Dramatic Footage Shows Mind-Blowingly Massive Tornado Shooting From The Sun : ScienceAlert

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Amateur astrophotography is becoming increasingly popular among the astronomy community, as advancements in telescope and camera technologies allow individuals from all walks of life to observe the heavens in mind-blowing detail, including our own Sun, albeit with the proper protective equipment.

This was recently demonstrated by Andrew McCarthy (Twitter @AJamesMcCarthy), who owns and operates Cosmic Background Studios, and is originally from Northern California but currently resides in Florence, Arizona.

On 18 March 2023, McCarthy tweeted a video of what appeared to be a tornado on the Sun’s surface.

While this feature doesn’t look that big, McCarthy provides a stack of 14 Earths for scale within the video to show the gargantuan size of this tornado-like monstrosity. But while tornadoes are commonplace on Earth, what’s happening on the Sun’s surface to create such a unique phenomenon?

“This is a solar prominence in the sun’s chromosphere,” McCarthy recently told Universe Today. “A mass of plasma caught in a magnetic loop, drawing it away from the photosphere and over a hundred thousand miles into space. Solar material ‘rains’ down from the prominence back into the Sun.”

McCarthy tells Universe Today that this sequence was imaged using a modified telescope that can observe the Sun’s atmosphere in what’s known as hydrogen-alpha band using hundreds of thousands of images over a few hours, and he says this was not a random encounter as he monitors the Sun’s behavior on a daily basis.

Image of red-orange Sun against black backdrop of space.
140-megapixel image of the Sun with a tornado-like prominence in the upper right portion with the solar corona emanating out in all directions. Data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory and an image from Jason Guenzel of the 2017 total solar eclipse were combined to form this image. (Andrew McCarthy & Jason Guenzel)

“Each frame of the video was a stack of about 500 individual images,” McCarthy tells Universe Today. “The feature was relatively faint against the much brighter solar disc, so it was difficult to resolve the contrast against the glare otherwise.”

Along with the video, McCarthy collaborated with colleague Jason Guenzel (Twitter @TheVastReaches) to produce a breathtaking 140-megapixel still image of the Sun with the tornado visible in the upper portion of the image, with McCarthy telling Universe Today that this image “boasts a dramatic look at the chromosphere and solar corona.”

Close up image showing half the Sun and a tornado-like prominence erupting from the upper right edge.
A zoomed-in 140-megapixel image of the Sun with a tornado-like prominence in the upper right portion with the solar corona emanating outwards. Data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory and an image from Guenzel of the 2017 total solar eclipse were combined to form this image. (Andrew McCarthy & Jason Guenzel)

McCarthy mentions a few layers of the Sun, including the solar prominence, chromosphere, photosphere, and corona. This is because while the Sun appears to be a uniform structure on the surface, it contains layers just like the Earth and other celestial objects.

The photosphere is the visible surface of the Sun which we see daily and in astronomical observations. It is approximately 100 kilometers thick, which is minuscule compared to the Sun’s diameter, which is approximately 1,400,000 kilometers, and has a temperature range of 3700 to 6200 degrees Celsius.

Image of the Sun labelled with features and with a quarter cut-out to illustrate its internal structure.
Structure of the Sun. (NASA/Goddard)

The chromosphere is known as an irregular layer that sits above the photosphere and is approximately 2500 kilometers thick with a temperature range of 6000 to 20,000 degrees Celsius. Solar prominences are the large, bright features that emanate from the Sun, such as the tornado-like feature imaged by McCarthy, and have temperature ranges of 4,700 to 50,000 degrees Celsius.

The solar corona comprises the Sun’s outer atmosphere and exhibits the largest temperature at 2 million degrees Celsius. The corona is only visible during solar eclipses, and McCarthy tells Universe Today that data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory and an image from Guenzel of the 2017 total solar eclipse were combined to form these images.

Be sure to check out the fantastic astrophotography from both Andrew McCarthy and Jason Guenzel at their respective Twitter pages and websites (listed below), and please avoid looking directly at the Sun, either during an eclipse or not, without proper eye protection or telescope solar filters.

This article was originally published by Universe Today. Read the original article.



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Nikon Releases NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR: A Perfect Ultrawide-Angle Zoom Lens for Selfies and Vlogging

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Are you looking for the perfect ultrawide-angle zoom lens for selfies and vlogging? Look no further than the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR. Compatible with APS-C size/DX-format mirrorless cameras that have adopted the Nikon Z mount, this is the wide angled lens option that many users have been waiting for.

With a focal length range of 12mm to 28mm, the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR offers the widest angle of view amongst NIKKOR Z lenses compatible with APS-C size cameras. The lens is ideal for various subjects, including landscapes with focal lengths that emphasise a unique perspective, tabletop photos with the subject and creative bokeh in the background, and the lens can also be used for dynamic close-ups of flowers and insects.

What makes the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR really interesting, is the built-in power zoom with a linear drive. This feature can be controlled via the zoom ring, allowing for smooth and natural zooming when recording videos and vlogging. With 11 different zoom speed options available, you can easily choose the zoom speed that best suits your creative vision and style. This makes it easy to create videos that are both professional and personalised.

In addition to its power zoom, the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR boasts a minimum focus distance of 0.19m throughout the zoom range and a maximum reproduction ratio 0.21x. This allows you to get even closer to your subjects, if they stay still for long enough. The lens also features an internal zoom mechanism that maintains a constant length of the lens barrel when zooming. This makes it easier to maintain balance during shooting and makes the lens safer to carry.

Other notable features of the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR include 4.5-stop vibration reduction for stable camera shake compensation, the ability to assign functions such as aperture and exposure compensation to the control ring, and a design that takes video recording into consideration with more stable exposure and focus-breathing suppression. The lens is also designed with dust- and drip resistance in mind, making it ideal for anyone looking to travel.

The NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR is an impressive ultrawide-angle zoom lens that will please both photographers and videographers. Its power zoom feature, wide range of focal lengths, and Nikkor optics will make it the perfect choice for selfies, vlogging, and more traditional photographic use. To learn more about the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR and its features, visit the Nikon UK website at https://www.nikon.co.uk/en_GB.

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Backyard Beauty: San Leandro Photo Of The Day

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SAN LEANDRO, CA — While many people are driving to see California’s beautiful wildflowers, gardeners need only step outside into their own backyards to see lovely foliage and flowers. Miyo Burnett snapped this photo earlier this month. If you are trying to identify the plants, they are Borage and Pelargonium.

Thank you for sharing, Miyo!

If you have an awesome photo of nature, breath-taking scenery, kids caught being kids, a pet doing something funny, or something unusual you happen to catch with your camera, we’d love to feature it on Patch.

We’re looking for high-resolution images that reflect the beauty and fun that is Northern California, and that show off your unique talents.

Email it to [email protected].

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An Artist Forfeits an Award He Won for a Computer-Generated Image

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An artist declined an award at a prominent photography contest because he had submitted an AI-generated work, proving, he said, the competition couldn’t deal with art made by that means. The contest’s organizers, in turn, said they didn’t know the extent to which the work utilized AI.

Boris Eldagsen won the World Photography Organization’s Sony World Photography Awards for a piece titled The Electrician. The work appears like an old photograph showing two women, one of whom crouches behind the other. Another person’s hand extends toward the front woman’s body.

More from Robb Report

Part of a series called “Pseudomnesia,” the work was made by submitting language to an AI generator many times over. In the process, the work was altered using techniques known as inpainting, outpainting, and prompt whispering.

“Just as photography replaced painting in the reproduction of reality, AI will replace photography,” Eldagsen wrote in a description. “Don’t be afraid of the future. It will just be more obvious that our mind always created the world that makes it suffer.”

Initially, when the work was selected for competition in March, Eldagsen wrote on his website that he was “happy” his “image,” as he called it, had made the cut. Then, when he won last week, he sounded a different note.

“AI images and photography should not compete with each other in an award like this,” he wrote in a statement on April 13. “They are different entities. AI is not photography. Therefore I will not accept the award.”

He continued, “We, the photo world, need an open discussion. A discussion about what we want to consider photography and what not. Is the umbrella of photography large enough to invite AI images to enter—or would this be a mistake?”

Eldagsen, who had won in the creative category, urged the jury to give his prize money to a photography festival in Odesa, Ukraine, instead.

The World Photography Organization frowned upon Eldagsen’s work and his response to winning.

In a statement, the organization said, “As he has now decided to decline his award we have suspended our activities with him and in keeping with his wishes have removed him from the competition. Given his actions and subsequent statement noting his deliberate attempts at misleading us, and therefore invalidating the warranties he provided, we no longer feel we are able to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue with him.”

The statement continued, “We recognize the importance of this subject and its impact on image-making today. We look forward to further exploring this topic via our various channels and programs and welcome the conversation around it. While elements of AI practices are relevant in artistic contexts of image-making, the Awards always have been and will continue to be a platform for championing the excellence and skill of photographers and artists working in the medium.”

The controversy loosely recalls another one that took place last August, when an AI-generated artwork won an art competition at the Colorado State Fair. That work had been produced using Midjourney, spurring a mixture of anger and fascination within the art world and beyond.

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Click here to read the full article.

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Gisele Bündchen shows Tom Brady what he’s missing after split in sexy photo shoot

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Former Tom Brady teammate on Gisele Bundchen divorce: Tough to go the distance in this industry

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Gisele Bündchen is starring in another sultry ad campaign, just six months after her divorce from Tom Brady.

The supermodel posed for Brazilian jewelry company Vivara as part of their Mother’s Day launch.

In one video on their Instagram page, Bündchen sports a black dress with daring cutouts, accompanied by the brand’s gold accessories.

The caption, originally in Portuguese, says the jewelry is meant to “celebrate the woman full of attitude that exists in all mothers. They are jewels with delicate design, which remind nature and shine motherly love in its most radiant portion.”

APP USERS CLICK HERE

The company also highlights Bündchen’s status as a mom. 

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

GISELE BÜNDCHEN LEANS ON YEARS OF CO-PARENTING WITH TOM BRADY’S EX BRIDGET MOYNAHAN TO GUIDE OWN DIVORCE

“Every mother is a stylish woman And @gisele can prove it. Here’s a spoiler of what’s coming to celebrate the most inspiring woman in your life,” teased another post.

APP USER CLICK HERE

Bündchen shares two children with ex-husband Brady, Benjamin, 13, and Vivian, 10.

The couple finalized their divorce in October of last year after 13 years of marriage.

Since then, she’s continued working, appearing on the covers of Vogue and Vanity Fair, among other work.

She’s also been quietly reflective on her social media.



Gisele Bündchen has been sharing inspirational messages on her social media since her split from Tom Brady. Photo by Lexie Moreland/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images


© Photo by Lexie Moreland/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images
Gisele Bündchen has been sharing inspirational messages on her social media since her split from Tom Brady. Photo by Lexie Moreland/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images

GISELE BÜNDCHEN SHARES MESSAGE ABOUT REGROWTH AFTER A ‘STORM,’ MONTHS FOLLOWING DIVORCE

Monday, she shared a video of herself riding a bike, looking happy and kicking her feet off the pedals.

“We all have our fair shares of trials,” her caption began.

“Every laugh, every fall, every experience, the good and the bad, everything is here to teach us something and help us grow. Nothing is permanent. So let’s enjoy the good moments and learn from the bad ones. Every day is a gift!”

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And just last week, she posted a photo of herself smelling flowers with the caption, “The same storm that knocks down the leaves, also makes the seeds sprout.”

There have been rumors Bündchen has found love again since the breakup, the most persistent one being that she’s been seeing Brady’s friend, 55-year-old billionaire Jeffrey Soffer.

In her Vanity Fair interview, Bündchen shot it down, saying, “I have zero relationship with him in any way. He’s Tom’s friend, not my friend. I wouldn’t be with his friend. I wouldn’t be with this guy.”

Despite the break-up and Bündchen calling the divorce “the death of my dream,” the Sports Illustrated model still maintains a certain amount of positivity towards her ex.



Giselle Bündchen and Tom Brady met in 2006 and were married in 2009. They have two children together, Benjamin and Vivian Lake. After being married for 13 years, Brady and Bündchen announced that they were getting divorced in 2022. Matt Winkelmeyer


© Matt Winkelmeyer
Giselle Bündchen and Tom Brady met in 2006 and were married in 2009. They have two children together, Benjamin and Vivian Lake. After being married for 13 years, Brady and Bündchen announced that they were getting divorced in 2022.
Matt Winkelmeyer

“If there’s one person I want to be the happiest in the world, it’s him, believe me. I want him to achieve and to conquer. I want all his dreams to come true. That’s what I want, really, from the bottom of my heart.”

She added, “We’re not playing against each other. We are a team … and that’s beautiful. I look back and I have no regrets. I loved every bit of it.”



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‘A whole new world of possibility for viewing the stars and planets’

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My interest in astronomy began in grade school, when I first looked at the moon with my grandfather through his telescope. This interest stayed with me throughout my life, and after retiring a few years ago following a career in the Coast Guard and the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, I finally made the decision to buy a telescope and pursue the hobby. Recently, with a desire to see more in the night sky, I began learning astrophotography, which opened up a whole new world of possibility for viewing the stars and planets. 

When I first got my telescope, it took a while to learn how to find objects in the night sky, but soon I got the hang of it. I joined the Thames Amateur Astronomical Society, based in southeastern Connecticut, where I went to observing events (aka “star parties”) to learn more about astronomy. It was a fun way to learn the hobby, and club members were tremendously helpful in giving me pointers on how to find things in the night sky and tips on using my new telescope. 

After a while, I started taking pictures of the planets through the telescope’s eyepiece with my cellphone. I can remember how satisfying it was to find Mars for the first time, which appeared as just a tiny red dot in the evening sky. I snapped a picture of it, and though it was not much of a photo, it was a real milestone for me, being able to find and photograph something using my telescope. That led to more and more photos of heavenly bodies, including the moon, Saturn and Jupiter.

Then one day everything changed; it was like a light switch had been turned on. I came across Pat Prokop’s Heavenly Backyard Astronomy YouTube channel, and he was giving a tutorial on how to photograph Saturn. During the tutorial, he started with Saturn’s small, bright disc on his computer screen, taken with his telescope and camera, and began processing it using specialized software to bring out the details. As he scrolled through the program’s menus and clicked on the different settings, the planet’s details truly began to emerge. He finished by producing a full-color image of Saturn with its expansive, sharply defined rings circling the planet and multi-colored, banded atmosphere. The transformation was fascinating, and it was amazing that he was able to produce a spectacular image with only amateur equipment. I was inspired, and my astrophotography adventure began.

Learning astrophotography wasn’t easy for me, since I had very little experience with either astronomy or photography. I looked for websites and YouTube channels for tutorials to learn enough to get the basics. Before long I was totally immersed in the hobby, and upgraded my equipment to take more detailed digital photos. Though it was challenging to learn, it also provided satisfaction when I achieved good results, so I continued on with it. It was well worth it.

Astronomy is a blend of the hard sciences of math, physics and chemistry, and astrophotography adds an element of art to it. When you are able to capture the glowing colors of a nebula or the expansive spiral arms of a distant galaxy, it can also have an element of spirituality. Recently, after someone had seen one of my photos of the Whirlpool Galaxy, he commented “Wow, you’re an artist.” After thinking about that for a minute, I replied, “God is the artist. I’m just the messenger.”

It is easy to see the allure of this hobby. Astrophotography takes astronomy to another level, allowing you to see things you can’t normally see just by looking through a telescope. Astro cameras have specialized sensors that amplify dim light, making it possible to capture a lot more detail. Taking photos of deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae and star clusters is fascinating, and it is amazing these objects are visible to us at all with their great distance from Earth. Just within our own solar system there is enough to keep any astrophotographer busy for a lifetime, capturing details of the sun, moon and planets. I never get tired of taking photos of Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s great red spot and moons, and the red deserts of Mars. And the details of the moon, with its vast lava fields, bright mountain peaks and harsh cratered landscape come to life when captured by a camera. 

When I set up my telescope, a new world opens up. When it is dark, you can look up at the night sky and see the wonders of the heavens. While we are consumed with our daily routines and worries, up above, the universe awaits. You can see galaxies that are light-years away, with their massive spiral arms extending from their center, and clouds of stars and cosmic dust interwoven within the spiral mass. And here we are on our tiny planet Earth, within our Milky Way Galaxy, just one of billions of galaxies in the universe. It gives you a sense of smallness, but at the same time a sense of order and belonging in the grand scheme of things. It somehow makes our daily troubles seem insignificant, and reminds you of our place in the universe. Being able to capture the night sky in greater detail through astrophotography makes the experience all the more meaningful. 

John Natale lives in East Haddam. Aspiring astronomers and astrophotographers who would like more information can email him at [email protected].

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Every Photo to Add to Your Shot List

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Share this list with your photographer to make sure you capture every special moment on your big day.

<p>Photo by <a href=&quot;https://normanandblake.com/&quot;>Norman &amp; Blake</a></p>

From exchanging vows with your partner to hitting the dance floor with your friends and family, your wedding is made up of so many special moments you’ll never want to forget. Once your big day comes to an end, looking at your wedding photos will transport you back to that celebration and help keep the memories alive. That’s why creating a shot list with the moments and details you want to document during your nuptials is an important part of the wedding planning process.

Although most photographers have a standard shot list that’ll they use to guide their coverage of the day, they’ll always ask their couples to weigh in and share any must-have snaps. To help you create your own, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of pictures every couple should have in their photo album, so you cover your bases and feel more prepared. That being said, it’s important to use this as a general outline rather than following it to a T. Since wedding photographers are experts who know how to keep an eye out for meaningful moments, trust that they’ll get the best shots—even if they’re not on paper. “If the photographer has to stop to look at a detailed shot list during each section of the day, a lot of moments could be missed and the wedding photos can look contrived and staged,” photographer Caroline Lima shares.

  • Caroline Lima is the owner and lead photographer of Caroline Lima Photography. She’s based in San Antonio, Texas and has 12 years of experience shooting weddings.

  • Minh Cao is a Philadelphia-based wedding photographer and the owner of Du Soleil Photographie, which she launched in 2015.

This checklist is also an extensive one, so work with your photographer before your nuptials to choose the ones you’ll want to prioritize. You can also add must-have details that reflect your unique celebration, whether it’s a sentimental message stitched inside of your wedding dress or a godparent officiating your ceremony. “Communicating this will prepare your photographer to capture whatever emotions—foreseen and unforeseen—that emanate from what is most special,” Minh Cao of Du Soleil Photographie says.

Ahead, the ultimate wedding photography checklist; review it with your soon-to-be spouse, then talk it over with your photographer as a starting point. If you do, you’ll end up with an album of wedding photos you absolutely love.

Related:The 30 Wedding Photos You Need to Take

Detail Shots

The little details represent your relationship and give your wedding character, so make sure that you get them on camera. From your stationery suite to your wedding shoes, here is every detail to account for.

  • The engagement ring

  • The wedding rings

  • The ring box

  • The invitation suite flat lay, including save-the-dates, invitations, and envelopes

  • The wedding vow booklets

  • Programs

  • Welcome bags if you have them

  • Shots of the venue

  • The room where you’re getting ready

  • The bride’s wedding dress suspended from a hanger

  • Any jewelry, like earrings, bracelets, or necklaces

  • The bride’s wedding shoes

  • The bride’s perfume

  • Hair accessories, if applicable

  • The bridal bouquet

  • The groom’s suit or tuxedo

  • The pocket square

  • The tie or bow tie

  • The boutonnière

  • Cufflinks

  • The groom’s shoes

  • The groom’s cologne

  • Flower girl baskets

  • Corsages

  • Any other sentimental items, such as an heirloom or a bouquet charm

Getting-Ready Photos

Capture your pre-ceremony excitement and all of the important people who helped you prepare for the moment you say “I do” with these getting-ready shots.

  • The bride getting her hair and makeup done

  • The bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done

  • A shot of the bride and bridesmaids in their getting-ready attire, whether they’re drinking champagne or just having fun

  • The bride getting dressed with the mother of the bride, maid of honor, or another wedding party member providing assistance

  • A full-length shot of the bride in her wedding dress

  • Any bridal party or parent first look photos

  • Emotional shots of the bride with siblings, friends, or parents

  • The bride with her wedding party

  • The grooming process

  • The groom adding finishing touches, such as putting on his tie or cufflinks or buttoning up his shirt

  • The groom’s mother attaching a boutonniere

  • The groom getting ready while his groomsmen assist

  • A full-length shot of the groom in his wedding attire

  • A group shot of the groom and groomsmen in their wedding attire

  • Touching moments between the groom and his parents, siblings, or best man

First Look Photos

Although a first look isn’t a requirement, here is every photo you’ll want to capture if you decide to debut your outfits to one another before the ceremony. “The first look with the couple is all about their reactions to each other, so photographs that capture the emotional response is key,” Cao reveals.

  • The groom waiting for the bride

  • The bride walking toward the groom

  • The moment the grand reveal happens

  • The couple’s reactions

  • The couple hugging or kissing after the first look

  • The couple looking at each other

  • The couple holding hands

  • The couple walking next to each other

Ceremony Shots

The ceremony is where the magic happens: the moment the couple is pronounced newlyweds. “The ceremony is the culmination of the day, and the photographs should reflect the intensity of that,” Cao says. Here’s what to add to your checklist.

  • The ceremony setup without the guests on site

  • A close-up shot of the altar

  • A close-up shot of the arrangements that line the aisle

  • Any other unique floral arrangement or decorations

  • Guests entering the site

  • The guests seated

  • The couple’s parents walking down the aisle

  • The groom walking down the aisle

  • The wedding party walking down the aisle

  • The flower girl and ring bearer walking down the aisle

  • The bride walking down the aisle

  • The groom’s reaction to the bride

  • The father of the bride giving his daughter away

  • The couple standing at the altar in front of their officiant

  • A wide shot of the audience during the ceremony

  • Loved ones sharing any special readings

  • The couple exchanging wedding vows

  • The couple exchanging rings

  • The first kiss as a married couple

  • The moment after the couple kisses

  • The recessional

  • The audience’s reactions to ceremony moments

  • The couple leaving the ceremony site

Portraits and Group Shots

After you’ve said “I do” and your guests have headed to cocktail hour, it’s time to take photos as a newly-married couple and with your wedding party and family members. If you’re having a first look, you’ll be able to take these photos before the ceremony, which means you can be at cocktail hour, too!

  • The couple posing together

  • The couple hugging or kissing one another

  • The couple looking at each other

  • The couple walking, holding hands

  • The couple looking out at the sunset or the view

  • The bride with her parents

  • The bride with immediate family

  • The groom with his parents

  • The groom with immediate family

  • The couple with both sets of parents

  • The couple with immediate family from both sides

  • The bride with her bridesmaids

  • The bride with her maid of honor

  • The groom with his groomsmen

  • The groom with his best man

  • The couple with their entire wedding party

Reception Photos

After the ceremony and group photos are over, you can finally let loose and celebrate! Have your photographer capture every decoration and candid moment from your reception. 

  • The exterior of your reception venue

  • The seating chart/escort card display

  • The guest book

  • The bar

  • The lounge area if included

  • A wide shot of the reception space

  • The head table

  • The guest tables

  • The sweetheart table if applicable

  • Close-up shots of decorations on the tables, such as table numbers and centerpieces

  • The place settings

  • The cake and any other desserts

  • The couple making their reception entrance

  • The first dance

  • The couple sitting at the head table

  • A close-up shot of the food

  • The couple and their guests eating dinner

  • Friends and family making toasts and delivering speeches

  • The couple listening to speeches and toasts

  • The couple chatting with their guests

  • The father-daughter dance

  • The mother-son dance

  • The cake cutting

  • Outfit changes

  • The live band or DJ

  • Guests on the dance floor

  • The couple dancing with their guests

  • The bride and groom dancing with each other

  • The couple exiting the reception

  • The couple’s vehicle leaving

Up Next:10 Tips to Remember When Posing for Wedding Photos

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Guy rejects top photo prize after revealing snap was actually made using AI

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© Provided by The Register


Boris Eldagsen tells El Reg why he did it

A photographer selected as a category winner of this year’s international Sony Photography Awards has rejected the prize, saying his entry was actually generated using AI.…

Last year, Boris Eldagsen began creating images for a collection he named Pseudomnesia, a combination of the Latin words pseudo and mnesia that essentially mean fake and memory. He entered an image from this collection into the creative open category in Sony’s photo contest, a piece titled The Electrician in December 2022. He did so without disclosing the snap had been produced with the help of text-to-image tools, since the terms allow the use of “any device.”

Eldagsen described the images in Pseudomnesia as “imagined by language and re-edited more between 20 to 40 times through AI image generators, combining ‘inpainting’, ‘outpainting’ and ‘prompt whispering’ techniques.”

Three months later, the organizers informed him he had won the creative category. Eldagsen said he then admitted to the competition’s organizers his picture had been generated using machine-learning software, and that he wanted to use the competition to launch a public discussion on how the technology was impacting photography.

Though photographers use all kinds of software applications in their work, to retouch, filter, crop, and so on, where do neural networks fit in that stack; are they acceptable tools; and where’s the line in the sand that they cross if they are not acceptable?

Interestingly enough, competitions may allow or even welcome the use of artificial intelligence, and it’s photographers who are uncomfortable with the rise of this kind of computing.

“Right now for me, it is more important that the public debate I hoped for has become international and is in full speed,” he told The Register. “I want to thank the photo community for this.”

Eldagsen said he wants to differentiate photography from realistic AI-generated images. “Can they be in one museum under the name of photography? Will this be good or bad for photography? It is complex, this is why we need to talk about it,” he told us.

He said officials ignored his requests to discuss his situation, and kept him as a winner. He confirmed to us he was rejecting the prize, which included $5,000, Sony camera gear, and a trip to the photography exhibition in London. 

“Thank you for selecting my image and making this a historic moment,” Eldagsen wrote on his website, “as it is the first AI generated image to win in a prestigious international [photography] competition. How many of you knew or suspected that it was AI generated? Something about this doesn’t feel right, does it?

“AI images and photography should not compete with each other in an award like this. They are different entities. AI is not photography. Therefore I will not accept the award.

“I applied as a cheeky monkey, to find out if the competitions are prepared for AI images to enter. They are not. We, the photo world, need an open discussion. A discussion about what we want to consider photography and what not. Is the umbrella of photography large enough to invite AI images to enter – or would this be a mistake? With my refusal of the award I hope to speed up this debate.”

After Eldagsen’s stunt became public, officials scrubbed his entry from the Sony Photography Awards and removed his image from the exhibition.

It’s not the first time AI-generated artwork has won a competition. Last year, Jason Allen won the top prize of $300 for his Midjourney-made image at the Colorado State Fair’s fine art competition, causing much controversy.

“We were looking forward to engaging in a more in-depth discussion on this topic and welcomed Boris’ wish for dialogue by preparing questions for a dedicated Q&A with him for our website,” a World Photography Organisation spokesperson told The Guardian.

“As he has now decided to decline his award we have suspended our activities with him and in keeping with his wishes have removed him from the competition. Given his actions and subsequent statement noting his deliberate attempts at misleading us, and therefore invalidating the warranties he provided, we no longer feel we are able to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue with him.” ®

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Trailing arbutus, an emerging sign of spring: Nature News

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One of the hallmarks of early spring in the New England woods is the emergence of the spring ephemerals — wildflowers that emerge and flower early in order to take advantage of the sunlight that reaches the forest floor before leaves start to unfold and form their dense canopy.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy any walk in the woods this time of year is to keep an eye out for these beautiful wildflowers. Being somewhat competitive, what I also enjoy is finding the first ephemeral before my friends do. My first this year was some trailing arbutus — a creeping evergreen plant (technically a shrub, but only a couple inches high) with sweet-smelling white and pinkish flowers.

Trailing arbutus, an early spring wildflower, at Great Works Regional Land Trusts' Grants Meadow at Beaver Dam Heath Preserve.

Trailing arbutus, an early spring wildflower, at Great Works Regional Land Trusts’ Grants Meadow at Beaver Dam Heath Preserve.

I was feeling pleased with my find until a reader sent me a photo of some bloodroot blooming in their back woods in Exeter, New Hampshire. I was immediately both excited and jealous because I have never seen bloodroot before, despite it supposedly being a somewhat common wildflower. This is a small, white-flowered wildflower that, like trailing arbutus, inhabits our forests, humus-rich deciduous forests in particular. Theirs had bloomed at least a week before “my” trailing arbutus — beating me at my imaginary spring ephemerals competition. Bloodroot is one of the first wildflowers to bloom, beginning in late winter and continuing into early spring, so my trailing arbutus didn’t really have a chance.

Bloodroot is an early spring wildflower.

Bloodroot is an early spring wildflower.

Many of the spring ephemerals blooming now are white or yellow, primarily because of who pollinates them. Flying insects are just starting to emerge in my neighborhood and the majority of them are some kind of fly. Flies have limited color vision. It is thought that bright white and yellow flowers stand out as being much brighter or lighter than the surrounding vegetation and dead leaves on the forest floor — a beacon to flies. True to form, bloodroot has very bright white flowers.

Because they are blooming well before many pollinators have had a chance to recover from their winter dormancy, spring ephemerals can’t be too picky about who pollinates them-they want to attract as wide a variety of pollinators as possible. This is reflected in the form of their flowers which are often shaped like wide bowls or flat plates, landing platforms for just about any sized insect. Bloodroot, like the other early spring ephemerals play a critical role in our forest ecosystems. Their early blooms provide much needed nectar and pollen for early pollinators.

Bloodroot is a perennial that grows up to 10 inches tall with a single leaf coming from the base that, when the plant is young, hugs the stem-perhaps to protect the plant from damaging rain or wind. The flower grows on a separate stalk. Once the bloom dies back the basal leaf often expands, becoming rounder and broader, and, like a solar panel the leaf has the ability to tilt and follow the sun. These adaptations help the plant capture as much sunlight as possible as the forest floor becomes more shaded by the unfurling leaves of the trees overhead. Even though it is done blooming for the year, the plant needs this energy to produce seeds as well as extra energy to store in roots to power next spring’s bloom.

As is true of every plant and animal in our backyards, bloodroot is an extremely interesting wildflower, worth getting to know. The name comes from the red sap that leaks from the cut root. The genus name, Sanguinaria, has its origin in the Latin word for bleeding. This red sap has been used to produce natural red, orange, and pink dyes. Bloodroot also has a long history of medicinal use as well, but the sap is an irritant and the rhizome (thickened root) is poisonous, better just to admire this beautiful little plant and then leave it be.

Susan Pike

Susan Pike

Susan Pike, a researcher and an environmental sciences and biology teacher at Dover High School, welcomes your ideas for future column topics. Send your photos and observations to [email protected]. Read more of her Nature News columns online at Seacoastonline.com and pikes-hikes.com, and follow her on Instagram @pikeshikes.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Trailing arbutus, an emerging sign of spring: Nature News

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Travel in Style and Security with the Zipble Snapshot Camera Bag

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Keeping your camera gear safe and secure while travelling is always a major consideration, but what bag should you go for, and why do none of the bags out there completely match your exacting criteria? With the Zipble Snapshot Camera Bag, you can not only travel in style and be sure of maximum security for all your photography equipment, but you can configure the bag exactly as you need.

The Zipble Snapshot Camera Bag is a custom-made bag designed for photographers who are always on the go. It comprises of three panels: The Tech, the Snapshot, and the Expand. The ability to detach, modify, and configure the three panels gives you the versatility to meet your needs. The sleek and ergonomic design of the bag provides a stylish yet functional way to carry your belongings.

The Snapshot bag, also known as the photographer’s bag, is your go-to protection for all of your camera gear. The Midloop section of this bag has Velcro strips for maximum grip, a camera divider that can hold 8 lenses, and a bottom cushion to protect your pricey, high-tech lenses from shock and scratches. With a design that can be expanded as needed, this product will provide you with plenty of space to store anything from large gear to blankets and winter clothes to food or school supplies!

With the Zipble Snapshot Camera Bag, you can easily access all of your photography equipment while on the go. The bag has large zipped compartments on both the front and back panels and three accessible zipper pockets that provide easy access to all your gear. This panel has snap buckles, padded straps, and accessory loops for added support and comfort. Plus, it has dual carrying options for increased convenience and a rubber anti-slip foot for better grip.

The Tech panel of the Zipble Snapshot Camera Bag is designed to protect all your gadgets while on an adventure.

In addition to its protective features, the Zipble Snapshot Camera Bag also offers plenty of room for all your photography kit, with plenty of space for cameras, lenses and other photography gear making sure it’s all organised while travelling. There are four pockets on the front panel, three compartments on the back, and three accessible compartments on the sides that provide easy access to gear during shoots: an expanding pocket, a retractable pocket, and a huge opening pocket.

The Zipble Snapshot Camera Bag is also designed for versatility. It has concealed D-rings, so you can choose to use it as a sling bag or a carry-on. The bag also comes with two accessory boards that protect your belongings inside the bag. The back cover panel acts as additional support while carrying or travelling, making it the perfect bag for any photographer on the go.

The Zipble Snapshot Camera Bag is a must-have for any photographer who wants to travel in style and security. With its protective features, ample storage space, and versatile design, this bag is the perfect companion for any photography adventure. We’ll be taking a look at the Zipble Snapshot soon, if you want to find out more information then check out https://zipble.com

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