Paperflame » Photography

Sekai Camera – Air Tagging at it’s best

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:16:56 +0000

Soon to be released in Japan for the iPhone, and then internationally. The Sekai Camera App is a marvel to behold. The developers have come up with an actual real world use for Augmented Reality (AR). The app allows the tagging of scenes, you know… strip joints, opium dens, absinthe bars, brothels, ok ok … just kidding… NOT! Well anyways, some cool stuff to say the least. Put text tags and picture tags on areas that you have been to. Then when someone else points their camera with the Sekai Camera app running at the same scene, they will see your tags floating in the image on the LCD screen. Much cooler then carving your name in a tree or tagging a wall with some graffiti (that is so yesterday). The main website is here: Sekai Camera (japanese) They say it will be released soon in Japan and everywhere else shortly after. The company also plans on releasing an Android version in the months to follow. Will it be free? I have no idear. I posted a bit ago about a similar Augmented Reality technology here at Paperflame. Check out the vid of the Sekai Camera in action. The only problem I predict is the abuse of advertisers and spammers cluttering up all of the pretty scenes. Can you see it now? Your pointing your camera at the Great Pyramid and see an advertisement for Coca-Cola telling you your thirsty because your standing in the middle of a desert? It could be a cool job though, “Air Tagging” popular places for companies. Sign me up. On another note, what’s up with the guys hair in the vid!?

Canon EOS 7D Released

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:26:27 +0000

Just a heads up to all you shutterbugs. the Canon EOS 7D has been released! Looks like an amazing camera at a great price.

18MP APS-C
ISO 6400, Expandable to 12800
8fps
Built-in External Flash Controller
63 Zone Metering
19 Cross-type AF Sensors
Selective Zone, Horizontal/Vertical, and Spot-Auto Focus Settings
HD Video, 1080@24, 25, or 30fps; 720@30, 60 fps
1.0x, 100% Viewfinder
1N-Class Weathersealing
LCD Viewfinder Overlays for Composition Grids, Horizon Line, AF Locations
Dual Digic 4 Processors, Full UDMA Support
Body Only $1699

Visit Canon.com to read the press release

Aerial Photography: Via Remote Control Helicopter

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:43:42 +0000

I dabble in Aerial Photography. I use RC (Remote Control) Helicopters to get the job done. I love the vantage point that Aerial Photography can provide. Like nothing else on earth. Of the many different ways of capturing images, I have to say it is probably one of the hardest ways to shoot. With Remote Control Helicopters one has to deal with a variety of issues like vibration, distance, gimbal control, shutter speed, weight issues, power systems and mechanical failures. I started with a “gasser” helicopter (think flying weed whacker) and have since switched to a custom electric helicopter that is over 4 ft long with each single main rotor blade being 710 mm. For all of you photographers out there, this may be something to look into if you want to spice things up. There are a variety of ways to get aerial pics. The use of masts, blimps, and zip lines can be used along with full scale aircraft. Here are a few images I have taken. The image above is of my current setup which involves a 2 axis front mount camera gimbal (pan & tilt controlled by a remote operator) carrying a Canon DSLR XSI shooting at 12.2 mp. The RC Helicopter is a “stretched” Align Trex 600E that has had the back end tail section replaced with the tail end of it’s bigger brother the Align Nitro trex 700. This makes the helicopter longer allowing larger rotor blades to be fitted for more lifting power. This is an electric setup that runs on 12 cell lithium polymer batteries. It’s has a lot of grunt!. Well anyways, I just thought I would share. If you find yourself interested in Aerial Photography and would like to learn more please feel free to contact me. There are also 2 great forums to check out for more information about aerial photography helicopter setups and camera equipment.

For more information visit:

Runryder Aerial Photography Forum

Helifreak Aerial Photography Forum

Here are some shots that I have taken.
I hope they inspire you!

Canon XSI, TV500, 18-55mm

THE SKY REALLY IS THE LIMIT

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Photoshop Tip: Duplicate Layer In Place From One Image To Another

admin — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:38:46 +0000

To duplicate a layer from one image to another is pretty basic. The real trick here is to move the layer from one image to another image of the same size (like in a web photo gallery) and to have the duplicated layer be in the same position as the original (source) image. It’s a great tip for anyone wanting to add a watermark to a bunch of photos with the watermark being positioned in the same place in each separate photo. *Note – The images need to be the same size for this to work.

Most of you know that you can just drag a layer from the layers palette of one image into another image, and if you didn’t, now you do. To get the layer to “land” in the same spot within the new image, just hold the Shift Key (Shift + Drag) while you drag the layer into the new image. Presto Duplicato.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II: HD Video and 21MP

admin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:56:10 +0000

I was just notified by a friend about the release of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. This is pretty fresh meat. He said he found out within 10 minutes of the release. He has been waiting with baited breath. Well, what are we looking at? 21 MP, Full HD Video for about 30 minutes at 1080P.. yes “P” (that means Progressive to all you technophobes).

Included of course is a 3″ LCD with Live View while taking stills, OR VIDEO. The 3.9 FPS continuous shooting is a little disappointing but it can at maximum take up to 310 Large JPG images in a single burst with a UDMA card. The ISO 100-6400 (expansion from 50 up to 25,600) noise killing capabilities are pretty astounding. The one thing that really stands out to me and makes this camera a purchase that I would have a hard time not making is the fact that the DOF Video capabilities of this camera will be great… Just think, use a full frame DSLR lens to shoot video. I can’t wait to see the sample footage (update – found some sample footage, if you are inclined you can download some actual footage – 276 MB here). No need for expensive DOF adapters which are needed for normal HD Video cams. This camera looks like a ton of fun. I could go on and on, but it would be easier to give you a link to dpreview to see the full specs. Not that I don’t want to continue babbling about this camera, but I have tutorials to make for you peeps!