Category Archives: Photography

The Ukiah Photography Club’s April meeting will feature Tom Raymondson’s presentation on landscape photography. He will  explore equipment and techniques to capture the beauty that is all around us. Members will also share photos for the monthly theme, “architecture.”

The club will meet at Medium Art Gallery in the Pear Tree Center on Saturday, April 1, at 10 a.m. Visitors and potential members are welcome.

The Ukiah Photography Club is a group of Mendocino County digital and film photographers representing a range of styles,  experience and expertise. Monthly meetings and periodic outings include instruction, photo critiques and lively discussions. For more information, visit ukiahphoto.club.

In a thrilling announcement today, DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, has introduced their latest game-changing products: the DJI Goggles Integra and DJI RC Motion 2. These innovative tools are designed to revolutionize the way users interact with the DJI Avata, offering a fully integrated, immersive flying experience like never before. For more information, visit www.dji.com/goggles-integra and www.dji.com/rc-motion-2.

Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director at DJI, expressed his excitement for the new products: “Get ready to experience a whole new level of flying with our latest products. DJI Goggles Integra and DJI RC Motion 2 offer unparalleled control and comfort for an immersive first-person flight experience, making it easier and more fun to fly DJI Avata.”

DJI Goggles Integra: A Seamless Fusion of Comfort and Technology

The DJI Goggles Integra boasts an integrated design that combines the headband and battery into one, eliminating the need for cumbersome connecting cables and offering users effortless on-and-off capabilities. The built-in battery headband is lightweight, well-balanced, and incredibly comfortable, providing up to two hours of operating time.

Featuring two HD 1080p Micro-OLED screens, the Goggles Integra delivers vibrant, true-to-life colours, stunning highlights, and detailed shadows. With an impressive brightness of 700 nits, a 100 Hz refresh rate, and TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, users are treated to a smoother and more comfortable viewing experience. DJI’s O3+ video transmission technology also ensures ultra-low 30 ms latency and stable video transmission for high-speed aerial photography.

The Goggles Integra has built-in GPS, allowing users to fly without connecting to a smartphone. This integration takes the immersive flying experience to a whole new level, enabling pilots to focus solely on the joy of flying.

DJI RC Motion 2: Revolutionizing Flight Control

Taking to the skies has never been easier, thanks to the innovative DJI RC Motion 2. This groundbreaking controller features motion-sensing technology and an upgraded joystick, allowing users of all skill levels to navigate, manoeuvre, and explore the skies in a unique and exciting way.

The RC Motion 2 introduces an upgraded joystick and accelerator with a reverse function, supporting multidirectional flight such as vertical, backward, and sideways movements. This makes it easier than ever to adjust the direction or choose a suitable landing spot. With precise accuracy and rich, dynamic movement, pilots can now tackle complex flight manoeuvres with confidence.

The Fn dial on the RC Motion 2 enables users to quickly adjust the camera’s ISO, shutter, and other parameters without interacting with the goggles. When combined with the DJI Avata and DJI Goggles Integra, the user’s hand movements dictate the aircraft’s flight direction, providing an immersive flight experience that feels like sitting in the pilot’s seat.

With the DJI Fly app, users can connect their DJI Goggles Integra to their smartphone, display a real-time camera view on both their goggles and smartphone simultaneously, and even share the view with friends for a truly stunning and immersive flight experience.

Available for Purchase Today

DJI Goggles Integra and DJI RC Motion 2 are now available for purchase from authorized retailers and at www.store.dji.com in several configurations:

• DJI Goggles Integra: 579 GBP/659 EUR
• DJI RC Motion 2: 159 GBP/179 EUR
• DJI Avata Pro-View Combo (DJI RC Motion 2): 1,249 GBP/1,459 EUR
• DJI Avata Explorer Combo: 1,099 GBP/1,269 EUR

The DJI RS 3 Mini has become a go-to gimbal for content creators and filmmakers who demand professional-grade stabilization in a compact and lightweight form factor. As impressive as the RS 3 Mini is, there’s always room for improvement, and this is where SmallRig steps in. The company has released two new accessories that significantly enhance the capabilities and versatility of the DJI RS 3 Mini: the SmallRig Arca-Swiss Mount Plate and Extended Vertical Arm. In this article, we will explore the benefits these two innovative accessories bring to users of the DJI RS 3 Mini.

https://smallrig.com/list/Stabilizer.html?_kx=f9IxWh-Onf2tVOG3Mr7-6fjUHJ-PuKikG70xPrIlrpI%3D.XED5g8

SmallRig Arca-Swiss Mount Plate: A Game-Changer for Quick Camera Swaps

The SmallRig Arca-Swiss Mount Plate is a simple yet incredibly useful accessory for the DJI RS 3 Mini. Designed to be compatible with Arca-Swiss style quick-release systems, this mount plate allows users to rapidly swap out their camera setups without the need to rebalance the gimbal. This is a major advantage for filmmakers who frequently switch between multiple cameras or lenses, saving precious time on set or in the field.

Aside from the convenience factor, the SmallRig Arca-Swiss Mount Plate also provides enhanced security and stability. The plate’s anti-twist design ensures that the camera remains locked in place, preventing any unwanted movement during operation. Additionally, the high-quality aluminum construction ensures durability and longevity, making it an excellent investment for professionals who demand reliable gear.

Extended Vertical Arm: Unlocking New Creative Possibilities

The second accessory, the SmallRig Extended Vertical Arm, is designed to address one of the few limitations of the DJI RS 3 Mini – the restricted vertical travel range. The RS 3 Mini’s default configuration may be insufficient for users who require additional vertical clearance, particularly when working with larger camera and lens combinations.

The Extended Vertical Arm solves this problem by providing an additional 35mm of vertical travel, allowing for greater flexibility in camera positioning and expanded creative possibilities. This accessory also enables users to mount cameras with a longer body or attach additional accessories like external monitors, microphones, or lights without impeding gimbal movement. The result is a more versatile and adaptable setup that caters to a wider range of filmmaking and content creation scenarios.

Ease of Installation and Seamless Integration

Both the SmallRig Arca-Swiss Mount Plate and Extended Vertical Arm are designed for quick and straightforward installation. Users can attach the mount plate directly to the existing DJI RS 3 Mini camera plate, while the extended arm replaces the original vertical arm with ease. Moreover, these accessories have been specifically engineered to integrate seamlessly with the DJI RS 3 Mini’s design, ensuring optimal functionality and maintaining the gimbal’s overall aesthetic.

Why These Accessories Are Beneficial to DJI RS 3 Mini Users

The SmallRig Arca-Swiss Mount Plate and Extended Vertical Arm provide significant advantages to filmmakers and content creators who rely on the DJI RS 3 Mini for their work:

1. Time Savings: The Arca-Swiss Mount Plate allows for rapid camera swaps and eliminates the need to rebalance the gimbal every time, saving valuable time during shoots.
2. Enhanced Stability: The anti-twist design of the Arca-Swiss Mount Plate ensures that the camera remains securely locked in place, preventing unwanted movement during operation.
3. Expanded Creative Possibilities: The Extended Vertical Arm allows for greater flexibility in camera positioning and additional accessory mounting, accommodating larger camera and lens setups and enabling users to explore new creative avenues.
4. Seamless Integration: Both accessories have been designed to integrate seamlessly

Stars leave streaks of light in concentric circles in this March 16, 2012, view from the International Space Station.

Stars leave streaks of light in concentric circles in this March 16, 2012, view from the International Space Station.

To create this composite long exposure, NASA astronaut Don Pettit combined multiple 30-second exposures from a mounted camera on the space station into one image.

The orbiting laboratory travels 5 miles per second, traveling around our planet every 90 minutes.

Larger image

Ruko are a relatively small player in the drone market, but have just introduced a new drone that has peaked our interest, the F11 GIM2. This new drone is no toy despite the relatively low price with a set of features that are geared towards photography enthusiasts, from beginners to professionals.

One of the most notable features of the F11 GIM2 is its 4K camera with a two-axis gimbal and Electric Image Stabilization (EIS) technology. The camera is capable of capturing high-quality images at 3840x2160P resolution in JPEG format, while videos can be recorded at 4K/30fps in MP4 format. The drone also supports 5x optical zoom, which allows for safer and more convenient transitions between shots of varying distances and compositions.

The F11 GIM2 comes with what Ruko calls three-axis gimbal stabilization system, this is slightly different from our usual understanding of true three axis image stabilisation. In reality this system uses a combination of two-axis mechanical along side EIS to provides stable footage. This system is designed to ensure that images and videos remain clear and stable, even in challenging flying conditions. The camera’s angle can be adjusted between -80° and 0°, providing flexibility in capturing different perspectives.

Another significant feature is the drone’s extended 9800ft (3km) HD video transmission range. This enhancement to the transmission capabilities allows for smooth and consistently high-quality image transmission, even at greater distances. The F11 GIM2 also boasts Level 6 wind resistance, ensuring that the drone can maintain stable flight and capture clear footage in windy conditions.

The drone comes equipped with two batteries, providing a total of 56 minutes of flight time. These intelligent and safe batteries monitor and report their power status in real-time, ensuring that the drone does not run out of power unexpectedly. The charger supports an output current of 5V/3A, which is adaptable to different charging needs.

GPS-assisted features are also present in the F11 GIM2 drone, including auto-return home, GPS follow, point of interest, and waypoint flight. These features make flying the drone more accessible and creative, especially for beginners. The accompanying app offers intuitive instructions, enabling users to start flying with just a few taps.

The F11 GIM2 drone supports smooth 5G video transmission and can even be used with VR glasses, adding an immersive dimension to the drone-flying experience. It has a maximum flight distance of 9842ft (3000m) outdoors and unobstructed and can reach a maximum height of 393ft (120m).

Weighing in at 20.6 oz (1.28 lb), the drone is relatively lightweight, with dimensions of 17.7×15.9×3.1 inches when unfolded. The F11 GIM2 can store photos at a resolution of 3840x2160P in JPEG format and videos at 1280x720P in MP4 format. It supports a maximum card storage capacity of 128GB, although the card is not included in the package.

The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone package includes the drone itself, a rechargeable remote controller, two intelligent flight batteries, a spare pair of propellers, three Type-C cables (charger not included), three user manuals, an Allen wrench, and 12 screws.

In summary, the Ruko F11 GIM2 drone offers various features that cater to photography enthusiasts at various skill levels. Its 4K camera, gimbal stabilization system, and GPS-assisted

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued a new set of guidelines for the pilgrims regarding photography and videography at the Two Holy Mosques — Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina — during the pilgrimage.

Keeping the sanctity of the holy sites in view, the Saudi authorities said that some measures have been taken in the said regard.

“In the Two Holy Mosques, we take into account the sanctity of the place, so we have the etiquette of photography, and we preserve the rights of others,” a statement released on the ministry’s Twitter said.

As per the new guidlines, the pilgrims have been advised:

• Not to take others’ pictures without their consent
• Not to take anyone’s pictures while they are praying
• Not to disturb anyone during worship

Earlier, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had announced that the pilgrims will be permitted to perform Umrah only once during Ramadan and would not be allowed to repeat the ritual.

The move aims to give an opportunity to all pilgrims who want to perform Umrah during the holy month and can perform the rituals with ease and comfort.

The ministry stressed the need for pilgrims to get a permit from the Nusuk app to perform Umrah, in addition to the importance of their commitment to the specified time.

There is no feature to amend the Umrah date, but pilgrims can delete their appointment via the Nusuk app, before entering the permitted time and then they can issue a new permit, Saudi Gazette reported.

The ministry confirmed that the appointments are updated periodically, noting that if the pilgrims do not find a date for reservation, then they can search for another date at a later time.