Blog

5 Creative Indoor Portrait Locations for When the Weather is Blustery

What if I told you that you can find some interesting indoor locations and take photos for free? In this article, I will show you five remarkable indoor portrait locations that you can seek out for your winter shoots.

Winter time is a huge bummer for us portrait photographers. Harsh winds make us (and our models) question our sanity when we step outside for a photoshoot. Sure, we can rent studio space but this can be expensive. Also, let’s be honest, many studio spaces just look bland and uninspiring. Let’s see what else is available.

Editor’s note/disclaimer: The suggestions made in this article do not reflect the views of dPS and are solely the author’s recommendations and opinions. We suggest that you ALWAYS get permission when shooting at an indoor location that is private property (i.e. anywhere other than your subject’s home or yours). Please be aware of the laws in your area regarding photography in private locations, and follow them so you do not find yourself in trouble with the law.

1. LIBRARIES

Libraries are an excellent place to shoot portraits. Tall shelves of books and impressive architecture provide a variety of wonderful backgrounds.

Seek out public libraries and university libraries that are open to the public. I’ve taken portraits of model friends at the Boston Public Library, Boston College, and MIT.

Some libraries have strict policies about photography, so if you’re unsure just ask a staff member. In many places, “Can I take some photos of my friend in here?” is all it takes to get permission.

2. CONVENIENCE STORES

Convenience stores are one of the easiest places to get permission to shoot portraits. Just walk into the store and politely ask the cashier if you can take some photos of your friend inside. That’s how I got these photos:

When shooting in a convenience store, be aware that the aisles are typically narrow. I recommend bringing a wide-angle lens, such as a 35mm, to allow you to fully capture the setting.

3. UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS

Many universities have academic buildings that are open to the public, which makes them a good option to take photos indoors. Empty classrooms are a personal favorite.

I want to emphasize that it’s very important to have respect for the space and its owners. In most instances, the worst case scenario is pretty mild – being asked to leave. If you are asked to leave a property, simply leave without making a fuss. In my experience, it’s not common to get kicked out of places for simply taking photos.

If you’re nervous about confrontation, then ask for permission in advance. Trust me, if you’re polite and transparent, most people will be willing to accommodate your photography (given that you’re not doing it for commercial use or taking photos of their patrons or guests).

4. GROCERY STORES

Filled with colorful vegetables and bright lights, grocery stores are a goldmine for portrait photography. You can capture a wide variety of different scenes reminiscent of everyday life. Have your model interact with different items in the store and use them as props.

Plan to shoot at off-peak hours, such as the middle of a weekday, to avoid throngs of shoppers photo-bombing your pictures. The layout of different grocery stores can vary widely. Some have wide, spacious aisles while others are more densely packed and narrow. Be sure to bring the right lens to properly capture the environment.

It’s useful to scout out the location in advance if you can.

5. LAUNDROMATS

Laundromats are great places to put a different spin on your portraits. If you live in a city, chances are there are plenty of laundromats. If you don’t where to find any near you, start with a simple Google search. Look for self-service laundromats, since these usually don’t have any on-site staff.

It’s rare that laundromats are completely empty, so get used to shooting around other people. When you ignore the side-eyed glances from people drying their socks, then you can get photos like this:

Conclusion

Again, it’s important to be respectful of your environment and the people there who are just going about their business.

You don’t need to go to a public park or shoot in a studio to take great portraits. When you think outside the box, then the world can be your photography playground.

What’s are some of your favorite indoor portrait locations? Let me know in the comments section below.

The post 5 Creative Indoor Portrait Locations for When the Weather is Blustery by Dan Bullman appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

February 16, 2018
Skydio R1 4K camera drone boasts game-changing autonomous tech

California-based company Skydio has announced the R1, a drone described as a “self-flying camera” that autonomously follows and records a subject. Unlike some competing models, R1 was built specifically for autonomous flight; it is able to fly itself at up to 25mph / 40kph while maneuvering around obstacles thanks in part to Skydio’s Autonomy Engine.

While many drones depend on GPS for autonomous flight, Skydio’s R1 is different—it features 13 cameras that work with the Autonomy Engine to perceive and map the world around the UAV. Skydio packed an NVIDIA Jetson AI supercomputer into R1, and the little drone is using it to power intelligent features like real-time movement planning and complex environment navigation.

Here’s a quick intro video that explains how it’s all done:

Users launch the drone in either Side, Follow, or Orbit modes using the companion mobile app. No manual operation is necessary, and in fact, Skydio claims that users can move through complex environments, such as dense woods, without interrupting the R1’s tracking and recording abilities. Skydio goes so far as to claim R1 is “the most advanced autonomous device—of any kind—available today.”

Skydio goes so far as to claim R1 is “the most advanced autonomous device—of any kind—available today.”

The R1, which is small enough to fit in a backpack, is made with carbon fiber and lightweight aluminum. The drone’s primary camera can record subjects at Full HD/30/60fps and 4K/30fps with a 150-degree FOV. The primary camera is isolated from vibrations, stabilized with a 3-axis gimbal, and joined by 64GB of onboard storage. The remaining 12 cameras provide omnidirectional vision for navigation.

Skydio R1 is available now in the United States and Canada through the company’s website for $ 2,500 USD. Buyers are currently limited to one unit with orders shipping 2 to 3 weeks after being placed. To learn more, head over to the Skydio website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

February 16, 2018
Fujifilm X-H1 sample gallery

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_6974816295″,”galleryId”:”6974816295″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

Fujifilm’s newest X-series camera takes video very seriously, but also offers a strong stills feature set largely borrowed from the X-T2. We’ve had some time with a full-production X-H1 that luckily coincided with a little bit of rare February sunshine. Take a look at a fresh batch of samples from Fuji’s newest flagship – including some images processed with the new Eterna/Cinema film simulation mode.

See our Fujifilm X-H1 sample gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

February 15, 2018
Lensbaby introduces Burnside 35 with variable vignetting
Lensbaby has announced the Burnside 35, which it calls an adaptation of the Petzval lens design with the added benefit of an effect slider to adjust the strength of vignetting and bokeh. The gold-anodized slider is located on the side of the lens barrel and operates a second iris, adding more or less vignette effect and adjusting the appearance of bokeh.

The manual focus lens is designed for full-frame and crop-sensor cameras and will be offered in Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Fujifilm X and Samsung NX mount. It’s on sale now for $ 500.
Lensbaby Delivers a Modern Take on Classic Lenses with the Burnside 35

Portland, OR (February 15, 2018) – Lensbaby—makers of award-winning creative effects lenses, optics and accessories—announces the launch of an entirely new kind of creative effects lens, the Burnside 35.

The first ever wide angle adaptation of the Petzval lens design, this 35mm f/2.8 lens creates images with a large, bright central area of sharp focus and striking color rendition surrounded by variable, swirling bokeh and vignette. It also features an effect slider that operates as a second internal iris that changes the shape and amount of swirl in the bokeh; all while adding or removing vignette and center brightness.

Burnside’s 35mm focal length lets you capture a scene at a normal-wide perspective with a dimensionality that makes your subject jump off the page. This lens opens up a new world of creative possibilities for those shooting street photography, landscapes, environmental portraits and more.

“The Burnside 35 is one of the most versatile Lensbabies we’ve made,” said Lensbaby Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder Craig Strong. “It gives you the ability to have a strong or subtle creative effect in a single lens, a lens you might just keep on your camera all day long.”

Adding to the Burnside 35’s versatility is the radical, new effect slider that can be used to add center brightness, in-camera vignette and adjust bokeh detail. You can toggle the gold-anodized effect slider on the barrel of the lens to create variable balance and harmony between center brightness, bokeh and vignette. The effect slider features a four-stop range of vignette and bokeh enhancement so you can dial in the exact look that appeals to you.

Burnside 35 joins Lensbaby’s lens lineup as an all-metal, non-tilting lens similar to their bestselling Velvet series. Made specifically for full frame and crop sensor cameras, this lens is compatible with Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Micro 4/3, Sony E, Fuji X and Samsung NX.

Burnside 35 Product Specs:
- Focal Length: 35mm
- Aperture Range: f/2.8-16
- 6 blade internal aperture
- 8 blade secondary internal aperture for the effect slider
- Minimum Focus Distance: 6 inches
- Maximum Focus Distance: Infinity
- 62mm filter threads
- Focus type: Manual
- Size/ Weight: 13.2 oz (374.21g)
- 6 multi-coated glass elements, in 4 groups
The Burnside 35 is now available for purchase on lensbaby.com and select Lensbaby-authorized retailers for $ 499.95.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
February 15, 2018
Noa N7 smartphone captures 80MP images with ‘high-resolution mode’

Lesser known Croatian brand Noa might not be the first manufacturer that springs to mind when you think about mobile photography, but the company will be launching a new mid-range device with some very interesting imaging features at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at the end of this month.

The Noa N7 comes with a dual-camera setup that features two 16MP Sony IMX298 1/2.8″ image sensors. At this point, there’s no further detail on how the two cameras play together, but we would assume there will be a shallow depth-of-field simulation mode and some kind of computational merging for better detail and reduced noise.

What the camera will definitely feature, however, is a 80MP high-resolution mode, presumably using image data from both lenses in combination with a pixel-shift technology. Looking at the demo video below, it seems the mode will require a tripod, but that’s still an attractive option for landscape or architectural photography who require maximum detail.

Main camera aside, the phone will offer a ceramic casing, Face-ID unlocking via the front camera, DTS stereo sound and an octa-core MediaTek MT6750 chipset. Images can be framed and viewed on a 5.7-inch display with 18:9 aspect ratio, and HD+ resolution.

If the 80MP mode has sparked your interest, the Noa N7 might be worth a closer look. Fortunately, the high pixel count won’t come with an expensive price tag—Noa says the N7 will retail for about 250 EUR ($ US 310) in Europe. We are looking forward to testing the high-resolution mode at MWC, so stay tuned!

Press Release

Koprivnica, 15th of February 2018

NOA will focus on its latest smartphone at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona – NOA N7, with a 5,7 HD+ screen with an 18:9 screen ratio. Ceramic case, improved photography, Face ID and Face Beauty functionality along with an affordable price are the main key selling points of this new model.

The first two thing you’ll notice about this model is its design and a wonderful „royal blue“ color of the ceramic casing. This smartphone’s subtle elegance will certainly be noticed by everyone around you.

What makes this phone especially noticeable is the photo detailing and its quality, something that you’ll experience when you zoom in the photo and notice the perfectly rendered details. The N7 model will feature 2x 16 MP back Sony cameras with an IMX 298 sensor, which enables the creation of photographs up to 80 MP using oversampling technology.

The front 16 MP „selfie“ camera will support „Face ID“ and „Face Beauty“ functionalities. This means that you’ll be able to unlock your smartphone by scanning your face, which adds extra functionality in this price range, and rounds our the feature list with attractive and novel technologies. Your selfies will look sharper, more detailed and be of better quality. Thanks to the „Face Beauty“ feature, you’ll always look your best in photos, whether you’re taking them in the morning or evening.

Users who like to listen to music will also enjoy themselves with NOA N7, thanks to the world famous DTS sound technology. DTS Sound is an all-in-one audio solution that offers improved stereo sound quality, internal speaker optimization, and creates a panoramic audio experience while using earbuds.

NOA N7 is based on the 8 core Media Tek MT6750 processor with a 1,5 GHz frequency and a 5,7” screen. The screen resolution, complete with HD+ technology is 1440×720 pixel and an 18:9 screen ratio. NOA N7 will have 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of ROM storage, expandable to 128 GB with the help of an SD card. NOA N7 comes with a 3.300 mAh battery and will use the latest Android 8.0 as its operating system.

NOA N7 smartphone will be in the price bracket of up to 250 EUR.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

February 15, 2018

Fujifilm’s MKX lenses bring affordable cinema glass to X-mount

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_5834389364″,”galleryId”:”5834389364″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

Fujifilm has announced its Fujinon MKX 18-55mm T2.9 and MKX 50-135mm T2.9 cinema lenses for X-mount. These are essentially the same Super 35 lenses that Fujifilm released about a year ago in E-mount and are now available to users of the company’s own X-mount mirrorless system.

Combined, the two lenses provide coverage between 18mm and 135mm, a very useful range for video production. Based on the company’s much more expensive Cabrio line of cinema optics, the MKX series include properties typically found on much more expensive cine lenses.

Those features include little to no lens breathing, a phenomenon which causes a lens’s field of view to change slightly as it’s focused, a parfocal design, meaning that the lens will maintain precise focus while zooming and 200 degrees of focus rotation with hard stops in order to work well with a follow focus setup.

The Fujinon MKX18-55mm T2.9 and MKX 50-135mm T2.9 cinema lenses are X-mount versions of the MK series lenses released about a year ago for E-mount (shown here on a Sony FS7 camera).

Additionally, the MKX lenses are also matched to have the same exact weight, dimensions, gearing and 82mm filter threads, meaning that it’s possible to switch between the two lenses easily without making any modifications to your rigging, such as the position of tools like a follow-focus or matte box.

We provided a hands-on look at both the MK18-55mm T2.9 and MK50-135mm T2.9 lenses in E-mount when they were released, and since they’re the same lenses (except for the mount) those articles can give you a more detailed overview of both lenses.

The MKX 18-55mm T2.9 and lens will cost $ 3,999, while the MKX 50-135mm T2.9 will cost $ 4,299. Both lenses are expected to be available in spring or summer 2018.

Press release:

FUJIFILM ANNOUNCES NEW ULTRA-COMPACTCINEMA LENSES, FUJINON MKX18-55MMT2.9 AND FUJINON MKX50-135MMT2.9 FOR X MOUNT

High Performance, Lightweight Cinema Lenses for the X Series Line of Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Digital Cameras

Valhalla, N.Y., February 15, 2018 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the launch of FUJINON MKX18-55mmT2.9 and FUJINON MKX50-135mmT2.9 cinema lenses for X Mount, new additions to the X Series line of interchangeable lenses.

Available in June 2018, these cinema lenses offer a lightweight and compact design with the same optical performance and operability as larger cinema lenses in their class. They cover 18-135mm–the most frequently used focal length in video production–and achieve a constant T2.9 aperture across the entire zoom range, enabling a shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh effect. With an enhanced optical and mechanical design, the MKX18-55mm and MKX50-135mm suppress focus shifts while zooming and reduce lens breathing, ensuring continuous sharp output. In line with the optical performance of the XF16-55mm and XF50-140mm lenses, these new MKX lenses offer a range of features that enable ease-of-use for capture in a wide array of shooting situations.

“The growth of video production has created a large demand among videographers and cinematographers for compact and easy-to-use lenses,” said Yuji Igarashi, General Manager of the Electronic Imaging Division & Optical Devices Division at FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “In keeping with our commitment to deliver innovative products and solutions, Fujifilm has recognized this need and has introduced the MKX18-55mm and MKX50-135mm lenses, offering a lightweight design and affordable price point, while delivering great optical performance and operability as other professional cinema lenses.”

Advanced Optical Performance in a Compact, Lightweight Lens Barrel

The MKX18-55mm and MKX50-135mm are lightweight and compact; achieving advanced optical performance utilizing the short flange focal distance of X Mount. This feature reduces the number of people needed for the shooting process, ideal for small budget productions.

In addition, the lenses offer advanced optical performance across the entire zoom range. Achieving T2.9 aperture, they facilitate the bokeh effect with shallow depth-of-field eliminating the need to readjust lighting. Combined, these features not only lead to beautiful videos, but also shorten shooting time, making the MKX lenses a very economical choice for movie production. Further adding to its superior output, contact with an X Series camera corrects distortion, color, brightness and achieves Fujifilm’s various Film Simulation modes.

Featuring an Optical and Mechanical Design Ideal for Video Shooting

The optical and mechanical approach employed in these new MKX lenses allows for elimination of time lag that is usually experienced with electrical control systems. Manufacturing technology developed for conventional FUJINON cinema lenses was applied to control the optical axis shift while zooming. The front inner-focusing system controls lens breathing, allowing for smooth focus over an entire scene. Additionally, when zooming, focus shift is suppressed by independently driving the front focusing group and zooming group of lens elements away from each other.

Comfortable Operability Provided Through Dedicated Cinema Lenses

The MKX18-55mm and MKX50-135mm feature three fully manual rings for independent adjustment of focus, zoom and aperture, allowing for intuitive operation. The focus ring offers a rotation of a full 200 degrees to facilitate precise focusing even when shooting with a shallow depth-of-field where a high degree of precision is required. Further, all operation rings have a gear pitch of 0.8 m, allowing the use of all standard third party accessories for video production. With an iris that supports seamless adjustment, precise and silent exposure is achieved while preventing camera shake caused by clicking, making these lenses perfect for a wide array of shooting situations.

Standardized Design for Ease of Operation

Adding to their high quality video production, these MKX lenses are designed for ease-of-use. The gears for all three rings are positioned in the same place eliminating the need to re-position accessories when switching lenses. Only one matte box with an 85mm front diameter and one filter size with a filter thread of 82mm are needed between the two lenses. Equipped with a macro function that allows shooting close-ups to broaden the range of scenes that can be covered with one lens, optimum performance is achieved.

FUJINON MKX18-55mmT2.9 Key Features

Compatible with all FUJIFILM X Series interchangeable system cameras
Compact, lightweight lens weighing just 1,080g with external dimensions (maximum diameter x length) of 87mm x 206.6mm
Comprised of 22 glass elements in 17 groups with 6 super extra low dispersion lens elements and 2 extra low dispersion lens elements
Achieves maximum aperture of F2.8 and minimum aperture of F22 for close-up shots
Focus range of 0.85m/2ft 9” with wide macro function and 0.38m/1ft 2.9” at wide end and angle of view at 76.5° – 29.0°

FUJINON MKX50-135mmT2.9 Key Features

Compatible with all FUJIFILM X Series interchangeable system cameras
Compact, lightweight lens weighing just 1,080g with external dimensions (maximum diameter x length) of 87mm x 206.6mm
Comprised of 22 glass elements in 17 groups with 2 extra low dispersion lens elements and 2 super extra low dispersion lens elements
Achieves maximum aperture of F2.8 and minimum aperture of F22 for close-up shots
Focus range of 1.2 m/3 ft. 11” with wide macro function and 0.85 m/2 ft. 9” at wide end and angle of view at 31.7° – 12.0°

Accessories Included in Both Lenses

Tripod collar foot
Support foot
Zoom lever
Lens cap
Lens rear cap
Lens hood
Wrapping cloth

Availability and Pricing

The FUJINON MKX18-55mmT2.9 and cinema lens will be available in Spring/Summer 2018 in the U.S. and Canada for USD $ 3,999.95.

The FUJINON MKX50-135mmT2.9 cinema lens will also be available in Spring/Summer 2018 in the U.S. and Canada for USD $ 4,299.95.

Fujinon MKX 18-55 T2.9 / MKX 50-135mm T2.9 specifications

	Fujifilm Fujinon MKX 18-55mm T2.9	Fujifilm Fujinon MKX 50-135mm T2.9
Principal specifications
Lens type	Zoom lens
Max Format size	35mm FF
Focal length	18–55 mm	50–135 mm
Image stabilization	No
Lens mount	Fujifilm X
Aperture
Maximum aperture	F2.8
Minimum aperture	F22
Aperture ring	Yes
Number of diaphragm blades	9
Aperture notes	Seamless iris mechanism
Optics
Elements	22
Groups	17
Special elements / coatings	6 super ELD + 2 ELD elements	6 Super ED + 2 ELD elements
Focus
Minimum focus	0.38 m (14.96″)	0.85 m (33.46″)
Autofocus	No
Full time manual	Yes
Focus method	Internal
Distance scale	Yes
DoF scale	No
Physical
Weight	1080 g (2.38 lb)
Diameter	87 mm (3.43″)
Length	207 mm (8.15″)
Sealing	No
Colour	Black
Zoom method	Rotary (internal)
Power zoom	No
Filter thread	82 mm
Hood supplied	Yes
Tripod collar	Yes

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

February 15, 2018

Fujifilm announces X-H1 stills/movie flagship with in-body stabilization

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_6737847400″,”galleryId”:”6737847400″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

Fujifilm has unveiled the X-H1, a flagship 24MP APS-C camera that builds on the X-T2’s feature set by adding 5-axis image stabilization, a touchscreen and more advanced video capabilities.

The X-H1 gains the ability DCI 4K capture at 23.97p and 24p, in addition to UHD recording at up to 29.9p. It can also record F-Log footage internally for the first time and adds a movie filmstock style ‘Eterna’ Film Simulation mode. More advanced compression allows video capture at up to 200 Mbps: double that of the X-T2.

Movie shooting is also aided by a predominantly touchscreen-operated ‘Movie Silent Shooting’ mode, which deactivates the camera’s dedicated control dials.

The X-H1 borrows styling cues from the medium-format GFX 50S, including a top-panel status LCD and sloping viewfinder prism. It shares the X-T2’s top burst rate of 14 fps with electronic shutter or 8 fps with mechanical shutter, boosted to 11 fps with optional grip.

Like the X-T2, adding a battery grip extends 4K video shooting from 15 minutes to 29 minutes, 59 seconds. It also adds a headphone socket.

Click here to read our Fujifilm X-H1 First Impressions Review

Press release

FUJIFILM UNVEILS THE NEW X-H1, THE HIGHEST PERFORMANCE CAMERA IN THE X SERIES LINEUP

Introducing in-body image stabilization, professional video capabilities, and a range of new features in a robust, durable camera body

Valhalla, N.Y., February 15, 2018 – As a leader in advanced digital camera technology and outstanding image quality, FUJIFILM North America Corporation is excited to announce the new FUJIFILM X-H1, featuring a 24.3 megapixel APS-C sized X-Trans CMOS III sensor and X-Processor Pro image processing engine for outstanding image quality. The new X-H1 is the highest performance camera in the X Series line of mirrorless cameras, and the first to feature in-body image stabilization (IBIS), a new Flicker Reduction mode that allows for stable exposure under fluorescent and mercury lighting, DCI 4K and other impressive video capabilities.

“The new X-H1 is our first X Series model to feature in-body image stabilization, and we are very excited to introduce this camera to the market,” said Yuji Igarashi, General Manager of the Electronic Imaging Division & Optical Devices Division at FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “In addition to ensuring outstanding image quality, the X-H1 is fully equipped with an array of features and functionality specifically designed to enhance creative expression in a wide range of settings.”

The X-H1 boasts a newly designed, robust and durable body, and a range of features that support shooting in various situations by professional and experienced amateur photographers, and videographers. When used in combination with FUJINON lenses and Fujifilm’s signature color reproduction technology, the X-H1 produces outstanding image quality and video reproduction.

New 5.5 Stops In-Body Image Stabilization
The new X-H1 is the first X Series camera to feature in-body image stabilization, harnessing three axial accelerometers, three axial Gyro sensors, and a specially-developed dual-processor to achieve approximately 10,000 calculations per second. When combined with compensating mechanisms, the X-H1 produces uncompromised image quality and precision. 5-axis image stabilization is possible with all XF and XC lenses, with certain lenses capable of up to a maximum of 5.5 stops. In addition, a new spring mechanism has been added to reduce micro-vibrations caused by operation of the mechanical shutter. Photographers may also choose to use the electronic front curtain shutter or the electronic shutter, virtually eliminating the effect of vibrations to maximize the benefits of image stabilization.

Robust, Weather-Resistant Body Design and Easy Operability for a Wide Range of Shooting Environments
In addition to its dust and water-resistant properties and ability to operate in temperatures as low as 14°F \ -10°C, the X-H1 also features 25% thicker magnesium alloy than the X-T2. The camera also features a high quality, scratch-resistant coating and a compact, lightweight body that maintains high precision and strong resistance to impact shock torsion and other sources of deformation.

The new X-H1 features a high-magnification and high-precision electronic viewfinder with a magnification ratio of 0.75 times and 3.69 million dot resolution, leading the class for APS-C mirrorless cameras. The viewfinder display is extraordinarily smooth, with a display time lag of just 0.005 seconds and a frame rate of 100 frames per second, allowing the user to instantly confirm the movement of the subject and position the focus with great precision. The X-H1 also features a 3-direction tilt, 3-inch, 1.04 million dot electrostatic touch-panel LCD, which can be intuitively set to the desired angle. In addition, the 1.28 inch sub-LCD on the top of the camera, which emulates the design of the mirrorless medium format GFX 50S, allows for instant confirmation of shooting information.

The X-H1 incorporates additional improvements based on feedback from professional photographers, including a large grip design, leaf-spring switch for the shutter-release button, near-silent shutter sound, a new focus level, and a new AF-ON button and enlargements of buttons on the rear of the camera.

Comprehensive Range of Video Features Support Movie Production
The X-H1 is the first camera in the X Series to include ETERNA, a new film simulation mode that is ideal for shooting movies. This mode simulates cinematic film, creating understated colors and rich shadow tones, greatly enhancing creative freedom during post-processing. The X-H1 boasts many functional and performance improvements to video image quality, including the 1080/120P high-speed video mode (1/2, 1/4 and 1/5 speed slow motion) for recording spectacular slow-motion footage; F-log SD card recording which aids smooth workflow; a DCI 4K shooting mode (4096×2160); a 400% dynamic range setting (approximately 12 stops); 200 Mbps high bit rate recording; a high-sound quality internal microphone (24 bit/48 kHz); and verbal time codes.

First Flicker Reduction Mode and Improved Autofocus Algorithms
The X-H1 features a flicker reduction mode, allowing for stable exposure during burst shots even under fluorescent and mercury lighting. In addition, improvements to the autofocus (AF) algorithm have achieved a number of performance enhancements. Low-light limit for phase detection AF has been improved by approximately 1.5 stops—from 0.5EV to -1.0EV—raising the precision and speed of AF in low-light environments. The minimum aperture has been expanded from F8 to F11, and major improvements have been made to the AF-C performance while operating in zoom, making the X-H1 ideal for shooting rapidly moving subjects.

Vertical Power Booster Grip VPB-XH1
The Vertical Power Booster Grip (VPB-XH1) is a weather-resistant grip capable of operating at temperatures as low as 14°F/-10°C that fits two additional batteries to increase maximum number of shots to 900 (in normal mode) and increases the maximum period for shooting movies in 4K to about 30 minutes.
The Vertical Power Booster Grip features a shutter release button, focus lever, AE-L button, AF-ON button, command dial, Q button, and Fn button, providing the same ease of operation when using the camera in vertical or horizontal positions. The grip is equipped with a headphone socket to allow monitoring sound while recording, and includes recharging capability.

Wide Eyecup EC-XH W
The Wide Eyecup EC-XH W covers a broad area around the eye, greatly reducing light interference to enhance concentration during long shoots. The eyecup can be rotated in 90° increments, making it adaptable for either eye and for shooting either vertically or horizontally.

FUJIFILM X-H1 Key Features:

24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III Sensor with primary color filter and X-Processor Pro Processor
5-axis 5.5 stops in-body image stabilization
High-precision 0.5 inch, approx. 3.69 million dots OLED Color Viewfinder
Weather-resistant design; ability to operate in temperatures as low as 14°F/-10°C
ISO Sensitivity
o Standard output: AUTO1 / AUTO2 / AUTO3 (up to ISO12800) / ISO200~12800 (1/3 step)
o Extended output: ISO100/125/160/25600/51200
LCD Monitor
o 3.0 inch, aspect ratio 3:2, approx. 1.04 million dots touch screen color LCD monitor(approx. 100% coverage)
Continuous Shootingo 14.0 fps (with the Electronic Shutter), 8.0 fps (with the Mechanical Shutter)o 11.0 fps (with the Mechanical Shutter and when fitted with VPB-XH1)
Movie Recording (using a card with the UHS Speed Class 3 or higher)
o [4K (4096×2160)] 24P / 23.98P up to approx. 15min.
o [4K (3840×2160)] 29.97P / 25P / 24P / 23.98P up to approx. 15min.
o [Full HD (1920×1080)] 59.94P / 50P / 29.97P / 25P / 24P / 23.98P up to approx. 20min.
o [HD (1280×720)] 59.94P / 50P / 29.97P / 25P / 24P / 23.98P up to approx. 30min.• Bluetooth® Ver. 4.0 low energy technology
New ETERNA film simulation mode
o Simulates cinematic film, understated colors and rich shadow tones
New Flicker Reduction Mode
o Provides stable exposure during burst shots even under fluorescent and mercury lighting
Advanced filters and Film Simulations, including ACROS
Accessories included:
o Li-ion battery NP-W126S
o Battery charger BC-W126
o Shoe-mount flash unit EF-X8
o Shoulder strap, Body cap, Strap clip, Protective cover, Clip attaching tool, Hot shoe cover, Vertical Power Booster Grip connector cover, Sync terminal cover, Cable protector, Owner’s manual

Availability and Pricing
The X-H1 will be available on March 1, 2018 in the U.S. and Canada. The X-H1 Body will be available for USD $ 1,899.95 and CAD $ 2,449.99 and the X-H1 Body with Vertical Power Booster Grip Kit will be available for USD $ 2,199.95 and CAD $ 2,799.99

Fujifilm X-H1 specifications

Price
MSRP	$ 1899 (body only)
Body type
Body type	SLR-style mirrorless
Body material	Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution	6000 x 4000
Image ratio w:h	1:1, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	24 megapixels
Sensor size	APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	X-Processor Pro
Color space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array	X-Trans
Image
ISO	Auto, 200-12800 (expands to 100-51200)
Boosted ISO (minimum)	100
Boosted ISO (maximum)	51200
White balance presets	7
Custom white balance	Yes (3 slots)
Image stabilization	Sensor-shift
CIPA image stabilization rating	5 stop(s)
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Fine, normal
File format	JPEG (Exif v2.3) Raw (Fujifilm RAF, 14-bit)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi-area Center Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection Live View
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	325
Lens mount	Fujifilm X
Focal length multiplier	1.5×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,040,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	1.13× (0.75× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution	3,690,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/8000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)	1/32000 sec
Exposure modes	Program Shutter priority Aperture priority Manual
Built-in flash	No (Small external flash included)
External flash	Yes
Flash modes	Auto, standard, slow sync, manual, commander
Flash X sync speed	1/250 sec
Drive modes	Panorama Advanced Single shot Continuous L/M/H Bracket Video
Continuous drive	14.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Average Spot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±3 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	Yes
Videography features
Format	MPEG-4, H.264
Modes	4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Connectivity
USB	USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
USB charging	Yes
HDMI	Yes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	No
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.0
Remote control	Yes (via smartphone or wired remote)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	NP-W126S lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	310
Weight (inc. batteries)	673 g (1.48 lb / 23.74 oz)
Dimensions	140 x 97 x 86 mm (5.51 x 3.82 x 3.39″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes
GPS	None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

February 15, 2018

Fujifilm X-H1 First Impressions Review

The Fujifilm X-H1 is the company’s range-topping APS-C camera and its most video-capable camera to date. It’s based around the same 24MP sensor as the X-T2 but adds in-body image stabilization as well as a more comprehensive set of video options.

The X-H1 looks like a fractionally larger X-T2 but with the sloped viewfinder ‘prism’ and top-panel LCD that hint at the styling of the GFX 50S. Fujifilm has also clearly been listening to critics of the X-T series and have made the camera’s grip and buttons significantly larger, particularly the AE-L and newly-added AF-On buttons.

Key specifications

24MP X-Trans APS-C sensor
5-axis in-body image stabilization (rated at 5EV)*
3.69M-dot OLED viewfinder
Touch sensitive rear LCD with two-axis tilt
DCI and UHD 4K capture at up to 200 Mbps
Slow motion 1080 (from 120 and 100 fps)
Internal F-Log capture
24-bit audio capture
Eterna/Cinema Film Simulation mode
Timecode
No-blackout continuous shooting
Twin UHS-II-compatible card slots
Anti-flicker shooting mode
Wi-Fi with Bluetooth for constant connection

The company says it’s made further improvements to its AF system and says the new camera will be able to focus in lower light and with smaller apertures.

Despite being based around the same sensor and processor, the X-H1 promises significantly improved video performance, with the range of shooting options extended to include DCI as well as UHD 4K shooting, bitrates up to 200 Mbps and the ability to record F-Log footage internally.

Other additions include the movie style ‘Eterna’ Film Simulation and an anti-flicker option for shooting under artificial lights.

Interestingly, although rated at 5EV, Fujifilm says the stabilization can hit 5.5EV of effectiveness if paired with non-IS lenses. The explanation for this is that the unstabilized lenses tend to be primes and are generally relatively wide focal lengths, both of which mean they’re more likely to project a larger image circle than the sensor requires. This gives the sensor more room to move around, providing greater stabilization.

Enhanced video

The X-T2 is already a very credible video performer: offering good levels of detail capture and Log output over HDMI if needed. The X-H1 takes this a step further. In addition to being able to shoot UHD 4K at up to 30p it can also shoot the wider aspect ratio DCI 4K format at 23.98 and 24p. Enhanced compression options allow capture at up to 200 Mbps and it can also capture F-Log footage internally.

Like the X-T2, the H1 uses a 1.17x crop region of its sensor to capture its UHD and DCI 4K video. This means using roughly 1.4x more pixels than necessary, in each dimension, to produce its UHD footage. This oversampling leads to higher levels of detail capture than would be possible by simply using a 3840 x 2160 region. If the X-T2 is anything to go by, it should look good and have pretty well-controlled rolling shutter.

It seems most of the camera’s additional size relates to the addition of the stabilization unit, since the X-H1 is still limited to 15 minutes of 4K shooting. However, as with the X-T2, there’s an optional battery grip that lets the camera cycle between drawing power from each of three batteries. Presumably this avoids too much heat building up in the same place, since it extends the camera’s 4K shooting duration out to the traditional 29 minutes, 59 seconds stipulated by import duty regulations.

On top of this comes the ability for the camera to retain a raft of settings separately for stills and video. This means you don’t have to significantly reconfigure the camera every time you switch from stills to video shooting or back.

Parameters treated independently for movie shooting
Film Simulation Dynamic Range mode White Balance Highlight Tone Shadow Tone Color (saturation) Sharpness (sharpening) Noise reduction	Peripheral light correction (vignetting ) Focus area Focus mode AF-C Custom Settings Pre-AF Face/Eye Detection MF Assist Focus Check

The obvious things that can’t be set independently for stills and movie shooting are the exposure settings, since these are primarily defined by dedicated control dials. If you plan to swap back and forth between stills and video shooting, the camera’s new ‘Movie Silent Control’ mode is one way around this.

Movie Silent Control disables the aperture ring, shutter speed dial and ISO dial, passing control to a touchscreen, joystick and four-way controller-based interface. This means discrete stills and video settings can be maintained, since the dedicated control points no longer have any affect in video mode.

However you choose to control exposure in movie mode, you’ll quickly find that the X-H1 offers shutter speeds equivalent to 360, 180 and 90 degree shutter angles for 24, 30 and 60p video capture, with the options for 1/24th, 1/48th, 1/96th, 120th and 1/240th becoming available.

Like its sibling, the X-H1 offers a series of focus peaking options (color and intensity) but no zebra warnings for setting exposure, beyond the ‘Live View Highlight Warning’ option that indicates an unspecified and unspecifiable brightness.

The X-H1 also brings Fujifilm’s DR modes to movie capture for the first time, allowing you to capture more highlight information, if you can tolerate higher ISO settings. Meanwhile the ‘Eterna/Cinema’ Film simulation is designed to give ‘soft,’ low-saturation footage with low contrast but distinct shadows. Fujifilm says it can be used as an end-point in itself or to give yourself a degree of latitude for color grading.

Users of Fujifilm’s MK lenses (launched in X-mount alongside the X-H1) will appreciate the ability to view aperture as T-stops, rather than F-numbers. It’s unclear at this point whether this option will be available with adapted and third-party lenses identified this way.

Dynamic Range Priority

Fujifilm was one of the first brands to exploit the ISO-invariant properties of the sensors it uses through its Dynamic Range modes (The DR modes offer multiple ways of delivering ISO settings using different amounts of hardware amplification to capture additional highlight information).

The X-H1 takes this further with a ‘Dynamic Range Priority’ mode. This uses the existing DR modes in combination with the camera’s ability to adjust the Highlight and Shadow aspects of its tone curves. There are four settings: Weak, Strong, Auto and Off. The ‘Weak’ setting is DR200% mode with highlights and shadows softened by 1 step (since it’s baed on DR200%, is only available from ISO 400 upwards), while ‘Strong’ is DR400% with Highlights and Shadows set to -2. Strong is only available from ISO 800 or higher.

New shutter mechanism

Along with in-body stabilization, the X-H1 gains a new, quieter shutter mechanism. In addition to being quieter, it also allows the camera to offer Electronic First Curtain (EFC) shutter mode. In this mode the sensor being activated starts the exposure but a physical shutter is still used to end it, so that you avoid any risk of shutter shock but without any risk of rolling shutter.

Various combinations of EFC, mechanical and fully electronic shutter are available, to allow the use of each mode for the shutter speeds where it gives its greatest advantage.

Compared with its peers

The X-H1 is the latest high-end crop sensor camera to offer both stills and video shooting but each one provides a different set of features:

	Fujifilm X-H1	Fujifilm X-T2	Sony a6500	Panasonic GH5
US MSRP (body only)	$ 1900	$ 1600	$ 1400	$ 2000
Pixel count	24MP	24MP	24MP	20MP
Sensor size	APS-C	APS-C	APS-C	Four Thirds
Image Stablization	5-axis, 5.5EV	Lens only	5-axis, 5EV	5-axis, 5EV
Maximum shooting rate	14 fps with e-shutter, 8 fps mechanical (11 with grip)	14 fps with e-shutter, 8 fps mechanical (11 with grip)	11 fps	9 fps (11 with S-AF)
AF Joystick?	8-way	8-way	No	4-way
Touchscreen	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Screen articulation	Two-axis tilt	Two-axis tilt	Tilt	Fully articulated
EVF	3.69M dots	2.36M dots	2.36M dots	3.69M dots
Viewfinder magnification	0.75x	0.77x	0.70x	0.76x
Video Bit depth	8	8	8	10
Max bitrate (Mbps)	200	100	100	400 (150 in 8-bit mode
Mic / Headphone sockets?	Yes / On VPB-XH1 accessory grip	Yes / On VPB-XT2 accessory grip	Yes / No	Yes / Yes
Log capture?	Yes	HDMI out only	Yes	HLG (V-Log L Via paid upgrade)
HDMI	Micro	Micro	Micro	Full size
USB	3.0 Micro Type B	3.0 Micro Type B	2.0 Micro Type B	3.1 Type C
Shots per charge (CIPA rating)	310	340	310	410
Weight (with card and battery)	673g	507g	453g	725g

Pricing and availability

The X-H1 will be available from March 1st at an MSRP of $ 1899 body only and $ 2199 bundled with the VPB-XH1 vertical grip.

*Fujifilm says the camera will give up to 5.5EV of stabilization when paired with non-stabilized XF lenses.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

February 15, 2018

5 Tricks to Make Your Landscape Photos Stand Out
Are you passionate about portrait photography? Do you love sharing images of your trips and landscape photos? Or maybe you spend your free time capturing the streets of your city?

Let me tell you something you might not know about yourself. Every now and then you are a landscape photographer, too. Everyone is. Let’s be honest, you couldn’t resist that beautiful mountain view you photographed a few weeks ago on a hike. Your social media feeds are full of your friends’ photos of canyons, lakes, and forests. Even your grandma sent you a picture of a sunset from her backyard the other day.

The amount of landscapes captured and uploaded every day is overwhelming. So how can you make people stop and look at YOUR images? How do you make YOUR landscape photos stand out?

Here are some useful tips and tricks to help you. Save them for later, and the next time you are photographing a beautiful view make sure to follow them. You will have a much better chance of taking a good picture and making it noticed.

1. Less is more

“A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This famous quote also applies very well to landscape photography. I know you are excited to show the whole world how beautiful nature is around you. However, often showing everything is equal to showing nothing.

For instance, look at the image below. It is simple and straightforward. You clearly know what the photographer tried to show.

Now, imagine there is a road below the greenery, two smaller mountains on the right and little pond on the left. You could capture all of that instead; it would give much more information about the location. However, then your viewer wouldn’t know where to look.

Your viewer is exposed to thousands of images every day (social media, streets banners, TV, online advertising, etc.). Don’t give him any more work. Seeing your photo should be an effortless and enjoyable process. Here is how to get rid of the unnecessary parts of your images:
- If you have a zoom lens, zoom into the frame.
- Reposition yourself. Sometimes you have to walk closer to your subject or choose a different point of view.
- As a last resort – crop your image later. Generally, It’s not advisable to crop more than 20% of your images. This rule will keep you more disciplined about your choices in the field. Also, it will help you keep your images in high resolution in case you decide to print them one day or participate in photography contests. (Many contests don’t allow cropping more than 20%).
2. Avoid distractions

Now you’ve decided which part of the scene is the most compelling. But before you click the shutter, make sure that these technicalities are in check:

A) Check that the horizon is straight. Turn on the grid in your camera to help you with that.

B) Position your subject away from the middle of the frame. Most of the time you will find yourself following the rule of thirds

.Sometimes following the rule, precisely.

Sometimes, not so much.

C) Get your settings right to avoid overexposed, underexposed, blurry, or noisy images.

3. Look for color contrast

This is an extremely important concept that you need to be familiar with.

Our brains are wired in a way that when we look at a picture, we first respond to contrasts in color and light, then to the shape, size and other characteristics of the scene.

Make sure you know the theory of color contrast. The general rule is that cold and warm colors work well together. Here are some examples:

4. Test a thumbnail of your image

In a perfect world, you would make a large format print of your image and people would come and spend hours savoring every detail of it. In reality, your picture will be one of many tiny thumbnails on someone’s social media feed. (If you don’t post your images online, you can skip this part.)

A great exercise is to look at your image as a small thumbnail. Can you tell what’s on it? Would you pay attention to it if you saw it on your Instagram timeline or would you scroll past it? You’ll notice, that simple images with high color and/or light contrast stand out the most.

Can you guess which of the images from the grid below got the most amount of interaction on Instagram?

5. Is the image good or does it make YOU feel good?

You just came back from a trip and that sunset you observed with your partner was amazing. You still remember the sound of the waves and the warm wind coming from the sea. Time to share that memory with the world!

99% of the time, that’s fine if you want a snapshot of a holiday, but not if you want people to see an artistic value in it. A great image should be great by itself, regardless of what emotions you have attached to it.

A good practice is to look through your photos weeks, or sometimes months after you took them. You will be surprised at how your selection will change compared to the day of the shoot.

Here are a couple more images that follow the tips above.

Over to you

Do you have some images that reflect the points of this article? Share them in the comment section so that others can learn from you.

The post 5 Tricks to Make Your Landscape Photos Stand Out by Maria Sahai appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School
February 15, 2018
LG will introduce a powerful new camera AI for the V30 smartphone at MWC
LG won’t unveil the successor to the G6 at MWC in the final week of February; instead, the new device will be launched at a stand-alone event at a later point in time. However, there will still be some interesting news for mobile photographers from LG at the trade show. Namely, the Korean manufacturer will introduce a suite of AI technologies for its smartphones, with the 2018 version of the flagship V30 being the first device to feature the new tech.

LG’s objective for the new system was to deliver a “unique and more intuitive user experience”, focusing on the camera technology and voice recognition.

“As we communicated last month at CES, the future for LG lies in AI, not just hardware specs and processing speeds,” said Ha Jeung-uk, senior vice president and business unit leader for LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Creating smarter smartphones will be our focus going forward and we are confident that consumers will appreciate the advanced user experience with the enhanced V30 that many have been asking and waiting for.”

The Vision AI component puts the focus on camera usability and performance. It automatically analyzes objects and recommends the best suited out of the following shooting modes:
- Portrait
- Food
- Pet
- Landscape
- City
- Flower
- Sunrise
- Sunset
In addition to any detected objects in the frame, the system takes into account the angle of view, color, reflections, backlighting, and saturation levels in order to pick the best mode. For example, framing a plate of pasta will result in food mode being triggered. The final image result will show warmer colors and increased levels of sharpening for a pleasing visual presentation of your lunch.

A new low-light shooting mode, also on board, automatically brightens images in dim environments by a factor of two.

Like other AI systems—think Google Lens—Vision AI can provide shopping advice through image recognition. When the camera is pointed at an object the software can automatically scan QR codes, initiate an image search or display online shopping options to purchase the item or similar products.

For the development of the object recognition software, which is core to Vision AI, LG collaborated with a partner to analyze over a 100 million images and create more than a thousand image categories were created for accurate image analysis.

The AI system’s voice component lets you run apps and change settings through voice commands alone, working alongside Google Assistant. LG says that certain AI features won’t be limited to new models only, but will be available also to existing LG smartphones via over-the-air updates, depending on hardware specifications.

Vision AI isn’t the first system of its kind, but there is no doubt AI is part of the future of photography, and it’s good to see almost all large mobile manufacturers working in the field. We’re looking forward to having a closer look at LG’s Vision AI at MWC.

LG TO INTRODUCE OWN SMARTPHONE AI AT MWC 2018

New AI Functionalities Aligned Closely with Needs and Usage Behavior of Today’s Consumers

SEOUL, Feb. 13, 2018 — LG Electronics (LG) will introduce the first of a suite of AI technologies for its smartphones at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The new technology will be featured in the 2018 version of the LG V30, LG’s most advanced flagship smartphone to date.

LG spent more than a year researching how AI should be implemented in smartphones, long before announcing LG ThinQ at CES 2018. This research focused primarily on making AI-based solutions with the objective to deliver a unique and more intuitive user experience, focusing on the camera and voice recognition. The result is a suite of AI technologies that is aligned closely with the needs and usage behavior of today’s users.

Vision AI: Next Generation Image Recognition
On top of an already impressive list of camera features that include dual lenses, wide-angle low-distortion lenses, and the all-glass Crystal Clear Lens, Vision AI makes the camera of the LG V30 even smarter and easier to use.

Vision AI automatically analyzes objects and recommends the best shooting mode from among eight modes: portrait, food, pet, landscape, city, flower, sunrise, and sunset. The angle of view, color, reflections, backlighting, and saturation levels are all taken into consideration as the phone analyzes images in its database to determine what the camera is focusing on in order to recommend the best setting. For example, pointing the camera at a plate of pasta will result in food mode being invoked, resulting in warmer colors and heightened sharpening for the most appetizing shot possible.

LG collaborated with a partner in image recognition to analyze over a 100 million images in order to develop the phone’s image recognition algorithms. Over one thousand unique image categories were created for more accurate image analysis, resulting in better shooting mode recommendations.

Another feature of Vision AI provides shopping advice through smart image recognition. By simply pointing the camera at an object, LG’s Vision AI can automatically scan QR codes, initiate an image search or provide shopping options including where to purchase the item for the lowest price and other similar products that the customer might find of interest.

A new low-light shooting mode automatically brightens images in dim environments by a factor of two. Instead of conventional methods of measuring external light levels, Vision AI instead measures the brightness of the actual image that will be recorded, resulting in brightness levels that are adjusted much more accurately.

Voice AI: LG-Exclusive Voice Commands
Another new feature is Voice AI that allows users to run apps and change settings through voice commands alone. Working alongside Google Assistant, the 32 LG-exclusive Voice AI commands – up from 23 commands in 2017 – Voice AI eliminates the need to search through menu options and allows for direct selection of specific functions.

LG Exclusive Voice Commands for Google Assistant

VOICE COMMAND
FEATURE (PRECEDE WITH “OK GOOGLE”)
1 Wide-angle photo Take a picture on a wide angle
2 Wide-angle selfie Take a selfie on a wide angle
3 Wide-angle video Record a video on a wide angle
4 Wide-angle selfie video Take a selfie video on a wide angle
5 Cine Video Open camera on Cine Video
6 Expert Photo Mode Open camera on a manual mode
7 Expert Video Mode Open camera on a manual video
8 Cine Video (Romantic) Take a romantic Cine Video
9 Cine Video (Melodramatic) Take a melodramatic Cine Video
10 Cine Video (Thriller) Take a thriller Cine Video
11 Cine Video (Beauty) Take a beauty Cine Video
12 Cine Video (Blockbuster) Take a summer blockbuster Cine Video
13 Cine Video (Romantic Comedy) Take a romantic comedy Cine Video
14 Cine Video (Documentary) Take a documentary Cine Video
15 Cine Video (Landscape) Take a scenery Cine Video
16 Cine Video (Drama) Take a drama Cine Video
17 Cine Video (Historic) Take a historical Cine Video
18 Cine Video (Mystery) Take a mystery Cine Video
19 Cine Video (Noir) Take a noir Cine Video
20 Cine Video (Classic) Take a classic Cine Video
21 Cine Video (Flashback) Take a flashback Cine Video
22 Cine Video (Pop Art) Take a pop art Cine Video
23 Expert Mode (Graphy) Open camera with Graphy

NEW FOR 2018

24 Panoramic Photo Pending
25 Food Photo Pending
26 Time-lapse Photo (Video) Pending
27 Slow-motion Video Pending
28 Low-light Photo Pending
29 AI Cam Photo Pending
30 Image Search Pending
31 QR Code Scanning Pending
32 Shopping Search Pending

Upgrading and Expanding Smartphone AI
LG’s strategy for smartphones is to continue expanding its AI capabilities while also refining existing features to make them more convenient to use. Certain AI features will not be limited to new LG models only, but also to existing LG smartphones via over-the-air updates, taking into consideration various hardware specifications and stability of LG smartphone models for maximum user experience.

“As we communicated last month at CES, the future for LG lies in AI, not just hardware specs and processing speeds,” said Ha Jeung-uk, senior vice president and business unit leader for LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Creating smarter smartphones will be our focus going forward and we are confident that consumers will appreciate the advanced user experience with the enhanced V30 that many have been asking and waiting for.”

Attendees of MWC 2018 are encouraged to visit LG’s booth in Hall 3 of Fira Gran Via from February 26 until March 1 for more information.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
February 15, 2018