The ban on photography in the Kedarnath Temple here was violated when a pilgrim clicked a photo of spiritual leader Morari Bapu while he was offering prayers inside the sanctum sanctorum. The man was identified with the help of CCTV camera footage after the photo went viral on social media platforms on Saturday, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) media in-charge Harish Gaud said on Sunday.
A resident of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, the man was let off after he offered a written apology and a donation of Rs 11,000 to the BKTC, he said. According to the devotee, he clicked the photograph of the spiritual leader, who has followers across the country, out of sheer excitement.
Morari Bapu was in Kedarnath during the course of his visit to the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country. The BKTC had put a ban on photoshoots in the Himalayan temple earlier this week and displayed a notice to this effect on the main gates. It also asked people to wear “decent clothes” and desist from setting up tents or camps in the temple precincts.
(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
VoidTokyo is an 11-member photo collective founded in 2017 by street photographer Tatsuo Suzuki that is committed to printing the photographs of its members to the medium of paper through regular publication of zines and exhibitions.
“I approached photographers who were interested in my work but mainly active on the internet without having the opportunity to exhibit or publish their photobooks,” says Suzuki, 58. “The idea behind VoidTokyo is to take pictures of Tokyo together and leave them on paper.”
“Because no matter how good the photo is on the internet, it just goes on the (Instagram) timeline and nothing (physical) remains.”
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Photos such as these by Green Lake native Sarah Hudzinski will be on display at Thrasher Opera House.
Sarah Hudzinski photo
Green Lake’s Thrasher Opera House will host an exhibit featuring the works of photographer Sarah Hudzinski through Thursday, Aug. 31, with an artist reception taking place Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Sarah Hudzinski
This exhibit may be viewed Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For after-hour visits, call 920-294-4279 to schedule a time. Thursday’s artist reception is free and open to the public; a cash bar will be available.
Hudzinski is a native of the Green Lake area and spent her childhood playing in the woods and waters of Wisconsin. That passion for outdoor adventures spilled over into an interest in photography and capturing the beauty of the natural world.
The camera soon became the perfect medium for her to document those moments she experienced — those moments in time and nature discovered by chance.
Hudzinski noted that her landscape photography often focuses on long exposures that captures the emotion of water and energy of the environment. Her images reflect her philosophy of finding beauty in everything and her art is an extension of her affinity for the serene, healing aspects of the natural world.
Hudzinski is a self-taught nature and landscape photographer specializing in open and large-format, museum-quality limited-edition fine art photography prints. Print buyers include private collectors for home decor, corporate fine art buyers and art consultants for architectural design jobs.
Thrasher Opera House’s mission is to promote the arts and the power of live performance, provide a community gathering place and preserve the historic opera house.
For more information, visit www.thrasheroperahouse.com.
NEW DELHI: Days after a video of a woman blogger proposing to her boyfriend in front of the temple went viral, Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee has banned photography and videography inside Kedarnath temple. Boards have been placed at various places on the temple premises prohibiting photography and videography. “Do not enter the temple premises with mobile phones; any kind of photography and videography is strictly prohibited inside the temple and you are under the surveillance of CCTV cameras,” reads boards on temple premises.
Photo: ANI video grab.
The committee has also warned that if anyone is caught taking photos or making videos, legal action will be taken against them. The temple has also asked the people to wear “decent clothes” and desist from setting up tents or camps in the temple precincts. “In the past, some pilgrims were making videos and reels inside the temple in an indecent manner as well as clicking pictures…It will be implemented strictly, that is why warning boards have also been installed at Kedarnath,” reported news agency ANI quoting Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee president Ajendra Ajay. He said although no complaints have been received from the Badrinath Dham yet, such boards will also be installed there.
Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee on Monday announced a complete prohibition of photography and videography inside Kedarnath Temple premises. Read further on Dynamite News:
Rudraprayag: Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee on Monday announced a complete prohibition of photography and videography inside Kedarnath Temple premises.
The temple committee has also posted warning signs throughout the Kedarnath Temple premises, advising visitors that if they are seen taking pictures or recordings, legal action will be taken against them.
Boards are put up in several places of the temple premises which read, ‘Do not enter the temple premises with mobile phones; any kind of photography and videography is strictly prohibited inside the temple and you are under the surveillance of CCTV cameras’.
Speaking to ANI, President of Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee Ajay Ajendra said that the pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath Dham have also been urged to dress modestly, and said that these guidelines have been released in light of certain obscene behaviour reported in the past.
“Pilgrims to Kedarnath have been urged to dress modestly. In the past, some pilgrims had been caught filming and taking photos indecently inside the temple,” Ajay Ajendra told ANI.
The temple committee imposed this ban after a wrong message was sent due to the purported indecent behaviour of certain pilgrims. Warning boards have also been installed at Kedarnath to implement the guidelines strictly, said the Temple Committee President.
Earlier this month, following the viral video in which a girl was seen proposing to her boyfriend near Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand, Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) wrote to Kedarnath Dham Police seeking a ban on making videos around the temple area.
In the letter, BKTC asked Kedarnath Dham Police to keep strictly monitor the area around the Temple and take action against those making YouTube shorts/videos/Instagram reels to ensure any such incident is not repeated.
This comes after a girl proposed her boyfriend near Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand. During this, a friend of the girl made a video that went viral on social media.After the video went viral, a debate broke out among internet users. After knowing about this matter, the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee has taken a tough stand in this matter.
The temple committee says that making such videos or reels on the premises has a negative impact on the religious sanctity of the place. The temple committee has asked the police to take action against the people making such videos. (ANI)
Aerial photography has revolutionized the way we see and understand our world. By capturing images from above, this unique form of photography offers a fresh perspective, unveiling breathtaking landscapes, revealing patterns, and providing valuable insights into various fields. In this article, we will delve into the art and applications of aerial photography, exploring its history, techniques, and impact on industries such as mapping, environmental monitoring, tourism, and filmmaking.
The History of Aerial Photography: The concept of capturing images from the air dates back to the mid-19th century, when the French photographer Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, known as Nadar, took the first documented aerial photograph in 1858. Since then, aerial photography has evolved significantly, progressing from manned balloon flights to the development of specialized aerial platforms like kites, pigeons, and eventually aircraft and drones. Technological advancements in cameras, lenses, and image stabilization have further enhanced the quality and versatility of aerial imagery.
Techniques and Equipment: Aerial photographers employ various techniques and equipment to capture stunning images from above. Traditional aerial photography involves using fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters equipped with high-resolution cameras. These platforms allow photographers to cover vast areas and capture detailed images with precision. However, the use of drones has democratized aerial photography, providing an affordable and accessible alternative. Drones equipped with cameras offer flexibility, maneuverability, and the ability to reach areas that were previously inaccessible, such as densely populated cities or remote natural landscapes.
Applications of Aerial Photography: 3.1 Mapping and Surveying: Aerial photography plays a vital role in cartography, surveying, and mapping. High-resolution aerial images are used to create accurate topographic maps, monitor land use changes, and aid in urban planning. These images provide valuable data for infrastructure development, disaster management, and environmental conservation efforts.
3.2 Environmental Monitoring: Aerial photography is instrumental in assessing and monitoring environmental conditions. It helps scientists and researchers study ecosystems, track changes in vegetation cover, detect deforestation, and monitor the impact of natural disasters. Aerial surveys also assist in wildlife conservation by tracking animal populations, migration patterns, and habitat changes.
3.3 Tourism and Marketing: Aerial photography has transformed the tourism industry by offering captivating images of destinations, landmarks, and natural wonders. These images entice travelers, allowing them to visualize their potential experiences and make informed decisions about their trips. Additionally, aerial photographs are extensively used in marketing campaigns by resorts, travel agencies, and hospitality businesses to showcase their offerings and attract visitors.
3.4 Filmmaking and Cinematography: In the world of filmmaking, aerial photography has revolutionized the way stories are told on the big screen. Aerial shots provide a cinematic perspective, capturing sweeping vistas, dynamic action sequences, and awe-inspiring aerial views. Filmmakers use aerial footage to enhance storytelling, evoke emotions, and create immersive visual experiences for the audience.
Ethical and Legal Considerations: While aerial photography offers remarkable opportunities, it also raises ethical and legal considerations. Privacy concerns arise when capturing images from above, and regulations regarding drone usage and airspace restrictions vary across countries. Striking a balance between capturing stunning visuals and respecting privacy rights is crucial, requiring responsible and ethical practices from aerial photographers.
Conclusion: Aerial photography has revolutionized the way we perceive the world, offering a unique perspective that was previously inaccessible. From its humble beginnings to the modern era of drones, aerial photography has become an essential tool in various industries, including mapping, environmental monitoring, tourism, and filmmaking. As technology continues to advance, the art of aerial photography will evolve, enabling us to capture even more stunning images and gain new insights into our planet. Embracing the potential of aerial photography while addressing ethical and legal considerations is essential for unlocking its full potential and ensuring a responsible and sustainable future for this remarkable art form.
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(MENAFN- 3BL Media Inc) originally published on wildlifehc.org
We’ve all heard the phrase“a picture is worth a thousand words.” Science has even backed up the powerful impact of imagery, with research showing that people tend to remember ideas presented in pictures better than in words.
Professionals who work in sustainability often find themselves needing to make the case for conservation. Whether that’s championing an effort like composting waste scraps from the campus cafeteria, securing funds to plant a pollinator garden on-site or informing community members about a local threatened species, convincing the stakeholders involved in these decisions requires using all the tools available – and that’s where conservation photography comes in.
Like all forms of photography, conservation photography tells a story, often about the beauty and majesty of nature as well as the factors that threaten species’ or ecosystems’ survival. When it comes to getting buy-in from key decisionmakers, educating students or just inspiring the general public, conservation photography is a powerful way to demonstrate the far-reaching impact of conservation work. This blog will explore how corporate conservation professionals (or anyone!) can use photography to support their conservation goals.
Bring wildlife close to home
Photography literally provides a close-up look at species or environments that people might not encounter otherwise. It can be easy to focus only on the animals or plants we see every day, which means it can also be easy to forget about those that exist half a world away. Conservation photography is a helpful reminder of the sheer diversity of life on earth. It also provides perspective, serving as a reminder that even the ecosystems and species found at one’s own workplace or in the backyard are just as valuable as those in exotic locales.
Tell a story
Like all artforms, conservation photography is storytelling at its core. Neuroscience confirms that stories impact the brain’s neurons , making them fire similarly to the person telling the story and creating a bond between the storyteller and the audience. This even leads to the release of dopamine, a feel-good chemical that helps people recall the story later. Using still images or video to illustrate the needs and experiences of a particular species reaches audiences on a visual, intellectual and emotional level.
Wildlife filmmaker and WHC Board member chris morgan is no stranger to the power of storytelling. Through his documentary projects like beartrek and path of the bear , Morgan’s own story and the stories of biologists and conservationists coincides with the bear species he is documenting. BEARTREK, for example, charts Morgan’s seven-year journey across three continents to understand the conservation efforts protecting species like the spectacled bear , polar bear and sun bear . By weaving human stories into the stories of rare species, conservation photographers and filmmakers build a strong bond with their audience.
Contribute to scientific research
Conservation photography provides visual data, especially when it comes to rare species. In addition to observing what a specific plant or animal looks like, photographers are incidentally also identifying its abundance, location, condition and behavior, which are all important data for understanding a population. Contributing to citizen or community science efforts allows anyone to be part of the study of a particular ecosystem or species. Amateur and professional photographers alike can submit photos and other data to initiatives like nestwatch , inaturalist and other community science programs in order to contribute to the widespread understanding of a species.
Demonstrate a change over time
Nature is fluid, constantly evolving and adapting. Conservation photography illustrates both the harmful and beneficial changes that have occurred in an environment over time. Taking a photo of the same location at different times throughout the year – also called photo point monitoring – can show the effects of industrialization or habitat degradation; however, these repeat photographs can also showcase the positive effects of conservation efforts, from grassland restoration to the return of a species that had previously lost its habitat.
Get employees involved
One way to encourage conservation photography as well as employee engagement is through contests. Employee photography contests showcase the on-site biodiversity to a company’s entire employee base, explained Ann George, Senior Scientist at WHC member mining company Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), which has held an employee contest for over 10 years.“When people think of a mining company, they don’t think of wildlife,” George said, so a photography contest is a great way to educate employees and the broader community about how a company is managing and preserving biodiversity.
FCX develops a specific set of criteria for entries, including the exclusion of any invasive or ornamental species. The company’s biodiversity task force reviews the entries, of which they receive 400-500 each year, and the top choices are submitted to WHC’s annual calendar, printed and hung in the corporate office and showcased on computer lock screens across the company.
WHC member CEMEX also holds a photography contest for employees.“CEMEX’s ‘Nature Positive’ photo contest has helped us to connect with our employees around their positive experiences with nature on our sites, while demonstrating the important role that industry can play in halting and reversing biodiversity loss,” explained Jerae Carlson, Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Communications & Public Affairs at CEMEX USA. Not only does the contest raise awareness about on-site wildlife, but it also creates connections between coworkers.“Employees are often eager to share their positive experiences with nature and to see nature through the lens of their colleagues.”
For companies thinking about starting a photography contest, Carlson and George provided some tips.“Make it easy for everyone to participate,” said Carlson. CEMEX developed several submission options for employees, including a specific email address as well as a QR code that allowed employees without a company email to submit photos from their phones. Promoting the contest is also key: George recommended publicizing the contest thoroughly to employees and marketing it as an opportunity to hone photography skills while learning more about the company’s biodiversity projects.
You don’t have to be a professional photographer to have a positive impact on conservation with your photos. Armed with a smartphone, a keen sense of observation and a little bit of patience, anyone can capture moments in nature that support greater conservation goals.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Wildlife Habitat Council
Originally published on wildlifehc.org
We’ve all heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Science has even backed up the powerful impact of imagery, with research showing that people tend to remember ideas presented in pictures better than in words.
Professionals who work in sustainability often find themselves needing to make the case for conservation. Whether that’s championing an effort like composting waste scraps from the campus cafeteria, securing funds to plant a pollinator garden on-site or informing community members about a local threatened species, convincing the stakeholders involved in these decisions requires using all the tools available – and that’s where conservation photography comes in.
Like all forms of photography, conservation photography tells a story, often about the beauty and majesty of nature as well as the factors that threaten species’ or ecosystems’ survival. When it comes to getting buy-in from key decisionmakers, educating students or just inspiring the general public, conservation photography is a powerful way to demonstrate the far-reaching impact of conservation work. This blog will explore how corporate conservation professionals (or anyone!) can use photography to support their conservation goals.
Bring wildlife close to home
Photography literally provides a close-up look at species or environments that people might not encounter otherwise. It can be easy to focus only on the animals or plants we see every day, which means it can also be easy to forget about those that exist half a world away. Conservation photography is a helpful reminder of the sheer diversity of life on earth. It also provides perspective, serving as a reminder that even the ecosystems and species found at one’s own workplace or in the backyard are just as valuable as those in exotic locales.
Tell a story
Like all artforms, conservation photography is storytelling at its core. Neuroscience confirms that stories impact the brain’s neurons, making them fire similarly to the person telling the story and creating a bond between the storyteller and the audience. This even leads to the release of dopamine, a feel-good chemical that helps people recall the story later. Using still images or video to illustrate the needs and experiences of a particular species reaches audiences on a visual, intellectual and emotional level.
Wildlife filmmaker and WHC Board member Chris Morgan is no stranger to the power of storytelling. Through his documentary projects like BEARTREK and Path of The Bear, Morgan’s own story and the stories of biologists and conservationists coincides with the bear species he is documenting. BEARTREK, for example, charts Morgan’s seven-year journey across three continents to understand the conservation efforts protecting species like the spectacled bear, polar bear and sun bear. By weaving human stories into the stories of rare species, conservation photographers and filmmakers build a strong bond with their audience.
Contribute to scientific research
Conservation photography provides visual data, especially when it comes to rare species. In addition to observing what a specific plant or animal looks like, photographers are incidentally also identifying its abundance, location, condition and behavior, which are all important data for understanding a population. Contributing to citizen or community science efforts allows anyone to be part of the study of a particular ecosystem or species. Amateur and professional photographers alike can submit photos and other data to initiatives like NestWatch, iNaturalist and other community science programs in order to contribute to the widespread understanding of a species.
Demonstrate a change over time
Nature is fluid, constantly evolving and adapting. Conservation photography illustrates both the harmful and beneficial changes that have occurred in an environment over time. Taking a photo of the same location at different times throughout the year – also called photo point monitoring – can show the effects of industrialization or habitat degradation; however, these repeat photographs can also showcase the positive effects of conservation efforts, from grassland restoration to the return of a species that had previously lost its habitat.
Get employees involved
One way to encourage conservation photography as well as employee engagement is through contests. Employee photography contests showcase the on-site biodiversity to a company’s entire employee base, explained Ann George, Senior Scientist at WHC member mining company Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), which has held an employee contest for over 10 years. “When people think of a mining company, they don’t think of wildlife,” George said, so a photography contest is a great way to educate employees and the broader community about how a company is managing and preserving biodiversity.
FCX develops a specific set of criteria for entries, including the exclusion of any invasive or ornamental species. The company’s biodiversity task force reviews the entries, of which they receive 400-500 each year, and the top choices are submitted to WHC’s annual calendar, printed and hung in the corporate office and showcased on computer lock screens across the company.
WHC member CEMEX also holds a photography contest for employees. “CEMEX’s ‘Nature Positive’ photo contest has helped us to connect with our employees around their positive experiences with nature on our sites, while demonstrating the important role that industry can play in halting and reversing biodiversity loss,” explained Jerae Carlson, Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Communications & Public Affairs at CEMEX USA. Not only does the contest raise awareness about on-site wildlife, but it also creates connections between coworkers. “Employees are often eager to share their positive experiences with nature and to see nature through the lens of their colleagues.”
For companies thinking about starting a photography contest, Carlson and George provided some tips. “Make it easy for everyone to participate,” said Carlson. CEMEX developed several submission options for employees, including a specific email address as well as a QR code that allowed employees without a company email to submit photos from their phones. Promoting the contest is also key: George recommended publicizing the contest thoroughly to employees and marketing it as an opportunity to hone photography skills while learning more about the company’s biodiversity projects.
You don’t have to be a professional photographer to have a positive impact on conservation with your photos. Armed with a smartphone, a keen sense of observation and a little bit of patience, anyone can capture moments in nature that support greater conservation goals.
View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Wildlife Habitat Council on 3blmedia.com.
View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/767403/A-Picture-Is-Worth-a-Thousand-Words-Supporting-Conservation-Through-Photography
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra And Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Samsung / Apple
Through the pandemic, I became passionate about photography. Although I’ve technically been doing “professional” product photography for articles featured on-line and in print for a couple of decades, it was only in the last few years that I stepped up my game. As much as I love my pro camera gear though, it’s not something you can carry around perpetually. As the old saying goes, “the best camera is the one that’s with you”, and like most of you, my smartphone camera is the one that’s almost always within reach. So, when presented with the opportunity to test a couple of the top smartphones for photography, I jumped at the chance.
The smartphones I’m referencing are the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. Both of these devices might be the current flagships for their respective manufacturers, but they couldn’t be any more different in terms of their rear “world facing” camera configurations (both cameras feature 12MP selfie cameras). The iPhone 14 Pro Max features a 48MP main camera, with a 24mm 7-element lens (ƒ/1.78 aperture), with sensor-shift optical image stabilization. That main camera is flanked by a 12MP Ultra Wide shooter, with a 13mm 6-element lens (ƒ/2.2 aperture) and a 120° field of view, and a 12MP Telephoto shooter, with a 77mm 6-element lens (ƒ/2.8 aperture), with 3x optical zoom (digital zoom up to 15x) and optical image stabilization.
1x Zoom, 10x Zoom, and 100x Zoom With The Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Marco Chiappetta
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features a bleeding-edge 200MP main camera with a 24mm lens (ƒ/1.7 aperture) and optical image stabilization. Adjacent to the main camera, there’s also a 10 MP “periscope telephoto” shooter (ƒ/4.9 aperture), with OIS and 10x optical zoom, a 10 MP telephoto camera with a 70mm lens (ƒ/2.4 aperture), OIS and 3x optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, with a 13mm lens (ƒ/2.2 aperture), 120˚ field of view, and Dual Pixel PDAF. The ultra-wide shooters on both the Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max also do double-duty as Macro shooters.
Those main camera specifications need some additional clarification, however. While many of today’s high-end smartphones boast ultra-high megapixel ratings, they also do something called “pixel-binning”. Pixel binning uses multiple pixels on the sensor to gather data that’s grouped, or “binned”, together to effectively act a single pixel of a certain color. For example, the iPhone’s 48MP main camera actually outputs 12MP images by default, because it is using quad-pixel binning. Users must shoot in RAW, which requires additional processing, to capture a 48MP image. The Galaxy S23 Ultra does the same thing; 200MP image captures are possible, but typical captures are 48MP. Pixel binning is one way to counter-balance the more limited light-gathering capabilities of the small pixels on densely-packed smartphone camera sensors. It results in more accurate color captures and less noise, but creates images that are only 25% of the maximum resolution of the sensor, when using quad-binning at least.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Crop From Zoomed Image
Marco Chiappetta
High-End Smartphone Camera Systems Require Massive Processing Power
Smartphones designed with high-quality photography in mind usually use complex image processing techniques, high-quality optics, and a multitude of computational photography technologies to capture and intelligently process as much image data as possible. As such, today’s smartphones require powerful image processors to not only produce high-quality images, but offer a good user experience.
A16 Bionic
Apple
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is powered by Apple’s own A16 Bionic chipset, which features a 16-Core Neural Engine capable of 17 TOPS and an advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP). The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform that features Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.’s first ever Cognitive ISP.
Sensor sizes and megapixel counts may be key differentiators that play a significant role in a smartphone camera system’s quality, but they are less relevant than most people think. Smartphones simply do not have the physical space to accommodate large camera sensors and a sensor’s pixel density can only be so high before image quality is negatively impacted, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Although there are other things to consider, in general, smaller pixels on a camera sensor gather less light than larger pixels (all other things being equal), which can degrade image quality in sub-optimal lighting. Because of this, a smartphone image processing capabilities are immensely important.
There’s isn’t much data available on Apple’s proprietary ISP. The company consistently enhances the capability of its “Axx” mobile processors with each generation, but specifics are scarce. Qualcomm has also enhanced its Snapdragon platforms over the years with leading image processing and computational photography features. Although Qualcomm’s partners, like Samsung, don’t typically enable every possible photography or videography-related feature available in the latest Snapdragon mobile platforms, those that place a strong emphasis on photography often produce devices capable of capturing excellent photos and videos. In fact, according to DxOMark, many of the best smartphone cameras are powered by Snapdragon.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Qualcomm
The Spectra Image Signal Processor featured in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has triple Cognitive ISPs, capable of processing 3.2 gigapixels per second. The trio of Cognitive ISPs gives devices like the Galaxy S23 Ultra the ability to leverage up to three independent cameras simultaneously and enables features like triple simultaneous image capture, seamless zooming between cameras, multi-capture HDR composites, and up to 200 Megapixel photo capture, among other things. The first of its kind Cognitive ISP in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, in conjunction with the chip’s Hexagon AI engine, also enables something called real-time “Semantic Segmentation”, which is enabled on the Galaxy S23’s selfie camera.
Semantic Segmentation leverages a neural network that was trained to identify many different objects, like people, faces, skies, grass, etc., and each of those objects can be segmented, and custom processing applied to them to enhance a captured image or video. If you’re familiar with image processing applications, you can think of the segments as layers, and each layer can be edited independently to produce a desired effect – bluer skies, smoother skin, greener grass – you get the idea. And since the segments can be altered independently, each segment can be properly exposed, saturated, or sharpened, without diminishing the quality of the other segments. As software support for Semantic Segmentation matures, it has the potential to be a real game changer.
Galaxy S23 Seflie
Marco Chiappetta
Both the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra use an array of computational photography techniques to produce images. Common computational photography features, like Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and HDR are available on both platforms. The Galaxy S23 Ultra also offers a feature called AI Zoom. AI Zoom is an experiential feature that gives users the ability to seamlessly zoom from the widest angle all the way to 100x zoom, spanning three different cameras, by simply pinching and zooming or using an on-screen slider. There’s no need to manually switch between the ultra-wide, standard, or telephoto camera, or to figure out which one is best to compose a particular shot.
The Mobile Photography Experience
Although I’m focusing on photography here, I should also note that both the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra are high-performance devices, which offer quality user experiences in general. Both of the phones are fast, and have myriad of photo and video-related features. Specifically as it related to photos and videos, autofocus is quick and accurate on both devices, they capture realistic tones and textures, and noise performance is also very good. For general photography, I think anyone coming from a previous-gen device is likely to be quite pleased. But there are some major advantages to the Qualcomm-powered Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra worth pointing out.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera application features a number of customizations required to give users access to some of the device’s special photo features, like Hyperlapse, Single Take, and Expert Raw, to name but a few. Users of any skill level, however, should be able to navigate its menu system and manipulate camera settings or quickly switch between modes. Although there are many options available to tune image quality to a user’s liking, auto-mode takes phenomenal shots. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is capable of capturing excellent detail; perhaps one small criticism is that it can sometimes oversaturate images and perform a bit too much sharpening.
Galaxy S23 Ultra 200MP Image Capture
Marco Chiappetta
iPhone 14 Pro Max 48MP Image Capture
Marco Chiappetta
Without the right processing, handling wide dynamic range lighting situations can be challenging for the relatively small sensors in a smartphone, but even with strong backlighting with the sun shining brightly, the both the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s and Galaxy S23 Ultra’s cameras performed well. Colors and tones of the scene are well balanced, with crisp detail, when normally some objects would be silhouetted on lesser cameras that can’t handle this kind of lighting. That said, the Galaxy S23 Ultra better handled the exposure and was able to retain more blue in the sky.
The higher resolution 200MP sensor in the Galaxy S23 Ultra also captures more detail. When scaled and posted to social media, with minimal editing, the differences may be very difficult to suss out. But the massive resolution offered by the Galaxy S23 Ultra gives users much more flexibility to crop without sacrificing as much detail in the final image. These zoomed crops of the images captured on both phones shows just how much additional resolution is available on the Samsung device.
Cropped Comparison. 100% Zoom on iPhone, 50% Zoom on S23 Ultra
Marco Chiappetta
A 200MP capture on the Galaxy S23 Ultra is 16320×12240 pixels. A 48MP capture on the iPhone 14 Pro Max is 8064×6048 pixels. You could crop 50% from each dimension on the Galaxy S23 Ultra and still have a similar number of pixels to work with versus the full resolution on the iPhone.
iPhone Portrait Mode
Marco Chiappetta
Samsung Portrait Mode
Marco Chiappetta
Both phones handled Portrait mode well, though they offer different fields of view in this mode. The simulated blurred background bokeh is smooth, on both with surprisingly realistic looking transitions from in-focus to out-of-focus areas. Portrait Mode can often introduce unwanted artifacts in the fine details around a subject’s edges, but both phones do a pretty good job here. The Galaxy S23 Ultra does a slightly better job though, with smoother transition, and more detail in the subject.
iPhone Macro Full Image
Marco Chiappetta
Galaxy S23 Macro Full Image
Marco Chiappetta
The Galaxy S23 Ultra also stands out with close-up Macro photography. Even when its ultra-wide camera is nearly touching the subject, it is able to focus properly and capture fine detail.
Macro Images, Zoomed And Cropped
Marco Chiappetta
The iPhone 14 Pro Max does a great job too if you don’t pixel peep, but zooming in shows more fine detail in the Samsung capture – you can actually make out individual bits of pollen, whereas on the iPhone the processing makes the internal part of the flower look like it has a rough, bumpy texture.
In terms of video recording, both devices are relatively full featured, but the edge yet again goes to the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The iPhone 14 Pro Max tops out of 4K60 recording, while the Galaxy 23 Ultra can do 8K30 recording. Slow motion, normal, and time lapse recording are available on both devices as well. In practice I found the video quality on both devices to be quite good, though the Galaxy 23 Ultra seemed to handle sub-optimal, low-light conditions somewhat better.
Top camera performance continues to be paramount for flagship smartphone buyers, but whether evaluating specification or real-world results, it’s clear Qualcomm-powered Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are a step ahead of the competition. Independent bodies like DxOMark show most of the top smartphone cameras are backed by Qualcomm processors.
A professional banker, this 37-year-old has visited migratory birds’ habitats every weekend for seven years, to photograph them, lead guided walks and spread awareness.
Mumbai: When Vidyasagar Hariharan, 37, first visited the lake near Navi Mumbai’s NRI Complex in March 2016, he fell in love. “I reached when it was still dawn, and the sun was about to rise. As the sun rose, I saw around 3,000 pink flamingos dotting the dark water against an orange backdrop,” Hariharan said.
He returned, week after week, visiting similar water bodies in Navi Mumbai and Thane, gathering over the last seven years a vast documentation on flamingos visiting the city, raw material that he views as critical to protecting the bird and its habitat.
Pic Credit: Vidyasagar Hariharan
Pic Credit: Vidyasagar HariharanA banker by profession, Hariharan describes himself as a weekend birder. “I intend to use my pictures for advocacy for these birds,” he said. Over the years, he learnt about their migratory patterns, feeding and mating rituals, and the dangers they face from construction work and pollution of their habitats.
While documenting the flamingos, Hariharan also learnt about Mumbai’s topography, its wetlands and their importance. “Mumbai is the only megapolis that sees migration of such a huge number of flamingos. These birds play an important role in keeping the wetland and mangrove ecosystems running,” he said.
Pic Credit: Vidyasagar Hariharan
In 2019, Hariharan started an Instagram page to post pictures of flamingos in the city, which became a forum for Mumbaikars stuck at home during the pandemic to really consider the bounties of Munbbai’s natural landscapes. Strangers began to reach out, and Hariharan offered to help them do their own bird sightings. He went on to lead walks, help increase awareness and bust myths about the migratory birds. “I use the social media page as an SOS call to draw attention to the human-animal conflict,” he said.
With weather patterns changing and their habitats’ ecosystem degrading, flamingos’ migratory patterns have changed, some of their choice spots taken over for construction. “All these are unique occurrences, which my photography has documented,” he said.
Pic Credit: Vidyasagar Hariharan
Ravishankar Mantha, an industry leader in agri-research and himself a birder, said what Hariharan is doing is different from other birders, for he is interested in the flamingos’ habitat and works towards spreading awareness through talks or lectures, guided walks, etc. “He has also grown to know the local fisherfolk communities around the birding spots, and he speaks to them too about conservation,” Mantha said.
Hariharan’s photos have been published nationally and internationally, which he believes is a progression of his advocacy work. “I click these pictures and put them out so that people see and learn. When the international media uses the images, they become sensat
Pic Credit: Vidyasagar Hariharan
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