Tiaan Niemand with a high-powered lens used for astrophotography. Photo: Jarryd Westerdale.
West Rand Astronomy Club (WRAC) opened their viewfinders and lens caps to give the public a chance to view the heavens up close.
Utilising the beautiful expanses of the Kloofendal Nature Reserve, the stargazing event on June 24 doubled as a fundraising event for NG Kerk Culembeeck and a reminder of the amazing work done by Friends of Kloofendal (FRoK) in maintaining the reserve.
Dave Nevill of the West Rand Astronomy Club. Photo: Jarryd Westerdale.
Before the stars began to reveal themselves in the night sky, attendees went on a short tour of the solar system via FRoK’s educational display. The Planet Walk is a series of informative stations with rocks painted as the planets, sequentially dotted around the edge of the grass auditorium to demonstrate the scale of the solar system and the distance between the planets. For visual enthusiasts, University of Johannesburg lecturer Sheldon Rahmeez Herbst gave several presentations on the projects undertaken by WRAC.
A variety of telescopes were set up in the middle of the auditorium and the stargazing tourists took turns examining the detail of the moon and getting a closer look at Venus and Mars. Due to the time of year, gas giants Jupiter and Saturn were not visible but some telescopes gave an intimate look at the Moon’s Terminator, a term given to the area where sunlight meets the darkness.
A photo of the Moon taken with a cellphone through the viewfinder of a telescope. Photo: Supplied.
Dagmar Hubbard, Secretary of the WRAC, touched on the romance associated with the stars. “We get so consumed with our small worlds that we forget to look up and see what is out there. It is very humbling and centering,” said Dagmar.
WRAC is primarily a social club for astro-enthusiasts and has several WhatsApp groups that specialise in a variety of topics from astrophotography, telescope parts and sales, physics, and general info for lovers of everything beyond our atmosphere.
TAKING content that will be good enough to make it to social media can be frustratingly challenging. Without a doubt, behind every great photo is a high-effort production to bring the vision to life. Most of the time, one finds oneself in the middle of this labor-intensive process, taking hundreds of snaps just to get ‘the one’ – whether in a quaint cafe perfecting food flatlay or out in the streets documenting nifty OOTDs.
Amazing content, indeed, takes a lot of hard work and time to create. But this can be transformed into an enjoyable experience when you have a smartphone with clever features, sharper lenses and faster processes, that is the vivo V27 5G smartphone. Test V27’s top-notch lenses and always opt for maximum quality and sharpness. Launch the camera on your V27 smartphone and have fun with its highly capable triple camera system to discover for yourself one of its handiest superpowers. Point at whichever subject your heart desires and see how tack-sharp it registers.
Optimize this smartphone’s 50MP with Eye Autofocus front vlogging camera, 50MP rear camera, 8MP super wide-angle camera, and 2MP macro camera. In addition, the V27 is also powered by Sony IMX 766V Sensor that is usually available on high-end phones.
Shift to ‘Portrait Mode’ to elevate creativity. Put V27’s lenses closer to the subject and frame it. Then, tap the screen to focus and adjust the Exposure Dial. See the magic it creates as it adds interest and drama to your stills.
With this smartphone’s Portrait Mode, you will also achieve stunning Bokeh effects that deliver a natural blur to highlight your subject even more.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Find the perfect glow with Aura Light. Make your subject pop with studio-level lighting which the Aura Light can provide. Appearing as a built-in ring light, once activated, it detects low ambient light and adds brightness to achieve truly eye-catching photos.
Take the Instagram game to a higher notch just by following these three tips while exploring the different features of vivo V27 5G’s camera. With a powerful mobile device like this boasting best-in-class performance and cameras, creating high-quality content should now just be a cakewalk.
Follow vivo’s official channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok
The overall winner and five laureates were announced after 10,000 images were submitted to the contest. Image: Mark Westberg
From birds in a Himalayan snowstorm to a tiny organism in polar waters, see winners of this year’s Environmental Photography Award
By Victoria Heath
This year marks the third edition of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s Environmental Photography Award – and after the submission of over 10,000 images by over 2300 professional and amateur photographers across the world – the overall winner and laureates of the five contest categories have now been revealed.
With his photograph ‘Fight to the Death’, Jasper Doest was crowned the winner in the category ‘Humanity versus Nature’ and overall winner of the 2023 Environmental Photographer of the Year by peers and the public vote. Doest also received a total prize money of €6500, as well as a trip to Ecuador to visit the SEK International University research base in the Amazon rainforest.
In addition to the Public Award, and five laureate categories, the Students’ Choice was created for high school students of the Principality, as part of the Foundation’s aim to raise awareness of environmental issues among the younger generation.
Enjoying this article? We have thousands more for you.
Get immediate access to over 1,000 Geographical magazines in our archive back to 1935.
Sign up today and you will soon be travelling back through time reading all our amazing features of the last eight decades PLUS… you also get to enjoy every new issue of Geographical each month going forward in both print and digital formats.
Simply press the button below to choose the perfect package for you.
‘Photography is a powerful tool for giving a voice to threatened wildlife and biodiversity,’ jury president Sergio Pitamitz said. ‘Thanks to the Environmental Photography Award, photographers are given the opportunity to showcase their images and, above all, their conservation messages.’
Related articles
Overall winner of 2023 Environmental Photography Award, ‘Humanity vs Nature’ winner & Public Award winner: Fight to the Death – Lopé National Park, Gabon, 2021.
The winner of three prize categories, ‘Fight to the Death’. Image: Jasper Doest
The overall winner of the 2023 Environmental Photographer of the Year, Jasper Doest’s ‘Fight to the Death’ depicts an enraged elephant fighting for its life after being struck by a train transporting manganese through Lopé National Park in Gabon. Unable to be saved due to a hip shattered beyond repair, the elephant was killed. Following its death, the park director distributed its meat to the local community.
Despite the danger posed by regular train accidents in Lopé National Park and the director’s efforts to identify potential conflict areas, the railway company has declined to take action and continues to ignore the risk of running trains at full speed through the park. This is primarily due to the economic pressure of transporting Gabon’s second-largest export product, manganese, which accounts for 11 per cent of the country’s exports.
‘While it’s tempting to assign blame, I also believe that this photograph has the power to inspire change for those willing to take responsibility,’ said Doest. ‘Upon receiving this award, I would like to extend the invitation to all parties involved to gather together and have a meaningful discussion on how we can collectively put an end to the continuous killing of these critically endangered animals alongside this railway track.’
‘Change makers, reasons for hope’ category: Airborne – Malawi, 2022
The winner of the ‘Change makers, reasons for hope’ category. Image: Marcus Westberg
Marcus Westberg’s Airborne shows elephants being moved from Liwonde National Park to Kasungu National Park, Malawi, under the supervision of conservation specialists.
This method of elephant transportation is commonly used – first, elephants are put to sleep, then placed in lorries using cranes before being woken up during the journey. All these operations are carried out with the utmost care and respect for the animals, and help to regulate populations from one area to another.
‘Ocean Worlds’ category: My Kingdom – Espiritu Santo National Park Mexico, 2022
‘My Kingdom’, the winner of the ‘Ocean World’s category. Image: Simon Biddie
Simon Biddie’s photograph depicts California sea lions enjoying protected status in Espiritu Santo National Park in Mexico. The region is a no-fishing zone, providing the sea lions with a food-rich environment and a stable population. The only remaining threat for these animals is climate change.
‘Into the forest’ category: Falling Leaves are Blue – Himalayas, India, 2018
Winner of the ‘Into the Forest’ category, ‘Falling Leaves are Blue.’ Image: Kallol Mukherjee
Kallol Mukherjee captured a snowstorm in the Himalayas at an altitude of 4,267 m, just as a flock of Grandala birds invaded the landscape, offering a superb view of their synchronised flight or ‘murmurations’.
Stay connected with the Geographical newsletter!
In these turbulent times, we’re committed to telling expansive stories from across the globe, highlighting the everyday lives of normal but extraordinary people. Stay informed and engaged with Geographical.
Get Geographical’s latest news delivered straight to your inbox every Friday!
‘Polar Wonders’ category: Tiny Umbrella – Tasiilaq, East Greenland, 2018
The winning entry for the ‘Polar Worlds’ category. Image: Franco Banfi
Franco Banfi’s photograph of a tiny benthic hydromedusa, with a bell measuring less than a centimetre, won this year’s ‘Polar Wonders’ category. This little-known gelatinous organism lives in deep or polar waters.
The winner of the Students’ Choice, ‘Baby it’s Cold Out There!’. Image: David Feuerhelm
The beauty of Iceland won over the Principality’s high school students in David Feuerhelm’s photograph of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the fourth largest ice cap in the country. The glacier has many surreal ephemeral caves and landscapes.
Hey there, photography enthusiasts and wedding aficionados! We’re thrilled to unveil the remarkable winners of the Spring 2023 FdB Photo Award. This year’s collection of awe-inspiring images is a testament to the beauty and significance of weddings in our society. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the esteemed judges who had the challenging task of selecting these breathtaking photographs.
Justin Benson from USA, Nayara Andrade from Brasil and Shivali Chopra from India did an incredible work in selecting this collection among more than 1200 submitted photos. We also want to express our gratitude to all the talented photographers who submitted their work, as their passion and dedication continue to inspire us all. More than 180 photographers form all around the globe participated in this edition of FdB Awards.
Weddings hold a special place in our hearts, representing the beginning of a beautiful journey between two souls. They are a celebration of love, unity, and commitment, and they evoke a myriad of emotions that touch us deeply. From the joyful tears of the bride’s parents to the infectious laughter shared among friends, weddings create unforgettable memories that resonate for a lifetime.
Scroll down and insire yourself. Check their website for more galleries and information.
You can find more info about FdB Photography Awards:
#1 “I Have Been Abducted By You” Photo By Alberto Ramirez
#2 “A Smile Says It All” Photo By Marta Monés
#3 “Our Love Is Bigger Than Mountains” Photo By Stefano Cassaro
#4 “Darling, Can You Turn On The Fan Please?” Photo By Pedro Alvarez
#5 “You, Me And The City. What Else?” Photo By: Frippa
#6 “A Long Road To Walk Together!” Photo Gabriel Monsalve
#7 “Please Tell Me You Know How To Swim” Photo By Pedro Alvarez
#8 “Can’t Wait To Take My Shoes Off…” Photo By Rocio Sanchez
#9 “I Can’t Remember Where I Parked My Car…” Photo By Eder Peroza
#10 “You Are Safe With Me Darling… I Think!” Photo By Marnix De Stigter
#11 “H Who Laughs Last, Laughs Best” Photo By Estelle Carlier
#12 “I Finally Found It, The Space Portal!” Photo By Carmelo Ucchino
#13 “Don’t Worry Mummy, I Will Not Do It Again” Photo By Meral Soydas
#14 “Darling I Booked A 5.000 Stars Hotel” Photo By Sara Sganga
#15 “There Is A Special Light When I Am With You” Photo By Gaetano Pipitone
#16 “Magic Is A State Of Mind” Photo By Simona Cancelli
#17 “No Need For Gloves” Photo By Letizia Di Candia
#18 “Unidentified Flying Martini” Photo By Fran Ortiz
#19 “Sometimes Weddings Can Be… Strange” Photo By Angel Blanco
#20 “Don’t Freak Out: There Is Something On Your Head” Photo By Raul Barba
#21 “This Guest Was Really Thirsty!” Photo By Carlos Strazzullo
#22 “Redder Than Red” Photo By Luis Jordano
#23 “What I Like Most Of Weddings? The Party!” Photo By Pablo Banterla
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg
While out on a regular macro photography field trip with his friends, 45-year-old Singaporean photographer, Nicky Bay, managed to snap photos of a remarkably tiny but special crustacean.
It was a possible new species of isopods, which Bay nicknamed “Singapore Tiger”, for obvious reasons.
Armadillidae “Singapore Tiger”. Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
“Highly likely” to be endemic
Bay shared with Mothership that the unique isopods were actually photographed in early 2022.
He was in the midst of compiling a list of isopods when the particular trip took place, and had asked his friends to alert him to any isopods they came across.
“This time, they shouted louder and it proved to be something new to all of us,” Bay said.
Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
With much excitement, Bay immediately shared photos of the discovery with a local isopod Telegram chat group.
To protect the creatures, Bay did not share the location.
“Should poachers invade the space, the leaf litter would be compacted and it will affect the ecosystem as well,” Bay elaborated.
The isopods measure 12mm in length, the photographer shared.
This potentially new isopod species is not the only one of its kind to be dubbed a “tiger”.
“There are a few species in the region that were nicknamed various tiger names,” Bay pointed out.
“This particular species is much closer to a typical tiger with a bright orange base and distinct black stripes, unlike all of the other similar-looking species in Southeast Asia,” the photographer commented.
Bay gave it the name “Singapore Tiger” as it is “highly likely” that the isopods are only found in Singapore.
More work needs to be done to confirm new species
To verify that the isopods are indeed a possible new species, Bay consulted with local researchers.
It was confirmed that the “Singapore Tiger” belongs to the family Armadillidae, but this species’ genus has not been identified.
“So far, it does not have a perfect match with any existing genus,” Bay shared.
Foo Maosheng, entomologist at Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (National Museum of Singapore), shared that he has neither personally encountered the “Singapore Tiger” before nor heard about isopods with the tiger-like pattern found on the ones photographed by Bay.
As an entomologist, Foo spends plenty of time conducting surveys of undergrowth, the same habitat where isopods can be commonly found.
“When it comes to identifying an animal, and in this case, an arthropod (the group in which insects and crustaceans fall under), there are different taxonomic levels that zoologists will go down to determine the species,” Foo explained.
“Each time one goes down a taxonomic level, it gets more specific to a certain group of animals based on certain groups of features. In this case, the experts are ‘stuck’ at finding the genus of this isopod, and unable to go searching at the species level. If it is unable to match any at the genus level, it is safe to say that it is a new species.”
To confirm that the “Singapore Tiger” is indeed a new species, more work has to be done.
According to Foo, researchers or experts will need to have a closer examination of “Singapore Tiger” specimens and compare it with other known species in the world, especially in Southeast Asia.
This would require studying the isopod anatomically, which may entail microscopic work.
It may even require molecular work to see if its DNA matches that of any known isopods.
“When the science behind it confirms that it does not match any known records, they can describe it as a new species,” Foo said.
While they have yet to receive the necessary permits to collect specimens, Bay shared that arrangements are being made together with a team in Nanyang Technological University to sequence the DNA of the “Singapore Tiger”.
Not the only undescribed isopods in town
“Singapore Tiger” is not the only possible new species of isopods to have been discovered by Bay.
On his website, which hosts an extensive checklist of the isopods he has photographed, three other isopods are listed as “unidentified Armadillidae“.
They are nicknamed “Sentosa”, “Mini purple”, and “Platin tung song”.
Armadillidae “Sentosa”. Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Armadillidae “Mini Purple”. Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Armadillidae “Platin Tung Song”. Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Another belonging to the family Scleropactidae has been nicknamed “Big Bear”.
Scleropactidae “Big Bear”. Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Bay said that these did not get as much attention as they were “not as attractive” as the “Singapore Tiger”.
Furthermore, compared to the “Singapore Tiger” which has only been spotted at a localised spot, these other isopods were found in multiple parts of the country.
According to Bay, few people pay attention to isopods in the wild in Singapore.
Even for macro photographers, isopods may look similar in appearance and are hence overlooked.
“It is very likely that we can find new terrestrial isopods in Singapore since there are only a very small handful known species. The rest have been sighted or observed but no species name has been given to date. These are the ones [that] could be waiting to be described as new species,” Foo explained.
Started checklists to inspire interest
Bay began putting together his isopod checklist when a group of his friends started keeping isopods as pets in late 2020.
Since then, Bay has also started a website to catalogue isopods from the world over.
However, he has been photographing microfauna for 15 years and has a particular interest in invertebrates.
“I like to document invertebrates and showcase their diversity through macro photography as they are often overlooked. You can see from my website that I have many other ‘catalogues’ or checklists for other groups of invertebrates. In a way, the checklists help others identify the various species available in different localities and deeply appreciate them. Eventually, others may also learn about the conservation of our biodiversity. As cheesy as it sounds, we cannot love what we don’t know and we cannot conserve what we don’t love.”
When he is not behind his camera and out looking for invertebrates, Bay is a software engineer by training and is currently working as a chief technology officer.
Isopods, being crustaceans, are cousins of crabs and lobsters. They can be found in marine habitats or on land.
Despite living on land, terrestrial isopods breathe through gills. They require damp environments, such as those found in moist undergrowth, to survive.
By consuming decaying organic matter, terrestrial isopods play a key ecological role as nature’s recyclers.
There’s no denying the energy or ambition of Tate Modern’s new exhibition of contemporary African photography: Hassan Hajjaj’s stereotype-smashing portraits of Marrakech’s “Kesh angels” biker girls, for instance, fizz like stills from a vintage MTV video. Nevertheless, A World in Common proves an impossible-to-corral project, marred by curatorial missteps.
How could it be otherwise? Africa is home to 1.2 billion people; acknowledging, from the off, that the continent isn’t a single, culturally homogenous block, Tate foregrounds regional differences and “multiple realities”. Consequently (and despite featuring 36 artists), the show feels abbreviated and bitty. One minute, we’re at a South African picnic; the next, glimpsing indigenous communities more than four thousand miles away in Algeria. What, exactly, do these two “worlds” have in “common”?
As it happens, those black-and-white Algerian studio photographs, each around 60 years old, point to another quirk of the approach: the partial inclusion of historical material within an exhibition that calls itself “contemporary”. James Barnor’s graceful studio shots of Ghanaians during the 1950s, for instance, get a look-in, but there’s no room for the West African studio photographers Malick Sidibé or Seydou Keïta, who’re both namechecked in the (stylish) catalogue. Zanele Muholi isn’t among the living artists either (presumably because their survey will return to Tate Modern next summer) – adding to the impression of incompleteness.
Moreover, the work on display can feel patchy, and I left unconvinced that so much of it was seeking to “challenge the colonial gaze”, as the curators assert. That said, a youthful likeness of the late Queen Elizabeth II, which forms a prominent element in the design of a ceremonial robe worn by Obi Anyasi II (once Africa’s longest reigning king) in a portrait by the Nigerian George Osodi, suggests that many African photographers are still dealing with the legacy of colonial rule.
If contemporary African photography has an aesthetic, then, on this evidence, it esteems frontality, high-keyed colours and eye-catching pattern, and a theatrical quality enhanced by painted backdrops and plasticky props. An entire section foregrounds the unexpected use of masks – including a natty Liquorice-Allsorts number in pink and black, commissioned by the former BBC journalist Zina Saro-Wiwa.
It is that time of year again when families head out for Fourth of July festivities, to reach a climactic end with a panoramic view of fireworks exploding in the night sky. While many will want to just sit back and take in the magnificent view, others will want to capture them on a camera so they can look back on a fantastical evening.
July 4th typically means a day spent enjoying time with the family, cooking on the grill, and then everyone heading out just before dusk to catch the local fireworks show. For the many that will attempt to capture the light show in the sky with a digital camera, here are a few tips to help grab some gorgeous memories. Even if someone uses their smartphone, many of these tips will apply to them as well.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember to take with you to the fireworks show is a sturdy tripod. Being able to steady your camera will ensure a crisp and clear image, while shooting handheld may cause the image to become blurred. If you do plan to use a tripod, having a cable release, or a remote shutter release, will be of great assistance, as just touching the shutter button on the camera itself can cause your camera to move. Turning off vibration reduction in the camera settings is a good idea as well, as it usually does not play well with a tripod.
Another great piece of equipment to have in your camera bag is a spare battery. If the fireworks last for an extended period of time, chances are you will be snapping a ton of images. Having a spare battery could mean being able to capture the grand finale or missing it altogether. The same goes for having a spare memory card. If someone is shooting in high-resolution and RAW at the same time, which is recommended, those files can take up a lot of space very quickly.
Prime lenses are great for capturing sharp and detailed imagery. However, having a wide-angle lens will be the best bet for being able to capture all of the fireworks and the scenery in the foreground. Those planning on using a zoom lens will want to use the widest angle available, as to capture more of the night sky, and then zoom in as desired from there.
Try composing images using different angles and with interesting backgrounds. Many will simply point their camera toward the sky and only capture the fireworks themselves, so think outside the box and be creative. Step back from the crowd and try and incorporate it into the image with the fireworks being the background. If there are buildings or a city skyline in the foreground, include those in some of the photos as well.
When it comes to camera settings, a good place to start is having the camera in manual mode with an ISO of 100 or whatever the lowest available is, with longer shutter speeds in the range of 1.5 to 4 seconds in order to capture more of the firework trails. F-stop will typically fall somewhere between f/8 to f/16, depending on location. So, start at f/8 and adjust from there as needed. Photographers will want to underexpose their images because fireworks are extremely bright. Keep in mind that all of these settings may need to be adjusted once the show starts, so be ready to adjust accordingly.
At the end of the day, having fun is the name of the game. Don’t get overly stressed trying to capture the perfect image. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with framing images in a unique manner, or even blurring the fireworks for a dramatic effect. All of us at HotHardware wish everyone a very happy Fourth of July.
William is a passionate photographer with a keen eye for capturing the hidden gems of the USA and Canada. With a journey that began in 2007 and a full immersion into the art of spherical panoramas later on, William continues to explore and learn new techniques along the way.
His photographic endeavors serve as a pictorial diary, capturing the essence of unique and offbeat places that often remain undiscovered by the general public. William’s curiosity leads him to document these locations, preserving their beauty and allowing viewers to experience them through his lens.
Throughout the month of June, William has shared his vision with the world by publishing 49 stunning panoramas. Each panorama transports viewers to a different corner of the continent, from the breathtaking summit of The Whaleback to the scenic trails of Goosenest and the captivating interior of Tom Smith Cabin.
William joined the 360Cities community in 2010, and has since become a valued contributor, he holds the Maestro badge. His dedication to documenting the ever-changing landscapes and his solo exploration adventures continue to inspire fellow photographers and enthusiasts alike.To witness the beauty of North America through William L.’s lens, be sure to explore his profile on 360Cities. Prepare to be amazed and discover hidden treasures that will leave you longing for your own exploration journey.
Whether you’re a budding amateur photographer or a seasoned expert seeking a reliable smartphone companion for your photography ventures, look no further than the OPPO Reno series. This remarkable lineup has consistently proven itself as the ultimate partner for creators, empowering individuals to unleash their inner master photographer.
Over the years, the expectations of smartphone users have evolved, particularly when it comes to mobile photography. Initially, the focus was on capturing “clearer pictures,” which then shifted to capturing “nicer pictures.” Today, the desire is to create stunning compositions with captivating interplay between light and shadow. Recognizing this evolution, OPPO remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of mobile camera technology through ingenious hardware and software advancements, ensuring users have access to cutting-edge imaging innovations.
Portrait photography has become an integral part of everyone’s daily life in today’s world. OPPO was quick to identify this growing trend, even in its early stages. According to OPPO’s internal data, portraits account for a significant 30.1% of all photography behaviors among APAC users, making it the top scenario.
OPPO’s Reno series has earned its reputation as the “Portrait Expert” for a reason. It continuously pushes the boundaries of smartphone camera technology, staying true to the brand’s commitment of always being ahead in terms of inspiration. Each product in the Reno series aims to inspire users with its unparalleled portrait imaging capability, setting new standards in the industry.
Since its introduction in 2019, the OPPO Reno series has undergone multiple innovative upgrades, all with the goal of delivering the ultimate portrait photo-taking experience. By empowering photographers to become their own portrait experts, OPPO has opened up a new world of smartphone photography, enabling users to capture images that are truly lifelike, one Reno at a time.
Let’s take a look at some of the remarkable features that make the Reno series stand out:
The OPPO Reno 1 to 3: The First Step
Image: OPPO
With the OPPO Reno 1 to 3, users were introduced to the revolutionary “shark fin-style” 16MP F/2.0 selfie camera. This unique design pops up from the top of the phone, providing users with a wide 79.3-degree field of view for stunning selfies.
The Reno 2 and Reno 3 models ushered users into the era of “Ultra Steady Video.” No longer did shaky, amateur videography plague users’ footage. The introduction of “Ultra Steady Video” technology ensured an exceptionally clear and smooth video experience, rivalling the quality of purpose-built action cameras.
These standout features are just a glimpse of what the Reno mobile series has to offer, demonstrating OPPO’s commitment to providing users with extraordinary smartphone photography capabilities.
Reno 4 to 5: Perfecting the Beautification Portrait Experience
Image: OPPO
The OPPO Reno4 Pro, accompanied by its captivating campaign tagline “Clearly The Best You,” revolutionised users’ ability to capture stunning portraits with its array of key features. Notably, the Night Flare Portrait feature allowed users to achieve a breathtaking bokeh effect in their portrait shots by delicately blurring light sources in the background while keeping the subject sharply in focus. This created a visually striking contrast between the subject and the background. Additionally, the AI Color Portrait feature empowered users to be the focal point of the portrait, maintaining vibrant colours on the subject while transforming the background into an elegant black and white.
Embracing the concept of “Living the Infinite,” the OPPO Reno5 Pro introduced a multitude of cutting-edge camera features, including advanced light processing, colour processing, and post-processing technology. These innovations simplified the photo-taking process and opened up limitless possibilities for users. Notably, the Reno5 Pro showcased the OPPO Full Dimension Fusion (FDF) Portrait Video System, a remarkable integration of powerful hardware, flexible software, and intelligent algorithms. This system significantly enhanced video quality and portrait effects, elevating the user’s video experience to a premium level.
A professional photographer and videographer, who was recommended the OPPO Reno5 Pro by a fellow Reno series user, shared his experience with the device. He praised its remarkable features like Dual-view and AI highlight, which allowed him to create captivating and entertaining content for his clients. Not limited to content creation, the Reno5 Pro excelled in all aspects. Its powerful hardware made on-the-go video editing effortless, and the device delivered seamless gaming performance without any lag, enhancing the user’s overall experience.
Reno 6: Unlocking DSLR-Like Portrait Effects
Image: OPPO
With the OPPO Reno6 Pro, users are presented with the opportunity to capture their lives in stunning portrait mode. OPPO’s relentless focus on innovative imaging technology has resulted in the development of groundbreaking features for the Reno6 Pro. One such feature is the Bokeh Flair Portrait, which effortlessly adds cinematic bokeh effects to portrait videos, producing results that rival those captured with a DSLR camera. By intelligently blurring the background, the subject becomes the focal point, allowing them to stand out in any setting, at any time.
The AI Portrait video feature further empowers users to shoot high-quality portrait videos with ease, anytime and anywhere they desire. OPPO recognizes the inherent value of videography, which lies in its ability to capture the essence of people, objects, and emotions. With the Reno6 Pro, users can preserve special moments in stunning high definition, ensuring that the true essence of each memory is beautifully captured.
Reno 7 to 8: Setting a New Standard in Imaging Quality, Mastering Low-Light Portraits
Image: OPPO
The OPPO Reno7 Pro 5G marked a significant leap forward for the Reno series, ushering in a new era of focus on imaging capabilities. With features like Portrait Mode and Bokeh Flare Portrait Video, the Reno7 Pro empowered users to capture DSLR-like portraits. Recognized as the “portrait expert,” this emphasis on portrait photography was a response to popular demand. Internal data revealed that portrait photography accounted for 28.4% of all shooting scenarios among Malaysian OPPO users. It was this insight that drove the OPPO Reno series to continuously enhance the “portrait expert” experience, catering to the photography needs of its users.
A delighted user of the OPPO Reno7 Pro shared her experience and praised the device’s exceptional camera performance. She highlighted the mind-blowing quality of the camera, especially for capturing fun and creative photos. The impressive features and overall quality of the Reno7 Pro, particularly for portraits, left a lasting impression on her.
Shifting focus to the OPPO Reno8 Pro 5G, the emphasis was placed on empowering users to capture ultra-clear night portraits. The device provided an optimized shooting experience in low-light environments, delivering ultra-clear photos even in the darkest of nights. Furthermore, the Reno8 Pro 5G showcased an upgraded Dual Sony Flagship Sensor setup, featuring the IMX709 for the front camera and the IMX766 for the rear camera, further enhancing the overall imaging capabilities of the device.
So What’s Next For OPPO Reno?
Image: OPPO
The OPPO Reno series has visibly undergone many feature upgrades over the years to provide users with an immersive portrait photography experience and users have been anticipating the next experience in the Reno series.
Well, the wait is finally over!
OPPO is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of its highly anticipated OPPO Reno10 series. With the Reno10 series, OPPO is introducing a revolutionary “Pro-level” portrait phone experience for the very first time. This groundbreaking milestone further solidifies the Reno series as the leading mobile portrait smartphone, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in portrait photography.
What’s better is that you can be a part of the launch by joining their livestream on the 6th of July, 11am via this link. Join OPPO as they embark on an exciting journey, ushering in a new and improved era of telephoto portrait photography that will captivate photographers worldwide.
Be sure to register here to stay updated with the latest information on the legendary fleet of OPPO Reno series devices. For more details, please visit their website.
This article is brought to you by OPPO.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
The Central Catchment area is known for its cluster of nature parks that offer a contrast to the modern stylings of downtown Singapore. But it’s not all just woody trails and secondary rainforests.
Thomson Nature Park may not be as sprawling as the other nature reserves and parks in the area but this buffer park has some gems of its own. Buffer parks refer to green areas which act as a buffer between urban development and nature reserves to reduce pressures and stresses on the reserves.
The park officially opened to the public in October 2019 and was also the former site of a Hainan village in Singapore. And if you think village life is bucolic, this area was also known for another pretty exciting event.
The village life
The village was established in the 1930s by Hainanese immigrants who were one of the last Chinese communities to settle in Singapore and was known for its rambutan plantations and farms, of which you can still see remnants today.
By the 1960s, it was housing approximately 100 families who came from various dialect groups and ethnicities. Farming was the main livelihood in the village and residents reared poultry and pigs, and cultivated fruits like rambutan, durian and pineapple.
In the 1980s when Singapore went through an age of urban development, people left villages to live in more modern homes and the land was overtaken by secondary forest.
Remains of a kitchen. Photo: Delfina Utomo
The trails that go through the forest take you through some ruins that show what’s left of a pig farm, a kitchen, outhouses, abandoned wells and old road signs.
There is also information on certain ruins and areas in the trail further describing how life was in the village and also prompting you to look for the right things among the ruins.
Famous residents
Fun fact: One of the families who settled in the village went on to open one of Singapore’s popular franchises.
The family-run business started selling western food and Chinese dishes such as Hainanese pork chop. In 1978, the Han family set up a small bakery in the nearby Upper Thomson Road and eventually expanded it islandwide to become the Han’s Cafe chain.
Grand Prix track
While the Singapore Grand Prix these days pulls in the biggest names in motorsport and entertainment, in September 1961, the first grand prix was held in the Thomson Road circuit which went through the village.
The circuit rain 4.8km long and included some very dangerous hairpins and bends, including the infamous Devil’s Bend. This bend was also the most dangerous turn of the circuit and the Thomson Road circuit was reputed to be one of the most dangerous tracks in the world.
It is also exactly why plenty of road accidents happened here and the race was discontinued from 1973 onwards.
Now, the Singapore Grand Prix is held in the Marina Bay street circuit and is one of the most popular tracks with the Formula 1 drivers.
Wildlife in the park
Since Thomson Nature Park opened to the public, it’s also a place to spot some wildlife. Residents of the park include the lesser mousedeer, macaques, the straw-headed bulbul and more.
A freshwater stream also runs through the park and is home to native aquatic species like the near-threatened spotted tree frog and the Malayan box terrapin.
The elusive Raffles Banded Langur also known as the banded leaf monkey. Photo: Facebook/Raffles’ Banded Langurs
Its most famous – but elusive – residents is the banded leaf monkey known to have a body of black fur, distinguishable rings around their eyes, and bright orange babies.
The monkey is also a native animal in Singapore and was discovered by Sir Stamford Raffles almost 200 years ago when they were commonly spotted around Singapore. Today there are only about 60 of these monkeys left in the wild.
Armadillidae “Singapore Tiger”. Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Armadillidae “Sentosa”. Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Armadillidae “Mini Purple”. Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Armadillidae “Platin Tung Song”. Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
Scleropactidae “Big Bear”. Photo courtesy of Nicky Bay.
