Top Trends in Digital Cameras We Expect at CES 2017

Some camera manufacturers were quicker to embrace 4K video in their camera bodies than others, but at this point, most have a least one or two models that can shoot in this higher resolution.

Panasonic was an early leader, with its flagship Lumix GH4 mirrorless camera, which could capture 4K-resolution video in various frame rates (24p, 25p, 30p).

In the advanced point-and-shoot market, Sony's RX-series cameras, like the RX100 Mark V, also captures 4K but provides additional video features, such as the ability to capture slow-motion video, that previously were found only on very pricey, high-end camcorders. And the RX100's very wide, f/1.8-2.8 lens lets you capture video with a shallow depth of field, another feature found only on high-end camcorders.

Additionally, all camera companies are beefing up their image-stabilization systems to provide jitter-free video and better sharpness on still photos. 

Source: Top Trends in Digital Cameras We Expect at CES 2017

iPhone Rumors: Why The Vertical Dual Camera Is Integral To The New 5-Inch iPhone In 2017

Last year's release of the iPhone SE signaled Apple's return to smaller phones. Now it appears that the Cupertino tech company could be continuing that tradition. Rumors abound that it is planning to release a 5-inch iPhone next year.

According to Macotakara, Apple is also planning to release a 5-inch model next year to coincide with the unveiling of the much-awaited 10th anniversary edition of the iPhone. The rumored lineup already includes the iPhone 7s, iPhone 7s Plus, and iPhone 8.

The Return of Dual Camera Phones

The 5-inch iPhone reportedly has the same qualities as those of the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, but with the size difference and installation of one integral selling point: a dual-lens camera at the back installed vertically instead of horizontally.

What's interesting to note is that the camera sensors are still located at the upper left corner of the phone, but are placed vertically, unlike the ones installed in the iPhone 7 Plus.

By installing the cameras vertically, Apple will be offering an iPhone that takes pictures on its side, the same way traditional cameras do. This could be a sign that Apple may finally be pushing the envelope by producing a phone camera that can rival the quality of photos produced by entry-level cameras.

Dual Phone Cameras: The Future of Mobile Photography

One of the biggest mobile trends we have seen this past year is the return of smartphones equipped with dual cameras. Dual cameras usually have a primary lens that takes a shot of the main image while the secondary lens takes in the details.

The HTC One M8 was the first Android smartphone to have dual lens, but it did not take flight due to its poor execution. Currently, there are three dual-lens smartphones making a splash in the mobile arena: the LG G5, Huawei P9, and of course, the iPhone 7 Plus.

LG G5's dual camera phone was widely lauded for its ability to take wide-angle shots, which are extremely useful when taking group photos and landscape shots. Huawei's dual camera phone has a secondary monochrome sensor that allows the phone to produce sharper images and greater color reproduction.

The iPhone 7 Plus has a wide-angle and telephoto lens, and can be used for bokeh photography. This isn't the first time it has been reported that Apple is issuing a 5-inch model next year. Nikkei Asian Review, a Japanese news outlet, already reported in October the possibility of a 5-inch iPhone. Source: techtimes

Source: iPhone Rumors: Why The Vertical Dual Camera Is Integral To The New 5-Inch iPhone In 2017

Reader’s Choice Poll: The Best Smartphone Of 2016 Is?

By Oliver Haslam | December 28th, 2016

As the end of 2016 draws near and 2017 looms on the horizon, thoughts are beginning to turn to appreciating what the past 12 months have given us and unfortunately also what they have taken away.

In the world of technology alone, 2016 has been a huge year for many of the biggest names in the industry, and when you further narrow the thinking down to just smartphones released this year, then it's clear that it has been both kind and cruel to the household names which dominate the market.

Smartphones have penetrated the lives of so many people at this point, and with some huge releases throughout 2016, we find ourselves wondering which of those smartphones we'd call the best, but then we wondered which would be yours.

When it comes to choosing the best smartphone of the year, there are so many things to consider. Is the most expensive, most feature-rich smartphone automatically the best or should attentions instead turn to mid-range handsets which offer excellence in many ways, but on a budget? With dedicated cameras almost defunct for some people as mobile photography becomes potent and convenient, is a phone's ability to snap a great shot the most important factor when judging which smartphone to grab?

With the decision clearly so difficult, and at times even confusing given the range of comparison, opinions and tests lurking on the Internet in bucket loads, making the right choice is perhaps far too important for just one person or even a small group.

With that in mind, we've taken an option available to us. We think the only sensible way to come to a verdict on the best smartphone of 2016, is to ask you, yes all of you. Is the iPhone 7/7 Plus the overall best the industry had to offer during the year, or was the less expensive but premium-looking OnePlus 3T, or even the Samsung's Galaxy S7 and Google's Pixel range offered a better overall smartphone to consumers? I, personally, cannot decide, but I'm hoping that you can.

So, which one according to you was the best smartphone of 2016? Cast your vote and let the world know!

Your favorite smartphone from 2016 not listed in the poll above? Drop the name of that smartphone in the comments below!

Related Stories

Source: Reader's Choice Poll: The Best Smartphone Of 2016 Is?

The best lenses for iPhone photography

By Erin Lodi

This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.

After more than 16 hours of research during which we considered 70 lens attachments and tested 15 models (with hands-on shooting that included a hiking trip through the Cascade Mountains and sightseeing on a Grand Canyon road trip), we found that Moment's Tele and Wide mobile-photography lenses are the best for avid smartphone photographers. They offer image quality as good as that of anything we tested, along with a straightforward attachment system that doesn't lock you into using a case you don't like (unlike most of the competition).

Who should get this

By adding extra optics directly on top of your phone's existing camera, lens attachments allow you to appear either closer to your subject or farther away from it without reducing resolution. This mimics the effect you'd get from switching lenses on a DSLR or mirrorless camera. But because you're putting additional lenses in front of an existing lens, many lens attachments produce photos with noticeable blurriness and color distortion around the edges of the frame. So you still have plenty of good reasons to go with an actual DSLR or mirrorless camera, especially if you plan on printing your photos. But smartphone lens kits are fun to play around with for photographers of all skill levels, and the best among them can produce surprisingly sharp images.

How we picked and tested

We considered a wide swath of iPhone lens accessories. In a clockwise spiral from top left: CamKix, iPro, Manfrotto, Moment, Ztylus, ExoLens, AGPtek, Olloclip, and Photojojo lenses. Photo: Erin Lodi

We looked for a mobile-photography lens that would fit the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus—though not every lens will work with the latter, and we're keeping our eyes open as more become available that will.

Above all, we wanted a portable, affordable, easy-to-use lens attachment to help produce amazing photos. We focused on finding a good wide-angle option and a good telephoto option, as those are the most commonly available choices and often the most practical applications of iPhone lenses. For more details on how we picked and tested, and a note on lenses for the iPhone 7, see our full guide.

We took each lens out for some real-world testing around Seattle. Photo: Erin Lodi

For this guide, we read up on every recommended smartphone lens attachment we could find on the Internet, including considering what highly respected review sites such as The Phoblographer, CNET, Fstoppers, Cult of Mac, and Macworld had to say. We also asked friends of various levels of smartphone-photography prowess what they would want out of such an attachment.

Since 2015, we've conducted hands-on testing with 15 iPhone lens models. We toted these lenses around Seattle, testing them in some everyday shooting situations. We filled our backpack with them and put them to work while hiking in the Cascade Mountains. And we brought them along on an epic summer road trip to see the Grand Canyon.

Our pick

Moment's .63x-magnification wide lens (18mm equivalent) and a 2x telephoto lens (60mm equivalent). Photo: Erin Lodi

Moment's Tele and Wide lenses stood above the competition thanks to their impressive image quality, their simple attachment method (which works with many third-party iPhone cases), and their ease of use and portability. We tested both the .63x-magnification wide-angle lens (about 1.5 times as wide as the standard iPhone lens, an 18mm equivalent) and the 2x telephoto lens (60mm equivalent). If you have an iPhone 7 Plus, you won't need the tele option, because your phone already has a similar built-in lens, but the Wide is still a great option.

A bayonet-style mount on a metal plate that adheres to your phone allows you to attach your Moment lenses with just a quick turn. Photo: Erin Lodi

In our tests, images came out crisp and clear, with very little distortion and no vignetting. We noted only minimal chromatic aberration (a common problem with cheaply made lenses in which colors fringe and blur, especially at high-contrast edges).

The Moment 0.63x lens is about half again as wide as an iPhone's standard lens. Photo: Erin Lodi

Moment lenses attach to your phone via a stainless steel mounting plate that sticks to the back of your iPhone using a strong but not permanent 3M adhesive. A bayonet mounting system on the plate lets you twist the lens on. The mounting ring is small enough that you can use it through the camera opening on many slim phone cases, including our pick for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the Incipio NGP, which means your favorite method of iPhone protection should work with Moment lenses. If you're careful, the lens attachment will remain mounted until you unscrew it. But we recommend removing the lens from the mount before stowing your handset in a bag or backpack to avoid having it dislodge, and to prevent any uncovered lens surfaces from attracting dust or smudges.

Budget pick

The Aukey lens-and-case set offers great quality for its current price of $15, but it doesn't hold up next to our main pick. Photo: Erin Lodi

If you're not willing to spend almost $100 on a smartphone accessory, or if you just don't think you'd use a high-quality lens attachment often enough to justify such a cost, the Aukey PL-WD03 110° Wide Angle Lens & Case Set is a bargain entry-level lens-and-case combo for the iPhone 6/6s and iPhone 6/6s Plus. (The company has no plans for an iPhone 7 case, but this model does come with a clip mount that isn't as secure but works on any phone.) The set's slim black case snaps over your phone and allows you to screw on a lens attachment. The image quality was noticeably worse when we compared it closely with that of the Moment lenses, but compared with other low-cost lenses we tested, the Aukey delivered better-quality images with less distortion or vignetting.

This guide may have been updated by The Wirecutter. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Note from The Wirecutter: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.

Source: The best lenses for iPhone photography

Sony Xperia XZ trails behind its predecessor in DxOMark

Sony has always been known for its great camera phones. You may not be impressed so much with device performance and speed but the imaging and camera system is definitely a winner. That's somehow expected because Sony is known to be one of the camera experts in the photography world. No doubt the brand has made it many times on several benchmark tests. But when it comes to mobile photography, we rely on DxoMark and Sony is no stranger.

In July of this year, the Sony Xperia X Performance hit the top rank, tied with the HTC 10 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. That Sony phone received a DxMark Mobile Score of 88. This time, the Xperia XZ is on the spotlight and it's no different because its only a point shy away of the Xperia X Performance's.

The Sony Xperia XZ boasts of a 23 megapixel rear camera with a 1/2.3″-type sensor and a wide-angle 24mm f/2 lens. When it comes to mobile photography, the phone offers good target exposures even in very low-light conditions. Autofocus in all lighting conditions is also accurate and fast–best in bright light. The low light images show less noise and with details still well-preserved. With the unit's flash and no other light sources, white balance and color are generally pleasant. Unfortunately, you may see some rings or halos in scenes taken in bright light. The corners also sometimes lose the sharpness compared to the center. Details are lost in high-contrast scenes (highlight and shadow) and in low-contrast areas.

When it comes to mobile video, phone delivers "very good video stabilization in all lighting conditions", fast and accurate autofocus, smooth exposure convergence, good overall exposure, as well as, low level of luminance noise. Disadvantages are few but micro-vibrations during video capture with a tripod are noticeable. Most videos captured have residual motion blur. There is also a slight buildup of chromatic noise and color shading visible in low-light conditions.

SOURCE: DxOMark

Source: Sony Xperia XZ trails behind its predecessor in DxOMark

Chengdu's Pinguo Technology: Let Your Photos Tell a Story - The Magnificence of April

CHENGDU, China, Dec. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Time to take a year-end inventory again; and just recently, AppStore announced its 2016 rankings, a high quality mobile photography App called April (produced by Pinguo Technology), that captured the spotlight. In one fell swoop, it ranked on the top 10 annual Apps in Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. In addition, April was awarded the Golden Mi Award in China on the Xiao Mi App Store. April, launched only six months ago, was recognized among users across all platforms both domestically and abroad.

Following in the footsteps of Camera360, MIX Filter ro and other exquisite products by Chengdu's Pinguo Technology; April is a high quality, easy-to-use mobile photography App. Users can use April to re-organize photos using layouts, stickers, filters and other elements; turning even boring, lifeless photos into colorful masterpieces. To use April for editing, all you need to do is simply tap and drag the photo you want to enhance to adjust its image size, change layouts, reverse photos, etc.

Extremely simple design with a superior sense of quality

As soon as you open April, a wave of user friendly elements hits you. What makes it different from other image editing apps of the past, is that April uses vivid, innovative stickers in place of the old, traditional ones. Also, by using a livelier language, along with an easy, transparent, but deeply artistic font, and with other elements, it takes normal photos and instantly gives them vitality and strength. Users can use April's variety of adjustment tools to toggle image ratios to their liking. They can also toggle classic templates or perfect collage template styles, in order to achieve the perfect composition.

Whether we're talking about art or film, anime or rendering; all you need to do is tap on the selected photo in April, and you'll be able to toggle through hundreds of high quality filters. Get the feel for putting together collages, and achieve unimaginable effects using filters. All you need is April to turn those normal photos on your phone into high quality hits.

Team at April strongly believes that what images convey are often an experience that our users have had. Aside from the high quality of the product and technology itself, this is perhaps the most important reason why April has attracted so many users.

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161223/0861613905

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Source: Chengdu's Pinguo Technology: Let Your Photos Tell a Story - The Magnificence of April

The Best Lenses For Iphone Photography

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  Home > Gadgets

The Best Lenses For Iphone Photography

 December 24th, 2016  |  11:13 AM  |   115 views

ENGADGETS.COM

Check out Moment's tele and wide lenses.

 

This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.

 

After more than 16 hours of research during which we considered 70 lens attachments and tested 15 models (with hands-on shooting that included a hiking trip through the Cascade Mountains and sightseeing on a Grand Canyon road trip), we found that Moment's Tele and Wide mobile-photography lenses are the best for avid smartphone photographers. They offer image quality as good as that of anything we tested, along with a straightforward attachment system that doesn't lock you into using a case you don't like (unlike most of the competition).

 

Who should get this

 

By adding extra optics directly on top of your phone's existing camera, lens attachments allow you to appear either closer to your subject or farther away from it without reducing resolution. This mimics the effect you'd get from switching lenses on a DSLR or mirrorless camera. But because you're putting additional lenses in front of an existing lens, many lens attachments produce photos with noticeable blurriness and color distortion around the edges of the frame. So you still have plenty of good reasons to go with an actual DSLR or mirrorless camera, especially if you plan on printing your photos. But smartphone lens kits are fun to play around with for photographers of all skill levels, and the best among them can produce surprisingly sharp images.

 

We looked for a mobile-photography lens that would fit the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus—though not every lens will work with the latter, and we're keeping our eyes open as more become available that will.

 

Above all, we wanted a portable, affordable, easy-to-use lens attachment to help produce amazing photos. We focused on finding a good wide-angle option and a good telephoto option, as those are the most commonly available choices and often the most practical applications of iPhone lenses. For more details on how we picked and tested, and a note on lenses for the iPhone 7, see our full guide.

 

For this guide, we read up on every recommended smartphone lens attachment we could find on the Internet, including considering what highly respected review sites such as The Phoblographer, CNET, Fstoppers, Cult of Mac, and Macworld had to say. We also asked friends of various levels of smartphone-photography prowess what they would want out of such an attachment.

 

Since 2015, we've conducted hands-on testing with 15 iPhone lens models. We toted these lenses around Seattle, testing them in some everyday shooting situations. We filled our backpack with them and put them to work while hiking in the Cascade Mountains. And we brought them along on an epic summer road trip to see the Grand Canyon.

 

Our pick

 

Moment's Tele and Wide lenses stood above the competition thanks to their impressive image quality, their simple attachment method (which works with many third-party iPhone cases), and their ease of use and portability. We tested both the .63x-magnification wide-angle lens (about 1.5 times as wide as the standard iPhone lens, an 18mm equivalent) and the 2x telephoto lens (60mm equivalent). If you have an iPhone 7 Plus, you won't need the tele option, because your phone already has a similar built-in lens, but the Wide is still a great option.

 

In our tests, images came out crisp and clear, with very little distortion and no vignetting. We noted only minimal chromatic aberration (a common problem with cheaply made lenses in which colors fringe and blur, especially at high-contrast edges).

 

Moment lenses attach to your phone via a stainless steel mounting plate that sticks to the back of your iPhone using a strong but not permanent 3M adhesive. A bayonet mounting system on the plate lets you twist the lens on. The mounting ring is small enough that you can use it through the camera opening on many slim phone cases, including our pick for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the Incipio NGP, which means your favorite method of iPhone protection should work with Moment lenses. If you're careful, the lens attachment will remain mounted until you unscrew it. But we recommend removing the lens from the mount before stowing your handset in a bag or backpack to avoid having it dislodge, and to prevent any uncovered lens surfaces from attracting dust or smudges.

 

Budget pick

 

If you're not willing to spend almost $100 on a smartphone accessory, or if you just don't think you'd use a high-quality lens attachment often enough to justify such a cost, the Aukey PL-WD03 110° Wide Angle Lens & Case Set is a bargain entry-level lens-and-case combo for the iPhone 6/6s and iPhone 6/6s Plus. (The company has no plans for an iPhone 7 case, but this model does come with a clip mount that isn't as secure but works on any phone.) The set's slim black case snaps over your phone and allows you to screw on a lens attachment. The image quality was noticeably worse when we compared it closely with that of the Moment lenses, but compared with other low-cost lenses we tested, the Aukey delivered better-quality images with less distortion or vignetting.

 

 

Source:courtesy of ENGADGET

by Erin Lodi

 

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]

Source: The Best Lenses For Iphone Photography

The Tech News That Dominated The Year And What You Can Expect In 2017

Next year, in terms of smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and next iPhone will likely have edge-to-edge displays (something Xiaomi already beat them with its Mi Mix this year).

Other mobile features such as rapid charging, wireless earphones, premium camera functions, etc., which are mostly found on flagship phones are expected to become a norm industry-wide.

While 2016 has been a breakout year of sorts for virtual reality, 2017 promises a fully immersive virtual environment that can allow users to experience technology in radical new manner.

Expect a lot more of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology in 2017.

Another technological innovation that we can expect is that automation will become a bigger mainstay in and throughout 2017, with advanced technology enabling the automation of previously human-exclusive tasks, like driving.

Overall, while 2017 has the potential to throw up some pretty interesting technological gifts, their p ractical and everyday usage will depend on how much quality control has gone into the process. Hopefully not a repeat of what happened with Samsung and GoPro.

says.com

Source: The Tech News That Dominated The Year And What You Can Expect In 2017

Make Sure Your Mobile Photography is Always Sharp

Even with the latest smartphones on the market, sharp photos can be challenging when we are talking about mobile photography—depending on the situation. Whether you're attempting to snap a moving subject or you're shooting in low lighting, certain factors can work against you.

That being said, here are some mobile photography tips you can use to ensure that your images are crisp.

Clean Your Lens

Many iPhone and Android users forget how easily fingerprints can get on their camera lens. Even if you have a protector over your lens, give it a quick wipe-down before you begin your next mobile photography session. A soft cloth – the same type you use on eyeglasses – can eliminate any fingerprints or smudges on your lens. Failing to get rid of the residue before you shoot can reduce the clarity and crispness of your mobile photos.

Keep Your iPhone Steady

Steadiness is essential to eliminating any blur that may come in dim lighting. You'll also have a better chance of taking sharp images if your hand is still, regardless of the motion of your subjects. If you want to take it up a notch, invest in a tripod for your smartphone. This can help you increase the odds of taking sharp photos every time.

Use the Auto-Focus Lock Option

The auto-focus lock option allows you to set the point of focus before you shoot. It will also prevent your camera from attempting to focus on something other than the subject at hand. To activate this option, tap your subject when it appears on the screen – this will help your camera identify what you are trying to shoot.

Try to Avoid Zoom

Zoom is a feature that seems like an advantage for mobile photographers, but it can be a disadvantage if you're seeking crispness in your images. Zooming in on your subject can increase the chances blurriness or pixelation and in turn, sharp photos. Get as close to your subject before you shoot.

Go Without HDR Mode

High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode can be extremely helpful in some situations. HDR allows your phone to take three photos and combine the best of them into a single shot. However, it might not be ideal if you're looking for sharp images. Because the device will try to take three shots, there is a greater chance of it capturing motion, resulting in blur.

Adjust the Exposure Accordingly

After you set the focus on your subject, you can slide your finger up or down your iPhone screen to adjust the exposure level. This option can help you take sharper images, especially in dimly lit situations. As always, try your best to take your mobile photography in bright lighting. If your camera lens struggles to find light during your shoot, there is a greater chance that the images will be blurry.

Take Advantage of Photo Editing Apps

Keep in mind that there are several iPhone apps that can also help you edit your less-than-perfect mobile photography. Many have features that allow you to sharpen your pictures after you finish your shoot, just don't go overboard. Otherwise you'll get a shot with harsh, visible lines around the edges since apps can't actually decrease blur, but they sharpen images by increasing the contrast of adjacent pixels. This gives an illusion that the image is sharp. To do this in Enlight go to Image > Adjust > Details > Sharpen > swipe to increase.

The sharpness of your mobile photography depends on several factors, ranging from lighting to motion. However, taking them into account can reduce the amount of time you have to spend editing once you finish shooting.

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Tags: enlight, enlight app, enlight blog, enlight leak, how to sharpen photos, iphone photography, iphoneography, mobile photography, mobiography, sharp mobile photography, sharp mobile photos, sharp photos, sharpen photos Krystle Vermes

Krystle Vermes is a professional writer, blogger and podcaster with a background in online and print journalism. Passions include everything tech, sports, and the paranormal. When she isn't freelance reporting, she's running her paranormal blog, GetSpooked.net. Krystle is a graduate of Suffolk University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Print Journalism.

Source: Make Sure Your Mobile Photography is Always Sharp

One-day sale: Polaroid Zip Mobile Printer is the perfect pocket-sized gift

Smartphone cameras are capable of taking absolutely stunning photos these days, full of vibrant color and incredible detail. Mobile photography has absolutely exploded in popularity over the past few years, and people can't share their photos enough using sites like Facebook and Instagram. But what ever happened to sharing photos in real life? The Polaroid ZIP Mobile Printer is turning back the clock, but with a futuristic twist. This awesome instant photo printer connects to your iPhone or Android phone via Bluetooth and prints photos using Polaroid's Zero Ink printing technology. This printer is a bargain at its regular price of $129.99, but it's on sale right now on Amazon at a discount.

Some key details from the product page:

Your Purchase Includes a Download of Polaroid ZIP App for iOS/Android

2×3 Photos Are Full-Color/Smudge-Proof, and Feature Peel-Back, Sticky Paper

Measures a Compact 2.9 Inches x 4.7 Inches x 0.9 Inches; Weighs Just 6.6 Ounces

Prints Directly from Your Mobile Phone or Tablet via Bluetooth or NFC Technology

Works With PREMIUM Zink zero papers – ZINK Paper Means No Ink. No Hassles

Note that if you don't see the lower price when you click through to the Amazon page, just select it from the list under "other sellers."

And don't forget the printer paper refills:

Follow @BGRDeals on Twitter to keep up with the latest and greatest deals we find around the web.

BGR Deals content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and BGR may receive a commission on purchases made through our posts.

Source: One-day sale: Polaroid Zip Mobile Printer is the perfect pocket-sized gift

Camera360 Lite Wins Google Play "Best of 2016" in Multiple Countries

CHENGDU, China, Dec. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Google Play has announced its annual heavy-hitters list -- 2016 Best APPs of the Year (Best of 2016 Ranking). The list included the world's most popular APPs, games, songs, movies, TV shows and books on Google Play platform. Camera360 Lite is among the elites. 

Camera360 Lite Wins Google Play

More

Being one of the main products of Pinguo Technology, an outstanding Chinese developer, Camera360 Lite is a light mobile photography APP that is "Lighter, Faster, Smaller". Launched less than half a year ago, it has already won the "Top Trending" award in Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand; while attaining the "Most Innovative" title in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Camera360 Lite is a light camera APP, and compared to similar products on the market, it has a smaller installation pack and a faster APP startup speed, and satisfies filter requirements from an incredibly broad range. Currently there are 15 sets of filters, with more than 100 in total, for users to choose from. At the same time, its battery consumption is controlled effectively; and is compatible with phone screens across a plethora of devices, providing users with a continuous, smooth and natural shooting experience across Android devices.

The insight into what users expect from a light mobile photography APP, along with satisfying users' needs of different filters in different scenarios, are the keys for Camera360 Lite to win the recent recommendations from Google Play in multiple countries and regions.

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161220/0861613781

Source: Camera360 Lite Wins Google Play "Best of 2016" in Multiple Countries

'Where it all began': Photographing Trump's return to Alabama

She covered a Donald Trump rally there in August of last year. And now she was returning to Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the conclusion of the President-elect's "Thank You" tour.

Mobile marked a turning point for Trump's campaign. Prior to that Friday night in August, it wasn't clear how much support the real estate developer and reality TV personality would garner in his quest to become the 45th President of the United States. But one glance at the crowd of some 30,000 supporters solidified that there was something significant happening.

"I remember up to that point, the Trump campaign was a bit farcical and nobody was taking it seriously in the media or really anywhere," Golden said. "There was this kind of jovial, almost carnival-like atmosphere. People were there to see the show and it was before the rhetoric that we've come to know today had really ratcheted up."

It has been about 16 months since that jam-packed rally, and Trump's decision to return to Mobile was symbo lic. As Golden put it: Mobile represents the warm-up and the cool-down for Trump.

"This is where it all began," the President-elect told the crowd on Saturday, having just walked on stage to "Sweet Home Alabama."

Before the rally started, Trump's supporters were tailgating as if they were attending a football game. They were happy, relaxed, excited, optimistic. The inherent tension of the campaign season seemed to have disappeared, Golden said, and instead a palpable sense of relief filled the air.

"Everybody I spoke with, their words were so hopeful," the photographer said. "They really seemed to believe wholeheartedly that Donald Trump has their best interest at heart, and they're very glad to see him as President-elect."

During the 2016 campaign, public trust in the media hit an all-time low, partly fueled by Trump's anti-media rhetoric. But Golden says when she identified herself as a photographer on assignment for CNN, most people laughed it off and some even offered her food and drinks. She felt constantly on the verge of being invited to Sunday dinner.

"I think it was apparent that I was not some sort of media monster, and of course they were as friendly as Southerners get, as friendly as Americans get," she said.

But Golden said there was a moment when the energy changed once Trump began speaking. He mentioned the media during his talk, calling its coverage of him dishonest.

"It was surprising to feel the energy of the crowd shift and as heads turned to look back at us in the media area -- even though the campaign is over -- that darkness seems to have carried over," Golden said.

After the event there were more signs of Southern hospitality.

"People went back to being people," Golden said. "And even when I was trying to get out of the parking lot, the mad dash and the jam of cars, you know, a gentleman in a Trump hat honked and made sure that my car got in front of his to get out. There were still acts of courtesy and kindness throughout the day. And so that was certainly heartening to see."

One of the biggest differences Golden noticed between last year's Mobile rally and the one on Saturday was that access was much more restricted this time around. Security was ramped up now that the Secret Service is running the show.

"Despite my efforts, they were not letting me in the area in front of the stage and I was pretty far away from the podium," Golden said. "There was this pretty big distance between me and the President-elect this time. I really had to cover him from afar and I had to cover him and the story through the crowd and through the people who were attending the rally."

Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions, a Mobile native and the first senator to praise Trump at his rally last year, appeared on Saturday as well -- this time, as Trump's pick for attorney general.

There were fewer people at this year's rally, perhaps because of the weather. "I didn't know it rained in Alabama," Trump said. "But you know, rain is good luck, right? Rain is good luck."

It has been an exhausting and ruthless campaign season, no matter which presidential nominee people supported. "One side was going to be relieved and the other side was going to be horrified -- didn't matter who won," Golden said.

After covering Trump's election night party in New York last month, she thought she would take a break from covering politics.

"I find myself continuing to be pulled back into the game, perhaps because as much as I would like to retire from covering politics, it's too important to ignore," she said. "Now more than ever -- and I think this is true regardless of who won -- we need great journalists on the ground performing journalism. You cannot have a functioning democracy without a healthy Fourth Estate."

Source: 'Where it all began': Photographing Trump's return to Alabama

Mobile Photography/Art – Pic of the Day (502) – via Instagram – TheAppWhisperer

Here's day five hundred and two of our mobile photography/art Pic of the Day section via Instagram. Each day we will be selecting one image a day for our Pic of the Day section on Instagram with this hashtag – #theappwhisperer. Furthermore, each month we will also offer an overall prize to the image that receives the most love.

To ensure your image receives our attention, please upload it to Instagram with this hashtag – #theappwhisperer

Today, we congratulate @craig.satterlee – Craig Satterlee with this image.

Please view more of her stunning images here.

[Please visit our Artist Directory and find out how we can add you too!]

Donating = Loving = TheAppWhisperer.com

Bringing you (ad-free) TheAppWhisperer.com takes hundreds of hours each month and hundreds of pounds to sustain. If you find any joy and stimulation here, please consider becoming a Supporting Member with a recurring monthly donation of your choosing, or possibly making a one-time donation. This is a not for profit website and one that can only grow with your support.

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Source: Mobile Photography/Art – Pic of the Day (502) – via Instagram – TheAppWhisperer

Learn from mobile photography legend Chris Burkard as he shares his top secrets on capturing the perfect shot

December 16, 2016 -- DMN Newswire--2016-12-16--

Enroll for this free 3-month Skillshare trial

You'll follow Chris as he shares stories from his travels across the globe and tips to help you make the most of your iPhone and olloclip lenses. Whether you're a serious photographer or a casual Instagrammer, this class will help you take and edit more beautiful and memorable shots. 

Enroll and submit a photo in the class for a chance to win an awesome olloclip prize pack.

Related Keywords:olloclip, photography, cameras, Skillshare, mobile

Source:Digital Media Online. All Rights Reserved

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Source: Learn from mobile photography legend Chris Burkard as he shares his top secrets on capturing the perfect shot

Huawei P9 lets you see the world in 100 different ways

You may be one of the lucky winners of nine Huawei P9 smartphones or a Huawei P9 Plus unit. Huawei/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines –Getting serious about mobile photography is way more than owning a good camera phone these days. For many, it has become the ultimate expression of how they see the world—from minute details of everyday life to the grandest images of their out-of-town discoveries.

Huawei is now challenging more mobile users to showcase the many beautiful perspectives they can snap with their smartphones. Here's how Huawei's #NEWTAKES challenge works:

1. Sign up.

First things first: Enter the promo by registering at http://www.huaweinewtakeschallenge.com/ with your name, home address, contact details, and links to your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

2. Choose your turf.

Pick a theme among the themes "Happiness,""Sunsets," and "Beginnings."You may upload as many photos as you like on your chosen theme. Just don't forget to include a well-written caption on each of your entry.

3. Be original.

In order to win the challenge, your photos must be your own work. And by taking on the challenge, you're guaranteeing the originality of your photos. There should be no copyright issues and your photos must be taken within at least two years before you submitted them to this challenge. You cannot use previous works that had already won an award in previous contests.

4. Send only digital photos.

All photos must be in JPEG or .jpg format of not more than 10 megabytes in file size. This means that Huawei will only honor entries that are submitted online. Submissions in film or print will not be accepted.

Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

5. Be responsible.

While you're free to find the perfect snaps to express your perspectives on your chosen theme, you are prohibited from submitting explicit photos or other inappropriate content.

6. Go for the gold.

You may be one of the lucky winners of nine Huawei P9 smartphones or a Huawei P9 Plus unit. Huawei P9 is equipped with Leica dual lens that enable users to take professional-quality photos. Recording different angles of life in high-quality snaps will be more exciting and easier with Huawei P9.

To learn more about Huawei's #NEWTAKES Challenge, visit http://www.huaweinewtakeschallenge.com/.

READ MORE:

Huawei wraps up 2016 with best P9 dual lens photos

Source: Huawei P9 lets you see the world in 100 different ways

Nubia Z11 First Impressions: Impressive Bezel-less Design and High-End Hardware

 |   |   | Nubia Z11 First Impressions: Impressive Bezel-less Design and High-End Hardware

Nubia Z11 poses a threat to the recently launched OnePlus 3T and Honor 8 with its eye-catching bezel-less front and top-notch specification.

Updated: Thursday, December 15, 2016, 13:59 [IST]

The eye-catching 'Bezel-less' Nubia Z11 along with the affordable battery-centric Nubia N1 are now official in the Indian market. The smartphones are priced at Rs. 29,999 and Rs. 11,999 respectively and will exclusively sell on e-commerce portal Amazon.in.

Nubia Z11, which we are going to talk about in detail in this article, is a direct rival of recently launched OnePlus 3T and the Huawei's Honor 8. The handset offers 6GB of RAM and brings the first-of-its kind Bezel-less display equipped with Frame Interactive technology.

SEE ALSO: ZTE Nubia Z11 and Nubia N1 Finally Hit the Indian Shores, Prices Start at Rs. 11,999

We at Gizbot tested the device during the launch event and here is what we think of the Budget Flagship- Nubia Z11.

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!

Eye Catching Bezel-less 5.5-inch Display

The first thing you will notice about the smartphone is its Bezel-less 5.5-inch screen that comes protected with a 2.5D Arc Edge Tempered Glass. The display offers a Full HD resolution and is able to offer eye-popping visuals because of its high pixel density and border-less 81% body to screen ratio.

The display also has Nubia's Frame interactive Technology that provides some eye-catching animation effects and new way to interact with a touch screen mobile device. Sliding up and down on the either side of the display (on the edges of frame) and other gestures let you shift home screens and access other smartphone features that enhances practicality in everyday usage.

Moreover, watching videos and playing games will be a sheer treat on Nubia Z11 due to its bezel-less 1080p screen.

Elegant Design

Nubia Z11 is made out of aircraft-grade aluminium alloy and offers a neat and premium design. Despite having a 5.5-inch display, the smartphone feels quite compact, all thanks to the bezel-less design.

The company also says that the smartphone material is corrosion resistant and is anti-oxidative that will protect it from corrosion caused by the surrounding environment. Guess we'll have to wait for a bit longer to find this thing out, but overall we are quite pleased with the design of the handset.

High End Hardware

Coming on to the hardware, Nubia Z11 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 CPU paired up with mammoth 6GB of RAM. We have seen the similar configuration in OnePlus 3, which is now replaced by the upgraded OnePlus 3T offering the latest Snapdragon 821 CPU and 6GB of RAM. It will be worth finding out who wins the title of best flagship smartphone in under Rs. 30,000 during the detailed review of both the handsets in the coming days.

Nubia Z11 comes with 64GB internal memory that can be expanded further by up to 200 GB via microSD card slot.

Not the latest Android Flavor

Nubia Z11 runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system and not the latest Android 7.0 Nougat. However the near stock Android UI runs quite smoothly and did not stutter during our brief stint with the handset.

The company's customized Android skin- V4.0 offers a clean user interface, gesture support, and some nifty software tweaks that we will discuss in detail while reviewing the handset.

Decent Camera Hardware

Nubia Z11 features a 16MP rear camera with Nubia's NeoVision 6.0 feature, which as per company is a DSLR-like photography system provided to deliver on everyday mobile photography front.

The camera combines OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer), nubia HIS (Hand-Held Image Stabilization) EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) to capture long exposures without the use of a tripod. Besides, the camera interface is packed with variety of modes such as slow-motion, time-lapse, pro mode, and a set of filters including clone camera, star trail, macro mode, etc.

We took some shots and found the 16MP rear and 8MP front camera decent enough to offer good pictures in good lighting conditions. We will test the low-light performance and all above mentioned camera features in our detailed review of the handset.

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!

Source: Nubia Z11 First Impressions: Impressive Bezel-less Design and High-End Hardware

Sony seamlessly disguises advertising as editorial in Flipboard campaign

By Brielle Jaekel

December 14, 2016

Sony's Flipboard campaign

Sony is taking a native approach to advertising on magazine aggregator application Flipboard that takes the form of a carousel for editorial content, engaging and attracting interested readers. 

For its Alpha camera brand, Sony is the first to leverage Flipboard's new ad unit, adapted from an editorial tool for a better user experience. Sony is taking content from its online hub for all things photography to best take advantage of the ad unit to better appeal to consumers. 

"The Alpha Universe website is online community to share amazing photographs with like-minded photography enthusiasts," Nicole McCormack, head of sales strategy at Flipboard. "The site has incredible, high quality content to inspire and inform photographers and photography enthusiasts to be better at their craft. 

"Sony is adding value to the consumer experience on Flipboard by contributing this high quality content to our photography channel - where we strive to combine content from the best publishers and brands for our community of photography enthusiasts," she said. "Sony is the first to leverage the Promoted Roundup and embrace an editorial storytelling format that we have just made available to brands; the brand is using the new unit to promote AlphaUniverse.com, not its products.

"Sony has been curating a Flipboard Magazine full photography content from Alpha Universe since Sept 2015, and now our new native experience helps bring that content closer to readers - directly within the feeds where our community of photography enthusiasts is diving deep into their passion and investing in themselves to be better at the thing they love."

Advertising versus editorial

Flipboard's Promoted Roundup was originally created as an editorial tool to package together stories. Repackaged as an ad unit, brand partners can promote one piece of content as the hero to appear larger with many smaller thumbnails to support it. 

Each piece of content will link out to the full story on Sony's platform. The camera manufacturer will be using the promoted ad unit for an experience similar to what it was originally created for. 

Sony's Alpha Universe is an online hub for photography fans to read in-depth news and content as well as share experiences and ideas. The hub acts as a home base for its Alpha camera brand. 

Each ad unit will feature stories from the Alpha Universe, with one promoted as the hero. For instance, an article titled "Best Lenses for Landscapes" will be one of the heroes in Sony's ad campaign. 

Articles "Start with the Light " and "Take the Picture You Want" will support the hero with small thumbnails underneath. 

Flipboard's new ad unit is targeted. Therefore, Sony's campaign will appear for users browsing photography content and other related subjects. 

Flipboard advertising

Sephora also natively blended its ads into the flow of magazine and blog content ahead of its holiday sales event within Flipboard, which is known to keep in line with the beauty retailer's audience. 

The cosmetics brand was one of the first big names to make use of the new feature, but others are following. Sephora was hoping to make use of Storyboard to let their advertisements sit naturally and non-intrusively among Flipboard users' content streams (see more). 

Flipboard also recently partnered with publishers Bonnier, Rodale, and The Enthusiast Network to bring coverage of niche interests into the mobile arena.

The partnership made 65 new publications available on Flipboard's mobile-optimized platform, including such legacy publications as Motor Trend, SLAM Magazine, Field & Stream, Popular Science and Men's Health. The addition of the largely enthusiast-driven selection of magazines to Flipboard's interface marks a dedication to making the publisher's flagship publications more accessible while also driving exposure for smaller niche periodicals through the platform's algorithms (see more). 

"For Sony's campaign, a photography enthusiast would be browsing content about photography, either in the photography channel or in their home feed," Ms. McCormack said. "When flipping through content from LensCulture or Popular Photography, readers would come across a collection of content from Sony's Alpha Universe website, an online community full of stories, products, amazing photographs, and information for like-minded photography enthusiasts. 

"This collection is what we call a Promoted Roundup; it features one piece of content as a hero item at the top of the screen, followed by a carousel of three to nine related articles or images at the bottom of the screen," she said. "The reader can dive into any of the items on the screen or swipe through the carousel to explore more. 

"Tapping on any one of the featured pieces takes the reader to AlphaUniverse.com through a browser inside of Flipboard. Closing out of the browser takes readers back to the Promoted Roundup where they can continue to explore the Alpha Universe content or flip past it to continue browsing their photography feed."

Brielle Jaekel is staff writer on Mobile Marketer and Mobile Commerce Daily, New York. Reach her at brielle@mobilemarketer.com.

Source: Sony seamlessly disguises advertising as editorial in Flipboard campaign

Sony Philippines showcases flagship products and brings immersive experiences to customers at first-ever Sony Fair

MANILA – In the last decade, we have seen gadgets transform from functional tools to personal devices that reflect one's passion and imagination. Sony has always believed that gadgets go beyond function, they also serve as canvasses to express one's creativity and deliver one-of-a-kind experiences that enhance lives. With this in mind, Sony Philippines hosts its inaugural Sony Fair, a ten-day event that features interactive displays, community activities, and workshops that will enable customers to envision the way Sony devices can fuel their lifestyle.

"For the last 70 years, Sony Corporation has continuously delivered products and technologies that bring unique experiences to our customers. We are a company that works to inspire and fulfill people's curiosity, and our Sony Fair demonstrates this. By showcasing some of our flagship products, we invite everyone to experience the superiority of our technologies and the many ways they enhance our lives," said Mr. Nobuyoshi Otake, President and Managing Director, Sony Philippines.

The event, which runs until December 18, will bring together some of Sony's flagship products in the spaces of mobile, digital imaging, home entertainment, personal audio, and gaming for customers to enjoy.

Greeting customers as they enter is Bravia's stunning showcase which features the latest X93000D 4K HDR TV, a screen destined to take breaths away with its contrast, colors, textures, and detail never before possible on screen. Also bound to steal the limelight is Sony's Z9D, a 4K HDR television that offers breathtaking picture quality in a super-thin design. Partnered with the HT-ST9 Soundbar with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth®, Sony redefines the meaning of audio and entertainment through its slim and elegant profile that blends into any living environment. Families and friends can enjoy the best of Sony Bravia at Sony's Bravia Movie Nights on the evenings of December 10, 11, 17, and 18.

Right next to the Sony Bravia booth is the impressive Sony PlayStation display which will exhibit some of this year's lauded games including Final Fantasy XV, Just Dance, and NBA2K17. Filipino gamers will finally experience the wonderful world of virtual reality as they play some of today's hottest VR-ready games with the PlayStation VR Headset in tow.

An unforgettable experience awaits audiophiles as they immerse in rich, vibrant sound while checking out some of Sony's personal audio products at the Sony Extra Bass and Hi-Res booths. Among the products displayed include Sony's top of the line personal audio Bluetooth devices such as the MDR-XB650BT EXTRA BASS™ Headphones, MDR-1000X Noise-Canceling Headphones, and SRS-XB3 Portable Wireless Speaker. Change the way you listen to music at the Hi-Res Audio Workshop featuring Sony Ambassador and Creative Director for Live Events and Concerts Juno Oebanda on December 11. Dance the night away to your favorite tunes at the Extra Bass DJ Workshop and Silent Party with DJ Rammy Bitong on December 10 and Feel the Passion Dance Clinic featuring Upeepz Dance Crew on December 17.

Mobile phone aficionados shouldn't miss the Xperia™ booth which features a comprehensive display of today's hottest mobile devices from the Xperia™ X Series, including the Xperia™ XZ flagship mobile phone. A first for a smartphone, the Xperia™ XZ brings triple image sensing technology to its cameras to deliver the best experience in mobile photography. Mobile photography workshops conducted by Xperia™ Ambassadors Pierre Guevarra, Linus Banaag and Marvin Conanan on December 10, 11, and 18 will teach Xperia™ fans how to take perfect self-portraits and master urban photography while trying some of this year's top launches including the Xperia X, XA, XA Ultra, and XZ. Meanwhile, select Xperia™ fans will get the chance to win some of these devices through an on-the-spot mobile photography contest on December 17.

Today's top of the line Alpha and Cyber-Shot cameras on display at the Sony Digital Imaging will inspire today's new breed of photographers and content creators. Head to the digital imaging booth and catch the exciting on-site activities including a bar tending and flaring demonstration and a BMX bike & skateboard exhibition that will put these devices to the test. Photographers who are looking for pro tips and tricks can drop by and join a series of workshops and talks, featuring renowned photographers and cinematographers Pilar Trigo Bonnin, Paco Guerrero, Nina Sandejas, and Mayad Studios. From them, learn the art of visual storytelling, glamour portraiture, same day-edit videography, and music photography. Hobbyists can expand their craft through travel, flat lay, toy, and fashion photography workshops featuring Sony Ambassadors Kimi Juan, Jelito de Leon, Sheng Gonzales and Charisma Lico on December 17 and 18.

Through the decades, Sony has diligently pioneered technologies and built some of the world's most iconic products that have changed the way we live. Sony Philippines' inaugural Sony Fair celebrates this relentless pursuit of innovation and commitment to continue delivering more firsts that will inspire and spark curiosity among consumers.

"We are excited to share and give our customers the tools that will help them discover their talents through our roster of products. Our first-ever Sony Fair is full of workshops, displays, and fun and informative tools for everyone to enjoy and we are pleased to showcase what our products can deliver for them," said Alvin de Vera, Senior Director, Brand & Customer Communications Division, Sony Philippines.

For more details on Sony Fair visit http://www.sony.com.ph/sonyfair. For information on the latest products from Sony, visit www.sony.com.ph, like facebook.com/SonyPhilippines, or follow twitter.com/SonyPHinc and Instagram.com/sonyPHInc.  

Source: Sony Philippines showcases flagship products and brings immersive experiences to customers at first-ever Sony Fair

VSCO Launches Invite-Only Subscription Membership & Full iOS RAW Support

The popular mobile photography and editing app VSCO has some exciting updates coming from iOS and Android users this month. Advertised as a "community for expression", VSCO has garnered the interest of many new-age photographers as one of the most used mobile apps for editing both on mobile and desktop, and is widely known for its filmic presets and contrasted tones.

[REWIND: YOUR IPHONE & IPAD CAN SHOOT RAW AS OF TODAY, WITH LIGHTROOM MOBILE]

They've now launched a subscription membership called VSCO X, crafted for a new generation of creators. The membership-based product "enhances your current VSCO with a deeper level of tools and monthly offerings for those that want to take their VSCO experience further." The tech behind the app is a new imaging engine called SENS, responsible for powering all the mobile and desktop products from VSCO. For an annual fee of $20, users have access to a "new family of interactive presets called Film X" designed to integrate beloved film stocks like: Kodak Portra 160, Kodak Portra 400, Kodak Tri-X, and Fuji Pro 400H. The app will remain free with in-store purchases but note that these new presets are valued at around $200, so the subscription service may be worth checking out.

VSCO X also comes community enriching features designed to find related images to ones you are viewing with a new search and discovery section for notable community posts (DP Preview). With film making such an accelerated comeback into modern day photography, this seems to be the most logical step for VSCO to take to keep the interest of users. For now VSCO X is being rolled out to selected members on an invite-only waitlist that you can sign up for here.

[REWIND: SIMPLE WAY TO TRANSFER EOS PICTURES TO IPHONE] Full Raw Support for IOS

With Lightroom Mobile's ability to shoot & edit in RAW, it was only a matter of time that other popular mobile photography apps followed in suit. As of next week, VSCO iOS users can capture and edit DNG RAW files on an iPhone 6 or newer – sort of. VSCO says it's rolling out the RAW feature in a staggered manner, so for many of you it may not be available just yet. You can also transfer images from your DSLR directly to your phone however there has not been any specification on which file formats will be compatible.

Source: VSCO, DP Preview

Source: VSCO Launches Invite-Only Subscription Membership & Full iOS RAW Support

Learn from a Pro: A Photography Workshop with Paul Ripke

Learn from a Pro: A Photography Workshop with Paul Ripke

photos: Matthias Piket

Lately, I've been totally into workshops. I like the feeling of learning new crafts and perfecting already existing skills. So I was more than happy when Huawei invited me to a mobile photography workshop by Paul Ripke. If you haven't heard of this man, you should definitely google his name. He rose to fame with his book One Night in Rio where he captured the German soccer team up-close and personal at the World Championship in Rio back in 2014. But he's not a typical sport and event photographer. With his work he comes so close to the action and the main protagonists that it almost feels like being right there between the athletes celebrating their victory.

With someone so accomplished of course there is a lot to learn, so after he introduced himself to us I was really curious what secrets of his success and profession he would share with us during this workshop. Much to my surprise, in the end the most valuable insight that I got beside a lot of technical stuff,  was something quite more personal and inconspicuous…

The workshop was set-up in four segments: After his initial intro he also wanted to get to know the participants of the workshop. So we all got a say a little about ourselves and present our Instagram streams, the most up-to-date portfolio of our own photography skills. It was interesting to hear how everyone spoke about themselves and their project, what information about their work they deemed important to share with Paul.

After we all made ourselves acquainted with one another we dove right into the professional stuff. Using the Huawei P9 and the new Mate 9 – both of which have a double Leica lens – Paul introduced us to some of the newest features of mobile photography, most importantly the professional mode that let's you use the smartphone camera as if you were in manual mode in your SLR camera. Considering how professional smartphone photography has gotten thanks to the insane success of the Instagrammer community, it was just a matter of time when the automatic mode of these types of devices would not be enough anymore. Now it's possible to manually set the ISO, aperture, shutter speed, focus area, and white balance making it possible to get the best out of each photo.

But of course technology is not all there is to photography – there is also technique. So Paul gave us a few tipps on how to optimize our photos. While we were playing around in the space he came around to everyone and gave individual advice about finding the right perspective, taking advantage of lights, respecting the symmetry of the surroundings, exploring unusual and interesting angles, and last but not least how to create a natural smile on the face of the portrayed person. I think hearing all these things was quite interesting because it either confirmed things that we already intuitively did anyway, or it put emphasis on things we too often don't acknowledge when we take our photos.

When speaking about his own work and why he manages to get so close to the star athletes and celebrities, it's all about social skills. Paul is a master in this field and he tried to share some of this expertise with us by doing the exact same thing what he does when he is taking photos in the backstage of a big sports event: Don't be the photographer. He says this is really the magic trick, because once people forget that you are taking pictures they act more natural and you get the better shots. It's not about trying to be invisible, for Paul it's about being one with the crowd, being part of the group and taking your photos as if you were one of them. I think as obscure this might sound I could totally relate to this. In my years when I took a lot of party photos I never did it from the perspective of an observer, but from the perspective of being another party guest. Instead of standing on the sideline with a large lens I was right in the middle of the dance floor havi ng fun with the crowd and my camera just became part of that.

With high quality mobile cameras such as the ones built inside the Huawei P9 and Mate 9 this gets even more easy because now more than ever you can take photos "undercover" without being perceived as a photographer. This helps me a lot for instance when I take pictures in a location where I don't want the staff to know that I photograph for professional purposes. Really often I leave my big camera at home nowadays, because I know I can accomplish the same thing with my mobile phone.

In the last part of the workshop we had the chance to put our newly acquired knowledge to the test. Paul asked us to make a portrait of him and his favorite one of all would win a little something in the end. It was of course a bit intimidating, having to photograph someone who is a quite accomplished photographer himself. As I am not super experienced in portraits I actually did not expect to be amongst the favorites. There were so many talented people in the workshop, some of them even successful photographers themselves. But I did my best, trying to capture Paul the way that I thought represents him best, acknowledging the advice he gave us earlier. And while my fellow workshop participants tried to be extra crazy and original my fairly simple recipe ended up being amongst the top two. I was really surprised by that, even more when the public vote decided my picture to be the winner. Yeay, I never win anything!

But all these technicalities aside the most important lesson I learned happened in the elevator where I took the photo of Paul. Being alone with him for a moment I wanted to speak about something that stuck with me since the beginning of the workshop. Even though Paul is really quite a celebrity amongst photographers he presented himself as a very modest, understated and humble guy, attributing his success more on chance, being in the right place in the right moment, and being close to the right people. Obviously there is more to it, but he decided not to focus on that. This is a pretty different self-presentation than what I am used to here in Berlin where big talents in whatever creative discipline often come with big egos and lots of self-praise. So I asked Paul how he feels about that, if he thinks that modesty and kindness will prevail over loud antics and fanfare. Being a somewhat modest person myself I sometimes wonder if this is something I need to get over to be more succ essful. His answer was quite clear: he believes in Karma, and being a nice guy will always bring you further, because it will bring you closer to the people that matter in your line of work. It felt good to hear that from someone like Paul.

If you're curious about the photos I took with the Huawei P9 and Mate 9 here is the winning photo of Paul and another one I took of Claudio. There is gonna be more in another article soon…

Thanks for the support by Huawei

Auf deutsch

by Frank on December 9th, 2016 updated on December 9th, 2016 in Photos, StoriesNo Comments »

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Source: Learn from a Pro: A Photography Workshop with Paul Ripke