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Breaking News in the Photography-World! Definitely a Magazine Issue you can not miss, enjoy the read ;)
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In this weekâs Issue:
Canva acquires Leonardo AI
Get your photos featured in this magazine for FREE
SmallRigs $25 LEDs???
Abstract Photography: a quick Guide
Turkey bans Instagram
7Artisan launches ââbudgetââ cine-lens
Photographer of the Week
Meike brings a new 50mm Lens to the Market
Premium Version is now available for Everyone!
Canva acquires Leonardo AI
Canva is stepping up its game by acquiring Leonardo AI, a well-known startup that specializes in generative AI (GenAI) for creating art and images. This move is part of Canva's strategy to boost its suite of AI-driven design tools. Leonardo AI will keep running independently, focusing on its current products, and Canva promises not to share any user content with Leonardo unless users give the green light.
Cameron Adams, Canvaâs co-founder and chief product officer, shared his excitement about the acquisition, saying, âThe partnership between Canva and Leonardo AI is set to unlock new levels of creativity and design in the generative AI space. Weâll be sharing more soon, so stay tuned!â This acquisition fits right into Canvaâs efforts to ramp up its AI offerings, building on its massive user base of over 170 million people worldwide.
Leonardo AI, an Australian startup, has made waves with its Phoenix foundational model, which creates high-quality images and videos from text prompts. This model will soon be part of Canvaâs Magic Media, boosting its AI image and video generation capabilities. Phoenix is known for its speed and precision, especially when it comes to producing detailed visuals and clear text within imagesâareas where many other models fall short.
Image generated by Leonardo AI
Before joining forces with Canva, Leonardo had secured around $40 million in funding from investors like Smash Capital, Side Stage Ventures, and Blackbird Ventures. The startup has been a strong competitor in the creative AI space, going head-to-head with big names like Adobe and Midjourney and generating over a billion images. With Canvaâs backing, Leonardo plans to speed up its research and development, expanding its team and platform.
Canvaâs acquisition of Leonardo AI is part of a larger strategy to stay competitive with other creative giants like Stability AI, Midjourney, and Adobe. Over the years, Canva has bought several companies, such as Kaleido, Flourish, Affinity, Zeetings, Pixels, Smartmockups, and Pixabay, to enhance its capabilities. Integrating Leonardoâs Phoenix model into Canvaâs Magic Studio products will give users powerful new tools for generating images and videos, making content creation even easier and more creative.
Earlier this year, Canva bought Affinity to better compete with Adobeâs Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Now, with Leonardo AI, Canva is set to challenge Adobeâs Firefly GenAI models. Canvaâs goal is to develop a world-class suite of visual AI tools, reflecting its ambition to become a leader in the creative software market.
Leonardo AIâs technology will be woven into Canvaâs existing products, giving users access to the impressive capabilities of the Phoenix model through Canvaâs intuitive interface. This move is expected to attract more users, especially those looking for advanced AI tools without the complexity of traditional design software.
However, Canva needs to carefully manage the use of generative AI, particularly regarding data privacy and user concerns. Leonardo AIâs models use a mix of licensed, synthetic, and publicly available data, which might raise some eyebrows among creators. Canva has a chance to position itself as a reliable alternative to Adobe but must avoid similar controversies.
As Canva and Leonardo continue to innovate and expand, users can look forward to more dynamic and versatile design tools.
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SmallRigâs Compact LEDs Start at $25 ???
SmallRig has just rolled out two new compact mini LED video lights, the Vibe P96 Pro and P108 Pro, perfect for photo and video applications. These little lights might not be for your biggest professional projects, but for something under $30 that fits in your pocket, theyâre pretty impressive.
So, what sets these two models apart? Mainly their color capabilities. The Vibe P96 Pro is a bi-color LED, offering a range of cooler to warmer white tones. Meanwhile, the P108 Pro is a full-color RGB mini LED light. SmallRig recommends the P96 for desktop fill lighting to add some pop, while the P108 Pro is great for professional close-up and flat lay shots. The P96 is made of polycarbonate, while the P108 has a textured aluminum shell.
Both lights feature a stepless ring knob for smooth brightness control from 0 to 100%, allowing you to adjust the light with one hand while holding your camera with the other. They also have a circular display showing battery life, color temperature, hue/saturation/luminance info, and brightness.
These lights come with multiple mounting options, built-in 1500mAh batteries, and USB-C charging support. The P96 delivers 1160 lux at 0.98" and 5600K, boasting a CRI over 95 and a TLCI above 98 for excellent color accuracy. Youâll get up to 70 minutes of battery life at full power, and each light weighs about 110-120 grams (3.9-4.3 ounces). The P96 has five built-in lighting effects, while the P108 offers twelve.
Retaining the iconic ring-shaped metal stepless knob design, both models include an embedded color LCD screen for clear parameter display, making it easy to adjust settings with one hand. They also come with an integrated quick-release cold shoe base for quick transitions between lighting setups. With a high-strength ABS frame and durable aluminum alloy construction, these lights are built to last.
The Vibe P96 Pro and P108 Pro are ideal for light painting, fill light, product photography, and more. They can be attached to a phone cage or other rig thanks to versatile mounting solutions. They promise a maximum light output of 1,150 lux at 0.3 meters at 5,600K. While not the most powerful, these five-watt lights are perfect for lighting small objects up close or adding some accent light in dim environments.
Both models are available with the P96 Pro Mini priced at $24.99 and the P108 Pro at $29.99. If youâre in the market for a compact, budget-friendly lighting solution, these SmallRig mini LEDs are honestly definitely worth checking out. (this is not an ad, its my honest opinion ahahah)
Image credits: SmallRig
Getting into Abstract Photography: A Quick Guide
What Is Abstract Photography?
Abstract photography is all about expressing ideas and emotions through images without sticking to realistic depictions. It highlights details that often go unnoticed and sparks the viewer's imagination by showing everyday things in a new light.
Abstract photography started in the 19th century as technical experiments aiming to capture the unseen parts of the world. But it really took off with the abstract art movements of the early 20th century, like Cubism and Surrealism. Artists like Picasso and Kandinsky inspired photographers to experiment with light, perspective, and unconventional imagery, blending art with photography.
The Key Elements of a Good Abstract Photo
Simplicity: Abstract photos might seem busy at first, but they involve a lot of simplification. Removing unnecessary elements helps create a cleaner, more impactful image.
Composition: Even without traditional rules, a strong abstract photo has a clear structure. Thoughtful placement and balance of shapes, patterns, textures, and colors guide the viewerâs eye and create visual harmony.
Lighting: Light can dramatically change the mood and depth of an abstract image. Experimenting with different light sources and directions can highlight forms, create shadows, and add mystery.
Harmony: Elements within the photo should work together to create balance and proportion. Strong colors balanced with muted tones maintain coherence and prevent visual competition.
Mystery: Good abstract images evoke curiosity and engage the viewerâs imagination. They make the viewer pause, ponder, and appreciate the complexity and beauty of the composition.
Tips for Capturing Abstract Photos
Start with Everyday Objects: Begin by looking at common items around you from a different perspective. Mundane objects can become fascinating subjects when seen through an abstract lens. Look for patterns, textures, and shapes that you might normally overlook. Items like kitchen utensils, plants, or even pieces of furniture can provide interesting details when captured up close or from unusual angles.
Use Elements of Design: Focus on lines, shapes, forms, textures, patterns, and colors to create compelling abstract compositions. These elements can guide the viewerâs eye and add interest to your photos. Lines and curves can lead the viewer through the image, while patterns and textures can add depth and complexity. Experiment with different combinations to see what creates the most visually striking effect.
Shoot Through Objects: Experiment with shooting through various materials like glass, water, or even a car window on a rainy day. These can create interesting distortions and effects that add a unique touch to your images. Using translucent objects or textured materials can introduce unexpected elements into your photos. For example, shooting through a piece of colored glass can tint your image, while shooting through a textured surface can add a layer of complexity.
Capture Motion: Embrace motion blur by moving your camera while taking the shot. This technique can create dynamic patterns and a sense of movement, adding a painterly quality to your photos. Experiment with different types of motion, such as panning, rotating, or zooming in and out. Adjust your shutter speed to control the amount of blur and try capturing moving subjects like cars, people, or flowing water to add a sense of energy to your images.
Practice Subtraction: Keep your images simple by deliberately removing unnecessary elements. Focus on the essential parts that contribute to the overall mood and impact of the photo. This can be challenging, but itâs important to develop an eye for what adds value to your composition and what detracts from it. By eliminating distractions, you can create more powerful and focused abstract images that draw the viewerâs attention to the key elements.
Experiment with Shooting Styles: Understand how your camera settings affect your results and donât hesitate to shoot out of focus, play with depth of field, or try unusual angles. Let your creativity guide you. Use wide apertures to create a shallow depth of field, blurring backgrounds and focusing attention on your subject. Experiment with slow shutter speeds to capture movement, or try unconventional framing and composition techniques to create unique and unexpected results.
Post-Process Your Images: Use editing software to enhance your photos. Recoloring, cropping, reshaping, distorting, or flipping images can add a new dimension and further abstract the original subject. Post-processing allows you to refine your vision and add finishing touches that can elevate your abstract photos. Experiment with different filters, adjustments, and effects to see how they transform your images. Just remember to maintain a balance between enhancing your photos and preserving the integrity of your original shot.
Turkey Bans Instagram With 50 Million Users
Turkey has imposed a nationwide ban on Instagram, effective August 2, 2024, without disclosing the reason or duration of the restriction. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA), responsible for regulating internet access in the country, announced the block, affecting Turkey's 85 million residents. Although Instagram is now inaccessible, other Meta platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, remain operational.
According to local media reports, the ICTAâs decision to block Instagram follows a dispute over the removal of posts related to the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Turkish media, including the government-affiliated Daily Sabah, suggests that the ban is a reaction to Instagram's actions in censoring posts from Turkish users mourning Haniyehâs death.
Fahrettin Altun, Turkeyâs presidential communications director, criticized Instagram on X (formerly Twitter), accusing the platform of censorship. The Turkish government does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, differing from the stance of the U.S. and many Western nations.
Meta has yet to comment on the ban. However, in its recent U.S. regulatory filing, the company warned that non-compliance with local rules could lead to a reduction or elimination of its advertising revenue in Turkey. The restriction on Instagram reflects a broader trend of increasing internet censorship in Turkey. Recent years have seen a significant rise in website blocks, with about one million domain names restricted as of early 2024. Previously, platforms like YouTube were also banned from 2007 to 2010.
7Artisans Launches a $2,000 Sprite 24-96mm T2.9 Cine Zoom Lens
Earlier this year, Chinese lens maker 7Artisans made a splash on Kickstarter with their new Sprite 24-96mm T2.9 cinema zoom lens for Super 35 cameras. The good news? Itâs now available to ââeveryoneââ. This lens offers a roughly 35-150mm equivalent focal length with a constant T2.9 aperture, making it a versatile tool for filmmakers.
The 7Artisans Sprite 24-96mm T2.9 lens boasts a four times zoom range and a parfocal design, ensuring your focus stays sharp even as you zoom. According to 7Artisans, this lens promises âimperceptibleâ focus breathing, meaning your shots remain smooth and consistent. With edge-to-edge sharpness and accurate focusing performance, this lens aims to meet the needs of most shooting scenarios.
One of the standout features is the lensâs construction. It includes 21 elements arranged in 16 groups and a 13-bladed aperture diaphragm. The lens is manually controlled, as youâd expect from a cinema lens, with on-barrel controls for focus, aperture, and zoom. The aperture ring has a smooth 90 degrees of throw, the focusing ring offers a precise 240 degrees of rotation, and the zoom ring rotates 100 degrees from 24mm to 96mm. Plus, the minimum focusing distance is just one meter (3.3 feet).
Built with a robust metal barrel, the lens measures 225 millimeters long (8.86 inches) and weighs about 2.3 kilograms (just over five pounds). It also accepts 86mm threaded filters. You can snag the 7Artisans 24-96mm T2.9 S35 Cine Zoom lens for $1,999 from various retailers, including 7Artisans, AVShutter, and B&H. For an extra $95, you can add an adapter. The lens comes with front and rear caps, a filter adapter, and a protective case.
In the world of cinema zoom lenses, a $2,000 price tag is considered budget-friendly. The 7Artisans Sprite 24-96mm T2.9 joins other affordable cinema zoom lenses like the Laowa Ranger S35 and OOOM Cine Zoom lenses released earlier this year.
The 24-96mm T2.9 S35 Sprite Cine Zoom Lens is available for ARRI PL and EF mounts, making it a versatile choice. The 24-96mm focal length is practical for a variety of shots, eliminating the hassle of constantly swapping lenses. The constant T2.9 aperture ensures consistent light intake throughout the zoom range, resulting in uniform image quality.
Here are some of the key features of this lena:
4x optical zoom with a constant T2.9 aperture and de-clicked aperture ring
Lightweight and portable design
Consistent focus throughout the zoom range with imperceptible focus breathing
240° focus throw for precise and delicate focus adjustments
Adapter ring available for E, RF, L, and Z mounts, covering all mirrorless camera brands
0.8 MOD gears on focus, iris, and zoom rings, compatible with standard cine-style lens control systems like follow focus units
86mm Filter Thread, allowing you to attach a filter without needing a matte box, saving extra weight for handheld or stabilizer shots
Dual focus marks in both feet and meters
The 7Artisans 24-96mm T2.9 S35 Sprite Cine Zoom Lens is an exciting new option for filmmakers looking for high-quality performance without completely breaking the bank, but please before you make such a purchase read/watch plenty more reviews because at the end of the day $2000 is a LOT of money still.
Image credits: 7Artisan
Photographer of the Week
Photographer of the week goes to: Alan King
He is a Photographer based in Wareham, Dorset, UK
Congratulations :)
You can find him on Instagram as @alankinguk
A few photos of his:
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Meike brings a new 33mm f/1.4 AF Lens for $230 to the Market
Meike just dropped a new 33mm f/1.4 prime lens with autofocus for APS-C mirrorless cameras, and it's looking pretty sweet. It gives you a 50mm-equivalent focal length on Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, and Sony E-mount systems. Plus, itâs compact and lightweight, measuring about 83 millimeters (3.3 inches) long and weighing only 314 grams (11 ounces), so itâs easy to carry around.
To give you a bit of context, Fujifilmâs XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR lens costs a whopping $799, and while itâs a tad shorter at 73.5 millimeters (2.9 inches), itâs also a bit heavier at 360 grams (12.7 ounces). The Meike 33mm f/1.4 AF has a 55mm filter thread, whereas Fujifilmâs takes 58mm filters. The Meike lens is built with 12 elements in 9 groups, has a manual aperture control from f/1.4 to f/16, and a minimum focusing distance of 0.4 meters (15.7 inches). Meike says theyâve added two extra-low dispersion elements to cut down on chromatic aberrations. Plus, thereâs no focus breathing, meaning the view wonât shift when youâre focusing, which is awesome for video. They also claim itâs super sharp across the frame, making it great for portraits and landscapes.
But hereâs the kicker: Meikeâs new 33mm f/1.4 AF lens is just $229.99. Itâs available now for E, X, and Z mounts. The X and Z-mount versions are shipping already, while the E-mount version will ship around August 15. Even though itâs way cheaper than the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, itâs also up against other third-party lenses like the Viltrox AF 33mm f/1.4 ($279) and the Tokina ATX-M 33mm f/1.4 ($189 for E-mount, $249 for X-mount).
In the world of prime lenses, the 50mm is a classic because it mimics what our eyes naturally see. Back in the film days, 50mm lenses were the standard kit lens for SLRs and rangefinders, making them super popular among all kinds of photographers.
The Meike 33mm f/1.4 AF lens is a solid option for APS-C mirrorless camera users who want a good prime lens without breaking the bank. Itâs compact, performs well, and is priced competitively. It stacks up nicely against other third-party lenses, offering photographers a budget-friendly yet capable choice for portraits, landscapes, and everyday shots.