Blog

Report: Apple discretely acquired mixed-reality startup Spektral for $30M

According to a report from Fortune, Apple discretely acquired Danish visual effects startup Spektral in December 2017.

Spektral was once named CloudCutout and focused on a cloud-based solution to masking a subject from the background of an photograph. Now, Spektral specializes in masking technology that uses machine learning to separate a subject in an image from the background in real-time on mobile devices. “Combining deep neural networks and spectral graph theory with the computing power of modern GPUs, our engine can process images and video from the camera in real-time (60 fps) directly on the device,” says Spektral on its website.

Neither Apple nor Spektral have confirmed the acquisition, but Fortune reports the deal was worth “more than $ 30 million.”

With no comment, we can’t say for sure what Apple intends to do with Spektral’s intellectual property and personnel, but Spektral Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer Toke Jansen now lists “Manager, Computational Imaging” as his title at Apple on his LinkedIn profile. Combined with Apple’s ongoing efforts to beef up its augmented reality efforts in its apps — both its own and third-party — it’s safe to assume we’ll see the fruits of the acquisition in the near future, if we haven’t already seen parts of it.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 10, 2018
How To Feel Confident About Having Your Photos Critiqued
We all like other people seeing our photographs, but not many photographers like to hear what other people really think of their photos. Getting a ‘thumbs up’ on Facebook or a ‘heart’ on Instagram is okay. Even a few emoticons can be very encouraging.

But while they might make you feel good for a little while, they won’t help you grow as a photographer. Deep down you know most people have just scrolled past your photo. And your mother always sends a smiley face.

©Kevin Landwer-Johan

Taking the bold step of asking for a genuine critique on your photos is a lot different.

It can be incredibly encouraging. You may get unexpected positive feedback on an aspect of your photography you weren’t fully aware of.

But you may also be devastated. Someone who shows little empathy and no care while sharing their thoughts about your photos can do more harm than good. You may also start feeling negative from the words of someone who isn’t experienced enough in photography.

Here are some steps to help you make a good choice in asking someone for an appraisal of your work.

Before you offer any of your photos for review, do some research.
1. Is the person offering critique an experienced photographer?
2. Do you like their photographic style?
3. Do you appreciate their approach to critiquing photos?
4. Do they ask questions about your experience before critiquing?
5. Do they express a balanced perspective?
©Kevin Landwer-Johan

How Can Having Your Photos Critiqued Help Improve Your Photography?

A constructive critique of your photographs can help you see them from another perspective. A good critique will include a healthy balance of positive encouragement and constructive feedback on how an image could be improved.

Something good can almost always be said about a photo. But beware of falseness. No-one wants a fake review of their work. A helpful positive analysis is more than just a few nice adjectives. The critic should tell you why they like your photo and describe the outstanding aspects.

The best constructive feedback is carefully worded and gentle. Honesty isn’t kind if it’s delivered with brutal assertion. And negative feedback spoken harshly doesn’t help anybody. It may make the critic feel superior, but being on the receiving end isn’t encouraging. A critique of anyone’s photos should’t be about the person offering the analysis. It should be about the photo, and directed primarily to the photographer.

A good critique should include a clear explanation of the weaknesses in a photo, along with suggestions of how it could have been improved. Sometimes when talking about a photo I’ll share ways it can be improved simply by a different crop or alternative post-processing.

©Kevin Landwer-Johan

Choosing the Right Critic for You

Being confident and comfortable with the person offering their opinion is important. We all see the world differently, and express what we see in diverse ways. Finding the right person to learn from as they talk about your photos is essential to it being a positive experience.

To help find an appropriate person, ask yourself these questions.

1. Is the person offering critique an experienced photographer?

Having someone less experienced than you are, or minimally more experienced, will rarely be helpful. Having a group of friends to hang out with and discuss each other’s images is different because the relationship is casual.

Find a mature person with a good deal of experience. They’ll be able to offer their opinion in positive and helpful ways based on their experience.

©Kevin Landwer-Johan

2. Do you like their photographic style?

There’s not much point asking someone who only photographs landscapes to comment on your street or sports photos. Hopefully you can find someone whose work is close to your own style (or what you are aspiring to) and have them critique your photos.

You should be able to see enough of their work to help you make this choice. Having an appreciation for the type of photography they create will help you relate more easily.

©Kevin Landwer-Johan

3. Do you appreciate their approach to critiquing photos?

Accepting and appreciating the way a critic expresses themselves is very important. They may be extremely knowledgeable and experienced, but if they come across as arrogant their critique won’t be easy to receive.

If you can attend a session where they’re reviewing someone else’s photos, go along and observe. Maybe they have some video or written critiques online. Check them out and see if you’re confident they’ll be honest and respectful about your photos.

©Kevin Landwer-Johan

4. Do they ask questions about your experience before critiquing?

If they know nothing about your experience or you want to express, the critique may not be helpful. I find it helpful to know a photographer’s experience level before offering my thoughts on their photos.

This information gives insight into the technical experience, and sometimes the creative expression. Most of all, it will give the critic the depth of information to offer. Giving a beginner too much detail about how to improve their composition may be detrimental. You need to clearly understand what the critic is telling you. For the same reason, I avoid using too much photography jargon when making critiques.

©Kevin Landwer-Johan

5. Do they express a balanced perspective?

Receiving a balanced appraisal of most (if not all) aspects of your photograph is helpful. But this may not be possible (or even necessary), depending on the photo.

I always look to include commentary on:
- Exposure
- Composition
- Color
- Tone
- Timing
- Feeling
The best photo critiques include a balanced mix of technical and creative – left and right brain perspective.

©Kevin Landwer-Johan

Where to Find the Right Critic

The easiest way to find someone to critique your photos these days is online. Do a search on Google or YouTube, or check out the link in my bio.

You could also try your local camera club. It will be worth doing your research carefully first. Sometimes these groups offer a group critique of members’ photos. You need a pretty thick skin to endure this. You’ll have people with a range of skill levels and temperaments all wanting to give their opinions.

©Kevin Landwer-Johan

Be Encouraged

Give it a try. Having your photos critiqued can be extremely helpful to your development as a photographer. I regret not having much of an opportunity for my photos to be looked over and spoken about. Now I enjoy being able to offer this as a service to encourage photographers.

The post How To Feel Confident About Having Your Photos Critiqued appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School
October 10, 2018
Insta 360 launches ONE X 360-degree 5.7K action camera

Insta360 today launched the ONE X, a 5.7K 360-degree action camera that’s compatible with Android and iOS mobile devices.

The new model is capable of recording spherical video at 5.7K resolution and 30 frames per second. For smooth motion in action videos or slow-motion effects you can also opt to record 4K footage at 50fps or 3K video at 100fps. In photo mode the camera captures 18MP still images.

OnePlus claims the new camera delivers “gimbal-like” stabilization without the gimbal. To achieve this the ONE X uses an upgraded version of Insta360’s FlowState stabilization algorithm which constantly analyzes movement in all directions.

Using the dedicated editing app, video can be reframed and re-edited to highlight the best elements of a scene and create cinematic clips that would be much more difficult to achieve with conventional cameras. In addition the new TimeShift feature lets users adjust the speed of different parts of a clip to put the focus on key moments, using either slow-motion or hyperlapse effects.

Insta360 says the ability to automatically remove a selfie stick from the footage in the app in combination with the company’s customized 10-foot selfie stick allows for the capture of drone-like footage without a drone. Thanks to its rugged construction the camera can even be thrown around when snapped into the Insta360 Drifter camera dart, allowing for very unusual effects.

The ONE X connects to mobile devices via WiFi, providing real-time image preview and control. The same connection can be used to transfer footage for editing but you also have the option to use a USB cable.

ISO, exposure compensation, white balance and shutter speed are user adjustable and optional accessories include a rugged case, an underwater case and a GPS Smart Remote.

The Insta360 ONE X can be pre-ordered on the Insta360 website and at retailers globally now and is priced at $ 399.95. Shipping starts on October 17. For more information and some quite impressive sample footage have a look at the video below.

{PressRelease}

Insta360 ONE X Redefines the Action Camera with 5.7K Video, Impossible Stabilization, Cinematic Slow-Mo

The future of the action camera is here. Insta360 today launched the ONE X, a 5.7K camera that uses 360° capture, groundbreaking stabilization and cinematic slow-mo to radically expand what’s possible with a camera.

Compatible with both iOS and Android, the ONE X is available to order today at Insta360.com, with shipments beginning Oct. 17.

Insta360 ONE X – The Future Of The Action Camera:

A new kind of camera.

The ONE X is more than a 360-degree shooter. It’s a new kind of camera that uses 360 to give users more freedom and more creative possibilities – both during and after capture.

Combining an unlimited field of view with gimbal-level stabilization and new high-FPS shooting modes, the ONE X unlocks the ability to control time and perspective in ways that make it feel more like a fleet of cameras than a single device.

Look sharp.

Shooting in every direction and making it all look good, requires some serious resolution.

That’s why the ONE X records at a best-in-class 5.7K (30 FPS). For dynamic scenes, new 50 FPS (4K) and 100 FPS (3K) shooting modes keep action super-smooth and let you slow the action down to highlight key moments.

18 MP photos show vivid detail, while an increased pixel size offers superior image quality and low-light performance.

Like a gimbal. Without the gimbal.

The ONE X uses the upgraded FlowState stabilization algorithm, analyzing movement in all directions to achieve a level of stabilization never before possible with a single device.

FlowState lets users capture impossibly smooth video with no accessories needed. Mount the ONE X anywhere – from a helmet to a selfie stick to a kayak – and footage comes out looking like it’s been professionally stabilized.

Shoot first, point later.

The magic of 360 is that it lets you choose the best way to frame an experience after it’s over – there’s no need to point your camera, and you’ll never miss a shot.

Using the ONE X’s simple editing app, users can easily reframe and re-edit the best parts of a scene, creating cinematic clips that would never be possible with a traditional camera.

Own the moment.

The ONE X’s new TimeShift feature lets users adjust the speed of different parts of a clip on a whim. Users can highlight key moments with cinematic slow-mo, or speed things up with a stabilized hyperlapse – the app always keeps playback smooth.

Combine TimeShift with the freedom to frame the shot in any direction, and the possibilities are endless. Users have total control over both time and perspective in their edits.

A drone without the noise.

Using the ONE X app, users can automatically remove a selfie stick from their scenes, leaving the ONE X apparently suspended in mid-air.

The result is the ability to shoot aerial angles without a drone. Pairing the ONE X with Insta360’s customized 10-foot (!) selfie stick leads to stunning possibilities.

Bullet Time. In 3K.

The Insta360 ONE introduced the unique Bullet Time shot, an orbiting perspective that puts a user at the center of an epic slow-mo shot. The ONE X takes this concept to the next level with a wider field of view and a sharper 3K resolution.

Throw them for a loop.

The ONE X is made to throw around. Seriously.

Creators can snap it into the new Insta360 Drifter camera dart, and send it soaring.

The resulting Drift Shots — airborne slow-mo shots enhanced by the full freedom of 360 — unlock impossible angles and create a mind-blowing effect.

High-speed WiFi for preview and transfer.

Users can connect to the ONE X via super-fast 5.8 GHz WiFi, letting them conveniently preview and control their shots in real time.

When they’re ready to transfer footage back to their phone for editing and sharing, they can quickly send it back over WiFi or connect directly with a transfer cable (Lightning, USB Type-C and Micro-USB cables come standard with the ONE X).

Staying power.

The ONE X has a removable 1200 mAh battery, ensuring that creators will stay powered up even when they’re far afield.

Natural lighting. In every direction.

Users can manually tweak image settings — including ISO, exposure value, white balance and shutter speed — to dial in the perfect shot.

The ONE X is also ready for HDR photos, timelapses, hyperlapses, interval shooting and timed shots.

Ready for the elements.

Two rugged case options for the ONE X mean it’s ready to go anywhere.

The Venture Case is a tough shell designed for above-water shooting, which offers splash protection and waterproofing to 5 meters.

The Dive Case is built to breach the depths. Specialized dome lenses allow for underwater 360 shooting — with a clean stitch – down to 30 meters.

Track your trek.

The optional GPS Smart Remote lets users control the ONE X, while automatically recording GPS data for video and photos.

This data can be used to easily upload video and photos to Google Maps Street View, and to add a customizable journey-tracking dashboard to video clips – overlaying speed, direction, elevation, location and route info.

Order now.

The Insta360 ONE X is priced at $ 399.95 USD and available to order now via Insta360.com and select retailers worldwide, including B&H Photo Video. Shipments begin Oct. 17.

Insta360 ONE X purchase link:

http://bit.ly/ONEX_pr

{PressRelease}

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 10, 2018
The Adonit Photogrip is a multi-use camera grip for smartphones

Stylus maker Adonit has launched a new product for mobile photographers, the Adonit Photogrip. As its name suggests, the Adonit Photogrip is a grip that attaches to smartphones, allowing for more camera-like operation and ergonomics of your smart device.

Additionally the Photogrip can be converted into a mini tripod and a detachable Bluetooth shutter remote can be used at a distance of up to 10 meters. In self-standing mode the Photogrip positions the smartphone in portrait orientation for comfortable video chatting or live-streaming.

The internal battery provides power for 20 hours of continuous use or 72,000 photos. A full charge from completely dead takes approximately 40 minutes.

The Adonit Photogrip is compatible with Apple iPhones running iOS 5.0 or newer, and Android devices with version 4.3 or newer of the Google OS. The remote shutter requires Bluetooth version 3.0 and the Photogrip can be attached to any smartphone with a 4.5-inch or larger display. It comes with a carry pouch and neck strap in the box.

The Adonit Photogrip is available now for $ 39.99. More info is available on the Adonit website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 10, 2018
Canon brings its Digital Photo Professional Raw processing program to iOS

Canon has ported a large chunk of its Digital Photo Professional (DPP) Raw processing software’s feature set to mobile and launched the DPP Express app for Apple’s iPad.

The new app works in conjunction with Canon’s Camera Connect app and offers a wide range of processing functions for Canon .CR3 Raw files and JPEG images. Files can be viewed, adjusted and saved to the cloud, a computer or your camera – all wirelessly.

The Camera Connect app, which also allows you to control the camera remotely, is used to wirelessly download images from your Canon camera to the iPad. Once on the tablet, images can then be processed and edited in DPP Express. The user interface has been designed with simplicity in mind and adjustment options include tone curves, picture settings, gamma levels and lens correction. All changes are applied in real time.

DPP Express also offers Multiple Editing Histories, allowing for several edited versions of the same image. Up to four editing histories let you compare effects and editing options on the same image and can be copied and pasted between files to apply the same workflow to more than one image.

The app is compatible with newer iPads and iPad Pro models running iOS 11. For more information on compatibility and features have a look at the Canon website. You can download DPP Express from the iOS App Store.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 10, 2018
Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL feature enhanced computational features, dual front-facing cameras
Google has announced the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL almost exactly a year after their predecessors debuted. The 5.5″ Pixel 3 and 6.3″ XL feature larger displays than the previous generation (5″ and 6″ respectively) but keep roughly the same size and weight.

In a world of dual and triple-camera arrays, Google is staying the course with a single rear-facing camera on each device: the same 12.2MP sensor with dual pixel autofocus and 28mm equiv. F1.8 aperture that appeared in the Pixel 2 and 2 XL. However, two front-facing cameras are now offered: a 19mm equiv. 8MP F2.2 with fixed focus designed for group selfies, and a 28mm equiv. 8MP F1.8 with phase detection autofocus.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_0806398624″,”galleryId”:”0806398624″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

The real story, as it tends to be lately, is the software. Working with just one main camera, Google has doubled down on computational solutions to physical limitations. But there’s a silver lining to this approach: any techniques that make a single camera better will eventually make multiple cameras that much better once that approach is (arguably inevitably) adopted.

The Pixel 2 shot and aligned up to 9 frames for every image taken to maximize detail and reduce noise, and the Pixel 3 is now capable of shooting, buffering, and aligning up to 15 frames per shot. All still with zero shutter lag – you get the shot that represents the instant you hit the shutter button.

A new ‘Night Sight’ feature that combines multiple frames with long shutter speeds for extremely low light shots

There’s a catch, for now though. These extra frames are only used when zooming your image 1.2x or more, or when the environment is so dark as to require longer shutter speeds. That latter feature is called ‘Night Sight’ and it combines multiple frames with long shutter speeds for extremely low light shots. It does this using Google’s ‘robust merge’, which is able to effectively deal with subject movement without blur or ghosting.

Another computational feature called ‘synthetic fill flash’ understands human subjects and raises their exposure with a fill-flash effect. The result is often a nice warm glow on faces, particularly in backlit situations where they might otherwise be rendered dark.

Google uses super-resolution techniques to tackle the problem of poor image quality with digital zoom. By capturing multiple frames with sub-pixel resolution, the Pixel 3 can record detail finer than traditional approaches, which means that digitally zoomed shots, which crop and enlarge smaller portions of the frame, can – we’re told – compete with optical zoom approaches.

Particularly innovative about this approach is the removal of the need to demosaic: with pixel-level image alignment the Pixel 3 can combine images that have been off-set by one pixel shifts, which means that every color has been sampled at each pixel position in the final frame. No demosaicing means sharper images with less noise.

Official Google Pixel 3 sample images

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_5730154109″,”galleryId”:”5730154109″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

A new Top Shot feature is available when taking motion photos – the device constantly buffers images and captures alternates, using AI to suggest the best photo of the bunch, even if it was captured before the shutter was pressed.

Improvements have also been made to Portrait Mode. Google says its depth mapping is better, with a new learning-based approach that is better at judging background and foreground objects. The result is fewer depth map errors, more uniform blur across the frame, and more natural transitions from in focus to out-of-focus areas. The level of blur and point of focus can be changed after the fact. Continuous subject tracking is now available as well – tap a subject and the camera will track and maintain focus on it, in stills or video.

Google says its depth mapping is better, with a new learning-based approach that is better at judging background and foreground objects

In non-photographic improvements, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL boast more robust waterproofing with an IP68 rating. And this year neither display appears to have the viewing angle and hue shift issues of last year’s Pixel 2 XL. In our use so far, the displays appear to be right up there with the best we’ve seen.

Both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will be offered in Just Black, Clearly White and Not Pink color variations, in either 64 or 128GB. The Pixel 3 starts at $ 799 and the 3 XL starts at $ 899.
Google Pixel 3. Make every day more extraordinary.

Today we’re introducing Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL, the new smartphones from Google. Pixel brings you the best of Google in a phone, powered by AI to deliver more helpful, thoughtful, and enjoyable experiences. That means a phone that answers for you when a telemarketer calls, a camera that uses AI to make sure you never miss the shot, and a more helpful visual and audio experience while charging, powered by the Google Assistant.

Brilliant photos every time and super-charged selfies
We’re taking more photos on our phones than ever before, but we still often miss the perfect moment. Pixel 3 helps you get that perfect shot on the first try.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_5730154109_1″,”galleryId”:”5730154109″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

Here’s how the best camera gets even better with Pixel 3:
- Capture smiles, not blinks: A feature we call Top Shot uses AI to help you capture the perfect photo every time. When you take a motion photo, it captures alternate shots in HDR+, then recommends the best one—even if it’s not exactly when you hit the shutter, looking for those where everyone is smiling, with eyes open, and facing the camera. Top Shot automatically captures alternate shots in HDR+. If your timing wasn’t perfect, the camera will suggest a better one and give you the option to save it.
- Get better zoom: When you zoom in on a phone camera, the image looks grainy. Super Res Zoom is a computational photography technique, traditionally used for astronomy and scientific imaging, that produces sharp details when you zoom.
- No light; no problem: Pixel 3 lets you take natural-looking photos in dark surroundings, all without a flash. With Night Sight, coming soon to Pixel 3, you can take bright, detailed, colorful shots around the campfire, in a moonlit forest, or a selfie after you close out the bar.
- No selfie stick required: Get everyone in the picture with Group Selfie, which gives you 184% more room in your photo for friends and scenery.
- Look … no hands! Photobooth mode uses AI to recognize that when you’re smiling or making a funny expression, you’re ready for a selfie. It snaps the photo on its own so that you don’t need to reach for the shutter button—a good option for candids.
- Even more stunning portraits, front and back: When you take photos in Portrait Mode, you can change the blurriness of the background, or change the part of the picture in focus, after the fact. Google Photos can also make the subject of your photo pop by leaving them in color, while changing the background to black and white.
- Create and play: In Playground, you can make photos, selfies, and videos come to life by adding your favorite superheroes, animated stickers, and fun captions. In celebration of Marvel Studios’ 10 Year Anniversary, you’ll enjoy seeing the characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (exclusively on Pixel) react to each other and to you.
- Super smooth video: When you want to capture something that won’t stop moving—think an adorable toddler or your new puppy—Motion Auto Focus will make sure your Pixel 3 camera stays in sharp focus automatically, as you record. And if you happen to be taking a selfie video while walking or moving around, Pixel 3 brings you front-facing video stabilization.
Unlimited storage for all of your photos and videos
With Pixel 3, you can save all your favorite moments with free, unlimited photo and video storage in original resolution. It’s hassle-free, you don’t have to think about back-ups. Come back to Google Photos later and search for the beach photos you took on your Pixel 3, and they’ll pop right up.

Your AI-powered sidekick
The AI in Pixel 3 enables new features that make your day-to-day actions simpler and easier.

If you want to know more about something you’re looking at, use Google Lens, built right into the Pixel 3 camera. To scan and translate text, find similar styles of clothing, or identify popular plants and animals, you can now long press in the Pixel 3 camera to easily open Lens. When you point your camera at information you want to remember or don’t feel like typing in—like a URL or QR code on a flyer or an email address on a business card—Google Lens suggests what to do next, like creating a new contact.

You can count on even more help across other apps too, including Gmail’s Smart Compose, now available for mobile on Pixel 3. Smart Compose suggests phrases in your emails so that you can draft them faster, on the go. Gboard, the keyboard built into your Pixel 3, will recommend GIFs, stickers, and more, to make your conversations fun and engaging. Available first in English.

The Google Assistant is also baked into Pixel 3 to help you find answers and control your phone and compatible smart home devices—all with a simple squeeze or just by using your voice. This year we have two new Assistant features coming to Pixel:

First, Pixel 3’s on-device AI helps you screen phone calls and avoid spam calls. Imagine you’re at dinner with family or in a meeting at work and a call from an unknown caller comes in. Just tap on “Screen call” to find out who’s calling and why, as well as other information (as prompted by you). You’ll immediately see a transcript of the caller’s responses so that you can then decide whether to pick up, respond by tapping a quick reply (e.g. “I’ll call you back later”), or mark the call as spam and dismiss. Processing the call details on-device means these experiences are fast, private to you, and use up less battery.

Second, Pixel users also get help with making calls. Later this year, Pixel users will be the first to get access to an experimental new Google Assistant feature, powered by Duplex technology, which helps you complete real-world tasks over the phone, like calling a restaurant to book a table. This feature will initially be available in New York, Atlanta, Phoenix and San Francisco to help people book restaurant reservations and will roll out to other cities in the future.

As we develop new calling technologies, we believe it’s critical that we help users understand the context of the conversation. We’ll disclose to businesses receiving the call that they’re speaking to an automated system, and we have developed controls to protect against spam and abuse, as well as the ability for a business to opt-out of receiving calls. For Call Screen, we will also let the caller know that a screening service is being used.

Digital Wellbeing
Our phones, while probably the most important tech in our lives, shouldn’t control our lives. So Digital Wellbeing, a suite of tools to help you find your own balance with technology, is built into Pixel 3. It includes a dashboard to help you understand how you spend time on your phone, the ability to set time limits on specific apps, and a new Wind Down mode to help you get to sleep at night by gently transitioning your display to a grayscale screen. When you don’t want to be bothered by rings or notifications, just flip to Shhh— an easy gesture that turns on Do Not Disturb and minimizes distractions.

Fast and wireless charging
Pixel 3 comes with an 18 Watt fast charger in the box, which can give you 7 hours of use in 15 minutes of charging. With our AI-powered Adaptive Battery technique, Pixel 3 prioritizes battery power for your most important apps to make your phone last all day.

Alongside Pixel 3, we’re also introducing Pixel Stand, our new, Qi compliant wireless charger (sold separately). While charging in the Pixel Stand, your phone turns into a smart visual and audio experience powered by the Google Assistant, similar to Google Home Hub. It answers your questions, plays music, helps you control smart home devices, transitions into a photo frame when idle, and much more. If you set an alarm, your screen will gently brighten over 15 minutes before your alarm goes off, mimicking the sunrise and helping you wake up naturally.

Pixel 3 is IP68 water and dust resistant and has a security chip custom-designed by Google called Titan M, making it the most secure phone we’ve built yet. Titan M enhances mobile security by protecting your unlock credentials, disk encryption, app data, and the integrity of the operating system code itself. Powered by Android 9 Pie, Pixel 3 comes with the latest Android operating system.

You can choose from two sizes – the 5.5” Pixel 3 and the 6.3” Pixel 3 XL – and three colors – Just Black, Clearly White, and Not Pink. Both have the exact same feature set and include a high quality Pixel USB-C earbuds and a USB-C Digital to 3.5 mm headphone adapter in the box. Pixel 3 comes with dual front-firing speakers tuned by a GRAMMY award-winning music producer to turn your phone into a powerful speaker. Customers who activate a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL by December 31, 2018 can get 6-months of free YouTube Music Premium.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
October 10, 2018
How to Sync Your Develop Presets to Lightroom Mobile

Better. Faster. More efficient.

That’s what we photographers demand from our gear as we keep pushing them to perform at levels that were unheard of a few years ago. Even the means to post-process our digital images has been ramped up to the point where we can do it on our mobile device within minutes (if not seconds) of making the exposure.

For the past couple of years Adobe has done its best to keep pace with the need for mobile-friendly editing with Lightroom Mobile – the mobile device counterpart of the Lightroom CC flavor of our beloved Lightroom Classic. But in June 2018 Adobe upped the ante by fully integrating develop presets into the Lightroom Mobile application. This means we can take ALL of our develop presets (purchased and self-made) with us on our mobile devices, which is a huge deal for those of us who use presets for the bulk of our photo editing.

So how do we get the presets from our computers to our Lightroom Mobile app? Until recently we could do it only by using some unofficial workarounds. But with Adobe’s newly minted cross-platform support for develop presets, you can carry your presets with you wherever you go simply by clicking a button.

Let me show you how to sync your beloved develop presets from Lightroom Classic to your Lightroom Mobile app.

What You’ll Need

To sync your develop presets from your computer-based Lightroom Classic you currently need to be a member of the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan. If you have a standalone (non-cloud) version of Lightroom you won’t be able to sync your presets with your mobile device.

Every Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan includes both Lightroom Classic CC and Lightroom CC. I realise these names can get a little muddled up, but bear with me.

Lightroom Classic CC is the tried and true version of Lightroom most of us remember. Adobe calls it the “desktop-focused” version of Lightroom, and what many of us moved from when we switched to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan.

Lightroom CC is the new cloud-based version of the Lightroom we knew previously. While it’s a boiled down, more streamlined incarnation of the classic Lightroom, it still has all the tools we know and love. And it’s the software we’ll use to sync with our Lightroom Mobile app.

So you need to have Lightroom CC installed on your computer to sync your develop presets with your mobile version of Lightroom. You also need to have the Lightroom Mobile (Lightroom CC) app installed on your mobile device.

How to Sync

Getting your develop presets from Lightroom Classic CC to Lightroom Mobile is incredibly easy once you understand a few simple steps. In fact, the process is almost automatic once your install Lightroom CC alongside Lightroom Classic CC.

Once you installed and open Lightroom CC, your develop presets and profiles will sync automatically through your Adobe Cloud account. Keep in mind that while you can sync catalogs from your Lightroom Classic CC software, your develop presets won’t sync to Lightroom Mobile until they’re synced to your Lightroom CC software.

Once you have your presets in Lightroom CC, sync your devices by clicking the cloud icon at the top right.

When your develop presets appear in Lightroom CC, it’s time to open your Lightroom Mobile app.

Open an image, and scroll to the develop presets icon.

You should now see your newly synced develop presets from Lightroom CC (and thus Classic CC) available for use on your Lightroom Mobile app.

Final Thoughts on Syncing Develop Presets to Lightroom Mobile

Whether you love it, hate it, or just want to get on with your processing, the fact we photographers can now work more readily on the go can’t be ignored. We no longer need to get back home, or even back to a waiting laptop, to begin processing our images. Whether or not it’s a good thing is entirely up to you.

Being able to use our develop presets across all of the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan platforms will make our photographic lives even easier. If you use Lightroom Mobile regularly, be sure to share your thoughts about this newfound mobility in the comments below.

The post How to Sync Your Develop Presets to Lightroom Mobile appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

October 10, 2018
Lenovo teases Z5 Pro smartphone with quad-camera module

You thought smartphone manufacturers would stop at three cameras in a device? Think again. Lenovo has been teasing its upcoming Z5 Pro high-end device with a quad-camera and just confirmed that one of the four cameras will have a 2x telephoto lens.

Four sample images from the telephoto module have been posted on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. Image size has been reduced, so it’s difficult to judge image detail and noise. That said, the samples look pretty promising in terms of dynamic range and color.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_9467991784″,”galleryId”:”9467991784″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

What we don’t know at this point is what specification the remaining three cameras will come with. It’s fair to assume one of them will be a regular wide angle. The other two could be a super-wide-angle, monochrome camera, a simple depth-sensor for a simulated bokeh effect or even a longer telephoto than 2x.

Looking at the teaser image above the lenses will be arranged in a square with a flash LED at the center. Non-camera specs are firmly located in high-end territory, with a large 6.5-inch QHD+ screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, 6/8GB of RAM, 64-256GB of internal storage and a 4,000mAh battery.

The Lenovo Z5 Pro launch date is set for October 16, so we should know everything about the new quad-camera around this time next week.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 10, 2018
PSA: This is what happens when a drone hits the wing of an airplane

The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) has published a video showing the damage caused by a consumer drone when it strikes the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. The test simulated life-like conditions, the end result mimicking the collision of a quadcopter with the wing of an aircraft at 238MPH / 383kph.

Despite weighing only 952g / 2.1lbs, the drone tore a large hole in the wing, ultimately causing damage to its main spar. UDRI’s group leader for impact physics Kevin Poormon said in a university release that the drone caused “significant damage” to the structure. Both the video and test results were recently presented at the Unmanned Systems Academic Summit.

The test follows decades of bird-strike research involving aircraft, the data necessary in a world where consumer drone numbers have skyrocketed. Talking about the topic, Poormon explained:

Drones are similar in weight to some birds, and so we’ve watched with growing concern as reports of near collisions have increased, and even more so after the collision last year between an Army Blackhawk helicopter and a hobby drone that the operator flew beyond his line of site.

Earlier this year, a video surfaced of a drone pilot operating their UAV directly above a passenger jet as it left McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Similar reports of reckless activity have surfaced in recent months, such as an investigation into a possibly drone-related helicopter crash earlier this year and a drone-plane collision in Canada late last year.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 10, 2018
Review: Evecase Canvas DSLR Backpack
Awesome highlights of this wild career: taking photographs, hanging out with cool clients, and producing stunning imagery.

The not-so-fun part: transporting all the cameras, lenses and bits and bobs we need from point A to point B.

If you’re like me, you know that being able to carry all of our must-haves comfortably can make or break the work day. I’m always looking for better ways to lug my gear. So when I came across the Evecase Canvas DSLR Backpack I had to try it out.

The Evecase Canvas DSLR Backpack

Before we get into my opinion of this strappy carrying device, let’s take a moment to discuss what this backpack is about. According to Evecase it “features a customizable interior which can hold camera bod and 2-5 lenses, a laptop compartment that holds a 14-inch laptop, Chromebook or tablet, plenty of pockets, pouches and spaces for jackets, books, a tripod and other accessories. Rain or shine, wet or dry, the removable rain cover will give your backpack the best protection. Fashionable canvas design with discreet look that won’t stand out as camera backpack.”

According to Evecase, the highlights include an easy-to-access camera compartment, discreet instant laptop access, and extended top storage. There are a slew of accessory pockets, tripod holder straps, stowaway side pockets and ergonomic shoulder straps.

Appearance

I won’t lie. The appearance of this canvas backpack is what piqued my interest in the first place. I always gravitate towards cases that don’t scream “Expensive camera equipment stored in here”, and this backpack is certainly inconspicuous enough.

This product is 15 x 12.5 x 7 inches , with the camera compartment being 9.6 x 11 x 4 inches.

The canvas fabric material has a subtle texture to it and is a rather pretty grey. The material is waterproof and weatherproof. (Well, generally. But it also comes with a waterproof case.) It looks like something you’d take on a camping trip or backpacking across Europe. The details are all black, and the color scheme can easily match whatever your style is. Much of my carrying devices and storage units are grey. (I like having all of my products match one another.)

The front of the backpack features a multitude of pockets and flaps, with bottle or beverage pockets that can be stowed away discreetly when not in use. The inside is lined with a light, slate grey that has a bit of a blue tint to it.

The backpack has a bit of weight when empty, but not enough to concern me.

Build Quality

The build quality is where other people’s reviews on this product get a little shifty. I’ve read many claims of it ripping at the seams or being rather fragile. But having used this Evecase product rigorously for more than a month, I haven’t experienced it myself.

The photography I do involves a lot of wear and tear on whatever I have with me. I photograph canine sports, exotic animals and live concerts. My daily dose of damage can include anything from animals biting my bags to a rowdy crowd unintentionally tearing at my stuff. After being put through the wringer for more than 30 days, this bag has managed to survive with almost no visible damage.

Even when it’s fully packed, I haven’t experience any ripping, tearing, or deformity of the compartments due to the weight. I even took it for a spin at the beach (being from California and all), and neither sand nor salty water caused much of an issue. Based on my experiences alone, I’d consider the build quality on this backpack to be great.

That being said, as with any product you own a bit of TLC goes a very long way in ensuring its longevity. I have weekly cleaning where I perform cleaning and basic maintenance on of my work gear. And backpacks, cases and other carrying devices are no exception.

Comfort

The main criteria for whether or not a backpack, sling, or any carrying device stays is comfort. After dueling against several alternatives, the Evecase Canvas DSLR Backpack is definitely staying.

I’ve worn this backpack fully stocked with supplies for around six hours, and suffered no significant discomfort or additional pain normally associated with carrying weight for such a long time. This being said, I feel the size of this backpack and where it suits my height (5’ 5”) brilliantly. Taller people may have an issue simply there’s no real way to adjust where this backpack sits. It would also be nice to have have more padding on the shoulder straps. I think I’ll eventually mod the straps and add more padding, but if it came with some initially it would be even more rad.

As for ease of access, I like the solid build of the camera compartment. I can easily balance the backpack on my knee as a table to help switch lenses or attach something to my rig. There’s a wonderful side pocket I can pull my laptop out of if I don’t feel like opening the top and reaching the computer from there. All of the small bits and bobs I might need are also easily accessible due to the various pockets on the front of the backpack, and the beverage pockets are also within a comfortable reach.

Storage

This backpack features plenty of storage for everything I could possibly need. Of my kit, at maximum, I can fit:
- either:
  - three lenses (Canon 16-35mm F/2.8L USM II, Canon 50mm f/1.2L USM, and Canon 24-70mm F/2.8L USM II) and a camera body (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV)
  - two camera bodies (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS 5D Mark II) and two lenses (Canon 50mm f/1.2L USM and Canon 24-70mm F/2.8L USM II)
- my 13.5” laptop with its case on and a laptop charger
- two variable ND filters
- camera batteries
- chargers
- cards
- lens cleaning kit
- roll of tape
- scissors
- notebook
- pens
- contract / liability waivers / model release forms / non-disclosure documents
- card reader
- metal case of business cards
- tripod
- cellophane gel kit
- my personal belongings (cell phone, portable cell battery, wallet, car keys, jacket, deodorant, makeup)
- two water bottles
- snacks.
That being said, a couple of the pockets in the front are a bit odd in the sense that I would have gone for something different. The size of the two small pockets in front of the camera compartment are a bit strange. The dividers inside them are a bit too large for some of the smaller electronics I’d put there, but too small for anything larger. I’d prefer them to mimic the one long pocket at the top of the backpack, as I currently have to dig deep into the dividers to pull out the small components I need to use. A couple of the flaps could make excellent pockets for paperwork or business cards, but instead they sit there as decorative elements.

Padding

The backpack features an acceptable amount of padding in both the camera and laptop sections. The camera section had significantly more padding than the laptop slot, and so I often store my laptop in its compartment with a secondary case already on it. Fortunately a secondary case fits just fine. The camera compartment includes your run-of-the-mill customizable dividers, so you can arrange that area to suit your needs.

Pros
- Aesthetic and style
- Not bulky
- Comfortable straps
- Plenty of storage space
- Easy camera and laptop access
- Waterproof case is a nice touch
Cons
- Lack of confident padding in the laptop compartment
- Some of the outer pockets are odd
- Needs a better way of hiding tripod straps when not in use
- Needs more buttons to the main compartment to customize size better
- Forget about putting in a DSLR with the grip attached
- Needs more padding on shoulder straps if you pack heavy
In conclusion, for between $ 40 and $ 60 on Amazon.com this backpack gives you a decent bang for your buck. I quite like it, and still get tremendous use out of it.

The post Review: Evecase Canvas DSLR Backpack appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School
October 10, 2018