: Sunday morning after a leisurely breakfast, whilst enjoying a coffee. 

 

The Candid Frame. Perhaps The best photography podcast voice

3. The Candid Frame

The voice! The Candid Frame begins with smooth Jazz, which leads into possibly the smoothest podcast voice ever in Ibarionex Perello. One of the longest-running podcasts, The Candid Frame, has been running since 2006.

You can tell Ibarionex puts loads of work into researching every guest he interviews. His interview technique, honed over nearly 500 episodes, gives the interviewee the chance to tell their story beautifully. He asks questions that help him (and you as the listener) delve into their photographic journey.

Best enjoyed: Late at night, with a glass of your favorite tipple.

 

He shoots he draws podcast logo

4. He Shoots He Draws

This podcast consists of a photographer and designer who describe their podcast as a chat over a cuppa. Episodes range from twenty minutes to well over an hour.

He Shoots, He Draws, is as laid back as the title suggests. However, that would not do justice to the huge amount of knowledge that both Glynn and Dave bring to each episode.

While bringing the angles of photography and design, this podcast covers a variety of topics with a wide-ranging variety of guests.

Best enjoyed: Tuesday morning, to help you make it through the week ahead.

 

7 of the Best Photography Podcasts to Inspire!

5. This Week in Photo

This podcast really doesn’t need an introduction, and I am sure it is already on many of your weekly listens. One of the longest-running podcasts (it’s been around since 2008), This Week in Photo has a great mix of roundtable discussions and interviews, so this podcast still feels fresh.

Not every topic will appeal to everyone, but with each episode usually in the 30-45 minute range, I find myself listening along and getting something of interest that stops me from skipping.

I did think about not including this podcast due to it being so popular, but a podcast is like an old pair of jeans. It’s the one you always go back to because it feels so comfortable.

Best enjoyed: On a lazy Saturday, slouching in your favorite pair of jeans.

 

One of the best photography podcast. So You Want to Be a Photographer

6. So You Want to Be a Photographer

Gina Milicia is a renowned Australian photographer who has photographed many celebs in her time. (She has also written e-books for dPS including Portraits: Making the Shot,  Portraits Lighting The ShotPortraits: Striking The Pose14 Amazing Portrait RecipesPortraits: After The Shot, and Fast FLASH For Portrait Perfection.) 

Her podcast, which she hosts with her friend and photography enthusiast, Valerie Khoo, is exactly the opposite of the type of podcast you would expect from such a high-end photographer. Gina is down to earth, and this podcast is full of advice for those on all levels. 

The two hosts bounce off each other, and the enthusiast and expert balance between them really helps keep the podcast accessible to everyone. Episodes are full of great advice for people at differing stages of photography from the beginner looking for inspiration through to those taking a step into making money from photography. 

Best enjoyed: On a bad Wednesday in the office. When you have decided that you want out of the 9-5 and want to start getting paid for your photography. 

 

Photobomb Podcast logo

7. Photobomb

This podcast is like listening to two radio personalities with the humor of the naughty kids in class.

Booray Perry and Gary Hughes are a duo who will tend to let their episodes wander off-topic, but in a good way. A perfect example of this is starting a recent episode discussing the new Star Wars movie and which Star Wars films get a raw deal.

Booray and Gary are both experienced photographers with personalities that you will either love or hate. Quick-fire banter between them brings all the news and opinions you need for the week. Booray spent twenty years in radio before becoming a photographer, and that definitely comes through in this podcast.

A great listen in the car or at the gym too.

Best enjoyed: On the daily commute, as long as you are happy with occasionally laughing out loud on public transport.

 

Scenario podcast logo

Bonus podcast: Scenario

I’ve left the most fragile until last. The Scenario podcast by Jessica Mcdermott is made up of only six episodes recorded between November 2017 and March 2018. The only updates since then come in two, 2-minute notes about an update and #PodStrike.

You may be wondering, why would you tell us that this is one of the best photography podcasts and one that we need to listen to in 2020? Simply put, each episode is a beautiful little documentary on a fascinating photography story. There is the photographer who shoots landscapes to send to her pen pals on death row and the story of a photographer who is documenting his brother’s gender transition.

Each episode is beautifully put together and reminds me of a documentary that you would hear on Radio 4 (or NPR for you US-based listeners). Every story is fascinating, and I can see them appealing to many people outside of the world of photography.

Jessica allows each photographer to open up and tell their story, so each episode feels very intimate.

My only wish is that this podcast returns with more episodes. Although maybe it is destined to be these six perfect episodes that should be appreciated just as they are.

Best enjoyed: All in one. Find a weekend and listen to these wonderful stories in one sitting.

Conclusion

So there you go – a podcast for every day.

As I said, these are some of the best photography podcasts and are not meant to be an exhaustive list.

There are so many more I could add here, including more of the usual suspects. I am sure there are many more that you could add as well. 

So, as I said at the start, I wanted to throw this out to you as the readers. Let’s hear in the comments below one of the best photography podcasts that everyone needs to listen to in 2020. I look forward to adding a load more podcasts to my list from your recommendations. 

The post 7 of the Best Photography Podcasts to Inspire! appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Carl Spring.


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US Interior Department grounds Chinese-made drones in its fleet citing ongoing security concerns

31 Jan

Yesterday, the United States Interior Department signed an order to ground its fleet of more than 800 drones for non-emergency operations following ongoing concerns of cybersecurity threats.

As reported by NPR, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt didn’t specifically say the fleet of drones were capable of being hacked in the order, but did note that information collected by the drones could potentially be ‘valuable to foreign entities, organizations and governments.’

This new order cements a ‘pause’ Bernhardt ordered roughly three months ago to cease the use of Chinese-manufactured drones for Interior Department business, with the exception of emergency use-cases. In a statement given to The Verge at that time, Interior spokesperson Melissa Brown said ‘the Secretary has directed that drones manufactured in China or made from Chinese components be grounded unless they are currently being utilized for emergency purposes, such as fighting wildfires, search and rescue, and dealing with natural disasters that may threaten life or property.’

No specific companies were mentioned in the initial order, nor yesterday’s, but it’s clear Chinese drone manufacturer DJI is in the crosshairs.

Following yesterday’s order from Bernhardt, Chinese drone manufacturer DJI issued a statement on its website, saying:

[DJI] is extremely disappointed by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) order released today which inappropriately treats a technology’s country of origin as a litmus test for its performance, security and reliability […] We are opposed to the politically-motivated country of origin restrictions masquerading as cybersecurity concerns and call for policymakers and industry stakeholders to create clear standards that will give commercial and government drone operators the assurance they need to confidently evaluate drone technology on the merits of performance, security and reliability, no matter where it is made.

DJI manufactures specific ‘government edition’ versions of its Matrice 600 Pro and Mavic Pro drones, both of which are currently listed in the Interior Department’s fleet. These specific models use special firmware and software to fit the needs of the Interior Department and were previously signed off for use by the Interior Department following a 15-month testing period that concluded with a 53-page report. Other drones in the U.S. agency’s fleet include the Autel Evo, Parrot Anafi, FireFLY Pro/S, 3DR Solo Quadcopter and Pulse Vapor 55TM Helicopter.

DJI’s Matrice 600 Pro drone is just one of the half-a-dozen different drone models in the Interior Department’s drone fleet.

This new order will, like the pause announced back in October 2019, will remain in effect until a subsequent order overturns it, as there is no end-date mentioned. Like the pause back in October, emergency use-cases ‘will continue to be allowed in approved situations for emergency purposes, such as fighting wildfires, search and rescue, and dealing with natural disasters that may threaten life or property,’ according to an Interior Department spokesperson.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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NASA astronaut Jessica Meir uses Nikon D5 to snap two space selfies

31 Jan

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir caught the public’s attention over the weekend when she published two selfies captured during a spacewalk using a Nikon D5 camera. Meir has shared a number of images from the International Space Station since her arrival in September 2019, though few were as impressive as her full-body selfie captured as a reflection in ISS solar panels.

Meir shared the images on January 26, tagging them with the #SundaySelfie hashtag. One is a traditional shot of her face while the other image is a full-body shot of Meir in her spacesuit as seen reflected in some solar panels. The Earth is visible as a bright band of light behind her, as are bits and pieces of the space station.

As for the camera, Meir explains that she used a Nikon D5 camera with a 28mm lens and special protective housing that enables the camera to operate in space. NASA ordered a total of 53 unmodified Nikon D5 DSLRs from the camera company in 2017 with the intention of using them for recording ISS activities, as well as vehicular activities and astronaut training.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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