Η ΓΝΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΠΕΡΑ ΑΠΟ ΑΥΤΟ
If you’ve been keeping an eye on electric motorcycles of late, you will surely have heard of Verge's hubless e-moto sporting a donut-shaped rear wheel. It divides opinions: you either love it or you hate it.
Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: Hubless, Electric Motorcycles, Electric Motors, Hub Motors
Remembering Wildlife, a book series focused on conservation, has revealed the 20 winning photos that will be featured in its forthcoming 10th anniversary edition, 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife. The new book, set for release on October 6th, will be the series' most ambitious project yet. It'll bring together images spanning a decade of photographers' work to raise awareness for endangered species.
For the first time, the project will spotlight multiple species rather than focusing on one. This book will showcase not only the winning competition entries but also standout images from the previous nine titles. It will also feature a dedicated section highlighting the plight of the world's most trafficked mammal, the pangolin. The cover image of a pangolin was captured by Tristan Dicks.
All profits from the sale of the book will fund pangolin conservation efforts. Since launching in 2016 with Remembering Elephants, the entire series has sold over 55,000 copies and donated over $1.5 million to 79 conservation projects across 34 countries. This competition drew over 4,500 entries from photographers worldwide, with winners representing Australia, Brazil, the United States, Kenya and Namibia, to name a few.
Founded by British wildlife photographer Margot Raggett MBE, Remembering Wildlife was founded in response to a personal encounter with a poached elephant in North Kenya. For more information and to browse books and prints, check out the organization's website.
"Clash of the Titans" by Alessandro Marena (Italy) Copyright: © Alessandro Marena/Remembering Wildlife
Subject: Rhino, Solio Game Reserve, Laikipia, Kenya
About the image: Illegal poaching of rhinos for their horns means they remain under huge threat. Remembering Wildlife has donated funds to several rhino protection units and conservation projects, helping to provide smartphones fitted with cameras and GPS systems, fuel for patrol vehicles and clothing for rangers.
"A touching moment" by Jagdeep Rajput (India) Copyright: © Jagdeep Rajput/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Elephant, Corbett National Park, India
About the image: “A young Asian Elephant calf asking for a drink, as mother drinks water from Ramganga river, during hot summer afternoon.”
"Age of Innocence" by Julie Oldroyd (UK) Copyright: © Julie Oldroyd/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Polar bears, Baffin Island, Canada
About the image: “Baffin Island is one of the most majestic and pristine environments in the world to see polar bears, especially in March and April when the sea ice has frozen. However, with temperatures between -30 to -40 it is also one of the most challenging to ensure you keep your hands warm to press the shutter. We had spent most of the morning and part of the afternoon with this mother and her COYS (Cubs of the year) which were likely a week or so out of their den.
However, just as they were settled the mother got spooked and she and the cubs ran off towards a nearby iceberg. We set off to see if we could spot them and when we got to this iceberg I couldn’t believe my eyes. The mother and cubs were huddled together on top of the iceberg. To witness such intimate moments, such as this one, between the cubs whilst their mother sleeps is something that is a once in a lifetime sighting.”
"Monkey business" by Pedro Amaral (Portugal) Copyright: © Pedro Amaral/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
About the Image: “High in the canopy of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, two young mountain gorillas dangle from the branches, locked in a playful game of chase. Their world is one of curiosity and mischief—tugging, teasing, and tumbling through the treetops as they learn the skills they'll need to navigate life in the wild. But this lighthearted moment is also a testament to a serious conservation success.
Once critically endangered, mountain gorillas are now the only great ape species whose population is increasing, thanks to anti-poaching efforts, habitat protection, and responsible eco-tourism in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a world where every life counts, these two remind us that the future of their species isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving, playing, and living wild and free.”
"Bengal Tiger reflection" by Bircan Harper (UK) Copyright: © Bircan Harper/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India
About the image: Weighing up to 260kg and measuring up to 3 metres in length, the tiger is the largest of the big cats. It is found in Asia, from India – where two-thirds of all wild tigers live – through to the Russian Far East and into China.
"African Black Bellied Pangolin" by Alessandra Sikand (USA) Copyright: © Alessandra Sikand/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Black bellied pangolin, Sangha Lodge, Dzanga-Sangha
About the image: National Park, Central African Republic. The landmark book 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife has a special focus on pangolins – also called scaly anteaters because of their preferred diet.
"5 at blue hour" by Johann du Toit (Kenya) Copyright: © Johann du Toit/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Cheetahs, Shompole Hide, Kenya
About the image: “Five cheetahs at the Shompole Hide at blue hour.”
"Carried away" by Vicki Jauron (USA) Copyright: © Vicki Jauron/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Lioness and her cub, Maasai Mara, Kenya
About the image: “A lioness carries one of her two little ones to a new hiding spot in early morning. Taken in 2021 when vehicle traffic was light and we were able to follow without impacting her movements.”
"Leopard enjoying morning sun break" by Ifham Raji (Sri Lanka) Copyright: © Ifham Raji/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Leopard, Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka
About the image: “After three days of heavy downpour this leopard took the opportunity to enjoy the first morning sun break.”
"Puppy love" by Marcus Westberg (Portugal) Copyright: © Marcus Westberg/Remembering WildlifeSubject: African Wild Dog puppies, Tswalu Kalahari Nature Reserve, South Africa
About the image: Projects that Remembering Wildlife supports include vaccinating domestic dogs to help prevent the spread of rabies to African wild dogs; GPS collars to track their movements and even helped facilitate the translocation of 14 African wild dogs from South Africa and Mozambique to Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve, in a historic project to reintroduce this endangered species to Malawi. Since the successful translocation, pups have been born.
"Enjoying the sunrise" by Mark Meth-Cohn (UK) Copyright: © Mark Meth-Cohn/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Tigers, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, India
About the image: “Two sub-adult tiger brothers enjoying the early morning sunrise” Margot Raggett MBE, founder and producer of Remembering Wildlife, said: “It’s an oft-quoted fact that there are more tigers in captivity in the U.S. than there are left in the world, a stark reminder of how the future of tigers might end if conservationists do not continue their focus and their fight. Tigers are a bellwether for the health of an ecosystem. For every tiger protected in the forest, there are plants, trees, insects, birds and other mammals who thrive.”
"In the arms of eternity" by Kim Paffen (Netherlands) Copyright: © Kim Paffen/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Mountain Gorilla and her baby, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
About the image: “A mountain gorilla mother cradles her infant – a portrait of tenderness etched in shadows and light. Here, where Dian Fossey’s legacy still whispers through the bamboo, every touch is a lesson, every gaze a vow. Her quiet strength shields not just her child, but the fragile future of species reborn from the brink.”
Subject: Sloth bear, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, India
About the image: “Sloth Bear making use of an abandoned building.”
"Sunset scales" by Armand Grobler (South Africa) Copyright: © Armand Grobler/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Pangolin, Manyeleti Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa
About the image: “The vibrant colours of a winter dusk highlight the gentle spark of life in our planet’s most trafficked mammal.”
"Mbili bora in the rain' by Xavier Ortega (Spain) Copyright: © Xavier Ortega/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Cheetahs, Masai Mara, Kenya
About the image: “The famous coalition of 5 cheetahs that ruled the Masai Mara, during a storm.”
Remembering Wildlife, a book series focused on conservation, has revealed the 20 winning photos that will be featured in its forthcoming 10th anniversary edition, 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife. The new book, set for release on October 6th, will be the series' most ambitious project yet. It'll bring together images spanning a decade of photographers' work to raise awareness for endangered species.
For the first time, the project will spotlight multiple species rather than focusing on one. This book will showcase not only the winning competition entries but also standout images from the previous nine titles. It will also feature a dedicated section highlighting the plight of the world's most trafficked mammal, the pangolin. The cover image of a pangolin was captured by Tristan Dicks.
All profits from the sale of the book will fund pangolin conservation efforts. Since launching in 2016 with Remembering Elephants, the entire series has sold over 55,000 copies and donated over $1.5 million to 79 conservation projects across 34 countries. This competition drew over 4,500 entries from photographers worldwide, with winners representing Australia, Brazil, the United States, Kenya and Namibia, to name a few.
Founded by British wildlife photographer Margot Raggett MBE, Remembering Wildlife was founded in response to a personal encounter with a poached elephant in North Kenya. For more information and to browse books and prints, check out the organization's website.
"Clash of the Titans" by Alessandro Marena (Italy) Copyright: © Alessandro Marena/Remembering Wildlife
Subject: Rhino, Solio Game Reserve, Laikipia, Kenya
About the image: Illegal poaching of rhinos for their horns means they remain under huge threat. Remembering Wildlife has donated funds to several rhino protection units and conservation projects, helping to provide smartphones fitted with cameras and GPS systems, fuel for patrol vehicles and clothing for rangers.
"A touching moment" by Jagdeep Rajput (India) Copyright: © Jagdeep Rajput/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Elephant, Corbett National Park, India
About the image: “A young Asian Elephant calf asking for a drink, as mother drinks water from Ramganga river, during hot summer afternoon.”
"Age of Innocence" by Julie Oldroyd (UK) Copyright: © Julie Oldroyd/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Polar bears, Baffin Island, Canada
About the image: “Baffin Island is one of the most majestic and pristine environments in the world to see polar bears, especially in March and April when the sea ice has frozen. However, with temperatures between -30 to -40 it is also one of the most challenging to ensure you keep your hands warm to press the shutter. We had spent most of the morning and part of the afternoon with this mother and her COYS (Cubs of the year) which were likely a week or so out of their den.
However, just as they were settled the mother got spooked and she and the cubs ran off towards a nearby iceberg. We set off to see if we could spot them and when we got to this iceberg I couldn’t believe my eyes. The mother and cubs were huddled together on top of the iceberg. To witness such intimate moments, such as this one, between the cubs whilst their mother sleeps is something that is a once in a lifetime sighting.”
"Monkey business" by Pedro Amaral (Portugal) Copyright: © Pedro Amaral/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
About the Image: “High in the canopy of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, two young mountain gorillas dangle from the branches, locked in a playful game of chase. Their world is one of curiosity and mischief—tugging, teasing, and tumbling through the treetops as they learn the skills they'll need to navigate life in the wild. But this lighthearted moment is also a testament to a serious conservation success.
Once critically endangered, mountain gorillas are now the only great ape species whose population is increasing, thanks to anti-poaching efforts, habitat protection, and responsible eco-tourism in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a world where every life counts, these two remind us that the future of their species isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving, playing, and living wild and free.”
"Bengal Tiger reflection" by Bircan Harper (UK) Copyright: © Bircan Harper/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India
About the image: Weighing up to 260kg and measuring up to 3 metres in length, the tiger is the largest of the big cats. It is found in Asia, from India – where two-thirds of all wild tigers live – through to the Russian Far East and into China.
"African Black Bellied Pangolin" by Alessandra Sikand (USA) Copyright: © Alessandra Sikand/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Black bellied pangolin, Sangha Lodge, Dzanga-Sangha
About the image: National Park, Central African Republic. The landmark book 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife has a special focus on pangolins – also called scaly anteaters because of their preferred diet.
"5 at blue hour" by Johann du Toit (Kenya) Copyright: © Johann du Toit/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Cheetahs, Shompole Hide, Kenya
About the image: “Five cheetahs at the Shompole Hide at blue hour.”
"Carried away" by Vicki Jauron (USA) Copyright: © Vicki Jauron/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Lioness and her cub, Maasai Mara, Kenya
About the image: “A lioness carries one of her two little ones to a new hiding spot in early morning. Taken in 2021 when vehicle traffic was light and we were able to follow without impacting her movements.”
"Leopard enjoying morning sun break" by Ifham Raji (Sri Lanka) Copyright: © Ifham Raji/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Leopard, Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka
About the image: “After three days of heavy downpour this leopard took the opportunity to enjoy the first morning sun break.”
"Puppy love" by Marcus Westberg (Portugal) Copyright: © Marcus Westberg/Remembering WildlifeSubject: African Wild Dog puppies, Tswalu Kalahari Nature Reserve, South Africa
About the image: Projects that Remembering Wildlife supports include vaccinating domestic dogs to help prevent the spread of rabies to African wild dogs; GPS collars to track their movements and even helped facilitate the translocation of 14 African wild dogs from South Africa and Mozambique to Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve, in a historic project to reintroduce this endangered species to Malawi. Since the successful translocation, pups have been born.
"Enjoying the sunrise" by Mark Meth-Cohn (UK) Copyright: © Mark Meth-Cohn/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Tigers, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, India
About the image: “Two sub-adult tiger brothers enjoying the early morning sunrise” Margot Raggett MBE, founder and producer of Remembering Wildlife, said: “It’s an oft-quoted fact that there are more tigers in captivity in the U.S. than there are left in the world, a stark reminder of how the future of tigers might end if conservationists do not continue their focus and their fight. Tigers are a bellwether for the health of an ecosystem. For every tiger protected in the forest, there are plants, trees, insects, birds and other mammals who thrive.”
"In the arms of eternity" by Kim Paffen (Netherlands) Copyright: © Kim Paffen/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Mountain Gorilla and her baby, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
About the image: “A mountain gorilla mother cradles her infant – a portrait of tenderness etched in shadows and light. Here, where Dian Fossey’s legacy still whispers through the bamboo, every touch is a lesson, every gaze a vow. Her quiet strength shields not just her child, but the fragile future of species reborn from the brink.”
Subject: Sloth bear, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, India
About the image: “Sloth Bear making use of an abandoned building.”
"Sunset scales" by Armand Grobler (South Africa) Copyright: © Armand Grobler/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Pangolin, Manyeleti Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa
About the image: “The vibrant colours of a winter dusk highlight the gentle spark of life in our planet’s most trafficked mammal.”
"Mbili bora in the rain' by Xavier Ortega (Spain) Copyright: © Xavier Ortega/Remembering WildlifeSubject: Cheetahs, Masai Mara, Kenya
About the image: “The famous coalition of 5 cheetahs that ruled the Masai Mara, during a storm.”
What’s going to be made in the US, is battery-electric, will cost less than US$20,000, come as either a basic two-seat pickup or five-seat SUV, and has a reservation price of just $50? The new Slate from Slate Auto.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Truck, Electric truck, Electric Vehicles, Pickup
There's always an epic amount of work that goes on behind the scenes with any movie, far beyond just the filming portion. In a recent video shared on Kodak's YouTube, director Ryan Coogler (Creed, Black Panther) provides unique insight into some of that process, breaking down the different film formats and aspect ratios in conjunction with the release of his new movie, Sinners.
It's been an incredibly popular video on social media, with people saying it's like "a masterclass" in filmmaking and even making them want to go to film school. One Instagram user, redbikebluebike, even said, "Straight up film school for the public. Free tuition." On YouTube, TheUltimateKawai1 said, "I love this. This didn't feel like a throwaway thing where he was forced to do anything he wasn't comfortable with, this is a guy nerding out over film, educating people about the different formats and then explaining how they apply to his movie."
Indeed, Coogler covers a lot of ground in the video, offering information that goes well beyond this movie in particular. He shows off film strips representing each of the different film formats, from the tiny Super8 film used for home movies all the way up to large format (65mm) film. He even touches on the importance of perforations, explaining that they filmed with two different camera systems for the movie and that this is the first time a movie combines 2.76:1 "Ultra Panavision 70" and 1.43:1 "IMAX" aspect ratios.
Impressively, he also details the different ways the movie will be exhibited, with some theaters showing it in different aspect ratios, different projection methods, and even with different experiences, like 4DX. You can tell that Coogler is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about what he's talking about, and it's both fascinating and inspirational to watch him explain all of this information.
Even the nimblest of quadcopters still struggle to halt their lateral momentum when moving fast, limiting their maneuverability. An experimental drone addresses that problem in a bio-inspired fashion, by extending flying-squirrel-like membranous wings as needed.
Category: Drones, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Postech, Biomimicry, Flight, Quadcopter
It's firmware Friday. Once again, Sony and Nikon lead the charge with firmware updates. Nikon even surprised us with an update to a discontinued model. The Coolpix P1000, which has become a meme in photography circles for its insane zooming capabilities, may have been discontinued in March 2024, but that doesn't mean it's been forgotten.
We've rounded up the latest firmware changes for Sony's a7CR, a7S III and a7C II, along with updates for Nikon's Z50 and Zfc cameras. Lenses from Chinese manufacturers TTArtisan and 7Artisans also received improvements. Here's what came out this week.
Sonya7CR Ver. 2.00 and a7S III Ver. 4.00 firmware updates are identical
You can download the software update using the Creators' App, which is available for iOS and Google Play.
Benefits and improvements
Shooting & Playback functions:
FTP Transfer & Network functions:
Please note that Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators’ App is necessary for some of the above FTP Transfer & Network functions. The Creators’ App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, visit the Creators’ Cloud support website.
Others:
The a7C II also got a Ver 2.00 update, with a difference in the benefits and improvements.
Shooting & Playback functions:
Z 50 updates for Version 2.60 (Mac) and (Windows)
Z fc updates for Version 1.80 (Mac) and (Windows)
Fixed the following issues:
Coolpix P1000 updates for Version 1.8 (Mac) and (Windows)
TTArtisan FUJI-X AF 35mm F1.8 Mark II V1.0.2 update
Image: TTArtisan7Artisans AF50mm f1.8 Z V1.01 update
That's all for this week. Make sure you check in every Friday for the latest news on firmware updates for cameras and lenses. Happy updating!
The Vorsa from San Diego's Ride1Up has been designed to be the "most versatile and customizable ebike on the market." The do-it-all ride can haul up to 440 lb, provide smooth assist to 28 mph, covers between 30 and 60 miles between top-ups, and even comes with AirTag tracking.
Tags: ebikes, Pedal-assisted, cargo bike
It's not a secret that many people are frustrated with the direction of Instagram. Its list of infractions is long: its default algorithmic feed isn't chronological and pushes content from people you don't follow, the content is over-commercialized, it can't accommodate certain crops, there are too many ads, too many videos and so on. But for so long, Instagram has been the primary platform for photographers and creatives to share their work and build a community. So, where does that leave us?
For those interested in staying involved with social media, Instagram's shifted focus has resulted in anything but a vacuum of options for photographers. Plenty of apps have popped up, and there's even been something of a resurgence of some old-school platforms.
Foto app Images: FotoThe Foto app is one of the newest kids on the block that has popped up as an alternative to Instagram. It doesn't crop your photos or support videos, it's completely ad-free and the feed is chronological. Photos have the option for captions, and you can add and respond to comments on each post. Unlike other alternatives, you can publicly see the like count on each image, though some may consider that a negative. There are no public-facing follower counts, however.
Foto partly stands out from other Instagram alternatives because you can use it for free. In fact, at the time of writing, it is entirely free. There will be a paid "Pro" subscriber plan in the future with features like a portfolio, shop and more. However, the website says that there will always be "a high-quality free tier so anyone can freely use Foto." The app is available on Android and iOS devices, but there is no web-based version at the time of writing.
I've been using Foto a little bit, and I have been impressed by the clean user interface. There isn't a long list of things to check when posting, so it's much simpler and straightforward compared to Instagram. You're also limited to three preset tags on posts, which helps reduce the noise when looking for certain types of content. It's a simple, easy-to-navigate platform that feels refreshing compared to Instagram.
Of course, Foto is quite new, so there will be growing pains as they continue developing the app. That also means lots of opportunities for exciting new features as it improves; you just need to be patient for those. Additionally, while Foto makes it clear that the app is for everyone, even non-photographers, it is inherently going to attract those interested in photography, thereby limiting your audience.
VSCO Images: VSCOVSCO is perhaps best known as an editing platform with its expansive list of presets and editing tools. However, it also functions as a social media platform that fosters creativity and expression over social metrics. It doesn't display likes, follows or repost metrics publicly, aiming to keep competition and comparison out of the experience. In fact, unless you manually count each like or repost, you can't even see a total on your own images.
There are no ads of any sort and no promoted posts getting pushed to your feed. Put simply, VSCO pared things down to keep the focus on the photos. There aren't even comments on VSCO, so the only text that exists is in the caption field. One of the platform's unique features is the ability to reshare work from others to your profile, allowing you to create your own curated gallery of sorts.
There is a completely free version of VSCO, which allows users to access basic editing tools and share on the platform. However, memberships, at either $30 per year or $60 per year, unlock more features and tools. It's available on Android and iOS devices and there's also a web version.
I've been a VSCO user for years, and one of the things I appreciate is the way the company works to foster creativity and community. Monthly photo prompts and various open calls get you to try new things or share your work. These prompts are an opportunity to gain visibility or even get paid for your work, with VSCO selecting some to promote and license for upcoming campaigns. There's also lots of educational and inspirational content available through the app, making it a place to learn and grow. Plus, the web version of VSCO serves as a platform for people to hire photographers, so it could be a way to connect with clients.
Glass Images: GlassGlass officially launched in August 2021, shortly after Instagram lead Adam Mosseri said the platform was "no longer just a square photo-sharing app". It initially launched exclusively for iPhones, but is now available for any iOS device, Android, Windows and web. Glass is unique because it is focused on features that appeal to serious photographers, including full EXIF data, camera and lens insights, minimal image compression and support for P3 wide color. Whereas Foto is meant as an app for anyone, Glass is geared toward dedicated photographers.
Like Foto, Glass is ad-free and algorithm-free. Instead, it shows your feed in chronological order. As with VSCO, there are no public likes, shares or follower counts, helping photographers keep comparison and competition out of the equation. It also highlights the work of its members and hosts monthly challenges based around categories.
The downside to Glass is that you can't use it without a subscription. You can sign up for a 14-day free trial, but will need to input credit card information right out of the gate, even if you just want to test it out. Then, the basic membership costs $40 per year. You can also opt for the Patron level, which provides additional support to the team in return for exclusive perks for $131 per year. The founders of Glass explain that because they charge for the platform, they can keep it free of ads and data tracking.
Flickr Image: FlickrFlickr is one of the original social media platforms for photographers. It was popular when I was just starting out in photography back in the early 2000s. Of course, at the time, it was exclusively a website (the only app I had on my phone was the Snake game). Times have changed, though, and a Flickr app is now available for just about any device.
The feed of work you follow on Flickr is chronological, with no algorithm dictating what you see. You can see stats on images, including views, favorites and comments, so Flickr won't be the place for you if you're trying to avoid those things.
When you favorite an image, it shows up in a gallery on your profile, much like VSCO's Republish feature. You can also create galleries of more specific categories from work you like. In terms of your photographs, they all show up on your Photostream, which is like your Instagram grid. You can break it into Albums as well to categorize things if you like. Flickr can also serve as a backup for storing your work, and it even offers a plugin for Lightroom.
You can use Flickr for free, but it will be somewhat limited. The free version also features ads. FlickrPro lets you see more stats on your work, removes the ads and gives you unlimited storage space. The Pro membership also gives you the option to change the privacy settings of your photos, unlocks 6K display options and unlocks discounts for various companies.
What made Flickr stand out in its heyday was the ability to build community and connections.What made Flickr stand out in its heyday was the ability to build community and connections. I met two of my good friends through the site as a result of regularly interacting with their work. Those two friends also met through Flickr, coming together from different parts of the country and eventually getting married.
While today's Flickr isn't quite the same as it was back then (what is?), it has seen a resurgence lately, thanks to the frustration with Instagram. That community aspect is still there, and, thanks to the endless groups based on any photographic interest you may have, it is easy to find like-minded people. A quick glance at the groups I am still part of shows that they are very much still active in terms of photos being shared and comments being made.
What are you using social media for?Earlier this year, a photographer I follow on Instagram shared some posts to their Stories about why they aren't moving to an app dedicated to photographers. They explained that they want their work to be seen by a broader audience and not only exist within a bubble of people who are highly invested in photography. Unfortunately, I can't recall who this was or what type of work they make, but it made me pause and reflect. Their posts raised a valuable question: Why do we share our work on social media?
Of course, the answer to that question will be different for everyone. But it's worth considering, no matter who you are. That's especially true if you're debating moving to a different social media platform since each may cater to a slightly different audience or provide unique tools. Reflecting on why you share your work and what you hope to get out of doing so can help you better understand which type of platform(s) may make the most sense for you.
If your goal is to join a community of (relatively speaking) like-minded photographers, then something like the Glass app, Flickr or VSCO may be the right answer. But if you, like the person on Instagram mentioned above, want to reach a broader audience of non-photographers, apps that cater specifically to photographers likely aren't the best place for you. After all, something like the Glass app could be intimidating for non-photographers, while the subscription adds an extra hurdle, so it likely isn't going to attract those without at least some interest in the medium.
Sharing on a platform designed for photographers is a bit like preaching to the choir or sharing your work only with close friends. There can certainly be benefits to getting validation and speaking the same language as others. After all, sometimes it's just nice to have your work appreciated by those who understand photography. But it will inevitably be a bit limiting in terms of broadening your audience.
The brand Astell&Kern will likely be very familiar to audiophiles, particularly those who like to groove on the move. The company's latest high-end digital audio player comes with a docking cradle that allows it to serve as a home music streamer.
Category: Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Portable Audio, Audiophile, Hi-fi, Digital music, Music Streaming
The world's largest wooden structure has been completed. Aptly named the Grand Ring, it takes the form of a massive circular loop with a walkway on top and has a circumference of approximately 2 km (1.2 miles).
Category: Architecture, Lifestyle
Tags: Timber, Japan, Building and Construction, World's Largest
Urine doesn't belong on the floor, and it definitely doesn't belong on our clothes. An experimental new urinal design could help keep it from getting to those locations, by virtually eliminating the evils of "splashback."
Category: Good Thinking, Lifestyle
Tags: Urinals, Hygiene, Bathroom, University of Waterloo
Autonomous warships have moved into the large fast-attack league as Eureka Naval Craft announces what it describes as the most advanced autonomous naval attack vessel in the world. It can carry 40 tonnes and reach speeds of up to 50 knots (57 mph, 92 km/h).
Category: Military, Technology
Tags: Autonomous, Robotics, Marine Innovations, Ships
Perhaps one of the most pervasive longstanding technology conspiracy theories is that your smartphone is constantly listening in on your private conversations. Almost everyone at some point has felt the eerie synchronicity of seeing an ad served up on a social media platform that exactly corresponds to a recent conversation. It’s certainly unnerving, and the most simple explanation is one of direct surveillance. Of course Facebook, Google and Apple are all listening in on your private conversations with friends, catching key words, and then serving you tailored advertisements. And of course they would deny this is happening.
Category: Computers, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Facebook, Data, Algorithms, Social Networking, Digital Media, Advertising, Surveillance, Features, 2025 Updates
For years now, the Mercedes-Benz brass and brains have been trickling out details about the future VAN.EA commercial and passenger van platform. They're now giving the world its first look at Auto Shanghai 2025. The all-new Vision V shows a particularly extreme form of e-MPV that plays with avant-garde styling and wild luxury features in a preview of a new class of van living and limousining. It's essentially a premium Mercedes VIP shuttle van without so much as an aftermarket upfitter. Is this what van travelers are looking for? TBD.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Van, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, Minivan, Concept Cars, Concept Vehicle, auto-shanghai-2025, Luxury
Today, Skylum Software released version 1.24.0 of Luminar Neo, its AI-powered photo editing application. Dubbed its "Spring Upgrade," four new features have been added to streamline editing and improve photographers' workflows. This update includes Auto Adjust tools, a Catalog Cache Cleaning option, an update to Atmosphere AI and a cleaner Export Menu that now supports DNG file formats.
Screenshot: Kara MurphyAuto Adjust is a new addition to the Developer and Developer Raw tools. Powered by AI, it analyzes your image and automatically adjusts the Exposure, Highlights and Shadows sliders. It may also change the tone curve if necessary. These are minor tweaks, but they're meant to provide a stronger starting point for editing an image.
Catalog Cache Cleaning has been added to the Preferences menu. It offers a simple way to manually clear out cached data stored by the Luminar Neo catalog. Over time, cached files can build up and slow down an operating system's performance, especially if you're working with an extensive library of images. Clearing it should help speed things up.
Image: Skylum SoftwareThe Atmosphere AI tool, designed to add fog, mist or haze to an image, has gotten a revamp to one of its components. Users were dissatisfied with the fog slider, so the company tweaked the depth map handling to give it a more realistic look when applied to images.
The Export Menu has been redesigned with a cleaner layout. Most importantly, it now includes support for exporting DNG files, making it possible to transfer Raw files edited in Neo to other editing software tools for further adjustments.
Screenshot: Kara MurphyLuminar Neo is available on MacOS and Windows and as a plug-in for Adobe's Photoshop and Lightroom Classic software. Updates rolled out today and can be accessed by annual and lifetime subscribers.
It's not uncommon for patients to hide their true emotions from their caregivers – or even from their own conscious selves. An experimental new facial "sticker" could help, by detecting and relaying information on its wearer's present state of mind.
Category: Medical Devices, Medical Innovations, Body & Mind
Tags: Pennsylvania State University, Wearable, Emotions, Facial
Back in 2023, tech startup Sightful developed a hardware/software system that put a huge virtual computer screen in front of your eyes. Now the company has dropped the hardware component and tweaked the software to work with AI laptops.
Category: Mobile Technology, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Laptop, Augmented Reality, Windows, Productivity, wearable computing, wearable screen, Computers
Anker's just taken the wraps off its latest outdoor projector, the Nebula X1. This one promises to get plenty bright for "cinema-grade" picture quality, simplify the setup process, and deliver immersive sound for US$3,000.
Category: Home Entertainment, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Projectors, Outdoors and Camping, 4K UHD, Cinema, Portable
Last time we checked in with Whisper Aero, we found this aviation-focused company deep into a side quest, building and demonstrating a leaf blower that moves 40% more air, using 40% less power, and making half the perceived noise of a range of standard blowers.
Tags: Electric Aircraft, gliders, Acoustics, Ultralight aircraft
