Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 chip officially launched to power premium Android phones in 2022 https://www.digit.in news@digit.in (Digit NewsDesk) Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 has officially launched as the top-of-the-line chipset that is ready to power premium Android phones in 2022. The Snapdragon 8 Gen1 is the successor to the Snapdragon 888 that launched last year in December. With the new and upgraded SoC, Qualcomm has also brought changes to the chipset nomenclature which is now denoted by a digit that represents the series followed by the generation. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 brings an improved 5G modem that offers upto 10 Gigabit download speeds, a new Snapdragon Sight 18-bit ISP, 7th gen AI engine, Snapdragon Elite Gaming features and more. “As the world’s most advanced mobile platform, Snapdragon is synonymous with premium Android experiences and the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 sets the standard for the next generation of flagship mobile devices. It delivers connectivity, photography, AI, gaming, sound, and security experiences never before available in a smartphone,” said Alex Katouzian, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mobile, Compute, and Infrastructure, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 features The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 has a 4th generation Snapdragon X65 5G modem that offers upto 10 Gigabit download speeds. It features the FastConnect 6900 Mobile Connectivity System with WiFi 6 and 6E that ensures games and apps will run smoothly. With the new Snapdragon 8 Gen1 SoC, Qualcomm has also introduced the Snapdragon Sight 18-bit mobile ISP which it claims can capture over 4000x more data than the previous generation. The new ISP also supports upto 8K HDR 10+ video recording along with a Bokeh engine that brings native Portrait mode for videos. There’s a new always-on ISP that enables the camera to run at low power for always-on features like facial recognition and more. For the Snapdragon 8 Gen1, Qualcomm has also partnered with Leica to integrate the Leica Leitz Look filters for their classic bokeh effects. The new SoC also brings the new Adreno GPU that offers a 30% boost in graphics rendering and a 25% improvement in power efficiency. It also introduces the Adreno Frame Motion Engine that is capable of generating 2x frame rates while consuming the same power. We also get desktop-level Volumetric rendering which brings more details and realism to elements like fog, smoke and more such artefacts in games. Qualcomm has also revealed that commercial devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen1 are expected by the end of 2021 from brands including Black Shark, Honor, iQOO, Motorola, Nubia, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Redmi, SHARP, Sony Corporation, Vivo, Xiaomi and ZTE. Also Read: Qualcomm and Microsoft’s exclusivity deal set to expire soon: Here’s what it means for Windows on ARM https://ift.tt/3o8IQCA December 01, 2021 at 12:47PM

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Twitter goes mad with power, announces new vague and unclear rules https://www.digit.in news@digit.in (Digit NewsDesk) In an utterly baffling move, Twitter has decided to lean into its image as bullies and have released new rules that will prohibit the sharing of private images without consent. In a bid to try and control the narrative, the heads at Twitter seem to have gone off the deep end with these rules. What this means is that anyone whose image was posted without their consent will now have the option to request Twitter to take it down. Of course, surprising no one, major news organisations will be spared the rod while any independent media and the like will be subject to these rules. Sharing images is an important part of folks' experience on Twitter. People should have a choice in determining whether or not a photo is shared publicly. To that end we are expanding the scope of our Private Information Policy. — Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) November 30, 2021 Twitter has also gone on to state that the rules will not apply to, “public figures or individuals when media and accompanying tweet text are shared in the public interest or add value to public discourse.” This seems like an incredibly vague statement, but then again, this is how most of these major social media networks function. It is unclear as to how these rules will be enforced and who will be the arbitrator of what is offensive etc. It seems like a system that will be ripe for exploitation and abuse. Twitter announces new rules This news comes a day after the resignation of CEO Jack Dorsey and the appointment of a new, controversial CEO. The new CEO was called out for a few racist and derogatory tweets that he made earlier but nothing has actually come of it, as was expected. Users have already called out the platform for these arbitrary rules and it looks like Twitter is going to have a lot of issues when it comes to the actual application of these rules. Also Read: Twitter is officially experimenting with shopping features in its livestreams https://ift.tt/eA8V8J December 01, 2021 at 12:09PM

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Google announces best apps and games of 2021 https://www.digit.in news@digit.in (Digit NewsDesk) Google has revealed its list of best apps and games of 2021 in India. This has become an annual tradition of sorts for the company. The only criteria is that the app and game in question has to be available on the Google Play Store. There were multiple categories, with two sections. One was awarded by Google while the other was a User’s Choice Award. “In India, once again, we saw a diverse range of apps help people across the country with relevant – and often unique – solutions to their daily needs. This year, we saw a distinctive rise in e-learning, with many winners finding creative ways to help India learn a range of skills online, be it mastering a passion through celebrity-led virtual classes with FrontRow, or using AI to scale student learning outcomes with EMBIBE,” Google noted in its blog. Google Play Store: Best App of 2021 Google’s pick for best app of the year was Bitclass. This app is a live learning platform that gives users free classes on a range of topics. This includes anything from baking, dance, and more. It also adds to the digital learning culture that popped up during the pandemic-enforced lockdown. The User’s Choice Award was won by Clubhouse. The app saw a spike in popularity this year and it gave people a platform to get together and discuss pretty much everything under the Sun. Google Play Store: Best Game of 2021 Google gave its award for the best game of the year to Battlegrounds Mobile India. The game was launched earlier this year and is a version of PUBG: Mobile that was specifically designed for India. The User’s Choice Award for the best games won by Garena Free Fire Max. This is a more graphically intensive version of the standard version of the game and is designed for more powerful hardware that is available to players these days. Aside from this, Google also awarded apps and games in more specific categories. You can check out the whole list here. Also read: How To Download Battlegrounds Mobile India On Android https://ift.tt/eA8V8J December 01, 2021 at 11:04AM

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Samsung Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 to include 50MP Primary Camera: Report https://www.digit.in deepak.singh@9dot9.in (Deepak Singh) Samsung’s Galaxy S22 series phones are likely to go official in February 2022 and reliable leaks regarding these flagships have expectedly begun to surface. The camera on the S22 Ultra was recently detailed and now we have word on the camera hardware used on the Galaxy S22+ and the base Galaxy S22 model from the same source. Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus Camera Details Leakster Ice Universe claims that the camera hardware will be the same on both of these models. The main camera has a 50MP sensor that’s 1/1.57” in size with 1.0 µm pixels and has an f/1.8 aperture lens. Samsung could be using its new GN5 sensor that integrates Dual Pixel Pro technology for relatively faster auto-focus and Samsung’s proprietary FDTI (Front Deep Trench Isolation) technology that helps gather more light. The upgraded telephoto camera brandishes 3x optical zoom. The sensor used has a 10MP resolution, measures 1/3.94”, and has 1.0 µm pixels. The wide-angle camera remains similar to the Galaxy S21/S21+, at least on paper. This is a 12MP sensor, 1/3.44” in size, and with an f/2.2 aperture lens. On the front, both of these phones are said to include a 10MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. According to the previous report from the same tipster, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra will include a 108MP primary sensor, which will allegedly be an improved version of HM3. The phone will reportedly include three more Sony sensors on the rear- a 12MP ultra-wide, a 10MP periscope zoom camera for 10x zoom and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera. The front camera will remain a 40MP sensor as on the last generation Ultra. We have also seen a few renders of the upcoming Samsung flagship phones, and many sources corroborate that Samsung is taking an Apple-iPhone-like flat approach for the Galaxy S21+ and the vanilla Galaxy S21. The display, back and side edges are reportedly all flat. Allegedly the S22 Ultra still retains those display curves. Going by Samsung’s customary product launch timeline, we still have a few weeks before the official unveiling and we expect the leaks to keep pouring in meanwhile. Let’s wait and watch. Also Read: Qualcomm and Microsoft’s exclusivity deal set to expire soon: Here’s what it means for Windows on ARM https://ift.tt/eA8V8J November 30, 2021 at 05:49PM

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Amazon Prime: All the New TV Shows & Movies You Can Binge This Week https://www.digit.in editor@digit.in (Kajoli Anand Puri) Amazon Prime Video has crafted a schedule that allows it to release a spate of new content every week. This week, we’re going to see a new drama TV series, a documentary and a few thrillers to kick off December 2021 with a bang! Here’s what you can expect to see during the week starting November 29th. 29th November: Burning Burning is a documentary that will take a look at the deadly bushfires that ravaged Australia throughout 2019 and 2020. The documentary intends to take viewers through the ramifications of climate change and how these disastrous fires led to a widespread loss of life (both human and animals) and impacted Australians. With Emmy-award-winning filmmaker Eva Orner at the helm of this project, we can expect a powerful deep dive into Australia’s Black Summer. 3 December: Spiral The latest installment of the Saw franchise, Spiral (also known as Spiral: From the Book of Saw) takes us through the journey of Detective Ezekiel Banks as he solves the mystery of Jiggsaw’s CopyCat Killer. It stars Chris Rock and it will be interesting to see this comedy legend act his heart out in a horror film. 3 December: Wrath of Man Wrath of Man is a heist thriller that is broken down into four parts, with each part showing a relevant part of the heist as a whole, and coming together to create one phenomenal movie. The film saw a theatrical release in the United States on 7 May, and you can check out reviews online to know whether it's worth your time. 3 December: Harlem (Season 1) Harlem is an Amazon Original series and we’ll see the first season drop on 3rd December 2021. The series follows a group of four women living in Harlem as they navigate their lives in New York, build their careers and forge new relationships. Movies Releasing on Amazon Prime Video on 1st December In addition to the shows and movies mentioned above, new movies will be made available on Amazon Prime Video on 1st December. These are: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) Alex Cross (2013) All Is Lost (2013) Seuss' The Cat In The Hat (2003) Edward Scissorhands (1990) End Of Days (1999) Guess Who (2005) Halloween II (1981) Halloween III: Season Of The Witch (1982) Jennifer's Body (2009) Joe Bell (2020) – December 3 Little Women (1994) Mistletoe Mixup (2021) Popper's Penguins (2011) Pineapple Express (2008) Pineapple Express (Unrated) (2008) Ronin (1998) Sleepless In Seattle (1993) Soul Surfer (2011) Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006) The Hunt For Red October (1990) The Proposal (2009) The Royal Tenenbaums (2002) The Thin Red Line (1998) The Usual Suspects (1995) The Waterboy (1998) Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys (2008) Under The Tuscan Sun (2003) We Are X (2016) – December 3 What's Love Got To Do With It (1993) White As Snow (2021) New TV Shows on Amazon Prime Video Amazon Prime Video will also be releasing new TV Shows on 1st December. These are: A Discovery of Witches: Season 1 (AMC+) A House Divided: Season 1 (ALLBLK) Believe (2016) (UP Faith & Family) Bonanza: Season 1 (Best Westerns Ever) Brad Meltzer’s Decoded: Season 1 (HISTORY Vault) Christmas Everlasting (2020) (Hallmark Movies Now) Hallmark Drama’s Christmas Cookie Matchup: Season 1 (Hallmark Movies Now) Hostages: Season 1 (Topic) My Crazy Ex: Season 1 (A&E Crime Central) Roadkill: Season 1 (MotorTrend) Sanford: Seasons 1-2 Sanford And Son: Seasons 1-6 Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas (2014) (Hallmark Movies Now) The Gulf: Season 1 (Acorn TV) The Jeffersons: Seasons 1-11 The Perfect Wedding Match (2021) (UP Faith & Family) The Tom & Jerry Show: Season 1 (Boomerang) When Calls the Heart: Home for Christmas: Season 7 (Hallmark Movies Now) Keep an eye on this space for our official reviews of these TV Shows and Movies. Wondering what to Binge Next? Click here to know whether Hawkeye is worth your time. Also Read: Amazon finally announces dedicated Prime Video app for macOS https://ift.tt/3xE3opH November 30, 2021 at 04:46PM

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Bye-Bye Spotify Car View feature, hello, TikTok-inspired video feed https://www.digit.in editor@digit.in (Kajoli Anand Puri) Spotify’s car view feature is created to make the app easier to use while driving. However, the brand is retiring this feature and is “exploring new ways to deliver the best in-car listening experience”, according to a spokesperson. Additionally, Spotify is also working on a feature that will ape TikTok’s short video feature, presumably to allow artists and users to share short clips. When did Spotify confirm that it’s retiring the Car View feature? Recently, Spotify users noticed that the Car View feature was missing from the app. The Car View feature basically displays the app with a simplified interface and large buttons, allowing people to use the app easily while driving. Users who saw that the same was missing pointed it out on the Spotify Community threat. A moderator representing the brand then responded with, “Think of retiring [the] car-view as something that needs to happen in an effort to make way for new innovations coming down the track,” the moderator posted. Spotify is also reportedly working on an in-car accessory with touch controls. So, removing the Car View feature may be a strategic move to drive user adoption for the new accessory. Spotify is also working on a TikTok-like feature In other news, Spotify is also working on a video sharing feature that will work like TikTok. Based on Chris Messina’s tweet, Spotify may soon have a fourth icon displayed in the toolbar called Discover. This is meant to work as a “pared down version of a TikTok-style feed of vertical music videos” that can be liked or skipped. Messina also said in his tweet that the new feature is likely to use the company's Canvas feature. The Canvas feature allows users or artists to turn static song/ album art into eight-second visual loops. Also Read: Spotify Greenroom is the latest interactive audio chat app like Clubhouse to connect fans with music creators https://ift.tt/3EaaC7h November 30, 2021 at 04:43PM

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Sony could be working on a PlayStation mobile controller, according to a new patent https://www.digit.in news@digit.in (Digit NewsDesk) Sony has been riding high on the wave of the launch of the PS5 (review). It’s been a full year since the launch of the PS5 and Sony is now looking at developing a new controller for mobile hardware. First reported by VGC, a new patent has emerged on the internet and it shows off a controller that looks suspiciously like a DualShock 4 but modified for mobile devices like phones. In the image presented below, you can take a look at how the Sony controller will look when connected to a mobile phone or such. It does resemble regular mobile controllers in that the right and left sides of the controller has been split. In the design above, you can also see that the touchpad is essentially replaced by the mobile screen. It’s actually an ingenious design but it’s a relatively competitive market, so we will have to wait and see if the controller actually sees the light of day. As of right now, users can actually connect the DualShock 4 to a mobile device through Bluetooth but this new controller looks to be specifically built for mobile devices. It seems that a lot of companies are looking at jumping into the mobile gaming market. Netflix has already launched a mobile games division and now Sony is following suit with a new controller. Back in May, reports emerged that Sony was planning an expansion into the mobile market. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO, Jim Ryan stated that even first-party IPs could even make their way to the small screen. He stated that “We have been thinking about how players enjoy our content, and have had some early success with experimenting with mobile games and apps to provide more choice to gamers and PlayStation’s roster of first-party IP can transition to smartphone gaming and complement our AAA games or live service games.” Also Read: Sony Reveals Indian Prices For PS5 DualSense Cosmic Red And Midnight Black Controllers https://ift.tt/3xATIfP November 30, 2021 at 04:08PM

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Polarizing Filters: What Are They and Why Do You Need One?

The post Polarizing Filters: What Are They and Why Do You Need One? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.

What is a polarizing filter? And what makes polarizers so special?

In this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about polarizers. I’ll explain what they are, what they do, and how they can help improve your photography. I’ll explain when you might want to use a polarizer, and I’ll also highlight certain situations where a polarizing filter is a very bad idea – so you know exactly when to use one the next time you’re out in the field.

If you’re ready to become a polarizer expert, then read on!

What is a polarizing filter?

A polarizing filter is a piece of glass that goes over your camera lens and reduces haze, reflections, and glare. It also darkens blue skies.

Without getting too scientific, light waves that bounces off water, leaves, glass, and other reflective materials become polarized, which means they vibrate in a special way; polarizing filters are designed to block this polarized light from reaching your camera sensor.

Most photographers use circular polarizing filters, which screw onto the lens and can be rotated to amplify or reduce the polarization effect. So by turning a polarizing filter in one direction, the photographer can block out reflections, and by turning the polarizing filter in the other direction, the photographer can ensure the reflections are clearly visible.

Why are polarizing filters useful in photography?

Polarizing filters are known for three highly visible effects:

1. They reduce reflections, so you can photograph through glass and water.
2. They reduce glare, so you can capture more saturated colors.
3. They cut down on polarized light in the atmosphere, which causes skies to turn a deep, dark blue.

In certain situations, these effects are a big deal. For instance, if you’re photographing a beautiful rocky tidepool, a polarizer can eliminate pesky reflections and reveal the beauty underneath. And if you’re photographing a desert landscape at noon, the polarizer will turn the hazy blue sky into a darker, more evocative color.

In fact, polarizers are used for landscape photography all the time, because you’re often faced with reflective water and foliage. Don’t like the reflections in the water? Use a polarizer. Want to capture more saturated fall colors? Use a polarizer.

And many other genres of photography use polarizers, too. Cityscape and architectural photographers use polarizers to reduce reflections in glass windows and car windshields (though note that polarizers don’t reduce reflections and glare off of metal surfaces, such as the sides of buildings).

Basically, whenever you’re faced with unwanted haze or reflections, you simply screw a polarizer onto the front of your lens. Then, by twisting the polarizer, you can block out the offending light and get much deeper, saturated colors and reduced reflections.

How to use a polarizing filter: step by step

Polarizers are wonderfully easy to use.

First, when you find a scene that requires reflection or glare reduction, simply screw your polarizing filter onto the front of your lens.

Next, look through the camera viewfinder, then slowly rotate the polarizer. As you rotate the glass, watch the areas of your composition with obvious reflective elements.

After a few moments of rotation, you should see the reflections start to fade. Continue to rotate the filter until the reflections have disappeared (or have reached a level that you like).

Then leave your polarizer as it is, and proceed to adjust your other camera settings for the proper depth of field, exposure, etc. Note that you should always set your exposure after applying the polarizing filter, because a polarizing filter blocks out light, which in turn requires exposure compensation.

Another key fact: Polarizing filters don’t always work perfectly. Depending on the angle of the sun and the quality of the light, you may notice significant changes to a polarized image – or you may notice no changes at all.

For the greatest effect, try to keep the sun at a 90-degree angle to your lens. A common trick is to make a finger gun with your thumb and index finger. Then point your thumb at the sun and rotate your index finger in a circle (as if your thumb is the axle and your index finger is the spoke on a bicycle tire). Wherever your index finger points will experience the strongest polarization effect, whereas other areas of the scene will experience the polarization effect to varying degrees.

The problem with polarizers

Now that you’re familiar with the polarization effect, you might be wondering:

Why don’t I just use a polarizer all the time? Can’t I keep it attached to my lens, then rotate it as needed?

The problem is that, in addition to their benefits, polarizers have several drawbacks.

First, polarizers reduce the amount of light that hits your camera sensor and this impacts exposure. Every time you add a polarizer to your lens, you lose light, which means you need to use a slightly slower shutter speed, a slightly wider aperture, or a slightly higher ISO. This is rarely convenient, and in certain situations, it can be a non-starter; what if you’re photographing in low light? A polarizer may cause you to miss the shot thanks to a too-slow shutter speed.

Second, polarizers don’t impact an entire scene equally, especially if you’re using a wide-angle lens. Wide-angle lenses portray so much of the scene that you’ll often get some areas that are highly polarized, and other areas that are much less affected. This can look strange – like blue banding across the sky – and so you may want to avoid using a polarizer in certain wide-angle landscape situations.

Third, while quality polarizers work well, there are plenty of poorly made options out there that will produce unpleasant color casts and reduce image sharpness. So if you do buy a polarizer, make sure it’s a good one. Don’t compromise, even if it means paying $100+ for a nice filter.

When to use a polarizing filter

While you shouldn’t use a polarizer all the time, here are a few situations when it’s a good idea to screw on that filter:

When photographing water

When photographing a scene with water, you’ll often get unwanted reflections, and a polarizer can make all the difference.

For example, when I was snorkelling off the coast of Indonesia a few years back, I took a series of photos without my polarizer. The water looked murky, plus it had a big, unpleasant reflection on the surface.

But when I used my polarizing filter, everything changed; the water become a crystal-clear, bright-blue color, and the shots had far more impact.

Of course, you shouldn’t always apply a polarizing filter to water shots. Sometimes, you’ll want to maintain reflections in a scene – think of a mountain reflecting in a quiet lake – in which case you should leave the polarizer in your bag.

But more often than not, if water is featured in your scene, a polarizer is a good idea.

When photographing a blue sky

The color of the sky can change dramatically with a quick twist of the polarizing filter. A pale blue can turn to a vibrant, deep blue color, though the extent of the effect does depend on the sun’s position.

(Also, a polarizer can cut out a lot of the smoggy haze that you’ll find in city scenes.)

When you’re photographing a landscape on a clear day, it’s often a good idea to at least try using a polarizer, especially if you’re shooting when the sun is high in the sky. The effect is quite striking, and it can even be the difference between a mediocre shot and a great shot.

When photographing trees and leaves

When you think of reflective objects, “leaves” probably isn’t the first item that comes to mind.

Yet leaves are actually quite reflective, and this reflectivity can seriously reduce color saturation.

A circular polarizer is particularly useful when capturing fall colors – professional photographers use polarizers pretty much non-stop when photographing the autumn landscape – because it cuts down on reflectivity and glare, which consequently increases color intensity.

When photographing reflective glass

If you like to photograph buildings or cars, a polarizer can be a big help, assuming you want to emphasize the building/car interior.

Glass is pretty reflective, but a polarizer can do a very nice job of removing those reflections.

(Of course, there are times when you’ll want to keep reflections for an interesting effect. In such cases, keep the polarizer off your lens.)

How to choose a polarizing filter

Most lenses take screw-in filters that attach to the end of the lens barrel, just over the front element.

Because different lenses feature different diameters, you’ll need to take note of the diameter on your specific lens, then buy a polarizing filter with a matching size.

If you have several leness with different diameters, you’ll need to buy several polarizing filters (annoying, I know; the alternative is purchasing step-down filters, but they can be cumbersome and frustrating to work with).

Keep in mind that good polarizers are not cheap – but as I emphasized above, you shouldn’t skimp and buy a poor-quality filter for your top-notch lenses. Instead, pay for a good polarizer made by a reputable brand (Hoya and B+W are two good places to start!).

Polarizing filters: final words

Now that you’ve finished this article, you should know all about polarizing filters and how you can use them for stunning shots!

So if you’re attracted to the power of a polarizer, then consider purchasing one! I guarantee you’ll have a lot of fun with it.

Now over to you:

Have you ever tried a polarizing filter? What was it like? What subjects did you use it on? Share your thoughts (and images!) in the comments below.

The post Polarizing Filters: What Are They and Why Do You Need One? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.

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Jio Tablet and Jio Smart TV rumored to launch next year https://www.digit.in deepak.singh@9dot9.in (Deepak Singh) Reliance Jio will reportedly launch a new Tablet and a Smart TV in 2022. The company earlier introduced its first Android phone, JioPhone Next, which is an affordable phone developed for first-time smartphone users. Jio Smart TV and Jio Tablet: What to Expect A report from 91Mobiles cites Jio’s expanding into more hardware verticals next year. While the exact price, specifications or availability details aren’t available yet, these new products are also likely to be competitively priced to help masses transition to Jio’s smart connected ecosystem. The upcoming tablet could use the same PragatiOS software as the JioPhone Next, which has been co-developed in partnership with Google and is optimized to run smoothly on low-end hardware. We already have JioFiber plans that successfully club popular OTT services under one banner. Jio could club the upcoming Smart TV in the bundle, absorbing the hardware cost within long term prepaid plans. The smart TV should also be integral to Reliance Jio’s efforts of developing an ecosystem of smart home devices. Apart from a Smart TV and Android Tablet, Jio is also reportedly working on JioBook, an affordable laptop with an HD display. JioBook was previously rumoured to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, paired with a Snapdragon X12 4G modem. A new Geekbench listing, however, revealed MediaTek MT8788 SoC paired with 2GB RAM. The laptop is also rumoured to run an Android-based software with support for Jio and Microsoft apps including JioStore, JioMeet, and JioPages, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Edge, and Office. Also Read: Vivo's first tablet tipped to include Snapdragon 870 and 8'040 mAh battery These are all still rumours and we don’t have anything concrete to go by just yet. However, with the service ecosystem in place, providing access to masses with low-end hardware surely seems to be the plausible next step for Jio. We are guessing that more details will leak as we move closer to the official unveiling, which could happen at Reliance AGM next year. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J November 30, 2021 at 01:27PM

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Redmi Note 11T 5G with Dimensity 810, 50MP dual camera launched in India: Price, specs and availability https://www.digit.in news@digit.in (Digit NewsDesk) The Redmi Note 11T 5G has officially launched in India as the successor to the Redmi Note 10T which launched back in July. At the time of its launch, the Redmi Note 10T was the first 5G phone in the Redmi Note lineup and was priced starting at Rs 13,999. The Redmi Note 11T 5G brings upgrades like a faster octa-core SoC, high-resolution primary and selfie camera, stereo speakers and support for fast charging out-of-the-box. Ready Set SPEEEED. #RedmiNote11T5G - The FASTEST G Smartphone from the house of #Redmi. Our #NextGenRacer is all set to carry it's #FastAndFuturistic legacy ahead. DON'S MISS THE ACTION! Click https://t.co/6MM4wdLHr7 pic.twitter.com/674AALo4jX — Redmi India - #RedmiNote11T5G (@RedmiIndia) November 30, 2021 Redmi Note 11T 5G pricing and availability The Redmi Note 11T 5G is priced starting at Rs 16,999 for the base variant with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage, Rs 17,999 for the 128GB storage option and Rs 19,999 for the 8GB and 128GB storage variant. The Redmi Note 11T 5G goes on its first sale from December 7 on Amazon India, Mi India store and in offline stores. Redmi Note 11T 5G specifications The Redmi Note 11T supports dual-SIM 5G and features a 6.6-inch Full HD+ (2400x1080 pixels) resolution display. The screen supports upto a 90Hz refresh rate and is topped with a layer of Gorilla Glass. It measures 8.8mm in thickness and weighs 195 grams. It is also IP53 rated which makes it dust and splash-proof. It is being offered in three colourways: Matte Black, Stardust White and Aquamarine Blue. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset which has an octa-core CPU with Mali-G57 GPU. This is paired with 6GB/8GB RAM and upto 128GB storage options to choose from. It runs on MIUI 12.5 which is based on Android 11 out-of-the-box. The Note 11T has dual cameras on the back that consists of a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture along with an 8MP ultra-wide camera with 119-degree FOV. The rear camera can record in 1080p at upto 60FPS and we also get a 16MP selfie camera on the front, housed within the punch-hole notch cutout. The Redmi Note 11T is also equipped with stereo speakers and supports Hi-Res audio playback via a 3.5mm headphone jack. The power button doubles up as a fingerprint reader and the Redmi Note 11T is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging. Xiaomi claims that the fast charger can top-up the battery fully in around an hour. Also Read: Redmi Smart Band Pro, Redmi Watch 2 Lite unveiled, features colour displays, 5ATM water resistance and more https://ift.tt/3xC80MW November 30, 2021 at 01:07PM

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Jack Dorsey quits Twitter, heres who replaces him as CEO https://www.digit.in news@digit.in (Digit NewsDesk) Twitter founder Jack Dorsey has quit the micro-blogging platform, he announced via a tweet. Twitter was launched back in 2006 and throughout its 15-year run, has become one of the most popular social media platforms that people use today. Last evening, Jack announced that he is resigning as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and CTO Parag Agrawal has been unanimously appointed by the Twitter board to helm the company. not sure anyone has heard but, I resigned from Twitter pic.twitter.com/G5tUkSSxkl — jack (@jack) November 29, 2021 Jack will stay onboard until the end of his term and after May 2022 he plans on leaving the board. Talking about his decision to leave Twitter, Jack wants the company to “break away” from its founders. “Ultimately I believe that’s severely limiting and a single point of failure. I’ve worked hard to ensure this company can break away from its founding and founders,” he wrote in his address to the company. Parag Agrawal is the new Twitter CEO Parag was born in Mumbai and graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. He later moved to the US and holds a PhD from Stanford University. He joined Twitter as a software engineer in 2011 and has been the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Twitter since 2017. He has also been in charge of the Bluesky project which is an initiative by Twitter to create a decentralized social network. Speaking about Parag, Jack said, “The board ran a rigorous process considering all options and unanimously appointed Parag. He's been my choice for some time given how deeply he understands the company and its needs. Parag has been behind every critical decision that helped turn this company around. He's curious, probing, rational, creative, demanding, self-aware, and humble. He leads with heart and soul and is someone I learn from daily. My trust in him as our CEO is bone deep.” Also Read: Twitter has now fixed the issue of the disappearing tweets https://ift.tt/3D7XcaL November 30, 2021 at 11:44AM

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See the New Lightroom Masking Tool in Action [Video]

The post See the New Lightroom Masking Tool in Action [Video] appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

In October, Adobe unveiled several revolutionary updates to its local adjustment tools in Lightroom, including a new Masks panel, several AI-driven masking tools, and a revamped masking workflow.

But while these updates offer unprecedented power, they take some getting used to.

Later this week, we’ll be releasing a comprehensive tutorial on the new updates – but in the meantime, why not see the Masks panel in action?

Check out the video below, in which professional landscape photographer Nigel Danson puts the Masking Tool through its paces. Danson explains every step of his process, so you can understand exactly how he approaches editing with the Lightroom updates, plus – bonus! – you’ll see a beautiful landscape shot go from a flat, boring RAW photo to an eye-popping masterpiece.

Along the way, you’ll learn:

• How to use Radial Gradient masks to create a gorgeous sunset glow
• How to add drama to the sky with a Linear Gradient
• How to fine-tune your masks with Color Range and Luminosity Range functions
• How to combine masks for highly targeted adjustments

And once you’ve finished, be sure to leave a comment below, discussing your favorite element of the new features!

The post See the New Lightroom Masking Tool in Action [Video] appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

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Krafton announces iQOO Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2021 Grind tournament https://www.digit.in news@digit.in (Digit NewsDesk) Krafton has announced a new invitational tournament called the iQOO Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2021 Grind. The tournament is scheduled to kick off on December 2, 2021 and will feature 32 invited teams. These teams will then battle it out to see if they have what it takes to compete in the iQOO Battleground Mobile India Series, Additional details about the tournament were not announced, but the developers note that this would be revealed soon. Krafton recently announced a new campaign to drive its ‘Game Responsibly‘ initiative for BGMI. The campaign will not only include a series of films to encourage gamers to consider their mental health. It will also promote responsible gaming habits among players. This also means that Krafton will start implementing more stringent control over players under 18. Every under-18 player that wants to play BGMI will now need to register a parent or guardian before they can play. An OTP will first be sent to the parent or guardian’s phone number, and only then can the minor start playing. Further, minors will also not be able to play for over three hours a day. Further, all players will not be allowed to spend over Rs 7,000 per day. Other steps taken by Krafton include a ‘Virtual World Warning Message’ that will include in-game text and in-game audio that reinforces the message. Further, all players will get timely reminders to take a break when playing the game. Finally, the developers have reduced violence and bloodshed in the game and have set parameters to keep language in check. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J November 29, 2021 at 09:12PM

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Vivos first tablet tipped to include Snapdragon 870 and 8040 mAh battery https://www.digit.in deepak.singh@9dot9.in (Deepak Singh) Vivo trademarked "Vivo Pad" with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) earlier this year and, as was confirmed by the company VP, will foray into the tablet segment in the first half of 2022. While official details are yet to materialize, a new leak claims that this upcoming tablet from Vivo will be powered by a Qualcomm chipset. Vivo Pad Specifications Tipster Digital Chat Station reveals that the tablet will employ Snapdragon 870, which is the same SoC Vivo earlier used on quite a few popular phones like X60 Pro and iQOO 7. The octa-core chipset is basically an enhanced version of Snapdragon 865+. It includes one Cortex-A77 prime core, three Cortex-A77 performance cores, and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. The same device was reportedly spotted on the TÜV Rheinland certification website and the listing revealed an 8040mAh battery. More tablets are on their way Apart from Vivo, other BBK brands have also been eyeing the tablet segment. Realme introduced the Realme Pad earlier this year with MediaTek Helio G80, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and a 7100mAh battery. OnePlus Pad was trademarked with EUIPO in July, and Oppo is expected to launch its Pad early next year. According to Digital Chat Station, the Oppo tablet will use the same Snapdragon 870 chipset paired with 6GB RAM and 256GB storage. This tablet is expected to include an 11-inch LCD display (2,560x1,600 pixels) with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. This software is unsurprisingly touted to be Android 11-based Color OS. It is expected to be priced at CNY 2000 in China which converts to approximately $315 or roughly INR 23,500. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J November 29, 2021 at 09:12PM

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A huge asteroid is moving toward Earths orbital path https://www.digit.in editor@digit.in (Kajoli Anand Puri) NASA is known for tracking dangerous space objects to ascertain whether any are heading towards Earth, and whether they have the potential to cause major damage. The agency recently warned that a huge asteroid is moving towards Earth’s orbital path. This asteroid is said to be twice the size of Big Ben, with the potential to cause damage akin to a nuclear explosion. Thankfully, that’s not actually going to happen as the agency says it’s not colliding with Earth. What kinds of damage can an asteroid this size cause? According to NASA, this asteroid has the potential of producing 77 megatons of TNT, and is comparable to some of the largest nuclear explosions tested by man. In fact, NASA believes that the energy an asteroid like this can release will be 1.5 times that of the biggest nuclear weapon ever tested, Tsar Bomba. The Tsar Bomba was a bomb tested by the Russians, and the force was 3,333 times that of the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima during the Second World War. So, you can imagine the level of damage that this asteroid can cause if it hits Earth. How likely is it for asteroids to hit Earth? Asteroids can hit Earth in the future, if they happen to be on the right collision course. Sometimes, smaller asteroids break into smaller pieces when they enter the Earth’s atmosphere (this happens because of the friction with the air) and hardly make an impact when they hit earth. Some dissolve entirely. However, the likelihood of a large asteroid hitting earth and causing widespread damage is not something NASA can rule out. It is believed that a large asteroid hit Earth millions of years ago, killing dinosaurs. NASA is preparing for the eventuality. One of the experiments the agency is working on is called the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). The idea is to crash a spacecraft into an asteroid with enough force to knock it off its path. Also Read: NASA releases awe-inspiring image of a spiral galaxy taken by the Hubble Telescope https://ift.tt/3EbnIBu November 29, 2021 at 05:59PM

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Indian Parliament summons Facebook India officials to discuss citizens rights and Womens safety https://www.digit.in editor@digit.in (Kajoli Anand Puri) Last year, former Facebook data scientist, Sophie Zhang, published a memo detailing the way Facebook is used to influence global politics. She spoke about sophisticated systems in place in India that were used to try and influence the 2020 Delhi Elections, along with similar systems in other developing countries throughout the world. Now, on the heels of her memo and a recent controversy surrounding Facebook’s policies and impact on politics, the Parliament has summoned officials representing Facebook India to discuss citizens’ rights and womens’ safety. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology (IT) will be held on November 29, with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor appointed as the Chairman of the same. "To hear the views of representatives Of Facebook India on the subject safeguarding citizens rights and prevention of misuse of social/online news media platforms including special emphasis on women security in the digital space," the committee agenda read. Treating Social Media as Publishers Currently, our laws treat social media platforms as intermediaries of content, and this approach has not done much to regulate the kind of content that is published and distributed. With hate speech and fake news being credited for countless communals incidents across the country, the Parliamentary Panel set up last week to examine the ramifications of such platforms concluded that they need a separate regulatory body, similar to the Press Council of India. Doing so will make the platforms more liable for user-generated content - something that companies like Facebook and Twitter refuse to take any responsibility for. Additionally, with more and more consumers across tier-2 and tier-3 cities adopting smartphones and setting up social media accounts, data protection itself has become a widespread concern for the government. With this in mind, the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, may be revised to protect non-personal data from being misused by such companies. What about the Metaverse? While the Indian government is moving in the right direction as far as protecting its citizens goes, there is certainly a much larger threat on the horizon - the Metaverse. With people entering virtual realities and building lives there, the data protection and privacy laws of today may end up holding no meaning. Imagine curating actual experiences that sway public opinion, transforming people from subscribers to one political ideology to completely opposing ones. Now imagine this happening so subtly, that you barely have time to reassess your values. If companies like Meta are to make virtual worlds accessible to Indian citizens, they need to offer transparency regarding how they will use customer data. Also Read: Facebook to Protect Famous People, While Stomping on the Masses https://ift.tt/3ErKgh3 November 29, 2021 at 05:58PM

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Spider-Man: No Way Home India release pushed up a day earlier, will now hit theatres on December 16 https://www.digit.in news@digit.in (Digit NewsDesk) Marvel fans in India have some good news coming their way as Spider-Man: No Way Home is set to hit theatres on December 16. Even though this is just one day earlier than the previous release date, it means the world for fans of the MCU and Spider-Man. There is no official reason as to why the film has been bumped up to December 16. The film marks Sony’s long collaboration with Marvel in the Spider-Man franchise as the rights to the character are still owned by Sony. Spider-Man: No Way Home to hit Indian theatres on December 16 For fans of Spider-Man, No Way Home concludes the Sony Spider-Man trilogy with Homecoming, Far from Home being the first two films The first instalment saw a new Spider-Man in Tom Holland take up the mantle of the wallcrawler. The new Sony films have been a hit with fans and critics alike who praise Holland as a younger, greener hero who is essentially mentored by Tony Stark. With the events of Endgame throwing a wrench in the MCU, we’ll just have to wait to see how Peter deals with the loss of a mentor. The new film will also feature Dr Strange as the Sorceror Supreme, who like Tony Stark, is sort of a new kind of mentor for the young Parker. The film will also see the full-on launch of the Multiverse as we’re supposed to see all the three actors who’ve played Spider-Man together for the first time. Spider-Man: No Way Home will hit Indian theatres on December 16. The film stars Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch and a few other surprises that we don’t want to ruin here. Also Read: Hawkeye review: A hollow, lifeless show that is emblematic of the sinking MCU ship https://ift.tt/3o0TISW November 29, 2021 at 05:13PM

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OnePlus 10 Pro will be one of the first Snapdragon 8 Gen1 powered phones: Report https://www.digit.in news@digit.in (Digit NewsDesk) OnePlus 10 Pro will be one of the first phones to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 chip. Qualcomm is all set to introduce the Snapdragon 8 Gen1 chip as the successor to Snapdragon 888 during the Snapdragon Tech Summit that begins on November 30. The chip-maker is seemingly changing its SoC nomenclature and instead of the Snapdragon 898, it could release as the Snapdragon 8 Gen1. According to a report by MyDrivers, there will be several Snapdragon 8 Gen1 powered phones in the market shortly after the SoC debuts. Apart from the OnePlus 10 Pro, Xiaomi is also rumoured to launch the Xiaomi 12 which could be one of the first phones to be powered by the flagship Qualcomm SoC. As for the release date, it is rumoured that the company may launch the OnePlus 10 Pro in January in China and in global markets after some months. OnePlus 10 Pro leaked specifications The OnePlus 10 Pro features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display that offers QHD+ (3216x1440 pixels) resolution and likely supports a high refresh rate of 120Hz or more. The phone has a thickness of 8.7mm as per OnLeaks, and the full dimensions are 163.2 mm x 73.6 mm x 8.7 mm, which is the same as the OnePlus 9 Pro. The OnePlus 10 Pro is said to feature three cameras on the back which consists of a 50MP main camera with OIS and laser autofocus, a 48MP ultra-wide camera and an 8MP ultra-wide camera with 3x optical zoom. On the front, there is a 32MP selfie camera. The OnePlus 10 Pro will come equipped with a 5,000mAh battery and likely supports fast charging of 65W or more. The phone is expected to arrive with 128GB storage and 256GB storage. Also Read: OnePlus RT could launch on December 16 in India: Report https://ift.tt/3qkSnYV November 29, 2021 at 04:55PM

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Burst Mode: What Is It, and How Should You Use It?

The post Burst Mode: What Is It, and How Should You Use It? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

Do you want to capture action shots of kids running, birds flying, sports players dunking, split-second moments on the streets, and more?

Well, you can – if you know how to use your camera’s burst mode, that is.

Burst mode, also known as continuous shooting mode, allows you to shoot a series of rapid-fire images without stopping. Depending on your camera’s capabilities, you can record 5, 10, 20, or even 60 images per second, and each one offers another opportunity to capture a once-in-a-lifetime action image.

In this article, I’m going to share everything you need to use burst mode like a pro, going from the basics all the way up to advanced continuous-shooting guidelines.

Let’s dive right in.

Burst mode is great for capturing fast-moving subjects!

What is burst mode?

Burst mode is a camera function that allows you to capture a series of photographs in quick succession. With burst mode activated, you can hold down the shutter button, and your camera will rattle off a set of photos.

The specific burst mode speeds vary from camera to camera; low-end and older cameras offer burst modes in the 3 frames-per-second range (i.e., 3 photos per second). Class-leading sports cameras offer 20, 30, or 60 frames per second. And the average camera offers 6-12 frames per second.

Also, note that some cameras offer several burst speeds, which vary depending on the size and quality of the photo, the autofocus mode, the shutter mode, and more.

Unfortunately, most camera burst modes are not unlimited. As you take photos, your camera’s buffer – where images are stored before being added to your memory card – fills up. Once the buffer is full, your burst mode will stop working (at least until the buffer frees up space, at which point you can start shooting bursts again).

There are exceptions when shooting lower-quality images or when using top-of-the-line cameras, but generally speaking, if you hold down your camera’s burst mode, it’ll eventually freeze up.

I used burst mode to capture this moment of a cockatoo eating grass seed.

When should you use burst mode?

Technically, you can use burst mode all the time. Assuming you don’t hold down the shutter button for too long at any one time, you can capture a burst of images every time you find a new subject.

However, I don’t recommend you use your continuous shooting mode constantly. For one, this will encourage you to get lazy with your photography – you’ll shoot in bursts and you’ll never learn how to time beautifully composed images. Plus, constant burst mode will produce a huge number of files. Your memory cards will fill up insanely fast, and so will your hard drives.

Instead, I suggest turning on burst mode when you know you’re photographing action, or when you’re about to see a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

For instance, if you’re shooting a sports game, you might leave burst mode on for the entire event; that way, whenever something interest happens – a slam dunk, a turnover, a buzzer-beater – you’re ready to capture the essential moments. Same if you’re photographing fast-moving wildlife or birds, a child’s soccer game, or a dog doing an agility course.

Burst mode is also perfect for capturing moments that are unmissable (even if they don’t involve action). If you’re photographing your child walk across the stage at graduation, burst mode will all but guarantee a shot of them accepting their diploma. If you’re photographing a portrait subject, burst mode will increase your chances of capturing an evocative expression or pose. And if you’re photographing a street scene, burst mode will help you record split-second interactions, such as spouses making eye contact.

By the way, you can also use burst photography to capture technically difficult scenes. If you’re manually focusing on a flower at high magnifications, you could fire off a series of images as you slowly adjust the point of focus, and you’re more likely to get a nice result:

Handholding with extension tubes can be tricky. Burst mode is one way to increase the ratio of sharp macro images.

Here’s a list of photography genres that use burst mode consistently:

• Sports photography
• Pet photography
• Bird photography
• Wildlife photography
• Street photography (sometimes)
• Event photography (sometimes)

How to use burst mode (step by step)

Now that you’re familiar with the definition and importance of burst mode, let’s look at how you can use it for the best results.

Step 1: Activate burst mode on your camera

Activating burst mode depends on your camera (and it can vary from model to model, so don’t assume that all cameras from the same brand or even from the same series are the same).

In general, you’ll want to look for a Drive menu or a Shooting mode menu. Some cameras offer dedicated Shooting mode dials (you get this on certain Fujifilm models), while others offer Shooting mode buttons (several Olympus cameras feature one of these), and still others require a menu dive to adjust the shooting mode.

Once you’ve located your Shooting mode menu, you’ll want to select the Continuous or Continuous High option, sometimes symbolized as multiple stacked frames (see the icon in the bottom right corner of this Canon 5D Mark II display):

If you’ve tried and failed to activate burst mode, consult your camera manual or have a look online.

Step 2: Select the relevant focus mode

With burst mode engaged, you’ll also need to set the right focus mode. For action photography, it’s best to use your camera’s continuous focusing mode, known as AI Servo on Canon and AF-C on most other camera brands (including Nikon and Sony). Continuous focus will constantly track moving objects even as you hold down the shutter button, helping to maintain sharp focus as your subject moves across the scene and you capture bursts of images.

Alternatively, if you’ve already composed a shot but want to guarantee a good pose, a beautiful moment, etc., I’d recommend using your camera’s single-shot autofocus mode, known as One-Shot on Canon and AF-S on most other brands. Simply half-press the shutter button to lock focus, then when your subject moves into the frame, fully press the shutter button to fire off a burst.

Step 3: Carefully choose your settings

Last, you’ll need to dial in the right camera settings for your shooting situation. While these will vary from scene to scene, make sure your shutter speed is relatively fast; otherwise, you’ll end up with blurry shots (or, if your shutter speed is really slow, your camera’s burst mode won’t work properly). I’d recommend shooting at 1/250s and above for slower-moving objects, and 1/1000s and above for faster-moving objects.

If you’re struggling to get the shutter speed you need, try widening the aperture or boosting the ISO.

Step 4: Capture a burst of images

Now the fun begins! As soon as you find a subject worth shooting, hold down the shutter button, and your camera will fire off a burst of photos.

As I explained above, it’s important to show restraint when using burst mode; otherwise, your camera’s buffer will fill, and you’ll miss critical moments. So wait until a good shot starts to materialize – if you’re using single-shot autofocus, you should generally lock focus in advance – and then fully press the shutter button to capture the perfect photo.

Burst mode is good for capturing fleeting moments.

Burst mode in photography: final words

Now that you’ve finished this article, you know all about continuous shooting photography – and how it can improve your results.

So spend some time testing it out. Find an action subject, and have fun firing off bursts of shots. You’ll get better at using burst mode, and you’ll start to understand your camera’s capabilities and limitations.

Now over to you:

Do you plan to start using burst mode? When do you think you’ll use it? Do you have any burst mode tips? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Burst Mode: What Is It, and How Should You Use It? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

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Reliance Jio hikes prices for unlimited prepaid plans New tarrifs applicable starting December 1 https://www.digit.in deepak.singh@9dot9.in (Deepak Singh) Reliance Jio, India’s biggest telecom operator with a 36.43 per cent market share, has hiked the prices of its popular unlimited pre-paid plans by around 20 per cent or higher. The new unlimited plans will be applicable starting 1st December 2021. If you recharge your Jio prepaid number in advance before December 1, you can still avail of the old tariffs. In fact, Reliance Jio is offering an additional 20 per cent JioMart Cashback to consumers who do advance prepaid recharges worth above Rs. 200. Reliance Jio hasn’t revealed the hiked prices of all current plans, but benefits across most of the popular plans remain the same. The yearly plan with 2GB/ day data sees the steepest hike of Rs 480 and will now cost Rs 2879. Here are the new tariffs and their comparison with old ones. New Reliance Jio Prepaid Plan Prices 2GB/month, unlimited voice, 300 SMS (28 days) - Rs. 155 (old price - Rs. 129) 1GB/ day, unlimited voice, 100 SMS/ day (24 days) - Rs. 179 (old price - Rs. 149) 1.5GB/ day, unlimited voice,100 SMS/ day (28 days) - Rs. 239 (old price - Rs. 199) 2GB/ day, unlimited voice, 100 SMS/ day (28 days) - Rs. 299 (old price - Rs. 249) 1.5GB/ day, unlimited voice, 100 SMS/ day (56 days) - Rs. 479 (old price - Rs. 399) 2GB/ day, unlimited voice, 100 SMS/ day (56 days) - Rs. 533 (old price - Rs. 444) 6GB, unlimited voice, 1,000 SMS (84 days) - Rs. 395 (old price - Rs. 329) 1.5GB/ day, unlimited voice, 100 SMS/ day (84 days) - Rs. 666 (old price - Rs. 555) 2GB/ day, unlimited voice, 100 SMS/ day (84 days) - Rs. 719 (old price - Rs. 599) 24GB, unlimited voice, 3600 SMS (336 days) - Rs. 1559 (old price - Rs. 1299) 2GB/ day, unlimited voice,100 SMS/ day (365 days) - Rs. 2879 (old price - Rs. 2399) Also Check: How to know Jio mobile number in 5 easy ways New Reliance Jio Tariffs: JioPhone Plan and Data Add-ons JioPhone Plan - 3GB/month, unlimited voice, 50 SMS (28 days) - Rs. 91 (old price: 75) 6GB Data - Rs. 61 (old price - Rs. 51) 12GB Data - Rs. 121 (old price - Rs. 101) 50GB Data - Rs. 301 (old price - Rs. 251) The announcement follows closely the hike announced by Airtel and Vodafone. Jio tariffs continue to be relatively cheaper for the popular plans. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J November 29, 2021 at 02:14PM

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Elon Musks Starlink too fast for Indian bureaucracy, will need a license to operate in the country https://www.digit.in news@digit.in (Digit NewsDesk) As internet technologies grow to encompass the entire globe, Elon Musk’s Starlink aims to beam accessible internet all over the world. But, it looks like the company may have hit a bit of a snag when it comes to India. Starlink, as a subsidiary of SpaceX, has registered as a business in India. This took place earlier this month. The company has started pre-orders but according to the Indian government, has no permission to actually start running the service in the country. The Indian government has also asked people to stop placing pre-orders and signing up for the service. Elon Musk's Starlink will need a license to operate in India India is currently hovering at around the 65th to 70th place in terms of internet speed rankings. It also only has about 41% of the population connected to the internet. Even though that is a large number globally, it means that more than half of the Indian population does not have easy access to the internet. Elon Musk's Starlink could change all of that but the Indian government wants the company to play by its archaic rules in order to do business in the country. In a report on Reuters, the Indian government has asked, sorry, told users to, “stop booking/rendering the satellite internet services in India with immediate effect.”. Maybe the government is looking at Starlink being a disruptive technology and thus wants to control it. Although India is a lucrative market for any company, the amount of bureaucratic red tape and corruption in India could turn the company away, and it wouldn’t be the first time nor will it be a surprise. Also Read: Elon Musk reveals why Dogecoin isn’t as popular as it should be https://ift.tt/3E4HOgC November 29, 2021 at 12:45PM

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Infrared Photography: How to Get Started (Beginner’s Guide)

The post Infrared Photography: How to Get Started (Beginner’s Guide) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Nisha Ramroop.

Do you want to capture haunting infrared pictures like the ones featured above?

Well, you can – and it’s not even hard. Infrared photography is an easy technique that can give you breathtaking, otherworldly results, and it only requires a simple filter (plus a little technical know-how).

In this article, I’m going to share everything you need to know to get started, including:

• IR photography gear (for both beginners and advanced photographers)
• Key camera settings for IR pictures
• Simple post-processing techniques to get your photos looking great

Sound good? Then let’s get started with a simple overview of infrared imaging…

What is infrared photography?

Infrared photography uses infrared light to expose photos, a form of electromagnetic radiation that lies below the visible spectrum. Humans cannot see infrared light, but camera sensors can, and this IR sensitivity can be used to create images.

That said, cameras aren’t well-equipped to capture infrared wavelengths – after all, they’re designed to use visible light, not IR light! – so infrared imaging requires special filters or adjusted camera sensors.

When you capture an infrared photo, the result usually looks like this:

It’s interesting, but not what most photographers are after. However, with a little post-processing, you can achieve a beautiful infrared look:

If you’ve encountered infrared images, you’ll immediately notice that the look stands out – and while some find it rather eerie, others are intrigued by the way the IR look can transform the ordinary.

Infrared photography gear

To shoot infrared photos, you’ll need standard photography equipment – a camera and a lens – but you’ll also need to create the infrared effect, which you can do in one of three ways:

1. With an infrared filter
2. With a professionally converted infrared camera
3. With infrared film

Let’s take a look at each option in turn:

Infrared filters

If you are just starting to explore infrared photography, an IR filter is the cheap and convenient way to go. Simply place it in front of your lens, and it’ll allow infrared light to hit your camera’s sensor while blocking out all visible light. The results can be very nice; here’s an image I shot with an infrared filter:

There are plenty of options out there, ranging from screw-on to slide-in filter systems. The Hoya RM-72 is a popular screw-on infrared filter, and is a great introductory option to the world of infrared.

Note that different filters render color differently, depending on the specific IR and visible light ranges they filter in and out, so the results are inconsistent from filter to filter; this can be frustrating if you want your IR photos to look like everyone else’s, but the silver lining is that you can experiment with different filters until you find one that suits your vision.

Converted infrared camera

If you are truly committed to infrared photography, then you should consider purchasing a dedicated infrared camera body.

As far as I’m aware, no DSLR or mirrorless manufacturers produce infrared cameras, but you can send off a camera body to be converted by third-party companies. Alternatively, you can buy an already-converted IR camera used on eBay or from an IR-conversion dealer.

When a visible-light camera is converted to capture infrared, the infrared-blocking filter (which sits in front of the sensor) is removed. It’s certainly more expensive than purchasing a $75 filter, but the benefits include convenience and consistency.

Note: Once a camera has been converted, its sole use is infrared photography; you cannot take regular images. So buying a dedicated infrared body involves purchasing a second camera body (unless, of course, you want to fully dedicate yourself to infrared!).

Infrared film

Infrared film is readily available and relatively cheap, too – so you might consider purchasing an inexpensive SLR, grabbing some IR film, and testing the infrared waters.

Unfortunately, developing infrared film is tough. For one, not all labs can handle infrared film, and it generally costs more, too, so you’ll need to do a careful cost-benefit analysis before grabbing an infrared film setup.

Infrared camera settings

Selecting the perfect IR camera settings involves a lot of trial and error, and while nothing beats proper experimentation, here are some guidelines to get you started.

RAW and JPEG

When you’re starting out, shoot both RAW and JPEG files. You won’t be capturing thousands of shots, so space shouldn’t be an issue, and RAWs and JPEGs each offer valuable benefits.

On the one hand, RAW files give you the most scope when processing (and infrared photos do require significant edits). A RAW file will let you recover blown out highlights and clipped shadows, which is essential for infrared photography, as the right exposure settings can be tough to nail down (more on that later!).

On the other hand, JPEGs are easily viewable, so you can see the results of your infrared photos on your computer screen without any processing.

It’s important to emphasize, though: Straight-out-of-camera infrared photos look horrible. At first, you’ll probably be turned off by their flat, pink appearance – but over time, you’ll get used to it, and you’ll soon develop the skills to identify a good IR image from a bad IR image at a glance.

Exposure

When you’re exposing for infrared photos, all common wisdom goes out the window. You can’t trust your camera’s meter, you can’t trust handheld meters, and you’ll simply need to take some test shots, preview the results on your LCD, and keep going until you get a good result.

(I’d recommend you take careful notes; that way, as you progress, you’ll start to figure out the right settings for the look you’re after.)

Infrared filters require extremely long exposure times; they block out visible light but don’t let any extra infrared light through, so on a bright sunny day, you’ll often work with exposure times between 30 and 120 seconds (assuming you’re shooting at f/8). Here, a tripod is essential.

If your camera is infrared converted, your settings will be much more standard. On sunny days, you might shoot at f/8 and 1/125s, though the settings will vary depending on the light.

Whether you use a filter or an IR-converted body, review your photos constantly, especially in the beginning. As soon as you’ve taken a shot, check the LCD and view the image histogram. You might consider bracketing your photos to increase your chances of capturing a nice exposure.

Infrared post-processing

As previously mentioned, when you shoot RAW infrared images, you’ll get a dull pinkish-red image, like this:

Infrared RAW image straight out of the camera.

Not such a great look, right? Fortunately, processing an IR file is pretty easy. Here’s what I recommend:

Step 1: Start with Auto Tone

This is a common way to handle infrared images. Simply import your file into Photoshop and apply Auto Tone (hit Image>Auto Tone).

Photoshop will analyze your image, then it will make a series of adjustments for the best results (at least, the “best results” according to Photoshop!). Often, this looks pretty good. Here’s what Auto Tone gave me when I processed the file shown above:

At this point, I could continue processing my infrared photo like a normal image – that is, I could proceed with a normal editing workflow – or I could proceed with the next step:

Step 2: Do a channel swap

To get natural blue skies, you’ll need to channel swap your colors. Here, the goal is to take one channel (e.g., red) and convert it completely to another channel (e.g., blue), which is simple to do; create a new Channel Mixer layer (Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Channel Mixer), then adjust the Red, Green, and Blue channels until you get the result you’re after.

But while channel swapping is an essential part of infrared photography processing, photographers disagree over which channels to swap to what values, and there’s no one “right” answer, because it’s all about looks and personal preference.

Here are a few common channel-swap values. Experiment until you find the one that works for you:

Changing the Red and Blue channels only:

• Red channel: Red=0, Green=0, Blue=100
• Blue channel: Red=100, Green=0, Blue=0

Changing all the channels:

• Red channel: Red=0, Green=0, Blue=100
• Blue channel: Red=100, Green=0, Blue=0
• Green channel: Red=0, Green=100, Blue=0

Another creative option:

• Red channel: Red=0, Green=0, Blue=100
• Blue channel: Red=100, Green=100, Blue=-100
• Green channel: Red=0, Green=0, Blue=100

Here’s my image after a bit of channel swapping:

As you can see, the sky looks more natural, and the trees – while still pale pink – feel more grounded.

Step 3: Do any final edits

At this point, we’ve finished all specialized infrared post-processing, but feel free to add final touches like you would to any image.

For instance, you might consider cropping, adjusting the saturation, dodging and burning, adding a vignette, or even converting your photo to black and white. It really all comes down to your personal taste, and as always: experiment, experiment, experiment!

Infrared photography: final words

Infrared photography is a growing photography niche, and it’s a great way to capture creative images, get out of a photographic rut, and just have a lot of fun.

I’d recommend you start off simple with filters, then – if you still enjoy IR photos – graduate to a dedicated infrared camera body.

Now over to you:

Have you tried infrared photography? Do you think you’ll purchase IR filters or an IR camera? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

The post Infrared Photography: How to Get Started (Beginner’s Guide) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Nisha Ramroop.

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