#to benefit from the better camera angles and better lighting

[frenchtwistresistance]

On tonight’s episode of Match Game Who Wore It Better, I finally get solid confirmation about this pink satin blouse I’ve long been suspicious about (and I know in my heart of hearts Fannie has worn it a few more times in the interim but can’t for the life of me find the evidence):

L-R Fannie in ‘76 842; Brett in ‘78 1133

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

When the twisted wonderland anime comes out what are the things you hope they do better then what they could do in the game?

To quickly clarify a few things (so new readers and anyone stumbling across this post doesn't get the wrong idea): firstly, we do not yet have any confirmation on what the Twisted Wonderland anime will be about. Secondly, I have previously expressed that I would prefer the TWST anime to be random slice of life rather than another main story adaptation. If we assume that the anime will be another adaptation of the main story, I don't think the anime staff has a ton of liberty in the alterations they can make to the source material. Book 2 is widely known to be the greatest example of Bad Writing in TWST, and it cannot exactly be swept under the rug since it's in the main story. I doubt anyone would be allowed to make massive rewrites to the script or to the series of events; the biggest changes we get are slightly compacted scenes in the manga and the light novel. For example:

Skipping lines that appear in the game. (Ex: in the Book of Heartslabyul, Ace does not joke about sharing a room with Yuuken.)

Combining scenes to save on time. (Ex: In the light novel, Yuuya and Deuce meet Leona for the first time not in the Botanical Garden, which is the case in the game. Instead, the mob student that broke the eggs meant for Ace's apology chestnut tart is a Savanaclaw kid that Leona shows up to reprimand.)

Adding slight details to fill in logical gaps. (Ex: Yuuya in the light novel is granted a NRC uniform by Crowley; the uniform is described to us, the readers. Yuu getting a uniform is never mentioned in the game.)

Continuing from the last point, new details can also serve to flesh out character motivations, backstories, and lore. (Ex: the Heartslabyul light novel informs us that Riddle faces social repercussions for his OB and almost got expelled from school; the Savanaclaw light novel sheds new light on Leona's motivations, and the same can be said of Riddle.)

So basically, the story (again, if the anime does end up following the plot of the main story) would be the same. What would make the anime different from the manga, game, and light novel is largely the medium in which it is presented. I have talked about this at length in a number of older posts, but here is one example of how the manga, uses visual storytelling (as it is primarily a visual medium). A manga chapter is usually limited in length due to it being physically printed and shared in a magazine alongside other manga; there is therefore a constraint on how long-winded it can be, and its limited pages must be used effectively. We need to think about the strengths and the weaknesses of each individual medium and how those strengths and weaknesses affect how it might slightly change how TWST I presented.

An anime is able to incorporate animation with sound in a 20ish minute time slot to tell a tale. It gets the same benefits of the game, but far more freedom of movement. There is, however, also a time constraint to be considered. One complaint TWST often gets is that despite half of its core gameplay (I'm not going to count reading as gameplay) being rhythm games, the music the game has is NOT memorable. While the anime most likely won't have a ton of original songs, I hope that it can at least creatively incorporate some of TWST's scores as background tracks to fun scenes and make them more enjoyable that way. The anime will also be able to... well, be animated!! We won't get just a static screen where a maximum of three characters are crammed onto the screen at once staring back at you. It's okay to have in the game to save on time and budget, but you have to admit it does get boring to look at after a while. But with an anime production, we can get exciting lighting and camera angles that result in cool animation! I hope that this will really help the TWST characters' stories come to life on the screen ^^ One scene in particular that I hope the anime will adapt well is the VDC/SDC performances of RSA and NRC. The game tells us that RSA's performance is clumsy and amateurish, but it still managed to capture people's hearts. The game also tells us that NRC was not able to perform at their maximum capacity because they were already physically worn down from dealing with OB Vil. I want to see these descriptions actually be realized on screen (the Rhythmic/Twistune alone isn't enough), as it could help us better judge and have an enhanced understanding of the situation. I know a lot of fans who, to this very day, still feel that NRC was cheated of the win and shouldn't have lost to such a lackluster performance from RSA, so I'm hoping that a fully animated version might give us more perspective.

[sinfullyrosey]

*slams hands on table in a dramatic fashion*

Tired am I of the fics featuring Reader (and or one of the other characters) being uncomfortable and disgusted by Rook’s creepy quirks, yet still being paired up with him!

Instead, I bring forth to you the concept that Rook’s partner is unbothered by his actions, not because they condone or support his stalker-ish tendencies and constant destroying of other’s boundaries!

But simply because they’re into that shit.

Voyeurism. Photography. Predator/Prey. Hunting/Chasing. Obsessive Devotion/Praise.

All of those are legit kinks some have, and out of everyone in TWST, Rook would benefit the most by finding someone who appreciates and loves those forms of affections. While yes, his actions are not appropriate towards those who clearly want him to back off and feel uneasy towards him. In fact it’s kind of illegal.

But towards a partner with these kinds of kinks?

Rook must be the jackpot they’ve been looking for!

Like, imagine his partner being into photography: While in public, they take regular pictures of whatever, whether it be nature, models, animals, food, etc. But in the privacy of their own bedroom? Suddenly, the photos become much more vulgar, risque and focuses more on intimate moments shared between the two.

I especially like the angle of his partner specifically photographing themselves as their own model, whether in a pinup sort of way or through an artistic lens that utilizes nudity and symbolic narratives. Maybe they do submit these photos to art museums or maybe it’s just something they enjoy doing in the privacy of their home and they just keep the pictures to review after each session.

Or, more salaciously, they only do photography in the bedroom because they enjoy capturing those shared moments with him so that they can easily look back on them and relive the moment again, even if he’s not around.

As for the voyeurism angle, maybe his partner likes it when Rook takes pictures of them or watches them from the shadows because it gives them a special kind of thrill. Maybe they like the attention and knowledge that Rook looks at them as a piece of art to be gazed at and appreciated. While others may find his eccentric and obsessive nature towards beauty to be annoying or too much as it were, they don’t.

In fact, they may even agree with him whole heartily and thrive off of his over-the-top appraisal towards them to be one of the sexiest aspects about him!

This can further go hand-in-hand with an artistic photographer, because maybe they understand Rook’s viewpoint better than anyone else, because they’re the exact same way. And this translates into their photography as they try to set up good lighting and camera angles during their sessions to better capture these images to visualize their personal views.

Not to mention I think Rook would also appreciate finding someone who is similar to him in this regard and is openly receptive to his advances. It’s clear he enjoys the chase (he is a hunter after all), so finding a partner who’s open to participating in predator/prey or hunter/hunted type roleplays is probably a dream come true for him.

Maybe early on in the relationship or heck, even before that, when he’s still courting them, they would “play hard to get.” They were coy with him, keeping him on his toes and keeping him guessing as to whether or not they were just as interested in him as he was with him. One minute they were accepting of his invitation for a nice walk around Pomefiore, only to turn around and reject the bouquet he was attempting to gift them and refusing to even look his way.

Only for him to catch the glint in their eye and the subtle quirk of a smirk on their lips.

This got way longer then I intended and I kind of got off topic, but like these are just my thoughts. I’ve always loved analyzing characters and trying to pinpoint the type of partner would work best for them. And Rook is one of those special cases where fandom writes him off as a creep which isn’t wrong tbf and only seems to be interested in writing him as an unhealthy partner when like, the opposite is so much more interesting. Rook just needs to find someone who’s into the sort of stuff he does and would view it as a fitting love language.

[goldenpinof]

what are your thoughts on the gaming channel lighting/camera angle? im curious now :D personally i liked the way their last video looked a lot, and the spooky week lighting was better than they had before when they were trying to dim the lights for scary stuff, but im genuinely interested in what you think

spooky week having bad lighting is the point. so, i don't take it into account :)

my opinion from a gif-maker pov. although, i'm sure it's not universal. also, it's not that serious <3

basically, if they put their camera a bit lower their faces will be lit up more evenly. right now their foreheads are brighter than their chins, and adjusting it all the time is meh. also, after adjustments their shiny foreheads (and Phil's cheekbones, hi <3) usually turn into white pixels. and i'm not a huge fan of white pixels breaking out (maybe because idk how to work with them. smoothing the white colour can only take you so far). their editing room has shitty lighting in this specific corner (dini video is shot there and has the same problem. Dan's memes video is shot from a different angle and has better lighting). so, i'd rather petition for a ?soft? lamp behind the camera. not very bright because that would also be awful. i don't think the ring light would fit there, so something smaller on the level of their faces.

another pro of putting the camera lower: Dan's face will stop disappearing entirely every time he looks down/closer. now the only thing that's missing there is "me and Phil" tattoo. so, i'd love to see the angle change as an experiment, but making the room brighter or lighting up their faces would benefit us as well, imo. but like, ultimately, who cares!

[howlingday]

My idea for a potential DEATH BATTLE! #5

2023, October 18, 19, 20, 27

Link to the fourth post: https://www.tumblr.com/donotmindme1/731349657571278848/my-idea-for-a-potential-death-battle-4-2023?source=share

Master list: https://www.tumblr.com/donotmindme1/731003687600881664/mind-what-you-do?source=share

Korra vs Delsin Rowe (Avatar vs inFamous)

They're the second legends in line!

Fighter 1: Korra, the continuing spirit of the Avatar cycle.

Fighter 2: Delsin Rowe, the accomplishing Akomish Second Son.

Wiz: Many of us aspire to live up and uphold the legacies of our predecessors.

*insert clips of Miles Morales & Peter Parker, Deku & All Might, Ruby Rose & Summer Rose, Batman & his Robins*

Boomstick: However, just because they're tough acts to follow up shouldn't discourage you from making your own path. He's Wiz and I'm Boomstick.

Wiz: And it's our job to analyze their weapons, armor, and skills to find out who would win... a Death Battle.

PREFACE: I am wasting my time writing this. I should be working on an important project. I wanted to write an idea that suits the chilly weather of autumn to serve as a nice gateway into other MUs. I played inFamous Second Son during the last three months of 2021 and I fell in love with the gameplay. Being able to scale the buildings of Seattle with Conduit powers, doing drug busts, and saving innocent people really gave me a sense of power. I am sure I am not the only one who was disappointed when Season 8 announced Korra vs Storm due to how unbalanced the powers are between the two (however, I enjoyed the episode, mainly Storm doing the Moses and Wheather the Elements). So, now that Cole made his debut on the show, we can finally let Delsin have his time in the spotlight. Besides, I think that Korra vs Delsin is a more fitting MU, and you'll see why later on. Also, I will mainly be using True Hero Delsin (Good Karma) as it is the canon ending. I'll consider Infamous Delsin (Bad Karma) separately as it does affect the fight.

WHY:

Connections:

1. Both carry on the legacy of a famous protagonist who was able to control multiple forms of matter (Aang and Cole McGrath).

2. Both are capable of manipulating at least 4 different forms of matter (Korra has Earth, Fire, Air, and Water; Delsin has Smoke, Neon, Video, and Concrete) due to a physiological trait (Korra has the spirit of the Avatar, allowing her chi to pass through all of her body better than the rest and manipulate the elements; Delsin has a Conduit gene that lets him obtain the abilities of other Conduits upon extensive contact and draining Core Relays).

3. Both started their journeys being childish and/or immature but through their actions and strife, rose above and became better people and consequently, better idols and saviors.

Personal reasons: I wanted this to be Korra's MU during Season 8, but alas, it was not to be. More than anything, I want them to react to each other's powers. Delsin would ask Korra if her conduit gene is like his but better since she doesn't need to absorb matter to change her powers and Korea asks about how the heck is he manipulating light and becoming invisible. After all, conduit powers and bending are different in their manifestation, how they manipulate the environment, and more importantly, how they interact with each other.

THE FIGHT:

Art and animation: The animation will most likely be 2D like all Avatar fights, but the dream is to have it be a 3D battle with fluid movement and lots of different camera angles. The animation from Korra vs Storm is good for Korra, so reusing it would benefit her, but Delsin tends to fight from afar using his projectiles. While he does have dashes, his chain, Comet Drop, and some support abilities, Delsin is mainly a ranged fighter, and the 3D team works best with characters that have a wide assortment of abilities, especially ones used in midair or while running. However, to be able to get the most out of both worlds, the fight is best in 2D, and it's not like Cole was limited to ranged combat in his fight. It could really go either way and still be great regardless, and that's honestly the best part. I really want this fight to be a finale so it could be a long fight with lots of pretty stuff to gawk at, especially since Spiritbending, Neon, and Video allow for flashy maneuvers.

Possible setup:

In a metropolitan area, the Second Son is doing stencil art dedicated to his dear brother. "Man, I miss you, Reggie."

"Hey! You can't paint the walls of this city!" Delsin sighs. He misses his brother, but not his overly bureaucratic attitude. As he turns around and puts down the spray paint, he sees Korra who is looking a little stern. "Hey, there. Isn't art a form of self-expression? I'm building a masterpiece here, and it'll be my gift to the world."

"That's fair, but you're painting on public property. Unless you have a permit to do so, step away from graffiti." Korra was a little miffed. The graffiti looked cool, and it looked to be a dedication to a departed soul, but duty calls. Besides, it's just graffiti, not a murder or kidnapping. If he refuses, however, she can have her way.

"Who are you, the fun police? I'm not hurting anyone." It's like dear Reggie was still with him: being a pain and not letting him have his fun.

Korra smirked. "Fun? Oh, I'll show you fun." She got into a fighting stance. Hey, if you're having fun on the job, good for you, right? It's been a boring day of patrolling, so she's itching for entertainment.

"Oh."

FIGHT! :

1. As it turns out, she was nothing like Reggie. Korra firebends at Deals and catches him off guard. However, Delsin absorbs the smoke, unharmed. This causes Korra to look puzzled. "Wait, how did he- He barely moved." She then attempts to earthbend, summoning rising pillars, but Delsin smoke dashes away. "How did you do that?" Korra had never seen someone turn into smoke before. Maybe she should ask him how to do that.

2. "I'm a conduit. I mean, aren't you one?" Delsin starts to use Smoke Shot as he moves around, but they're easily dodged and dispersed with more earthbending. "I'm the Avatar, master of all the elements." "Is that right?" Delsin uses a smoke dash to sneak up on Korra from behind and tosses a Sulfur Bomb.

3. The Sulfur Bomb explodes, but Korra just rolls up to Delsin and engages him directly. Delsin tries to punch her and use his smoke-imbued chain, but all his attacks are evaded or blocked. Korra roughs up Delsin, punching him in the face, kneeing him in the stomach, etc. Delsin drops another Sulfur Bomb that leaves Korra coughing, and attempts to subdue her.

4. Korra bends away the ash and sulfur and launches Delsin into a building using waterbending. Delsin is able to recover and takes the high ground through a smoke vent. On the roof, he shoots a Cinder Missile. Korra is able to notice and puts out the Missile before it hits. "Wait, she didn't drain water." Come to think of it, she was able to use fire and then the cement beneath. Is her Conduit gene better than his? Korra starts to airbend projectiles and Delsins fires Smoke Shots (like Might Guy's Morning Peacock vs All Might's air punches). Korra then firebends her way to Delsin and delivers a powerful kick, sending him flying.

5. Delsin crashes onto another building, but drains the neon from the nearby signs. Noticing some injured civilians, Delsin starts to heal them, earning him Good Karma. As Korra rushes in, Delsin rushes her first due to his Neon Dash. "Wait, are you a Spiritbender!?" She's good up close, but it doesn't matter if she can't hit him. He strikes her with his chain, but Korra grabs it and uses a powerful earthbending punch on him. Delsin Neon Dashes away. "Oh, no you don't!" She knows that he has powerful ranged attacks, so she needs to be close to him. She gets on an air scooter and chases after him as she shoots air at him, chasing him to near a spirit portal.

6. Delsin is able to outrun Korra and fires a stasis bubble. Korra uses a firebending soccer kick on the bubble, punting it away. Delsin runs before he's hit with his own bubble (he doesn't seem to be affected by it in-game, however). He then rushes up to Korra who attempts to strike him, but he instead rushes past her and fires a phosphor beam, successfully hitting her and knocking her off balance, and successfully uses a stasis bubble. He attempts to obtain more powers, but he feels nothing. "What..? Then how..? You must not be a Prime Conduit." Korra gets back up in fiery fashion and Delsin employs hit-and-run tactics, firing phosphor and neon beam, but Korra is able to block with her bending. She then does Zuko's "breakdance" and catches Delsin off-guard.

7. Delsin quickly heals by absorbing video from a nearby TV. He then uses Video Torrent. Korra simply dodges and attempts to get in close, but Delsin strikes using his longsword, damaging Korra a fair amount. He then uses Bloodthirsty Blades. Korra dashes away, but is unable to avoid the blades, so she destroys one with a fireball, another by raising a stone wall, and the last one by creating an ice structure. Korra is then attacked by a... Is that a spirit!? Whatever it is, it has wings, metal plating, and is currently shooting a laser. Korra dodges and bends water and freezes the spirit, but it... Disappears into wisps of light... These are not like the spirits she knows, but she is then pushed and pinned to the ground by smaller swords. Delsin appears out of thin air. "How did you do that!?" "A friend lent me his powers, you could say." Ok, that is NOT how bending works. Using a combination of earth, wind, and fire, Korra frees herself by creating a crater underneath her, enters the Avatar State, and then bends the concrete around Delsin, encasing him in a shell, and bends him to her. He's a fire bender and a spirit bender, but he is not the Avatar.

8. Delsin absorbs the concrete before being fully encapsulated and does his boulder dash. He starts to engage Korra, but she is nimble enough to dodge. Korra then gets an idea and starts to make her way to the spirit portal. Delsin starts to climb on top of a building and does a Comet Drop, doing his pose on the Second Son cover art, and he starts to fire concrete shrapnel and a concrete barrage, but Korra instead redirects them. However, Korra gets a leg up and is able to use bending to get Delsin into the Spirit World and she enters.

9. In the Spirit World, Delsin is taken aback due to the colors and... weird animal things... He doesn't get to gawk for long as Korra makes her bombastic entrance. However, she firebends at Delsin who promptly absorbs the smoke, but he's starting to struggle and to get hurt so he smoke dashes away

10. Korra wins by overwhelming and overpowering Delsin. Since they are in the Spirit World, Korra becomes stronger, and in the Avatar State, she is in no need to wait for Delsin to exhaust himself. Even as he tries to distance himself and use his sulfur bombs and sulfur headshots, the Avatar is easily able to bend them away. She then is able to unleash a powerful bending attack that overwhelms Delsin and he blacks out, thinking of Reggie. After Korra finishes the job, she exits the Avatar State. "That was fun, but I'm sorry. I hope you find you and your departed family can reunite here". She then bows to her opponent. She's fiery and hotheaded, but she's still empathetic.

11. Delsin wins by being able to stall Korra and connect a successful attack. The fire is hurting him, but if he keeps his distance, all it serves is to fuel and heal him. He gets in a good sulfur headshot, briefly stunning Korra and leaving her coughing again. He then tosses another sulfur bomb, leaving Korra coughing more. He then does his Orbital Drop, but as he reaches the apex, Korra bends away the smoke and then launches herself, attempting one last attack. They meet halfway, and after a noticeable explosion, both are left on the ground, Delsin tired, and Korra dead. Korra, in her last moments, apologizes to her friends and family for being able to say goodbye. Delsin recollects himself, and upon returning to the Human World, finishes his graffiti of Reggie. However, we see him painting another mural, and he says "Say hi to my brother for me". He then turns to leave, and we see a mural of Korra, reading "Dedicated to the Avatar."

RESULT:

Strengths and weaknesses:

Korra:

+ Physically stronger and more durable.

+ More experienced.

+ Has superior training.

+ Easier access to her elemental manipulation.

= Firebending and Earthbending fuel Delsin, but Smoke and Concreted are easily negated.

- Energybending cannot negate the Conduit Gene.

- Energybending cannot manipulate Video or Neon.

- Is vulnerable to suffocation. When she was poisoned as she was. suffocating, the Avatar State only held off the poison and not the suffocation.

- Can be immobilized via the stasis.

Delsin Rowe:

+ Can heal from firebending and earthbending.

+ Has a healing factor.

+ Is likely faster with Neon.

+ Neon allows for fast attacks, and the stasis bubbles are immobilizing.

+ Infamous Delsin has easy access to instant kill options.

= Firebending and Earthbending fuel him, but Smoke and Concrete attacks are negated.

- Untrained in physical combat.

- Physically far weaker and faster. Is also slower without Neon or Video.

- Is not immune to fire when using smoke or to earth when using concrete.

- Cannot access all his elements at will.

- Draining a power source leaves him vulnerable.

- There's no evidence to say that he can resist being immobilized by being surrounded/encased in concrete like he did to Augustine.

- Cannot obtain bending powers as they are spiritual and not genetic. Even then, he'd need Core Relays and blast shards to be able to get any use of his newfound abilities and to be able to absorb any other element.

Ending puns:

"The Avatar's victory was elemental."

"Delsin got a concrete victory."

MUSIC:

Name: "Four Infamous Elements"

The title makes reference to both combatants' abilities to manipulate four elements or states of matter as well as the inFamous game series' name. Brandon Yates used Second Legends for his commissioned track, so I cannot use it.

Art: The art would depict Delsin's chain forming a circle imbued with Raava. One half would have Korra's elements spiraling outwards. The other half would have Delsin's elements spiraling inward, forming a Yin Yang. The center of the circle would have a gene symbol like that of the Second Son power skill tree on the side of Korra's elements and the symbol of Raava on the side of Delsin's elements.

Sound: the start of the music is that of the Second Son main theme and it plays during the initial confrontation. The music is kicked up a notch when Korra first attacks, where the sound shifts to be more Avatar-centered, but with some hip-hop elements, and even has parts and bits that sound like Second Legends as a callback, much like Final Formersr referenced Deceptive Tyrants. As the battle gets closer to its climax, the sound is that of the main theme of Avatar, but with a mix of Asian instruments and rock instrumentation.

Holy cow, I love doing this one! Especially imagining the track and its art due to the possibilities of symbolism.

THANK YOU AND I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS!

---------------------------------------------------

Ooh, another interesting match-up! Although, to be honest, I already have my doubts as to how this plays out. Great fight idea, though!

URBAN SPRAWL

Honestly, the Avatar fights have been kinda meh in Death Battle, usually because they've all been so one-sided (except for the first, Toph v Gaara).

I really like the premise of the fight and how it plays out. Unfortunately, I gotta give it to Korra here for one reason; resource. Korra can bend anything from anywhere with little limit on where. Delsin, however, has very specific sources from which he can draw his power, such as his concrete abilities can only be drawn from conduit enforcers gifted with the same powers.

Still, though, it would be a pretty neat fight.

[jace-snaps]

Life and Pictures: Entry #1

Starting as a Beginner: Exploring Photography Gear

In our first entry, we’re focusing on a crucial aspect for beginners: choosing and using the right gear. Whether you’re intrigued by the convenience of smartphones or the versatility of a DSLR, understanding your options can help you get started on the right foot. Let’s break down some popular choices and tips for getting the most out of your equipment.

1. Smartphones: Your Everyday Camera

Description:

Type: Point-and-shoot camera Characteristics: Light, convenient, user-friendly Suitable for: Casual users, beginners, and anyone who wants to capture spontaneous moments without carrying additional equipment.

Why Start with a Smartphone?

Always With You: Smartphones are incredibly convenient, making it easy to capture moments on the go. User-Friendly: Modern smartphones come with automatic settings that adjust for lighting and focus, making them perfect for beginners. Built-In Editing Tools: Many smartphones have robust editing features and apps, allowing you to tweak your photos directly on your device.

Tips for Smartphone Photography:

Use Grid Lines: Enable grid lines on your camera app to help you apply the rule of thirds, enhancing the composition of your shots. Tap to Focus: Tap the screen to focus on your subject. You can also adjust the exposure by sliding your finger up or down. Explore Apps: Play around with different photography apps to enhance your photos. Apps like Snapseed, VSCO, or Adobe Lightroom Mobile offer powerful editing tools.

Smartphones are equipped with built-in cameras that are perfect for everyday use. They are designed to be simple and intuitive, making them ideal for capturing quick and spontaneous shots. With the added benefit of editing apps, you can enhance your photos directly on your device.

Beginner Guide to Smartphone Photography:

2. Compact Cameras: Simple and Versatile

Description:

Type: Point-and-shoot camera Characteristics: Light, versatile, higher image quality than smartphones, better zoom capabilities Suitable for: Beginners and enthusiasts who want better image quality and more control over settings without the bulk of larger cameras.

Why Choose a Compact Camera?

Better Quality: Higher resolution and image quality than most smartphones. Zoom Capabilities: Optical zoom allows for better quality images than digital zoom. Manual Controls: More control over settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

Getting Started with Compact Cameras:

Learn the Basics: Familiarize yourself with aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Use Auto Mode: Start with auto mode and gradually experiment with manual settings. Keep It Simple: Begin with the built-in lens; as you gain experience, you can explore more advanced settings.

Compact cameras, also known as point-and-shoot cameras, are lightweight and easy to carry. They offer better image quality than smartphones and come with manual control options, making them a great choice for those looking to improve their photography skills.

Beginner Guide to Compact Camera Photography:

3. DSLR Cameras: A Step Up in Quality

Description:

Type: Professional camera Characteristics: Larger, heavier, interchangeable lenses, superior image quality, advanced features Suitable for: Serious enthusiasts and professional photographers who require high performance, versatility, and superior image quality.

Why Choose a DSLR?

Exceptional Image Quality: DSLRs feature larger sensors, resulting in superior image quality, especially in low light. Interchangeable Lenses: The ability to switch lenses allows you to tailor your gear to your specific needs, from wide-angle shots to macro photography. Advanced Features: DSLRs offer advanced features like fast autofocus, multiple focus points, and high burst rates, making them ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects.

Tips for DSLR Beginners:

Learn Your Camera: Take time to understand the different settings and how they affect your photos. Manuals and online tutorials can be incredibly helpful. Practice with Different Lenses: Start with the standard kit lens, but explore other lenses as you become more comfortable. A prime lens can be a great way to experiment with depth of field. Join a Photography Community: Engaging with other photographers can provide valuable insights and feedback. Consider joining local clubs or online forums to share your work and learn from others.

DSLR cameras are known for their excellent image quality and flexibility due to their interchangeable lenses. They offer a wide range of manual controls and advanced features, making them suitable for various types of photography, from portraits to landscapes.

Beginner Guide to DSLR Camera Photography:

4. Mirrorless Cameras: The Modern Alternative

Description:

Type: Professional camera Characteristics: Light, compact, interchangeable lenses, electronic viewfinder, silent shooting Suitable for: Enthusiasts and professionals who want high performance and quality in a more portable package compared to DSLRs.

Why Go for a Mirrorless Camera?

Compact and Lightweight: Mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter than DSLRs, making them more portable without sacrificing performance. High-Quality Images: They offer similar image quality to DSLRs, thanks to their large sensors and advanced technology. Electronic Viewfinder: Many mirrorless cameras feature an electronic viewfinder that displays your settings in real time, helping you visualize the final image.

Tips for Using Mirrorless Cameras:

Explore the Features: Mirrorless cameras often come with innovative features like 4K video recording and high-speed continuous shooting. Take time to explore these functions. Invest in Good Lenses: The quality of your lenses significantly impacts your photos. Start with a versatile zoom lens and consider adding prime lenses as you progress. Stay Updated: The technology in mirrorless cameras is continually evolving. Keep an eye on new models and firmware updates to make the most of your gear.

Mirrorless cameras combine the image quality and flexibility of DSLRs with a more compact and lightweight design. They use electronic viewfinders, allowing you to see exposure adjustments in real-time, and are known for their silent shooting capabilities.

Beginner Guide to Mirrorless Camera Photography:

5. Vintage Film Cameras: The Nostalgic Touch

Description:

Type: Professional camera (vintage/analog) Characteristics: Heavy, manual settings, unique aesthetic, requires film Suitable for: Enthusiasts and professionals who appreciate the classic film photography process and aesthetic, and those who want to learn the fundamentals of photography.

Why Try a Vintage Film Camera?

Unique Aesthetic: Film cameras offer a distinct look and feel, with a unique color rendition and grain structure that digital cameras often lack. Learning Experience: Shooting with film encourages a deeper understanding of exposure and composition, as you have fewer chances to correct mistakes. Tactile Experience: The process of loading film, taking pictures, and developing prints adds a tactile, hands-on dimension to photography.

Tips for Shooting with Film Cameras:

Choose the Right Film: Different films have different characteristics. Start with a versatile ISO 400 film, and explore different types as you gain experience. Develop Your Own Film: If you’re up for a challenge, try developing your own film at home. It’s a rewarding process that enhances your connection to the art. Embrace the Learning Curve: Film photography has a steeper learning curve, but the rewards are worth it. Take your time and enjoy the process of discovering what works best for you.

Vintage film cameras offer a nostalgic feel and a unique aesthetic that digital cameras can’t replicate. They require manual settings and film, which teaches discipline and a deeper understanding of photography basics. These cameras are appreciated by those who enjoy the tactile process and classic look of film photography.

Beginner Guide to Using Vintage Film Cameras:

Starting with photography gear can be both exciting and daunting, but remember, the best camera is the one you have with you. Whether you begin with a smartphone, compact digital camera, DSLR camera, mirrorless camera, or vintage film camera, the key is to explore, experiment, and find what inspires you.

Happy shooting, and may your journey through the world of photography be as fulfilling and creative as possible!

[definitely-a-cryptid]

A random discourse on rear projected faces

Rear projected faces are all over the disney parks. There's Elsa and Anna at Epcot, Buzz Lightyear and the seven dwarves in Magic Kingdom, and all of the characters on Mickey's Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios, and just A LOT.

Now if you're like me and took the time to read several really long research papers from Disney research teams, you already know that Disney actually thought rear projection illumination was a good idea. And it is! Firstly the idea to put a projector behind the animatronics face is a stroke of genius. I can still remember seeing Buzz for the first time when I was eight. I was looking all over the place for a projector. I thought there must be a projector above him somewhere. In retrospect an external projector would not work great even if the animatronic had very limited movements. Anyway. The benefit of projected faces is you can achieve a lot of expression not currently achievable with robotics. (Though it gets better every day) Disney uses a multi-camera and projector system. The projection is diffused and uses a subsurface scattering compensation scheme (they utilize a material that light can enter and potentially come out at different places). This means the same animation should be viewed from different angles like viewing an actual face.

Even though the technology and research papers all point towards rear projection being a great idea, they haven't really gained a fan base. Lots of folks outright hate them. (including me!!!) Do I know anything about engineering and robotics? Absolutely not. However I have opinions and nothing to back them with. My personal feelings about why rear projected faces get so much hate is that first, the faces are completely smooth. More successful projected faces, like the dwarves on Seven Dwarves Mine Train, still have a physical nose. Meanwhile Elsa and Anna are just pure uncanny valley vibes and as you move around them you just see a perfectly smooth side profile like one of the mannequin heads at target. Just. Bleh. Gross. No like. AND THE ANIMATIONS AREN'T GOOD??? I'm sure there's a reason why, but for an animated face based off of an animated film, created by the exact same company, none of the projected faces look like the characters they're supposed to portray. My guess is that in order to make the face viewable from all angles they have to sacrifice quality. It is mildly entertaining that it looks like the princesses don't know how to match their foundation because the projection and the animatronics "skin" don't match though.

Anyway PROJECTED FACES ARE A LAZY COP-OUT. there. Got it out of my system. I can be more understanding over existing animatronics utilizing projectors, but from now on I'll be very annoyed/frustrated/murderous if anymore come out. Disney has proven they can make amazing animatronic faces that are expressive without it. Anyway I cried happy tears when the first peeks of the animatronics for Tiana's Bayou Adventure came out. That's all. No actual information of value. If you read this far yay I love you have a heart <3

[donotmindme1]

My idea for a potential DEATH BATTLE! #5

2023, October 18, 19, 20, 27

FOURTH POST

MASTER LIST

Korra vs Delsin Rowe (Avatar vs inFamous)

They're the second legends in line!

Fighter 1: Korra, the continuing spirit of the Avatar cycle.

Fighter 2: Delsin Rowe, the accomplishing Akomish Second Son.

Wiz: Many of us aspire to live up and uphold the legacies of our predecessors.

*insert clips of Miles Morales & Peter Parker, Deku & All Might, Ruby Rose & Summer Rose, Batman & his Robins*

Boomstick: However, just because they're tough acts to follow up shouldn't discourage you from making your own path. He's Wiz and I'm Boomstick.

Wiz: And it's our job to analyze their weapons, armor, and skills to find out who would win... a Death Battle.

PREFACE: I am wasting my time writing this. I should be working on an important project. I wanted to write an idea that suits the chilly weather of autumn to serve as a nice gateway into other MUs. I played inFamous Second Son during the last three months of 2021 and I fell in love with the gameplay. Being able to scale the buildings of Seattle with Conduit powers, doing drug busts, and saving innocent people really gave me a sense of power. I am sure I am not the only one who was disappointed when Season 8 announced Korra vs Storm due to how unbalanced the powers are between the two (however, I enjoyed the episode, mainly Storm doing the Moses and Wheather the Elements). So, now that Cole made his debut on the show, we can finally let Delsin have his time in the spotlight. Besides, I think that Korra vs Delsin is a more fitting MU, and you'll see why later on. Also, I will mainly be using True Hero Delsin (Good Karma) as it is the canon ending. I'll consider Infamous Delsin (Bad Karma) separately as it does affect the fight.

WHY:

Connections:

1. Both carry on the legacy of a famous protagonist who was able to control multiple forms of matter (Aang and Cole McGrath).

2. Both are capable of manipulating at least 4 different forms of matter (Korra has Earth, Fire, Air, and Water; Delsin has Smoke, Neon, Video, and Concrete) due to a physiological trait (Korra has the spirit of the Avatar, allowing her chi to pass through all of her body better than the rest and manipulate the elements; Delsin has a Conduit gene that lets him obtain the abilities of other Conduits upon extensive contact and draining Core Relays).

3. Both started their journeys being childish and/or immature but through their actions and strife, rose above and became better people and consequently, better idols and saviors.

Personal reasons: I wanted this to be Korra's MU during Season 8, but alas, it was not to be. More than anything, I want them to react to each other's powers. Delsin would ask Korra if her conduit gene is like his but better since she doesn't need to absorb matter to change her powers and Korea asks about how the heck is he manipulating light and becoming invisible. After all, conduit powers and bending are different in their manifestation, how they manipulate the environment, and more importantly, how they interact with each other.

THE FIGHT:

Art and animation: The animation will most likely be 2D like all Avatar fights, but the dream is to have it be a 3D battle with fluid movement and lots of different camera angles. The animation from Korra vs Storm is good for Korra, so reusing it would benefit her, but Delsin tends to fight from afar using his projectiles. While he does have dashes, his chain, Comet Drop, and some support abilities, Delsin is mainly a ranged fighter, and the 3D team works best with characters that have a wide assortment of abilities, especially ones used in midair or while running. However, to be able to get the most out of both worlds, the fight is best in 2D, and it's not like Cole was limited to ranged combat in his fight. It could really go either way and still be great regardless, and that's honestly the best part. I really want this fight to be a finale so it could be a long fight with lots of pretty stuff to gawk at, especially since Spiritbending, Neon, and Video allow for flashy maneuvers.

Possible setup:

In a metropolitan area, the Second Son is doing stencil art dedicated to his dear brother. "Man, I miss you, Reggie."

"Hey! You can't paint the walls of this city!" Delsin sighs. He misses his brother, but not his overly bureaucratic attitude. As he turns around and puts down the spray paint, he sees Korra who is looking a little stern. "Hey, there. Isn't art a form of self-expression? I'm building a masterpiece here, and it'll be my gift to the world."

"That's fair, but you're painting on public property. Unless you have a permit to do so, step away from graffiti." Korra was a little miffed. The graffiti looked cool, and it looked to be a dedication to a departed soul, but duty calls. Besides, it's just graffiti, not a murder or kidnapping. If he refuses, however, she can have her way.

"Who are you, the fun police? I'm not hurting anyone." It's like dear Reggie was still with him: being a pain and not letting him have his fun.

Korra smirked. "Fun? Oh, I'll show you fun." She got into a fighting stance. Hey, if you're having fun on the job, good for you, right? It's been a boring day of patrolling, so she's itching for entertainment.

"Oh."

FIGHT! :

1. As it turns out, she was nothing like Reggie. Korra firebends at Deals and catches him off guard. However, Delsin absorbs the smoke, unharmed. This causes Korra to look puzzled. "Wait, how did he- He barely moved." She then attempts to earthbend, summoning rising pillars, but Delsin smoke dashes away. "How did you do that?" Korra had never seen someone turn into smoke before. Maybe she should ask him how to do that.

2. "I'm a conduit. I mean, aren't you one?" Delsin starts to use Smoke Shot as he moves around, but they're easily dodged and dispersed with more earthbending. "I'm the Avatar, master of all the elements." "Is that right?" Delsin uses a smoke dash to sneak up on Korra from behind and tosses a Sulfur Bomb.

3. The Sulfur Bomb explodes, but Korra just rolls up to Delsin and engages him directly. Delsin tries to punch her and use his smoke-imbued chain, but all his attacks are evaded or blocked. Korra roughs up Delsin, punching him in the face, kneeing him in the stomach, etc. Delsin drops another Sulfur Bomb that leaves Korra coughing, and attempts to subdue her.

4. Korra bends away the ash and sulfur and launches Delsin into a building using waterbending. Delsin is able to recover and takes the high ground through a smoke vent. On the roof, he shoots a Cinder Missile. Korra is able to notice and puts out the Missile before it hits. "Wait, she didn't drain water." Come to think of it, she was able to use fire and then the cement beneath. Is her Conduit gene better than his? Korra starts to airbend projectiles and Delsins fires Smoke Shots (like Might Guy's Morning Peacock vs All Might's air punches). Korra then firebends her way to Delsin and delivers a powerful kick, sending him flying.

5. Delsin crashes onto another building, but drains the neon from the nearby signs. Noticing some injured civilians, Delsin starts to heal them, earning him Good Karma. As Korra rushes in, Delsin rushes her first due to his Neon Dash. "Wait, are you a Spiritbender!?" She's good up close, but it doesn't matter if she can't hit him. He strikes her with his chain, but Korra grabs it and uses a powerful earthbending punch on him. Delsin Neon Dashes away. "Oh, no you don't!" She knows that he has powerful ranged attacks, so she needs to be close to him. She gets on an air scooter and chases after him as she shoots air at him, chasing him to near a spirit portal.

6. Delsin is able to outrun Korra and fires a stasis bubble. Korra uses a firebending soccer kick on the bubble, punting it away. Delsin runs before he's hit with his own bubble (he doesn't seem to be affected by it in-game, however). He then rushes up to Korra who attempts to strike him, but he instead rushes past her and fires a phosphor beam, successfully hitting her and knocking her off balance, and successfully uses a stasis bubble. He attempts to obtain more powers, but he feels nothing. "What..? Then how..? You must not be a Prime Conduit." Korra gets back up in fiery fashion and Delsin employs hit-and-run tactics, firing phosphor and neon beam, but Korra is able to block with her bending. She then does Zuko's "breakdance" and catches Delsin off-guard.

7. Delsin quickly heals by absorbing video from a nearby TV. He then uses Video Torrent. Korra simply dodges and attempts to get in close, but Delsin strikes using his longsword, damaging Korra a fair amount. He then uses Bloodthirsty Blades. Korra dashes away, but is unable to avoid the blades, so she destroys one with a fireball, another by raising a stone wall, and the last one by creating an ice structure. Korra is then attacked by a... Is that a spirit!? Whatever it is, it has wings, metal plating, and is currently shooting a laser. Korra dodges and bends water and freezes the spirit, but it... Disappears into wisps of light... These are not like the spirits she knows, but she is then pushed and pinned to the ground by smaller swords. Delsin appears out of thin air. "How did you do that!?" "A friend lent me his powers, you could say." Ok, that is NOT how bending works. Using a combination of earth, wind, and fire, Korra frees herself by creating a crater underneath her, enters the Avatar State, and then bends the concrete around Delsin, encasing him in a shell, and bends him to her. He's a fire bender and a spirit bender, but he is not the Avatar.

8. Delsin absorbs the concrete before being fully encapsulated and does his boulder dash. He starts to engage Korra, but she is nimble enough to dodge. Korra then gets an idea and starts to make her way to the spirit portal. Delsin starts to climb on top of a building and does a Comet Drop, doing his pose on the Second Son cover art, and he starts to fire concrete shrapnel and a concrete barrage, but Korra instead redirects them. However, Korra gets a leg up and is able to use bending to get Delsin into the Spirit World and she enters.

9. In the Spirit World, Delsin is taken aback due to the colors and... weird animal things... He doesn't get to gawk for long as Korra makes her bombastic entrance. However, she firebends at Delsin who promptly absorbs the smoke, but he's starting to struggle and to get hurt so he smoke dashes away

10. Korra wins by overwhelming and overpowering Delsin. Since they are in the Spirit World, Korra becomes stronger, and in the Avatar State, she is in no need to wait for Delsin to exhaust himself. Even as he tries to distance himself and use his sulfur bombs and sulfur headshots, the Avatar is easily able to bend them away. She then is able to unleash a powerful bending attack that overwhelms Delsin and he blacks out, thinking of Reggie. After Korra finishes the job, she exits the Avatar State. "That was fun, but I'm sorry. I hope you find you and your departed family can reunite here". She then bows to her opponent. She's fiery and hotheaded, but she's still empathetic.

11. Delsin wins by being able to stall Korra and connect a successful attack. The fire is hurting him, but if he keeps his distance, all it serves is to fuel and heal him. He gets in a good sulfur headshot, briefly stunning Korra and leaving her coughing again. He then tosses another sulfur bomb, leaving Korra coughing more. He then does his Orbital Drop, but as he reaches the apex, Korra bends away the smoke and then launches herself, attempting one last attack. They meet halfway, and after a noticeable explosion, both are left on the ground, Delsin tired, and Korra dead. Korra, in her last moments, apologizes to her friends and family for being able to say goodbye. Delsin recollects himself, and upon returning to the Human World, finishes his graffiti of Reggie. However, we see him painting another mural, and he says "Say hi to my brother for me". He then turns to leave, and we see a mural of Korra, reading "Dedicated to the Avatar."

RESULT:

Strengths and weaknesses:

Korra:

+ Physically stronger and more durable.

+ More experienced.

+ Has superior training.

+ Easier access to her elemental manipulation.

= Firebending and Earthbending fuel Delsin, but Smoke and Concreted are easily negated.

- Energybending cannot negate the Conduit Gene.

- Energybending cannot manipulate Video or Neon.

- Is vulnerable to suffocation. When she was poisoned as she was. suffocating, the Avatar State only held off the poison and not the suffocation.

- Can be immobilized via the stasis.

Delsin Rowe:

+ Can heal from firebending and earthbending.

+ Has a healing factor.

+ Is likely faster with Neon.

+ Neon allows for fast attacks, and the stasis bubbles are immobilizing.

+ Infamous Delsin has easy access to instant kill options.

= Firebending and Earthbending fuel him, but Smoke and Concrete attacks are negated.

- Untrained in physical combat.

- Physically far weaker and faster. Is also slower without Neon or Video.

- Is not immune to fire when using smoke or to earth when using concrete.

- Cannot access all his elements at will.

- Draining a power source leaves him vulnerable.

- There's no evidence to say that he can resist being immobilized by being surrounded/encased in concrete like he did to Augustine.

- Cannot obtain bending powers as they are spiritual and not genetic. Even then, he'd need Core Relays and blast shards to be able to get any use of his newfound abilities and to be able to absorb any other element.

Ending puns:

"The Avatar's victory was elemental."

"Delsin got a concrete victory."

MUSIC:

Name: "Four Infamous Elements"

The title makes reference to both combatants' abilities to manipulate four elements or states of matter as well as the inFamous game series' name. Brandon Yates used Second Legends for his commissioned track, so I cannot use it.

Art: The art would depict Delsin's chain forming a circle imbued with Raava. One half would have Korra's elements spiraling outwards. The other half would have Delsin's elements spiraling inward, forming a Yin Yang. The center of the circle would have a gene symbol like that of the Second Son power skill tree on the side of Korra's elements and the symbol of Raava on the side of Delsin's elements.

Sound: the start of the music is that of the Second Son main theme and it plays during the initial confrontation. The music is kicked up a notch when Korra first attacks, where the sound shifts to be more Avatar-centered, but with some hip-hop elements, and even has parts and bits that sound like Second Legends as a callback, much like Final Formersr referenced Deceptive Tyrants. As the battle gets closer to its climax, the sound is that of the main theme of Avatar, but with a mix of Asian instruments and rock instrumentation.

Holy cow, I love doing this one! Especially imagining the track and its art due to the possibilities of symbolism.

THANK YOU AND I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS!

[regarding-stories]

The Quintessential Quintuplets (Character detail and maybe symbolism)

If you don't want to be spoilered, don't read on. I'd just recommend you to give the show a chance, it's very enjoyable. I watched the anime series 2 1/2 times by now... in the same week. Tonight I'll watch the movie conclusion in the cinema - I must know how it ends!!

The Quintessential Quintuplets is a romantic show about teenage love, big feelings, small dramas, family, and friendship. It manages to win over the hearts of the viewers with its extremely likable cast of characters and how it approaches the territory of teenage crushes. Before you know you will cry and laugh with these characters as they navigate, still in a light-hearted way, the possibility of love and heart-break.

The basic premise is that there is a group of five sisters, the eponymous quintuplets, who transfer to a new high school. They also suck at studying and all have failing grades, so their stepfather decides they need a tutor, and somehow our main protagonist, Futaro Uesugi, ends up with the job - and he really, really needs it. Of course by then his brash personality already got him off to a bad start, and his lack of perceptiveness leads him to miss the fact that the reason he gets paid five times the usual fare is that he's to tutor five girls at once.

The first phase of the show is then dedicated to him winning their cooperation with him as tutor, one by one. This quickly starts to cement a friendship between them to differing degrees. In the second phase he needs to help them pass the year 2 finals to keep his job, but this is already intermixed with the girls dragging them into the social sphere he so far avoided and the first crushes to develop. In the third phase the competition between the girls for Futaro's heart escalates and leads to drama and dramatic revelations.

What makes the show special is that the characters are well-drawn in terms of personality, quirks, what their drives are and how they approach life. Futaro also manages the balance between a truly good guy with some personality flaws without the typical horndog personality of so many anime male characters.

What the show could do a bit less with is how it outwardly portrays the girls. Of course they are beautiful, but in keeping with themes I've seen in other anime shows "bigger is better" when it comes bust size. The show also likes to take some questionable camera angles which amount to up-skirt shots or entirely alien angles that showcase a butt over half the screen. While this is only done at times and quite common with anime, the show would be even better without resorting to this fetishism. On the other hand, the show benefits from a respectful and restrained protagonist and hence overall passes the test.

But let's jump into these characters and the detail with which they are presented!

Futaro

Futaro squares the circle. On the one hand he's an arrogant absolute top-grade student, disinterested in girls and not very observant. He lacks social skills and grace, and he seems to care about nothing but studying and helping his family survive financially. And yet he has it where it counts. He will help out people when he feels they could be hurt, loves his little sister, and his overall goal in life - though he goes about it in a roundabout way - is to be a person who can help those who need it. A goal he set for himself when he ended up alone in a school trip to Kyoto 5 years before the series starts. Because he secretly developed a crush on the girl (Yotsuba) that just singled him out for helping him when he needed it. Supposedly that made him the overachiever he is when we meet him.

His characterization starts with laying out the ends he goes to to get a somewhat nourishing meal out of the school cafeteria while paying the smallest amount. He then runs into new student Itsuki, an unlikely encounter for a nerdy loner like him, and immediately antagonizes her. This guarantees he starts the whole enterprise he gets dragged into on the wrong foot and has to scramble to get into everybody's good graces.

Our dear Uesugi-kun, however, soon displays the other qualities he has. He wants to make his little sister happy who doesn't have a mom. (There are only hints about how he felt when he lost his mom and went through a rebellious phase.) He is responsible, willing to work hard, and dedicated. Seeing his laid-back dad we know nobody is making Futaro behave as he does - it's his choice.

Futaro is often portrayed as cold as ice to the outside whereas inside he fumbles with how to deal with the situations he ends up in. His arc in the show is to become more observant and display more of the qualities that make the girls eventually fall for him - but initially only for sake of money and the job. It takes him a while to realize that he cares about these girls as friends, and eventually he tutors them for free.

Being what the story needs is a typical trait for him. He will be wise and observant. He will drop his awkward outward personality in one-on-one situations. He's engaged when he can make others happy or prevent them from suffering, but being a male tsundere he will often say harsh things that run counter to his genuinely kind actions.

Getting him out of his monomanic tendencies ("I need to study!", "I need this job!") is actually the first part of his character development. As he admits later on, when challenged by an outsider, is that he wouldn't have considered himself to be a real, full person before this new situation made him develop the other parts lying dormant in his personality.

Fundamentally his reserved, icy tsundere personality is needed to keep the story going. Futaro refuses to engage this part of this personality and yet he's not immune to it. His lack of response to the various hijinks around him keeps the situation unresolved and the pot boiling.

As TV Tropes puts it: "Male love interests with tsundere-like traits are more likely to have mutual Belligerent Sexual Tension with a girl equally as tsundere as he is, or act aloof and detached as more of a Kuudere type character." (See here.) Futaro to a tee! Nobody shall know how deeply likable he is. The show thrives on the face that he can't fool us (as he's not supposed to).

Beyond that, he's another example of "boys can be dense" so often hinted at in anime and manga. (The thing most often said about Sword Art Online's Kirito is that he's "dense.") Also, while Futaro can be arrogant about his own scholastic nature, all the female attention he gets never goes to his head. He barely sees them "this way" and often gets annoyed with the attention he gets or treats it as absolutely normal. He more than often calls the girls a bunch of "idiots" but somehow, as the show progresses, it is clear that they're his bunch of idiots. As I said, his main quality is that he cares.

Futaro will go to a winter camp and be social and all engaged even when he's so sick he has to be hospitalized after. He will do it for others and secretly for himself. And he will write a list of experiences to share with his kid sister. As our wooden boy turns into a real person he becomes irresistible to those who know him. But ironically most of what can be said about Futaro needs to be said when seeing him in the five-facetted mirror that the girls reflect him in.

Which means - we need to look at the girls!

Ichika

Did you ever notice it? When we see the names of the girls on phone screens as calls arrive, the symbols are the Japanese kanji for numbers 1-5. This is reflected in their names. "Ichika" has the word "ichi" in her name, marking her as the first quintuplet to be born. She remarks on herself as "Big Sis" as if she was an older sister.

Ichika projects laid-back, easy-going, and popular. She wears her hair short in a way that suggests she's uncomplicated but somehow also confident. Tight denim jeans and tops show off her curves and she turns heads wherever she goes - or as Futaro puts it, she "attracts attention" (something he dislikes when it comes to himself). Ichika's desire is to be an actress, something she does feel self-conscious about since she's unsure she can cut it.

There's a hint in the story (her scores in the year 2 finals) that she's more intelligent and capable when it comes to studies than people, including her sisters, might expect. She just didn't care before or was constantly overtired due to her work commitments. Interestingly, she's also the only one who's messy. Her room looks like it had been searched by the rudest squad of police in the history of television.

Ichika keeps a tab on the feelings of her sisters and always tries to create harmony. Nino calls her a "schemer" and that sums her up to a tee. From the moment Futaro talks to Itsuki she tries to ship them. then Miku and Futaro when she notices Miku's feelings. This culminates when she becomes interested in Futaro herself and starts to scheme because she is not truly confident and bold enough to just let him know head-on. Ichika puts on an act, and Futaro calls her on it early on.

To go with the traits she displays, she calls Futaro "Futaro-kun" practically off the bat, using the first name immediately and adding the endearing suffix. Ichika's friendly and outwardly social, so she skips the whole dance of Japanese social rules altogether.

Initially Ichika acts as Futaro's helper and "woman on the inside" when most of the quintuplets reject him, mending upsets and mediating between him and the tsundere duo, Nino and Itsuki. This changes once she wants Futaro for himself which puts her actual lack of confidence on full display.

Ichika's outer accessory is her short, pink hair.

Nino

Keeping with the pattern, "ni" being the way you count to two, the second-born quintuplet is Nino. Is Nino a tsundere? You bet she is. If she hates you, she's mean. The first thing she does upon Futaro being revealed as the tutor is that she drugs him. Nino is honest and extremely forthright, though to her "technically true" is good enough. ("I didn't poison [the cookies]." Yep. It was the water instead.) So when her dad asks her if she speaks the truth, she is believed.

Nino talks about trust a lot - "Can I trust you?" is practically her catch phrase. This speaks to her insecurity. Nino's brash personality apparently roots in the fact that she doesn't want to be hurt first. She would just not admit that. But when caught "one-on-one", Futaro notices she can be surprisingly easy to talk to. Nino is not as aloof as she would have you think though she plays it cool all the time, followed around by her two fan-girl like friends.

Her relationship with Futaro presents a side of her that we will see on display eventually - all-in or all-out. She first just calls him "Uesugi," and without a honorific that makes it sound like a "stranger you do not pay respect to." Though this can also be the name used between classmates. However, as soon as she changes her mind about him, she decided to give him a pet name (though Miku has to think it up): "Fu-kun." This is basically the most familar (and hence "dere") way of showing affection. Nino's affection isn't won easily, but once you have it, you've won.

Keeping with her traits, she's the only one that manages to outright tell Futaro that she's in love with him in two seasons of anime. She's the only one who has the guts to do so - because, once she's in, she's all in.

Nino's worries about loss and dislikes outsiders. She's also a talented cook. Her trademark accessories are little scarves she weaves into her hair - reminiscent of butterfly wings. Which hints at her soft side. Nino likes cute things - her phone has a bunny ears protector, and the first kimono we see her wear has bunny patterns. When we see her room, it shows displays of nature scenes with animals in them.

What's unconvincing about Nino is that for someone who cares about being truthful she's awfully casual about Futaro posing as Kintaro (who she had a crush on). While the whole idea of Futaro posing a bad boy (which she's hot for) is laughable to begin with, it actually is a bit of truth in fiction piercing the usual anime/manga art style conventions. Hair style and clothing of students are tightly regulated, something completely handwaved for heroines. However, with Futaro it's played straight. He seemed like a bad boy as his younger self, having both pierced his ear (which she's afraid of) and being blonde. Many Japanese schools enforce dark or black as the "natural hair color" students have to have, and hair has to be straight. People with natural curls or not-typically-Japanese hair colors can even be singled out by teachers, even after presenting a medical note proving that's their natural hair. So we're getting a hint at how actual Japanese school life might be (and that teachers probably cut Futaro some slack because his mom died).

Nino's most awesome moments are when she goes into intimidation mode - that's just outright funny. I personally would not vote her as my best girl, but she is instrumental for keeping the show going. First when she delays Futaro's acceptance, then when her confession forces all the others into action.

Miku

Miku is the middle one, and her name derives of from "mittsu", a word regarding the quantity of three. Probably because it made a better name. (Typically you would count with "san.") Miku is the shy one, constantly hiding herself. She's most likely to hide from others (like in an igloo at camp) or shut the world out (her accessory are big headphones, though you never see her wear them much on her ears after the series gets going). While Miku will wear a short skirt she will also wear black tights like a protective screen. Her style of clothing seems to deliberately tone down her bust whereas the others either do not care or dress to attract attention. Miku would wear long sleeve cardigans instead. She speaks quietly and is often called "bland" by Nino.

Miku bonds with Futaro over her passion for old, bearded Japanese warlords which she knows all about. She loses respect for him when he knows less "warlord trivia" than her, but when he studies up to be her peer, she relents. It's beautifully played: She walks into the library and verifies his claims that he checked out all the books. Once Futaro proved that he was going an extra mile to actually gain access to her world (which she so carefully hides) she accepts him as friend immediately, calling him "Futaro" - like you would a friend.

Seeing Miku with her sisters it's hard to grasp how shy she really is. She constantly leads an inner dialogue and rarely lets it escape. She seems to be especially rewarding and easy to write for for the original author, seeing how long the story arcs are that focus on her. (Or maybe that's what the animation studios chose to highlight.)

This is because it takes a long time for her to set anything into action. She tries daring herself by defining thresholds she needs to cross instead of instead doing something straightforward. Miku also compares herself a lot. One of the sad things about her is that she thinks she needs to be a certain way to be liked, whereas Futaro just naturally would care for her. So her whole attempt to get a better cook can be seen as endearing but also as a problem. She's the only one of the five that considers changing herself to be more "appealing." She also takes the list of traits Futaro looks for in a girl as is.

To me, Miku is always wonderful to watch, I root for her constantly.

One of her odd properties is that she apparently is maybe the best at imitating the others. Seeing her imitate Ichika is downright spooky - when she turns her frown "upside down."

Miku is the first to know that she's in love with Futaro, she just has the hardest time lining up her actions with it.

Go, Miku!

Yotsuba

Number 4 is our "genki girl", Yotsuba, whose name is a reference to "yon," an alternative version of "shi" which is considered unlucky because it means "death" as well. "Genki" means healthy, but also describes a lively personality, constantly positive, endless energy.

Yotsuba characterizes even herself as most child-like, she's naive and trusting, and people get in the habit of abusing her willing-to-help personality. She's the only one to never question the whole tutoring thing, and she never stops calling Futaro "Uesugi-san", which is the most formal way to do it and could be sometimes considered to be the equivalent of "Mr Uesugi." Adding "-san" shows respect, and as their tutor she gives it to him.

Yotsuba is the reason why the girls changed school because she's the only one who couldn't remedy her failing score in a second exam. She has a correspondingly low opinion of herself. While she is indeed a scatterbrain she also has a good mind for English, a subject that requires some intuition and feel for language.

In keeping with her generally cute and puppy dog personality, her accessory is a ribbon that sticks out like two bunny ears. When Yotsuba is tired or sad, it flops. When she has an idea, it perks. Yotsuba is near-incapable of saying no, and her physical prowess makes her sought after by sports clubs in school - including the basketball club and the track team.

Yotsuba can be refreshing, but she wears herself down trying to make everybody else happy. Technically she's the first one to say "I like/love you" to Kintaro, though she says it was to prove she can convincingly lie. The moment is perfect, and in fact surprises are Yotsuba's theme. She sometimes catches on surprisingly quickly only for the others to deny her intuitions (which she believes). Count on Yotsuba to do something outlandish.

Technically Yotsuba, however, has never said she has a crush on Futaro - whereas the other four have all admitted it. She's however the girl Futaro met in Kyoto five years ago where she became his big life-changing crush. She's also one of the two hottest candidates for the spring break mystery as to which girl ran up to Futaro and kissed him under the bell just because how spontaneous she is. (All girls were wearing the same to appease their grandfather, so we as viewers can't really tell who it was. But Futaro later references this moment as the start of what leads to marrying one of them - when that one started to become "special.")

Yotsuba is wonderful for comedy because she's like a broken flight recorder. She takes in everything but then combines factoids in surprising ways.

And after two seasons of this show I can't believe Yotsuba will be "it," but they keep awfully quiet about her actual feelings, dammit.

Itsuki

Does this show need another tsundere? Why yes, it does. Number 5 (named after an alternative word for five instead of the "go" used for counting) is the best tsundere by far. Brash and awkward, inside Itsuki cares. She will cry by herself over the arguments she has with Futaro or if she excludes herself because of her stubborness.

As season 2 finally establishes, Itsuki strongly takes after the mother role. But even at the start she immediately "falls" for Futaro's little sister Raiha. She also immediately fits like a mother into the Uesugi household whenever she shows up. When she doesn't know where to go she shows up on the Uesugi doorstep, being the only one who ever visited the place. We see her in a picture with Raiha making the two of them look like mom and dad, we see them sleeping in the same room with the girl between them - she just slots in, she can almost not help it.

Her mother was a teacher, and every month Itsuki goes and burns incense to honor her late mother at her grave. Itsuki wants to become a teacher, and she also wants to ensure Futaro is suitable as an authority and teacher figure, making this her motivation to check him out more.

She also tries to discipline Nino when she crosses the threshold. It's Itsuki that notices that Futaro hand-wrote all their problem sets because he's too poor to print them and he actually cares about tutoring them properly. However, she cannot handle the ensuing situation and runs away herself, knowing she put Nino into a spot that it's really hard to walk back out of after demonstrating how wrong she is in front of the others.

Itsuki calls Futaro "Uesugi-kun", a term appropriate for a classmate while also being nice. Prim and proper and a bit compulsive are her traits. She actually studies but then messes up her exams by obsessing about some answers and then not finishing. At times when the quints mislead a teacher or go against a teacher's order she's the only one that's outright mortified.

It's clear that Itsuki wants Futaro, though she is least vocal about it and supports the others in their pursuits. She tries to showcase Yotsuba as the Kyoto girl, for example. When she shops for hot underwear she also struggles with how forward that is. We learn the least about Itsuki's feelings, though, since her other trait is awkward. It's downright funny to see the same girl calling Futaro "too forward" when he leans his head on her shoulder (he actually was near passing out) but then buying a pair of underwear that makes both her and Miku blush and sweat when they actually look at it, showing her conflicting sides in lace.

While I'm personally in Team Miku, I consider from what I know now Itsuki as the hottest candidate for Futaro's heart. From their clashing personalities to being the first he runs into at school to the ease with which she slots into his life to... everything. To her Futaro says he will be a surrogate father if her own isn't up to it. And I consider her to be one of the two likely candidates for the kiss.

Why? Even in disguise, Miku is still Miku. (Though Futaro "seeing her" even in disguise is huuuuge for her.) We see Ichika, Nino's, and Miku's moves on screen - which makes you wonder where Itsuki is in all this, especially given all I said above. She's almost hidden in comparison.

Also take note of another thing she does: She wants to evaluate Futaro. This is brought to us in an exchange with Ichika which states that he's not like their dad. Which implies that her mom chose poorly for her second marriage - Mr Nakano has the charm (and eyes) of a snake and none of the daughters actually lives with him, they just visit him like he was a divorced parent. You could think she evaluates him for the sake of her sisters (she does this after discovering Ichika's crush, and everybody knows about Miku - even Futaro notices). But we might as well assume that in Itsuki's potential self-deception she also wants to make sure he's good enough for her. She never excludes herself when she says "we" need to be wiser about choosing men, after all.

Itsuki's accessories are her red hair, her cowlick, and the stars she wears in her hair. And she seems to burn calories real quick because she's always eating.

My bet

My personal favorite is Miku, partially because the show really makes us feel her plight, but I also have a foible for the "type." After making us care and empathize this much and giving her this much felt spotlight, it would almost be mean if it was anybody else.

However, I suspect it would turn out to be Itsuki for all the reasons stated in her section. She's "meta-positioned" best.

If it was anyone but these two I would be mad. Because the other three are a stretch, even though Ichika and Yotsuba are great as well. Nino... I don't know.

It shows how strong the show is that I would be sad no matter which one "wins." They all are characters we come to care about, their problems, their little dramas, their quirks. That's what makes the whole show work. It doesn't obsess about romance. Futaro and the girls meet on a human level first. While it cannot be called a "slow burner" by any means, it definitely establishes things first properly and always builds from the characters. I guess I'll know after tonight - unless there's a twist or cop-out ending. Which I might be happy with, too. (The enormous amount of white dresses seemed excessive.) Lame as that may be. Once a show convinces you that streaks of color on a screen are people you care for, it really did its job.

The only thing I know is that the underlying manga has finished. I wanted to see the conclusion on screen, though, as voices and color play such a big role in the show and are executed so well. Sadly all good things come to an end, and I hope a satisfying one.

[steamkittens]

Shoot Breakdown - Xanetia Sunset Shoot

I generally only shoot over interstate con weekends, either at the event or side shoots at the hotel. Interstate location shoots are just too difficult given the logistics involved, in finding a location in a city I don't know well and the effort of getting around with my disability plus the con takes up most of the time and side shoots are squeezed in around the event usually in the evening. What I really want to do is more outdoor shoots with interesting backgrounds and beautiful ambient light. 

Every year I plan to get out and shoot more in Adelaide but while I know hundreds of cosplayers interstate I know relatively few people in my hometown.

So the plan is to try and shoot most weekends. With the beautiful warm weather at the moment, I planned a couple of beach shoots. One of the benefits of Adelaide is the coastline directly faces the setting sun so you get uninterrupted golden light.  I like to shoot at sunset because apart from the golden hour you don’t have to worry about cloud cover like you do earlier in the day and getting harsh overhead light from the sun and needing much more powerful strobes to combat it.

I've been trying to use different jetty's so they don't all look the same but the funny thing is most have identical railings and all look the same anyway but do have small differences, the main one is the seating design which is a major consideration. For this one, we chose Grange Jetty because the seats aren't indented or have handrails at the end. Like all beaches on a hot Australian weekend getting any sort of a park was near impossible let alone a disabled park near the jetty. Jetty’s are perfect in Adelaide because the lead to the horizon with the setting sun behind the model and create beautiful leading lines in the photo. 

We started shooting around 7.15pm (with sunset at 8.34pm), the sun was just to the left of the jetty so shooting a pose at the railing was almost directly at the sun. I started off at 1/1000 (above left is the very first test frame) and slowly worked my way up to the Sony a7iii's max shutter speed of 1/8000.

With the sun so harsh it wasn't until we changed the angle that we finally achieved a better balance between ambient and flash. With this type of photography, the basic rule is Shutter Speed controls the background exposure and the flash power controls the model exposure and it's getting a nice balance of the two to get the perfect shot.

Below you can see a final processed image along with the purely ambient light and the out-of-camera frame with flash.

The other thing you'll notice between the final and the out-of-camera is the corrected horizon line. The majority of shots have been corrected to have the horizon square to the image. Human beings generally prefer straight, levelled lines instead of odd angles. When you hang a photo in your living room, why do you want to align it perfectly with the ceiling, floor, or furniture? And how off-putting is it when you see and crooked photo? We just find straight lines more aesthetically pleasing. That being said you'll see some of the images here that don't have straight lines, there are either deliberate choices or the images aren't going to be output and are here to show some other element.

I was shooting with a Godox AD300 with a gridded Godox 85CM AD-S85S Deep Parabolic Softbox. I meant to take off the grid but forgot, so I would have lost a lot of light. I didn't have a second helper so I didn't get any BTS material but the light was being handheld on a pole like the image below from a shoot a few weeks earlier.

7.30pm - We moved to the bench seat and did a few sitting poses with the light to the right of the camera and using the sun as a hair/rim light. I don't generally like visual clutter behind my subjects like groups of people too close. It's ok if they're a good distance away and are artistically blurred by the depth-of-field into nice shapes. We had a number of frames where Xanetia looked amazing, with the perfect wind in the hair but there was a large group of people crowding the scene however I like the shot on the right because she is haloed by the people, a light pole, and two beautifully placed birds.

7.43pm - We then tried a few shots without the shirt. In this shot leaning forward, I didn't correct the horizon to accentuate the lean.

I was shooting directly into the sun and was maxing the camera out at 1/8000. I don't believe I've gotten anywhere near that before. I could barely see a hazy silhouette in front of me with the sun in my face so I have no idea what the camera focused on, especially at f/2.

8.00pm - Half an hour before sunset the light was finally coming to us with the intensity noticeably dropping. It's around this time you get the best mix of ambient and flash.

I love the first image with the leading lines of the jetty and its railing shadows heading to the horizon. Again the second image has a non-corrected horizon to accentuate the lean....or I just forgot

8.12pm - The next few are probably my favourite shots of the shoot. We added the white shirt and got beautiful rim light from the sun on the legs. By this time with the rapidly falling ambient light, you are constantly scrolling Shutter speed and flash power to compensate.

8.26pm - A few minutes before sunset the wind started to pick up which was perfect. I always want a lot of hair movement, it adds so much to an image. You want to take lots of images because everyone will be different and give you a wide choice for the one you find most aesthetically pleasing.

In the first image, I really like the angle of the face but the 90-degree piece of hair just looks awkward.

8.30pm - As the sun hit the water we swapped sides to get it in frame. At this point, the wind really picked up so much that my assistant had an issue holding to light too high but it had a good effect on the hair and shirt.

8.33pm - We turned the flash off and just used the ambient light to get some beautiful silhouette shots to show off the hair in the wind.

Overview

----------------------

Location: Grange Jetty, South Australia

Date: Sunday 8th January 2023

Model: Xanetia

Assistant: Leighlan Doe

Shoot Time: 1.5 hours

Total Frames: 476

[muhammad-hamza-o7]

Why Mirror Dashboard Cameras are Ideal for Nighttime Driving

Mirror dashboard cameras are becoming increasingly popular among drivers, especially for nighttime driving. These cameras are designed to enhance visibility and provide a better driving experience when it’s dark outside. This article explores the various reasons why mirror dashboard camera are ideal for driving at night, from improved safety to better recording capabilities.

Enhanced Visibility at Night

One of the main reasons mirror dashboard cameras are ideal for nighttime driving is the improved visibility they offer. These cameras typically come with features such as night vision, which allows the camera to capture clearer footage even in low-light conditions. This can help drivers see other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles more clearly, making it safer to drive at night. Nighttime driving can be dangerous, but with a mirror dashboard camera, the risks can be significantly reduced.

Night Vision Technology

Mirror dashboard cameras are equipped with advanced night vision technology. This feature helps to enhance the image quality in low-light conditions by adjusting the camera’s settings to capture clearer footage. Night vision technology uses infrared sensors that allow the camera to see in complete darkness or low-light situations. With this technology, drivers can feel more confident on the road during nighttime driving, knowing that the camera will capture all necessary details.

Better Safety and Security

Safety is a priority when driving, especially at night. Mirror dashboard cameras offer better safety by recording everything that happens on the road, even in the dark. This footage can be crucial in case of an accident or dispute, as it provides solid evidence that can be used in legal situations. The cameras continuously monitor the surroundings and offer an extra layer of security for the driver, knowing that any unusual incidents are being recorded.

Clearer Evidence in Case of Accidents

One of the most valuable features of mirror dashboard cameras is their ability to provide clear evidence in case of an accident. Nighttime accidents can be tricky to handle, especially when visibility is low. However, with a mirror dashboard camera, you have a reliable source of footage that can prove what happened during the incident. Whether it’s a collision or a hit-and-run, the camera captures every detail, which can be important for insurance claims and legal purposes.

Easy to Use and Install

Another benefit of mirror dashboard cameras is how easy they are to install and use. They often come with user-friendly interfaces and simple installation processes. Many models attach directly to the rearview mirror, offering a seamless and discreet look in the car. This makes them especially convenient for nighttime driving, as the camera is always in place and ready to record. Drivers don’t have to worry about additional gadgets or complex settings while driving at night.

Wide-Angle Lens for Better Coverage

Mirror dashboard cameras are typically equipped with wide-angle lenses, which provide better coverage of the road ahead. This feature is especially useful for nighttime driving, as it ensures that the camera captures a larger area, even in dark conditions. Wide-angle lenses minimize blind spots, allowing the driver to have a clearer view of everything happening around the vehicle. This is crucial for spotting other vehicles or obstacles that might not be visible in the dark.

Seamless Integration with Your Vehicle

Mirror dashboard cameras are designed to seamlessly integrate with your vehicle, making them ideal for nighttime driving. They attach to the rearview mirror, meaning they don’t require additional mounts or accessories. This provides a clean and clutter-free dashboard, which is important when driving at night, as drivers need clear visibility. The camera’s placement also makes it easier to access and use, ensuring that it’s always in position to record crucial footage.

Advanced Motion Detection

Many mirror dashboard cameras come with advanced motion detection capabilities. This feature is especially useful when driving at night, as it allows the camera to detect any movement around the vehicle. If there’s an object or vehicle approaching, the camera automatically begins recording, ensuring that important footage is captured. This motion detection feature is especially valuable in low-light environments, as it ensures that nothing is missed, even if the driver doesn’t notice it right away.

Enhanced Nighttime Clarity with HD Recording

Mirror dashboard cameras are often equipped with high-definition (HD) recording capabilities, which is essential for nighttime driving. HD recording ensures that the camera captures clear and detailed footage, even in low-light conditions. This is particularly important for nighttime driving, as it helps the driver identify details that might be hard to see with the naked eye. The high-quality footage can make a big difference in accident investigation or verifying what occurred during a nighttime incident.

Voice Control for Easy Operation

Voice control is another feature that makes mirror dashboard cameras ideal for nighttime driving. With voice command options, drivers can easily control the camera without having to take their hands off the wheel. This is especially important when driving at night, as it allows the driver to remain focused on the road while still being able to manage the camera’s settings. Voice control makes it safer to adjust the camera or start recording, ensuring that the driver’s attention stays on the road.

Improved Driving Confidence

Lastly, mirror dashboard cameras give drivers increased confidence when driving at night. With the added security of knowing that the surroundings are being recorded, drivers can focus on the road without worrying about potential accidents or incidents. The high-quality footage and advanced features provide peace of mind, knowing that in case of an emergency, the camera will capture everything needed to resolve the situation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mirror dashboard cameras offer many benefits for nighttime driving, including enhanced visibility, night vision technology, and improved safety. With features like HD recording, wide-angle lenses, and motion detection, these cameras provide clear footage even in low-light conditions. A dash cam rear view mirror is an excellent investment for anyone looking to drive safely at night. The advanced technology and ease of use make it an essential tool for enhancing the nighttime driving experience.

[allyra77lluka]

Why Choose a Professional Video Production Agency in Sydney?

In today’s fast-paced digital world, video content has become one of the most powerful tools for engaging audiences. Whether you’re looking to promote your brand, explain your services, or tell your story, professional video production can help you capture attention in a compelling and memorable way. In Sydney, there are many talented video production agencies ready to bring your vision to life.

The Power of Video Marketing

Video marketing has proven to be a highly effective way of connecting with potential customers. According to recent statistics, over 80% of internet traffic is driven by video content. Videos are more engaging than text-based content, and they help build trust and credibility with your audience. A professional video production agency can craft a video that resonates with your target demographic, whether it’s for social media, websites, or advertisements.

Why You Need a Professional Video Production Agency

While there are plenty of tools available for DIY video creation, hiring a professional video production agency ensures that the final product is polished, high-quality, and tailored to your brand. Here’s why professional video production is worth the investment:

High-Quality Equipment and Expertise: A professional agency uses state-of-the-art equipment and advanced editing software, ensuring your video is of the highest quality. Their team of experts also knows how to leverage lighting, sound, and camera angles to produce visually striking videos.

Creative Direction and Storytelling: Professional video production agencies offer more than just filming; they bring creativity and storytelling expertise to your project. They help you craft a narrative that aligns with your brand’s message, ensuring your video has a strong impact on your audience.

Efficient Process: Creating a video can be time-consuming, but a professional agency has the experience to streamline the entire process. From pre-production planning to filming and post-production editing, they handle every aspect, allowing you to focus on your business.

Marketing Optimization: A great video is not just about good visuals and sound – it’s also about reaching the right people. A video production agency Sydney understands the latest trends in digital marketing, ensuring that your video is optimized for search engines and social media platforms.

Services Offered by Video Production Agencies in Sydney

Sydney’s professional video production agencies offer a wide range of services, including:

Corporate Videos: Promote your business or brand with high-quality corporate videos that showcase your products, services, or company values.

Event Coverage: Capture the essence of your events, from conferences to weddings, with beautifully filmed event coverage.

Promotional Videos: Short, snappy promotional videos designed to boost your brand’s visibility and drive engagement.

Product Videos: Showcase your product in action to give potential customers a closer look at its features and benefits.

Choosing the Right Video Production Agency

When selecting a video production agency in Sydney, it’s important to consider factors such as their portfolio, client testimonials, and experience in your industry. A good agency will take the time to understand your goals and collaborate with you to create a video that truly reflects your brand.

Conclusion

Investing in professional video production can make a significant impact on your business, especially in a competitive market like Sydney. Whether you’re launching a new product, running an advertising campaign, or simply want to tell your brand’s story, a video production agency can help you create engaging, high-quality content that drives results. Take the next step today and connect with a professional video production agency in Sydney to elevate your brand.

Feel free to adjust or expand upon the blog post to better suit your needs!

[connectseo-blog]

Unlock the Power of a Motion Analysis Test for Your Health

When it comes to understanding how your body moves and operates, a motion analysis test stands out as a transformative tool. This test provides comprehensive insights into your biomechanics, allowing healthcare professionals to evaluate your movement patterns and identify any inefficiencies or abnormalities. It has become a vital component in modern physical therapy, sports medicine, and orthopaedic care, helping athletes, patients with injuries, and anyone looking to optimise their physical performance.

What Is a Motion Analysis Test?

A motion analysis test involves observing and recording body movements using advanced technology. Sensors and cameras track joint angles, muscle activity, and overall movement, translating them into data. This approach reveals the intricate details of human motion, highlighting issues that may not be visible during a standard physical exam.

One of the most innovative advancements in this field is the 3D motion analysis system. Unlike traditional methods, 3D motion analysis captures three-dimensional data to give a comprehensive understanding of how your body works. It maps out your movements in real-time, offering unparalleled precision and enabling experts to pinpoint exactly where an imbalance or irregularity might occur. This can be especially beneficial for athletes who need to fine-tune their performance and reduce injury risk.

Why You Might Need a Motion Analysis Test

The benefits of a motion analysis test are vast. If you’ve been dealing with chronic pain, recurring injuries, or unexplained physical discomfort, this test can shed light on the root causes. By understanding the way your body moves, healthcare professionals can tailor treatment plans that specifically address your needs.

In sports medicine, athletes use motion analysis to enhance their performance. The test can identify incorrect movement patterns that may hinder athletic ability or put them at risk for injuries. Runners, for instance, can benefit from a gait analysis that optimises their running mechanics, while football players may use 3D motion analysis to improve their agility and strength.

In rehabilitation, patients recovering from surgeries like knee replacements or shoulder repairs can undergo motion analysis to track their progress. This helps in adjusting physical therapy protocols to ensure faster and more effective healing. Understanding biomechanics through these tests also proves valuable for individuals with neurological conditions, enabling better management and improved quality of life.

The Role of 3D Motion Analysis

The incorporation of 3D motion analysis technology revolutionises the way clinicians and therapists interpret data. It creates a virtual model of a person’s movements, allowing specialists to assess posture, alignment, and joint kinematics with great accuracy. This form of analysis is essential for detecting issues that are impossible to see with the naked eye, such as slight differences in hip rotation or spine alignment.

For example, a 3D motion analysis can reveal if a patient’s lower back pain is due to improper pelvic tilt or poor gait mechanics. This level of detail helps in developing a more focused treatment plan, ensuring long-term improvement rather than short-term relief.

Cost Considerations

When exploring the possibility of undergoing a motion analysis test, it’s natural to consider the associated costs. While prices can vary based on the clinic and the technology used, investing in a test like this often leads to significant long-term savings. By addressing movement inefficiencies and preventing injuries early on, you’re less likely to require costly medical interventions down the line.

High-tech motion analysis, including 3D motion analysis, may come with a higher price tag, but the value it provides is unmatched. When combined with other diagnostic tools, such as a bone density scanner, individuals can get a holistic view of their musculoskeletal health.

Who Can Benefit from Motion Analysis?

A motion analysis test isn’t just for elite athletes or individuals recovering from injuries. It’s also beneficial for older adults who want to improve their balance and mobility, or children with developmental conditions that affect movement. Even if you’re simply someone looking to achieve better fitness goals, understanding your movement mechanics can help you perform exercises more safely and effectively.

Healthcare facilities equipped with state-of-the-art 3D motion analysis systems can provide detailed feedback and recommendations. The data obtained can lead to personalised strategies for strengthening muscles, improving posture, and enhancing overall well-being.

Conclusion

A motion analysis test can be a game-changer for anyone serious about understanding and improving their physical capabilities. Paired with cutting-edge technology like 3D motion analysis, it offers an unparalleled glimpse into the body’s biomechanics. Whether you’re an athlete aiming to optimise performance, a patient recovering from an injury, or an individual looking to enhance overall movement, this test provides the clarity needed to achieve your goals. Embrace the future of physical health and discover how your body truly moves.

[seccamsla]

🌟 Exploring 4K Surveillance: Unmatched Clarity and Detail 🌟

📍 DSMLA - Los Angeles & Orange County 📍 📞 Contact Us Today: 310-901-4972

When it comes to security, clarity is key. 4K surveillance cameras offer incredible resolution that enhances your ability to monitor your property effectively. Here’s a look at the advantages of 4K cameras, particularly in recognizing details across different lighting conditions:

What is 4K Surveillance?

4K surveillance cameras provide a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, delivering four times the detail of standard 1080p HD cameras. This increased clarity allows for better identification of faces, license plates, and other critical details that can be essential in security situations.

Key Benefits of 4K Cameras:

🔹 Superior Image Quality The higher pixel density of 4K cameras captures intricate details that are often lost in lower resolution footage. This is crucial for identifying individuals or vehicles, especially in busy environments.

🔹 Enhanced Low-Light Performance Many 4K surveillance cameras are equipped with advanced low-light technology, allowing them to deliver clear images even in dimly lit conditions. This means you can maintain security at night without sacrificing image quality.

🔹 Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) 4K cameras with WDR technology excel in challenging lighting situations, such as bright sunlight and deep shadows. They balance exposure to ensure all details are visible, making them ideal for outdoor monitoring.

🔹 Flexible Viewing Angles The high resolution of 4K allows for larger viewing areas without losing detail. You can zoom in on specific areas in the footage without compromising image quality, which is perfect for monitoring large properties.

Real-World Applications:

Retail Security: In stores, 4K cameras help identify shoplifters or monitor employee activity, ensuring a safer environment.

Home Surveillance: Homeowners benefit from clear images that can identify visitors or monitor activity around their property.

Traffic Monitoring: In busy urban areas, 4K cameras can capture clear footage of vehicles, making it easier to manage traffic flow and monitor incidents.

Invest in Clarity with DSMLA!

At DSMLA, we offer cutting-edge 4K surveillance solutions tailored to your specific security needs. Experience the difference that high-definition clarity can make in protecting your home or business.

📞 Contact us today at 310-901-4972 to learn more about our 4K camera options and how they can enhance your security!

[ovvy-ai]

How to Nail Your Real Estate Agent Photo Shoot: Tips for Outstanding Property Photos

When it comes to selling real estate, visuals are your best friend. In a competitive market, buyers often form a first impression of a property from online photos. An eye-catching listing with high-quality, professionally taken images can make all the difference. Whether you’re a seasoned real estate agent or just starting, knowing how to execute a successful real estate agent photo shoot will maximize your property’s appeal and help you attract potential buyers. Here, we’ll walk you through essential tips, tricks, and industry insights to ensure your photo shoot goes off without a hitch.

Why Quality Photos Matter for Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents understand the importance of making a memorable impression. In an age where potential buyers can browse hundreds of listings in a matter of minutes, high-quality photos can stop them in their tracks. With competition fierce, listings featuring excellent photos generally attract more interest, generate higher offers, and even sell faster. But it’s not just about having clear images; it’s about showcasing the property’s best features, creating an inviting ambiance, and highlighting details that might otherwise be overlooked.

How to Prepare for a Real Estate Agent Photo Shoot

1. Scout the Location in Advance

Take the time to visit the property before the shoot. Doing so allows you to get a feel for the space, assess natural lighting, and plan the shots in advance. A quick visit will help you identify any potential challenges, such as cluttered rooms, areas that need additional lighting, or spaces that might benefit from staging. Familiarizing yourself with the location will also help you maximize your time during the actual shoot.

2. Stage the Property for Success

An essential part of real estate photography is creating an environment that buyers can envision themselves in. Here’s where staging comes into play. A staged home often looks more appealing, feels more spacious, and attracts more buyers. Focus on decluttering, rearranging furniture to create an open flow, and adding small touches like fresh flowers or stylish decor pieces. These additions can give the property a welcoming feel and help each room look its best in photos.

3. Pay Attention to Lighting

Lighting is one of the most critical factors in real estate photography. Natural light generally provides the best results, so plan your shoot for times when rooms receive plenty of sunlight. Early morning and late afternoon are often ideal, as they provide soft, warm light that enhances the property’s appeal. If natural light is scarce, consider bringing in extra lighting equipment to brighten up darker areas and create even illumination.

4. Focus on Key Selling Points

Every property has unique features that set it apart, and a successful real estate agent photo shoot highlights these details. Whether it’s a cozy fireplace, stunning hardwood floors, or a breathtaking view from the balcony, identify these aspects in advance and plan shots to capture them effectively. Don’t forget that each detail, even something as simple as crown molding or a newly renovated kitchen, can catch the eye of a prospective buyer.

Best Practices for Capturing Stunning Real Estate Photos

1. Use the Right Equipment

The quality of your images often depends on the equipment you use. While smartphone cameras have made significant advancements, a high-resolution DSLR or mirrorless camera remains the best option for professional real estate photography. Opt for a wide-angle lens to capture more of each room, which gives potential buyers a better perspective of the space. A tripod is also essential for sharp, well-composed shots, especially in low-light conditions.

2. Adjust Your Camera Settings

Optimal settings are key to capturing quality photos. Set your camera to a low ISO (100-200) to reduce noise and keep images crisp. Use an aperture between f/8 and f/11 to ensure a deep field of focus, keeping everything in the room sharp. Shutter speed may vary depending on lighting conditions, but aim to keep it fast enough to avoid motion blur if you’re shooting handheld.

3. Composition is Key

In real estate photography, the composition can make or break a shot. Position the camera at a height that captures the room’s best angles—often about five feet high. Aligning your camera with room features and ensuring walls appear straight will result in more polished images. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to capture a sense of depth and dimension, especially in rooms that feel smaller.

4. Capture Multiple Angles

For each room, take photos from various angles. Having multiple perspectives can help showcase the room’s layout and flow. Wide-angle shots are ideal for smaller spaces, as they can make rooms look more spacious. Larger rooms benefit from closer, detailed shots that highlight unique features, such as architectural details or luxurious finishes.

Post-Processing: Enhancing Your Images

Once your real estate agent photo shoot is complete, it’s time to refine your images through post-processing. Editing software, like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, can help adjust lighting, correct colors, and sharpen images. Here are some essential editing tips to make your photos stand out:

Enhance Brightness and Contrast: Brightening your images slightly and boosting contrast can make spaces appear more inviting.

Straighten Lines and Fix Distortions: Correcting lines ensures that walls appear straight and the image looks professional.

Remove Minor Imperfections: Sometimes, small issues (like a stain on the carpet or a smudge on a wall) can distract from the property’s appeal. Use editing tools to clean up these imperfections.

Adjust White Balance: Ensuring that your images have a neutral white balance will give the property a clean and polished look.

Tips for Outdoor Shots

While the interior is essential, don’t neglect the exterior of the property. A well-captured exterior shot can create a lasting first impression. Pay attention to the following:

Timing Matters: Early morning or late afternoon is also ideal for exterior shots. The golden light during these hours enhances the property’s curb appeal.

Curb Appeal Counts: Make sure the lawn is mowed, leaves are raked, and walkways are clear. Small details like potted plants or a clean front door can add to the property’s charm.

Capture the Surrounding Area: If the property is near parks, schools, or shops, capturing these in your shots can help potential buyers envision the neighborhood and lifestyle.

Leveraging Professional Real Estate Photography Apps

With advancements in technology, apps like Ovvy make organizing, capturing, and editing real estate photos easier than ever. Real estate agents can benefit from apps designed specifically for property photography, providing tools to enhance photos, streamline editing, and even schedule shoots with professional photographers. These tools can save agents valuable time while ensuring top-notch quality in every shot.

Final Thoughts

A well-executed real estate agent photo shoot can transform a listing from average to outstanding. By investing in quality equipment, paying attention to details like staging and lighting, and using professional editing techniques, you can create a lasting impression on potential buyers. With the right approach and resources like Ovvy to assist you, capturing a property’s best features has never been more straightforward.

Whether you’re aiming to improve your photo shoots or simply looking for ways to elevate your listings, following these tips can give you the edge you need in today’s competitive real estate market.

[jcmarchi]

Atomos Shinobi II External Monitor vs. Camera Display - Videoguys

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/atomos-shinobi-ii-external-monitor-vs-camera-display-videoguys/

Atomos Shinobi II External Monitor vs. Camera Display - Videoguys

In this article by Christian Kober for Riwit, the importance of using an external monitor for filming and photography is emphasized as a crucial step to elevate your creative work. Relying solely on a camera’s built-in display can create challenges, especially with focus, exposure, and visibility in bright outdoor environments. By using an external monitor for photography or videography, you gain access to larger screens, better resolution, and professional tools that help ensure accuracy and efficiency during shooting.

Why an External Monitor is Essential for Photography and Filmmaking

Kober outlines several key benefits of an external monitor. First, an external camera monitor provides a larger screen and better visibility, especially under challenging lighting conditions like bright sunlight. High-resolution monitors offer superior image clarity, making it easier to focus and fine-tune details in real-time, which reduces the need for extensive post-production work. This is critical for both professional filmmakers and photographers looking to deliver high-quality results quickly.

Moreover, many external monitors come equipped with professional features like histograms, vectorscopes, focus peaking, and false color, which allow users to correct exposure, focus, and color settings with precision. These tools are invaluable for those working in complex shoots where every frame needs to be perfect.

The Flexibility and Ergonomic Benefits of an External Monitor

Another advantage of using an external monitor for video production or photography is the flexibility it provides. Unlike built-in camera displays, external monitors can be positioned at various angles, making it easier to maintain an ergonomic posture during long shoots. This is especially beneficial when using equipment like gimbals, where awkward camera angles are common.

Additionally, external monitors allow filmmakers to see not just the frame but also the surroundings. This wider field of view helps camera operators detect unexpected elements entering the frame, enabling quicker adjustments and more dynamic composition.

Atomos Shinobi II: The Best External Monitor for Professionals

One of the best examples of a professional-grade external monitor for filmmakers is the Atomos Shinobi II. This monitor is praised for its 1500 Nit brightness, ensuring clear visibility even in direct sunlight. Its Full HD resolution provides crisp, color-accurate images, making it easier to assess focus, color balance, and exposure on set.

The Shinobi II also includes advanced features like focus peaking, zebra, and 3D LUT support, which help filmmakers fine-tune skin tones, manage highlights, and achieve the perfect shot. Furthermore, the monitor offers intuitive camera control, compatible with popular mirrorless cameras from brands like Canon, Sony, Nikon, and Panasonic. This flexibility allows users to adjust camera settings directly through the monitor, saving time and effort during fast-paced shoots.

External Monitors: A Must-Have for Filmmakers and Photographers

In conclusion, external monitors are no longer just accessories—they are essential tools for anyone serious about improving their videography or photography workflow. By providing better visibility, superior image quality, and advanced tools, an external monitor helps ensure every shot is perfectly captured. For professionals, the Atomos Shinobi II stands out as a powerful and lightweight option, offering camera control, HDR support, and rugged durability for use in any environment.

Read the full article by Christian Kober HERE