#virtual photography is such a niche space but it's so so fun

[animatedjen]

Seven months of photomode (Merrin edition!) Nov 2023 -> June 2024

[armedjoy]

a long and (later on) personal post about my engagement and future on this site beneath the cut

to start, some observations about my time here:

disco elysium holds the record for the first fandom im truly engaging with. i check the tags, read the 'spinoff' fiction, its fun. one could say our ideological milieus here are themselves a fandom, but in terms of something thats strictly media, this is it. going on 11 years here and thats what broke the streak, its that fucking good.

i regret deleting my sideblog 'information-nexus' back in '15. it was an organized and well-tagged news, theory, "how-to", and resource blog, but it was taking way too much of my time. i was attempting to make a whole ass virtual library on tumblr, which is far too ambitious for one person, especially considering that it would never pay bills. i shouldve opened it up to some friends to co-mod it and dialed back my involvement. oh well

i regret less the deletion of 'film-space' in '14. posts were just the movie poster with a brief summary of the plot and then a quick review. i came up with my own system that reworked the 4 star ratings into how id recommend based on genre preferences. film reviews in print seem to belabor the point and online reviews seem to lean too heavily on arbitrarily defined scoring. the point should be to either encourage or dissuade readers from seeing it, not remind them you're the wittiest person in the room or that you've atomized the medium into an exploded diagram, and i held to that. it forced me to watch movies more critically wrt to both the art form and the politics it portrayed. but i took an extended break from the site and lost momentum. it just seemed... pointless

ive been pretty bad with managing every inbox/ chat ive ever had - except this one, the personal blog. i tell myself "i'll get around to answering that" and thats been a lie most of the time. the vast majority of my time here is spent reading things that cross my dash, so getting a question on a completely different subject seems to exceed my bandwidth. i genuinely enjoy most of my interactions here but im simply not in the correct mindset most days. that said, most of the mail 'left-reminders' has gotten just feels like im being asked to do an undergrads homework.

i havent posted my face in, what, 8 years? which i might change. i mean im already fucked - ive posted some wild shit before [REDACTED] was a meme, and my face is already linked to this blog & backed up somewhere at fort meade. whats another hole in an already sunk ship, yeah?

funnily enough, i originally joined to post my photography & short stories. look how that turned out lmao

why am i posting this? ive been seriously evaluating my continued presence here. for some time ive had a desire to leave, which up to this point has been greatly outweighed by the reasons to stay. there are other platforms that are bigger, faster, algorithmically supercharged to provide every niche interest you allow it to know... but im still not as invested as i am here. tumblr's appeal is equal parts utilitarian and sentimental - no other platform has been this educational, informing, and entertaining. this place really is the internets bleeding edge for both humor and anarchist/ communist discourse. and for more personal reasons, i have greatly valued sharing this little corner of the internet with you all. i have enjoyed sharing each of your interests and discussions, witnessing your personal developments. know that this random guy on the internet is & always has been rooting for you.

ive had some serious rough patches over the last decade, and ive used this site as a grounding rod as much as a resource and social outlet. but my friend group is vast now, im living healthier, and im making positive changes. for the first in a very long time, i am truly feeling better, finally moving beyond 'managing' into 'growing.' and more than anything, i need to grow creatively.

simply put, writing fiction is the calling of my heart. and if im to commit to it, i cannot divide my attention. beyond being my sole committed creative outlet, it helps me manage daily life. writing feels like gardening: in the structure it builds to do it right, the determination it requires to continue when i fail, and the joy it inspires when i create. when an idea settles in and i can piece it together while going about my day, only sitting down to write when i know most of it. the emotion i experience after unwinding something that has rooted itself around my mind is tremendous and complicated - it feels like an exorcism, of sorts. the feverishness that seizes me to get it all down before it slips away, the relief when i know i can finally move on, the pride of creation, and the dreadful anticipation of being read - all of it is a bittersweet cup that i will gladly return to.

i need to make space for that, with whatever little amount of bandwidth i have to work with. i refuse to wake up one day knowing that i have postponed the only thing thats ever meant a damn to me, only to realize ive run out of time. i will not squander whats left.

at some point, i know i need to put this behind me. this, and several other self-imposed obligations, must greatly diminish or disappear entirely. it might be in a few weeks or a year, but it has to happen. i might keep this one up, sporadically popping in for occasional exchanges, and pass off the sideblogs to someone else. i've already scrubbed the archive. or maybe i'll just delete entirely; perhaps virtual presences are best if they resembled a sand mandala, something designed to be swept away to make space for something - or someone - new.

i had to write this down, get this all out, if only for myself. i cannot begin to estimate the amount of time ive spent here, so it had to be said for my own reconciliation of that time... and to keep myself to it.

when im ready to leave, i'll let you all know.

[productiveandfree]

Beyond Freelancing: Unique Home-Based Side Hustles That Pay Well

With inflation and economic uncertainty making it tough to get by, side hustles are becoming a lifeline for many. In fact, according to statistics, 38% of people look for a source of extra income due to these reasons. But let’s face it, the usual freelance gigs like writing, graphic design, or virtual assisting can get a bit repetitive. 

What if we told you there are exciting and unique ways to make money from home that don’t involve staring at a computer screen all day? These out-of-the-box options can not only boost your income but also inject some fun and variety into your life. 

Curious? Let’s dive into some surprisingly lucrative and enjoyable side hustles you can start right from your couch.

Earn Money By Sharing Your Feedback: Paid Survey Apps

Companies are constantly looking to improve their products and better understand consumer preferences. They pay for your opinions through survey apps to get this valuable feedback. These paid survey apps are a simple way for you to earn money just by answering questions on your phone. 

Here’s how it works: First, sign up with survey platforms. These platforms send surveys via text messages or notifications through their mobile app. The questions typically involve marketing and market research, aiming to gather insights on consumer behavior and preferences. 

Once you receive a survey, respond based on your experiences and opinions. Each completed survey earns you points or cash, accumulating in your account. When you’re ready, you can withdraw your earnings directly to your PayPal account, usually with just a few clicks. 

This method of earning is flexible and can be done anywhere at any time. You can make money during breaks, while commuting, or even while relaxing at home. It’s a convenient way to monetarily benefit from your viewpoints without any significant commitment or time investment.

 Monetize Your Culinary Creativity: Home-Based Baking or Cooking Classes

Do you love to cook or bake for your friends and family? If so, you might enjoy teaching others how to make your favorite dishes. You can set up online classes and share your best recipes and cooking tips with people from all over. 

This is how you can do it: start by setting up a dedicated space in your kitchen for video tutorials. Use a platform like Zoom, YouTube, or even Facebook Live to broadcast your cooking sessions. Charge a fee for your classes, perhaps offering a series at a discounted rate. 

You can specialize in niche markets by focusing on specific culinary styles like vegetarian, keto, or international cuisines, which can attract a more dedicated audience looking to expand their own cooking skills in those areas. 

But that’s not all! Encourage satisfied students to share their experiences and recipes on their own social channels, which will naturally attract more students to your classes. Over time, as you build a reputation for quality and informative classes, you can increase your rates and possibly branch into related offerings like personalized meal planning or virtual cooking parties. This approach not only provides a steady income but also lets you share your love of cooking with others, all from the comfort of your home.

Rent Out Your Gear: From Cameras to Camping Equipment

Do you have a closet full of cameras, bicycles, or camping gear gathering dust? Well, these items could be a source of extra income. There are rental platforms that allow you to rent out your rarely used equipment to those who need it for short-term projects or adventures. This way, you make money off items you own without selling them. 

Here’s how to get started: First, take stock of what you have that might be in demand. Popular items include photography equipment, musical instruments, and outdoor gear. Next, create a profile on a rental platform and list each item with a clear, appealing description and high-quality photos. Set your prices based on the item’s value and local demand. 

When someone rents your gear, the platform typically handles the transaction. You’ll get paid after the rental period ends, minus any fees the platform charges. To maximize earnings, ensure your equipment is in good condition and consider offering add-ons like delivery or setup help. 

This approach not only helps you make money from underused assets but also connects you with a community of people who need them, potentially leading to repeat customers. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly, promoting sharing over buying new.

 To Sum It All Up

The world of side hustles is as diverse as the people who pursue them. From monetizing your culinary skills to renting out your rarely used gear, these creative ventures allow you to turn your resources and talents into a viable source of extra income. So, embrace the opportunity to innovate and experiment with these unique options from the comfort of your home.

Share in the comments below: Questions go here

[3vebiot-blog]

Advantages and disadvantages of Chimping -- What's it and the way that it can damage or allow you to?

If you're an amateur shooting photo together along with your smartphone or some other specialist using a DSLR, if you create digital images, then you certainly can chimp. Additionally, it isn't essential if you have learned that the definition of or maybe not maybe it's damaging your photographic training accordingly read on in order if you want to know concerning the advantages and disadvantages of chimping and also how to utilise it (or quit applying it) in your favour.

What's chimping?

There is little question that photography has quite a few benefits. One is being capable of seeing caused by one's shooter instantly rather than being required to attend before you have your article source picture formulated. This clinic usually is called chimping, as Bryan Peterson coined the definition of plus it turned into famous.

But it isn't always excellent. If utilised without a lot of notion you could perhaps well not be using the advantage of this even worse; then it might be working.

Thus, chimping is just the action of assessing your graphics in your camera LCD screen. It will not of necessity signify precisely what you need to are doing then. You can delete any photos you will do any alterations for your preferences to the next photographs, or you are even allowed to quit carrying some longer pictures as you are happy in what you have. That is precisely where it becomes challenging.

Experts and Disadvantages of Chimping

Guru Number 1

Should you transform your requirements radically and will need to decode your preferences, it is rather valuable to figure out instantly when you have the shot directly. Here's a good instance.

This turned out to be a brilliantly sunny afternoon therefore that I had been halfway out by having the ISO of a hundred, top of f/5.6 as well as also a shutter speed of 1/250th. As soon as I walked in an area, it had been demonstrably substantially darker. But due to the fact I had been appearing in the great thing about the partitions and also the drama of these design and elements I've snapped an image without considering this reversal of light. Say it came out dim.

Luckily, but I'd a chimping, comprehended that the difficulty and corrected the ISO to 400.

Con No 1

Items look entirely different in the own camera's small-screen when compared with the big display screen of one's PC. You may believe the photograph you directly shot is ideal however that is sometimes not true. By way of instance, this picture appeared fine if I had been chimping to the digicam once I took, but the moment I downloaded back it I comprehended that the attention wasn't very eloquent.

When zoomed on the computer that picture is demonstrably from attention, however, it appeared flashy onto the camera.

Guru No 2

If you're searching for indeed a definite shot or impact you then can instantly learn whether you're accomplishing it or whatever you want to adapt to receive it from chimping and reviewing that the exact image to your digicam.

As an instance, I wanted to catch the motion of those ice skaters. It is almost always a catchy consequence as you want to put the most suitable shutter rate therefore that it will not suspend the niche or render only a smudge whether or not it indeed is too gradual. Should you want to know more about learning how the way to try so I ask one to take a look at my tutorial, then"The Way To Get Fun with Shutter Rate and Additional motion-blur".

You also ought to proceed to the cam (panning) in an identical rate of this niche consequently that this is a practice in which you have to decide to take to lots of occasions and do some chimping.

Con No 2

The other disadvantage of chimping is that can lose on an ideal minute, which onceinalifetime shot since you're taking a look in the screen rather than attending to into this spectacle.

Right here, as an instance, I wished to catch the elephant projecting the grime together with its own back. However, then that I looked in my display (and snapped) a moment way too late and I used was that the dirt blur and also the back virtually all of the way down.

Luckily, elephants try so much, therefore that I merely needed to wait patiently for just a small bit more (and never taking off my eyes them this time around ) and secured the photograph.

Recommendations

When you possess a while to reassess your photographs, and also you're confident you are not likely to be more overlooking a once in life possible, then move beforehand test, however, take action effectively. Zoom to an image notably on almost any insecure components, just such as the tones and shadows, to view that they have detail in addition to your attention to find it is eloquent.

Make Utilize of the Histogram

Whenever you're chimping, assess out your image, however, do not neglect to critique the histogram too. Additionally, it lightroom 3 presets for portraits ought to own a fantastic vary from black with many grey tones (if you don't go towards a single particular conclusion of this spectrum).

Many d SLR cameras possess that feature incorporated. On mine (a Canon 70D), as an instance, you get into the histogram by actively enjoying with the picture, then clicking the knowledge button also it grants you the histogram by colouration station and even the typical histogram.

Even with reviewing your photographs and picking you've precisely what you require, do a few additional pictures. By way of instance, I moved along to picture a temple. Therefore, it had been mostly concerning design pics. Once walking around shooting and it each and just about every single angle onto the surface, I went indoors and also did a few shooting as well.

I guessed I'd I had to return into this metropolis. Luckily, I don't put the camera away when I am outside to get a take, notably at a new location. Therefore if I had been walking the staircase, I discovered this tiny lady in a traditional costume only napping from each of the tourist care she was becoming. Never shut a door to chances!

Last but Not Least

A single very final factor, deleting and reviewing that the photos you don't desire may help save space onto your memory but using the display screen consumes plenty of battery life, therefore, make sure that to maintain a fantastic harmony. No usage in acquiring plenty of battery life in a case that you never have an area to get more extended photos along with both unworthy to indeed have an empty card. However, no battery to take!

Thus chimping isn't just a bad or good thing on your own, it is about the way correctly to utilise it. Tell us from the feedback precisely what will be the chimping customs and talk about a few of the hints!

[earnxmoney-blog]

Realistic Ways To Make Money Online!

Learning How To Make Money.The Definitive Earn X Money Guide To Earning Money While You’re On The Learning How To Make Money Online.

How to earn money online | Legit Ways To Make Money

SurveysCompleting surveys is not just about responding to a set of questions all day long. Sites like Swagbucks also pay you to watch videos, donate to charity, and try consumer products.

If you enjoy it, you can also make some extra cash by referring a friend! Keep in mind that you won’t become a millionaire by simply completing surveys, but it is a fun way to make money when you find some downtime.

In just a couple of minutes of free time, I made $5, for which I used towards buying some classroom decorations. It was totally easy and painless!

FreelancingIf you have a talent or passion that can be monetized outside your regular job, sites like upwork.com pay for your services.

How To Make Money

Create a websiteA website can be a launching pad for a career. If you enjoy creating, writing, sharing knowledge about a field of interest, or building a community of like-minded people, a website can increase your reach for people around the world.

You can develop virtual storage and center of your favorite tips or products for other people like yourself. Start with these four easy steps!

A blog like this one can be a hobby that pays and even a realistic investment. We need more people to share their passions by providing trustworthy and down to earth insight.

A website can also be a living and breathing resume and a tool to keep you accountable towards your goals and aspirations. There are a ton of people on the internet ready to help you and walk with you!

Affiliate ProgramsOnce you create your website, affiliate programs can help you monetize your website.

This is by far my favorite way to make money online. You can find products you use or have used in the past, and if you are satisfied with their services, you can recommend it to others and make money for the referral.

There are a few dangers with affiliate marketing, it can be tempting to apply and become an affiliate with multiple companies just because you’re after the money.

Just keep in mind that in order to keep your audience’s trust, you must not become greedy, or let go of your values, and lose sight of the mission of your blog or website.

How To Make Money

Sell your old electronicsDo you own a 10-year-old phone, a game console or computer that you haven’t used since you were in high school? BuyBackWorld will pay you to sell your unused electronics.

And you can do this from the comfort of your home, without having to talk to anyone. All you need is an address and they will ship you all the supplies to mail your electronics.

Publish an EbookWith Amazon KDP, it’s never been easier to publish an ebook. All you need to do is write the ebook, format it, create an ebook cover, publish, and promote it. Back in 2013, I created several ebooks on Amazon (took all but one down) and even though it didn’t make me rich, I still make some money from it.

You can choose to hire a writer for your ebook, a graphic designer to design the cover, or a freelancer to format the ebook for you to help minimize the work you need to put into it. It’s best if you focus on keywords based on popular searches on Amazon. I often used Keyword Tool, which allows you to find the words people use while searching so you can craft your title around it.

To make money online selling ebooks, you can market it a number of ways. You can give away your ebook for free for a few days. This helps you rank high in search results for a few days and get some reviews which helps you rank better for paid listings. Plus, I like to create custom graphics on Pinterest that match the “Pinterest style” rather than just placing the ebook cover as a pin. This has helped me get some clicks to my ebook from Pinterest.

How To Make Money

Start a BlogBlogging is one of the oldest methods for making money online. People who love writing tend to start blogs with a niche focus. For example, a blog about procrastination, cars, dropshipping, toys, etc., is often a narrow enough focus so you can build a loyal following, but big enough that you can cover a lot of ground.

You can start a blog on a number of platforms, from Shopify (remove the checkout feature so you don’t have to pay a subscription as you build it out) to WordPress. When you start your blog, focus on very specific keywords on a tight focus, and continue to expand into other but relevant categories as you grow and dominate new spaces. This will allow you to build a massive blog over time.

There are several ways to make money blogging. You can add affiliate links in your posts (don’t forget a disclaimer). You can monetize with AdSense by placing ads strategically on your website. Sponsored posts can help you make money from specific brands – this is popular among review bloggers. Bloggers can also sell digital or physical products on their website either (hint: you can add Oberlo products to your website). You can also use it to build authority so that you can eventually get speaking gigs, television deals, or big contracts from clients.

Consider FreelancingThe easiest way to make money online is to take your current job at your 9 to 5 job and do it online instead. For example, if you’re a writer, administrative assistant, graphic designer, teacher, developer, etc., you can take those same skills and find clients online who are looking for it.

There’s a never-ending list of websites for each sector of freelance jobs too. For example, freelance writers can apply for jobs on specific online writing job boards, but also general freelance websites like Fiverr, Freelancer, Upwork, and all the others.

If you find that your job doesn’t have a direct online money-making stream of income, you can look for other transferable skills you may have. To make money online as a freelancer, you need to start by building out a strong portfolio. That may mean doing some free work with some reputable mid-tier brands to start. Once you gain a strong portfolio, you can start reaching out to potential big clients to earn more money online. Remember, freelancing is a numbers game: the more personalized emails and applications you fill out, the more likely you are to get a response back.

How To Make Money

Create an AppIf you’re not a developer, you’re probably looking at this money-making idea and feeling a bit stuck. Fortunately, there is a way to have an app made that doesn’t involve any programming skills.

These days, marketers are using freelance platforms to find affordable developers to create apps for them.

When it comes to making money on your app, your best bet will be to add it to Google Play and the App Store. And while it may seem counterintuitive, having a free app can help you make more than a paid app. With a free app, you can add ads or premium features to help you make money. Since the free app will attract a higher volume of people, it’ll be easier for you to upsell them.

Become a WriterWith a growing interest in content marketing, more brands are looking for great writers to create content. The secret to succeeding as a writer is to be an expert in a niche. A lot of writers try to be generalists, writing for a wide range of categories from food to tech. However, having a niche focus as a writer allows you to write better content. When you have experience in the niche, you can offer a different perspective to a piece of content. That means you’re not just saying the same thing as every other article online.

Drive Your CarIf you own a car, you can make some spare cash as an Uber driver or delivery person. If you don’t own a car, you can still be a delivery person using your bicycle or moped. Uber drivers looking to make even more money off their car can turn their car into an advertisement using Free Car Media. Your car will be wrapped with a removable vinyl decal. There have also been cases of Uber drivers selling products in their car. As a driver, you’ll often times start talking about what you and your passenger do for a living.

Sell Your Photographyhow to make money with photography whether you’re a professional photographer or just love snapping great pictures, you can monetize your photography a number of ways. You can make money fast by posting your photography services in local Facebook groups for your community.

If you’re looking for more photography clients, you can use a site like Scoopshot. However, if you’re looking to monetize your phone photography you can use Foap. Learn more product photography tips to help you start making money with photography.

Realistic Ways To Make Money Online!

How To Make Money

Sell Your Clothes OnlineMost people have more clothes in their closet than they ever wear. You likely have items you haven’t worn in the past year that you never have any intention of wearing ever again. Whether you sell your clothes, handbags, or shoes there are quite a few websites that allow you to sell your used fashion items. Poshmark, Refashioner, TheRealReal, ThredUp and Tradesy are a few of the online sites where you can sell your used apparel.

You could make money online by selling on several different platforms. If you’re looking to sell items in person, you can use Facebook buy and sell groups in your community to find people online and sell the items in person. I’ve personally sold in these groups before

Social media

As hard as it may seem to believe, you can actually make money from social networking platforms likeFacebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Various people and groups have taken the social media route to make not only money but gain celebrity-like status. To begin with, you can choose one social media platform and then gradually expand to other relevant networks once you gain popularity.

After you establish yourself, gaining both reach and popularity on the social networks, you can make money through sponsored posts. All you have to find is your niche and populate your profile with relevant posts. Remember, social media needs dedicated time and energy to stay relevant. Hence, you need to share posts regularly and interact with your followers on a regular basis.

How To Make Money

Freelancing

Freelancing is another way to earn money online.Finding freelance work is easy if you have good skillset. Internet has a plethora of options for freelancers. There are a large number of websites dedicated to small freelance tasks available for people with varying skills. You can earn anywhere between $5 and $100 through these websites. All you need to do is to create your account, browse through the listings and apply for the task that suits you. Some websites may even require you to create a personal listing with the details of your skillset, so that interested clients can contact you directly. Outfiverr.com, upwork.com,freelancer.com, and worknhire.com are some websites that provide freelance jobs.

But remembering, you will only be paid once you complete your task and it has been approved by your client. This may even mean revising the work several times unless the requirements of your clients are not met. For freelancing, you may also require to create a Paypal account as most clients prefer to make payments through it.

Start a blog

Blogging as a career option has slowly picked up pace in India. There are a number of full-time bloggers in the country who are minting millions only through blogging.

There are two ways to start a blog: you can either create a blog through WordPress or Tumblr, which requires no investment, or go for a self-hosted blog. In case of the latter, you will need to soend money on domain name and server hosting space that can cost you between Rs 3,000-Rs 5,000 a year. Self-hosted blogs have an added advantage that it allows you to customise elements and functionality of your website. In case of the former, you need to make peace with the tools and plug-ins made available by the service provider.

But remember, earning through blogging may also take you a lot of time and effort. It may take you a year’s time to actually earn through blogging.

YouTube has also gained popularity in India and has become a major source of earnings for many people. For making a fortune through YouTube, you need to create your own channel and post content for your subscribers. Remember, posting video on a subject has a better chance at winning subscribers. So you can choose a niche and post videos on that. YouTube works on the same model as the blog: as your channel becomes popular and your subscribers increase, so will your chances at earning money.

As you gain popularity, brands will approach you to talk about their products. You can also collaborate with other YouTubers and make videos.

Realistic Ways To Make Money Online!

How To Make Money From Home.

Learning How To Make Money.

You Can Make Money Online Now.

How to make money online.

How to make money online for beginners…

Learning How To Make Money.The Definitive Earn X Money Guide To Earning Money While You’re On The Learning How To Make Money Online.

[thecreativeseries]

Michael Goh Perth Landscape and Astrophotographer

Firstly, can you start with a little bit about yourself?

My name is Michael Goh, and I’m a professional photographer covering a range of subjects including but not limited to portrait, time-lapses, virtual tours, commercial, events, but I’m mainly known as a landscape astrophotographer. I picked up my first DSLR around November 2009 and am self-taught.

What equipment do you use to create your images, and why did you select it?

My primary camera is a Canon 6D. I have some other cameras as well. I chose it because at the time I was already photographing with Canon cameras and the 6D was (and still is) well regarded for low light performance. I use a range of lenses – mainly the Tamron 15-30mm F2.8 as it is very sharp, fast and has very little coma around the edges. I often use portable tracking mounts – the Move Shoot Move SIFO rotator if I’m hiking/travelling due to it being very light and small and the Skywatcher Star Adventurer for more substantial jobs when I’m close to the car. Also, a remote cable release/intervalometer so that I can take photos from a distance away (can anyone say self-portrait?).

Additionally, I use a Fiesol CT-3442 Carbon Fibre tripod with a Sirui ball head. The Tripod is very light and stable. I also have a range of speed lites and other lighting equipment that can be triggered remotely. I have a Timelapse+ view that assists with the time-lapses when it’s going day to night (and to the moon), so it automatically adjusts the exposure settings. I have a syrp genie mini as a rotator for time-lapses as well.

What inspires your creative vision?

I have been a science fiction fan for as long as I can remember. So this naturally gravitated towards an interest in space and astrophotography and want to show it - so it was a bit about being epic and technical. As time has passed, though, I think I have moved forward a bit towards the emotions and feelings of the space. So with astrophotography, it’s expressing the sense of being small in the universe.

Which photographers have inspired you, and how did they influence you?

Corrie White – Corrie White is a photographer in the UK who specialises in drop collisions – having water drops hitting other water drops and spreading out and being frozen at that moment. When I first got into photography (with my entry-level DSLR), I saw her work in a magazine at the office, and it opened up my mind that photography could do much more than what the eye could see. She was also very open in her techniques and sharing them on Flickr. So this opened up the experimentation with photography and the full sharing philosophy that I have to share knowledge to improve the art.

What drew you to focus on astrophotography as your niche?

Initially, it was a love of science fiction and the technical side of it. I am inclined to continuous improvement and experimenting, so this seemed like a natural direction.

What other genres of photography do you enjoy?

I enjoy photographing people through portraits and event. While astrophotography and landscape help me feel connected to the universe, photographing people helps me have a connection to people. These genres are also useful to promote positive causes. Time-lapses are a fantastic genre. The acceleration of time is impressive, as you can see what you can’t usually see with the eye. It also links in with astrophotography. Virtual tours/360 photospheres are often just fun, and it was a special thing to learn. I too do aerial photography. I have been doing more and more video recently. I used to do many macros – but have drifted from that a bit. I think I like to get outdoors a bit more.

One of my photographic philosophies is – know as many techniques as possible because you never know when you can use it.

What equipment do you typically take with you on an astrophotography shoot?

Camera, lenses, remote trigger/s, Speedlite/s, light modifiers, tripod, star tracker, 2+ light sources (headlamp and handheld torch), handheld GPS, hand warmers, compass, levelling head, panorama head, cold weather gear, drone (good for scouting), first aid kit, gaffa tape, batteries, memory cards, food and water, a coffee machine, light stand.

What has been your proudest body of work to date?

That’s a difficult one, and I have a few for different reasons.

1 – The Light Within – I got someone else to come up with this title. It’s a Milky Way archway over the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park in Western Australia. A crescent moon sits on top of a Pinnacle creating a backlit image with shadows, and the zodiacal light reaches up to the Milky Way core. I’m proud of this particular work as it took me 2 years to get the image, ended up on NASA’s APOD (astronomy picture of the day), won an international photography competition (Photonightscape Awards), was in a book “Universal: A Journey Through the Cosmos” by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw,

2 – Exploring the Great Expanse – a self-portrait image of myself standing in a salt lake with a thin layer of water reflecting all the stars around me. It took a long time to plan, but probably represents the feeling of astrophotography the best, being a tiny person compared to the universe around me.

I’ve got a few others that I’m very proud of, with long stories – but those two are probably the most representative.

How do you prepare before heading out on a shoot? What considerations do you have to make?

Moon cycle and luminosity – I love an amount of moonlight over the landscape. Some additional light lights the whole scene creates depth to the image with shadows. Also, the cloud cover, temperature, over multiple locations. Expected location of the milky way core (using apps). Travel time and conditions, recent historical rain and temperature (depending on the site and time of year). I’ll confess that I do plan the whole year in terms of the sunrise/sunset, moonrise/moonset, moon luminosity to work out the best times of the year to shoot.

What subjects do you generally prefer to capture as part of your astrophotography shoots?

Foreground interest is vital for landscape astrophotography. I’ve been known to take self-portraits a lot with the images. In part, due to the rest of the landscape being limited, the individual adds to the image and creates an additional connection between the person and the universe. Adding a person in the picture emphasises the scale in the image.

Are there any specific tools or tricks you would share that have helped develop your astrophotography skills?

Hmmm – do we have a word limit?

I do workshops, and they take quite a long time 😝.

· Know as many different photography techniques as possible, you never know when you need to use it. Some of my more popular styles have been developed from improvisation.

· Scout when it’s daytime. When it’s dark, you can’t see much so you won’t be able to tell if a better image is 5m away.

· Check your photos for focus before you end up taking a lot of unfocused images.

· Have a plan – frequently I’ve written down a list of different shots I want to take for either tests or compositions. I’ll even have tested some of these before I go out (e.g. panorama types or noise control).

· Make sure you photograph something safe and then get carried away experimenting.

· Challenge your camera and equipment. Get uncomfortable and push it more than what you usually.

· Get constructive feedback from someone you respect.

· There’s an app for that – apps have certainly made planning for astrophotography very easy. I use sky safari and photo pills.

· Remember to set aside the camera and appreciate the night sky. I believe you can best express how it feels by not being distracted by taking photos.

How did you learn about astrophotography and what steps taken to develop your skills over time?

Shortly after starting photography, I discovered Flickr, and it was an excellent resource for people to share their knowledge. I started my first steps into astrophotography that way. To begin with, I made star trails from the back yard. Then I discovered you could photograph the Milky Way, so that was a natural progression. Initially, it was following formulas of exposure, as wide open aperture as possible and go to ISO 1600. I did follow formulas, to begin with, but I can't remember what prompted me to start breaking all the rules, but about four years ago, I started photographing ISO 2000 and then 6400 and beyond.

Now with developing my skills - I write down ideas, visualisations, experiments, and tests and work out how to do them. I practice and test on a very regular basis. When I go out for night shoots by myself, I often have a list of compositions and experiments to try. I may not get through all of them, but I like having a plan as I'll be more productive that way.

Where can we find more of your work?

Webpage

Facebook

Instagram

500px

I have a youtube channel somewhere – I’d better post more to it

Finally, do you have any words of wisdom for photographers looking to focus on astrophotography?

Learn as many techniques as possible as you never know when you need to use them.

Get to the location before it's dark - generally, you'll make a much better composition the more you can see.

Remember that you're taking a photograph, you still need to think about your composition.

After you've taken some "safe" photos, make sure that you experiment.

[americanlibraryassoc]

#TeamALA Staff Profiles

Meet Tina Coleman, Membership Specialist, ALA Membership

What do you do at ALA?

My official title is Membership Specialist and I most of my work is with membership engagement projects. If ALA has a booth at a conference, it’s likely I helped to put it together. I also am the co-lead on ALA’s social media team, I organize the ALA Lounge and the Networking Uncommons at ALA Annual and Midwinter, and I’m the staff liaison to the Gaming Round Table, the Graphic Novels & Comics in Libraries Member Interest Group, and the Virtual Communities and Libraries Member Interest Group.

Why do you think libraries / librarians are important?

I think libraries are important because they offer a space for everyone with no questions asked. Libraries provide materials for study, entertainment, and enrichment no matter what your interest is. Librarians are important because it’s hard to navigate the vast landscape of available information on your own. Having a guide that is trained in how to evaluate information is vital in the modern world.

What do you love about your job?

I absolutely love the librarians I get to work with every day. To see and hear about the passion and creativity they bring to their work is humbling. I feel very lucky to be able to learn so much from our community.

What is something cool you’ve accomplished lately at ALA?

I have a couple of things I’m pretty proud of lately. One is these staff profiles. J Having the chance to highlight the wide range of smart and creative people that I work with is pretty amazing.

Working with the Graphic Novel MIG I’ve also helped to build a presence for libraries and librarians at some of the biggest comic conventions in the country. We’ve had programs and booths and events at New York Comic Con, C2E2, Denver Comic Con, San Diego Comic Con, and this year we’re working on some things for Emerald City Comic Con. This is something I’ve worked on for more than five years, so to see it grow and take off has been a lot of fun.

What do you like to do outside of ALA?

I’m pretty crafty, so I like to make things. I sew, and embroider, and I love photography. I really like to make art.

ALA Pro Tip?

If you want to get involved in the Association, find your niche and dig in. It’s not always so easy you might need to try out a few things before deciding what you want to work on. Ultimately, though, it your voice – YES YOU – that makes the wheels move.

What are you reading?

I usually do audiobooks, so I can absorb books on the go. I’m re-listening to the Harry Potter books and I’m about a quarter of the way through Order of the Phoenix. It’s so good!

What are you watching?

At the moment I’m re-watching Smallville. It was easy to do during the holiday season while I was too busy to focus fully on something new. I’m just over halfway through the run already. It’s still one of the best retellings of Superboy ever done!

I did go see a lot of movies recently, though so shout out to Hidden Figures and Rogue One and Moana!

What are you listening to?

At this very minute it’s Los Lobos “I Got Loaded” but I’ve also been jamming to the Hamilton cast album, Frank Tuner, and a bunch of francophone bands from Quebec – karkwa, Malajube, Les Trois Accords.

During the work week I try to post a song of the day outside my office :-P

[pauldeckerus]

I’ve Never Flown a Drone. Here’s My Review of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro

Since the 2010 launch of the Parrot AR.Drone, consumer interest in drones has skyrocketed. DJI’s ubiquitous Phantom, originally released in 2013, has spawned multiple iterations and the company has further developed product lines like the Spark and Mavic to fill various niches and price points.

The drone has become another tool in the storytelling arsenal with its ability to capture incredibly high quality stills and video from a perspective that was once reserved for helicopters or expensive commercial units.

I’ve been tempted to join the drone game for years, but I’ve resisted the urge to dip my toe into the waters because the earliest units were too complicated, large, and expensive. I deferred my dream to other photographers and videographers who had more patience, skill, and need than me.

But over the years, my Instagram feed has been infiltrated with incredible aerial images, and after attending the launch of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro earlier this year, I decided it was time to take one out for a spin. I made my way to the DJI Offices in Soho to pick up a loaner unit, and was promptly asked, “Have you ever flown a drone before?”

“Nope.”

A brief in-person tutorial ensued, followed a few hours later by an email strongly suggesting that I also borrow a smaller, cheaper Spark to practice with. A perfectly reasonable request, which I quickly ignored!

If you’re accustomed to seeing those flying white rectangles (those are Phantoms), you might be surprised by the size and compactness of the Mavic 2. The propeller arms swing and fold into a unit the size of a brick, but significantly lighter. The radio frequency (RF) controller plugs into your smartphone giving you a pretty solid video feed. Omni-directional sensors help the drone avoid obstacles (at least in some flight modes), and the unit is pretty darn easy to fly, even for a neophyte.

Boogie Boarders. Photo by Allen Murabayashi

But let me pause here for a PSA.

The proliferation of drones has led the FAA to require a remote pilot certificate for commercial use. Although recreational use is exempt from this requirement, I spent a few hours familiarizing myself with the rules (e.g. no flying within 5 miles of an airport) and reviewing the airspace maps to get a clear understanding of my potential flight areas. Even little drones can cause devastating damage to aircraft wings, so all drone operators need to exercise caution.

I felt exhilarated the first time (and second and third) time I flew. The experience reminded me of learning to drive a car as a teen and getting on the highway for the first time – what a rush! Controlling the drone and seeing the live birdseye view is almost an ineffable feeling, and reviewing the images and video later on a large screen is incredibly satisfying.

Prepping the Unit

There are a plethora of YouTube videos on how to set-up your drone if you’re not inclined to read directions, and this was the route I took. In truth, set up is simple. In my mind, attaching the propellers was going to be a daunting task, but the design makes assembly nearly impossible to screw up.

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro features a Hasselblad camera with a 1″ sensor. Photo by Allen Murabayashi

Like other drones, the Mavic 2 connects to your smartphone (Android or iPhone) via the DJI Go app (your phone is used as the live monitor), while the controller provides the RF connection to the drone. I had to update the firmware on both devices and update the geofencing database – a mechanism on most consumer drones to avoid flying in restricted areas.

The “Fly More” kit (USD$139) gives you additional batteries and a charging hub that holds up to 4 batteries. But beware! The hub doesn’t charge batteries simultaneously – it charges them in sequence with priority given to the battery with the most charge.

Maiden Voyage

Orienting yourself in 3D space takes a while. It’s not hard to fly the drone at all, and by most accounts, the Mavic 2 is significantly quieter than most drones. The left joystick controls altitude and nose direction, and the right joystick controls forward, backward, left and right movement. But maintaining visual line-of-sight of the drone is challenging because it wasn’t intuitive to match what I saw on the screen with the position of the drone. The drone was often lower on the horizon that I anticipated, but still higher on the altimeter than I thought.

The approximately 30 minute battery flight time went by in a flash during my maiden flight. There was so much to see, and soon the controller’s low battery warning (which kicks in at 25% by default) was incessantly beeping. You’re definitely going to need multiple batteries for any serious use.

Stills

In 2015, DJI bought a minority stake in Hasselblad. In early 2017, the minority stake became a majority stake, and the Mavic 2 Pro’s camera is company’s first collaboratively designed drone camera featuring a 20MP 1” sensor – a pretty significant update from the Mavic Pro’s 1 / 2.3” sensor – and akin in size to the Sony RX100. The camera has a variable aperture (f/2.8 – f/11), an ISO range up to 12,800 and a field-of-view roughly equivalent to an iPhone (28mm on full-frame).

Sunset surfers. Photo by Allen Murabayashi

DJI also brags about integrating Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution, an optimized color profile that “delivers the best possible natural colors from the selected chip without having to select from multiple presets.” I did find the JPGs to be punchy with some images appearing with boosted saturation and contrast similar to something out of an iPhone or Pixel.

You can also shoot in RAW which yields a DNG file (not a Hasselblad 3FR file), which can be processed in your favorite image editing program, or you can download Hasselblad Phocus for free.

Mokoli’i island. Photo by Allen Murabayashi

The UI allows you to toggle between still and video modes. You can’t do both simultaneously, although you can obviously use a video grab if there is sufficient light. Taking a picture is accomplished by pressing the virtual shutter button, which momentarily freezes the display. There is a burst mode, but I opted to use the single shot mode. Timing became pretty essential.

Still photography has been my main interest, and I found taking pictures to be an intuitive process that yielded great results. It took a few days of shooting to find which angles I thought worked best from a birdseye view, but the results were worth it.

Sea wall. Photo by Allen Murabayashi

The camera’s light meter had a tendency to blow highlights. This was particularly noticeable when shooting video in high dynamic range situations. But you can dial in some exposure compensation, or set the camera in a completely manual mode.

Video

In the basic video mode, controlling camera and drone movement is completely manual. Although I had some complex camera movements in mind (e.g. circling a subject at a constant distance), my flying skills weren’t good enough to do it convincingly. Add in the ability to tilt the camera up and down, and you suddenly realize why DJI created pre-programmed modes.

For example, the drone can auto-track a subject, which also has the added benefit of enabling all of the omnidirectional collision avoidance sensors. And I have to tell you, seeing the drone track something or someone while avoiding things around it is pretty incredible. Tracking isn’t flawless with fast-moving subjects or when the camera loses contrast detection, but it’s good enough for many applications.

The camera supports DJI’s 10-bit Dlog-M Color Profile. For video amateurs like myself, this means that the tonally flatter output is easier to color grade in post. Because I’ve had very little experience grading footage, and don’t own any plug-in LUTs, I decided to stick with the out-of-camera H.264 4k video, and still came away impressed.

It’s also a testament to the gimbal. Even in situations where I was getting high wind speed warnings, the video was often incredibly stable. Clearly the state of consumer gimbal technology has improved to near professional quality levels – and DJI has leveraged their experience in their Ronin line of camera stabilizers.

But the gimbal can only do so much. In high wind areas, excessive movement will cause the jelly-like appearance of the rolling shutter.

Other Considerations

As a part of the drone’s start-up sequence, it calibrates an IMU, or inertial measurement unit. This bit of electronics is responsible for making sure the drone is where it thinks it is and is moving in the direction that it should be. As such, it’s somewhat sensitive to magnetic interference, and I was surprised to find things like metal fences and rebar in concrete sometimes caused the unit to throw an error.

Also, the unit that DJI lent me for this review started acting up after a couple of days. The process of connecting to the controller to the drone degraded and it became continually more difficult to pair until it stopped altogether.

I tried using the somewhat abysmally designed desktop software DJI Assistant 2 to try downgrading the firmware. But the software wouldn’t connect the Mavic 2 to my MacBook Pro.

Photo by Allen Murabayashi

I was so frustrated after spending hours trying to debug the unit, that I ended up buying my own Mavic 2 Pro at a local Best Buy, and that’s perhaps the best endorsement I can make of the unit. I had so much fun in the first few days of using the drone, that the thought of not having it for another week while visiting my parents in Hawai’i was unfathomable.

My unit performed flawlessly for the rest of the trip.

Photo by Allen Murabayashi

Conclusion

I ended up flying the Mavic 2 Pro every day. I even woke up before sunrise one morning to go flying, which is frankly unheard of for this night owl. Using a drone in a big city like New York is impractical (and mostly illegal), but in less densely populated areas of Hawai’i, it’s a dream.

Like a new lens, the drone is simply a tool that allows you to capture the world in a different way. And right now, I’m in the honeymoon phase. But with its ability to get you into positions you physically cannot occupy, drones seemingly offer more unusually creative perspectives – fueling my creatives juices and motivation.

Given that this was my first experience with a drone, I don’t really have any basis for comparison. But I can say even first time flyers will have no problem piloting the drone and capturing compelling content. It’s a compact, incredibly well-designed piece of hardware with stellar image quality. All of this to say that the Mavic 2 Pro is a pretty damn good piece of gear, and I can’t wait to “Go Fly” again.

About the author: Allen Murabayashi is the Chairman and co-founder of PhotoShelter, which regularly publishes resources for photographers. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Allen is a graduate of Yale University, and flosses daily. This article was also published here.

from Photography News https://petapixel.com/2018/10/31/ive-never-flown-a-drone-heres-my-review-of-the-dji-mavic-2-pro/

[kristinejrosario]

4 Reasons Why You Should Start a Blog in 2018

At a recent Christmas party a friend asked me a series of rapid-fire questions about blogging.

“Do you think I should start a blog in 2018? Or have I missed the boat with blogging? If blogging is still relevant, how could it benefit me? I guess I’m trying to work out… why should I start a blog?”

My friend isn’t the only one asking these kinds of questions.

At the start of every year a lot of people ponder whether a blog should be a part of their plans for the new year. And every January we see a spike in our Google Analytics where people are arriving from Google to articles such as ‘How to Start a Blog’ and ‘Is a Blog Right for You?’

Which is why we’ve decided to put together our most comprehensive resource on the topic of starting blogs – our free Ultimate Guide to Starting a Blog Course (which kicks off next week).

Thousands of people have already claimed their spot in the course, convinced a blog should be a part of their plans for 2018. But I know some people in my friend’s shoes who are still trying to work out if a blog is right for them, and what the benefit would be to start one.

As I consider the question of why someone should start a blog in 2018, I can’t help but return to the beginning of my own blogging journey in 2002.

Why I Started Blogging

My decision to start a blog came very quickly. Within 15 minutes of seeing my first blog I wanted to have one.

When I talk at conferences about my start, I often talk about two things I found attractive in the first blogs I saw:

They gave normal people a ‘voice’ to share their story, experience and ideas.

They created community, and a place for others to come and interact around the ideas, stories and experience of the blogger.

The other thing I loved about the idea of having a blog is it could be a place for me to express myself, think out loud and record different aspects of my life and what I was doing and learning. It also looked like fun.

Ultimately, I had a hunch that blogging could be good for me. I had no real vision of where it may lead. And I suspect that most bloggers back then started in a similar way.

Things have changed since 2002.

I still meet quite a few bloggers who start for similar reasons – wanting to express themselves, make connections and have fun. But many now come to blogging with more formed ideas of the benefits blogging might bring to them.

Blogging has evolved (and was already evolving before I started). The earliest blogs were usually hand-coded, as no ready-made blogging tools existed. Tools such as Blogger, MovableType, TypePad and WordPress followed, and today there’s an entire industry of blogging tools.

Similarly, the ways people use blogs has changed. When I started, many bloggers described their blogs as online diaries where different topics sat side by side quite comfortably in a myriad of different categories.

While this approach still exists today, more and more bloggers have narrowed their focus to ‘niche’ topic blogs, or write for certain demographics of readers.

Finally, we’ve seen an evolution in the benefits and outcomes people hope to achieve with their blogs. While self-expression is still why many people blog, others want to make a profit or use their blog to land other opportunities that will bring them financial reward.

Which brings me to one of my friend’s main questions.

“Why should I start a blog?”

4 Reasons to Start a Blog in 2018

There’s no single answer to this question, and I don’t believe that every person should have a blog. But there are some really good reasons for starting a blog today, which I’d love to explore for those considering starting one.

Of course, this isn’t a definitive list. And keep in mind that many bloggers start for more than one of these reasons.

1. Self-Improvement and Personal Development

While blogging unexpectedly became the basis for my business, and has opened up amazing opportunities for me to earn an income, one of the biggest benefits to getting into this space is the same reason I got into it.

Blogging has given me a place to express myself.

Something very powerful happens when you get into the habit of ordering and writing down your thoughts, ideas, stories and opinions.

People have been doing this for centuries in private diaries and journals. But to put some of these things into a public forum for others to interact with has been a very positive experience for me.

Having a place to express myself has given me many personal benefits. In researching and writing thousands of articles over the years I have:

learned so much about the topics I write about

identified, sharpened and deepened my ideas and opinions

refined my voice

grown my writing and communication skills

built discipline

found a creative outlet

confronted fears and doubts and grown in confidence.

This list could go on. But the bottom line is I’m much better as a person for having a blog.

2. Profit

It will come as no surprise to regular ProBlogger readers that one of the reasons I’m giving for starting a blog is it can be financially profitable.

I’m not saying every blog will be profitable. But many bloggers have grown income streams from their blogging, both directly and indirectly.

This isn’t the place to go into depth about how to make money blogging. (I’ve written many articles on the topic, and  recommend reading my Make Money Blogging article as a starting point.) But I’m amazed at how blogs have provided an income for my little family over the years.

I blogged for 18 months without knowing you could make money from blogs. And then I started experimenting with Google’s AdSense and Amazon’s Associate’s program in 2004.

It started very slowly. Despite having a decent audience, my first month with AdSense brought in around A$60 (around US$45). My first month of Amazon’s Associates program made even less – around A$7 or US$5.50. My first month of earnings wouldn’t even get me a coffee a day.

Still, it was a start. And as I slowly built my traffic and got better at using these programs, the income grew.

I don’t typically share my income. But to illustrate how it’s grown, here’s a little insight into these two income streams.

My total Amazon Associates earnings since 2004 is around US$670,000.

My total AdSense earnings since 2004 is around US$2,400,000.

I hesitated about sharing these figures, because I don’t want to build false hope that anyone who starts a blog will reach this kind of income level. Not every blogger who sets out to make money blogging reaches a full-time level.

I should also point out this income is from 13.5 years of blogging. It’s certainly not an overnight thing.

But it is possible to build significant income from blogging. And these are just two of my income streams (and by no means  the biggest).

Since 2009 we’ve sold hundreds of thousands of eBooks, courses and Lightroom Presets on my main blog – Digital Photography School. And just as many sales of other people’s products as an affiliate.

I’m not the most profitable blogger around. But the fact I’ve achieved this level as a result of starting to monetize in the early days is quite amazing to me.

Further Reading: Can You REALLY Make Money Blogging? [7 Things I Know About Making Money from Blogging]

Of course, monetizing blogs through advertising, affiliate marketing and selling virtual products is just one way to make money from blogging. There are many more, such as using the profile a blog can bring to promote your existing business or to sell your own services as a freelancer, coach, speaker, etc.

Blogs allow you to:

grow your profile

be found via search engines and social media

(most importantly) build your brand, credibility, authority and trust with potential clients.

And I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen bloggers use their blog’s profile to land more traditional employment. (In these cases, their blog became their resume.)

Note: I explore reasons why businesses should start blogging in this podcast.

The other aspect of growing profit from a blog is it can also become an asset you can potentially sell at some point.

3. Relationships

I mentioned earlier that one reason I wanted to start a blog is those first blogs I came across has a sense of community on them.

While the bloggers were using their blogs to amplify their own voices, those blogs were also a place for other people to find their voices too. A community was forming in the comments. Bloggers were linking to (and building relationships with) each other. And there was a lovely sense of inclusiveness between bloggers.

While blogging can sometimes get a little competitive these days, I still believe it’s a remarkably welcoming and open community in most cases and can open some wonderful opportunities for relationships.

As I look back over the past 15 years I’ve been blogging, many of the highlights have been about the people I’ve had the opportunity to meet and interact with.

Years of creating useful content, growing your brand, building an audience and establishing trust with that audience opens the door for many friendships, collaborations and other opportunities.

You never quite know where these relationships might lead you. Some may lead to financially rewarding opportunities. But more often than not it leads to lasting friendships, and a real sense of belonging in dynamic and supportive communities.

4. Giving Something Back

This is my final reason, but it’s by no means the least important. In fact, for me it’s probably the most meaningful.

One of the big benefits of blogging is the potential to make the world we live in a better place. And while not all blogs do this, many do in their own small way.

My blogs are about photography and blogging. They’re not topics that will make a major difference on a global scale. (I din’t see a Nobel Peace Prize in my future.) But I know that after publishing content every day for 15 years my blogs have made a difference to the lives of many.

Late last year I shared a post here on ProBlogger about how a person came up to me recently at a conference and credited ProBlogger with saving their marriage. And others shared how they’d build significant businesses through coming across things we’d published.

Blogging can change your life as a blogger in many ways. But the experience is even more meaningful and rewarding when you realise it can be also used to inspire, educate, and give others a sense of belonging.

It also provides lots of opportunities to shine the light and lend your voice to other worthwhile causes. One of my own highlights from blogging came when I had opportunity to travel to Tanzania and see the work of an amazing organisation working with people with disabilities in that country.

Being able to use my blogs to give a voice to this worthy cause was an amazing opportunity.

Should you start a blog in 2018?

Unfortunately, I can’t answer that question for you. But I can say that, on a personal level, starting a blog was one of the most amazing things I’ve even done.

Blogging changed the trajectory of my life in many ways.

It helped me grow and develop on a personal level.

It helped me start and grow a business that has given our family income we never expected to have.

It opened opportunity for community, friendship and collaborations with wonderful people.

It gave me ways to do something meaningful that in small ways allows me to make a difference for others.

I hope this inspires you to join us in starting a blog in 2018. Reserve your spot in our new free Start a Blog course that kicks off on 10 January.

Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

The post 4 Reasons Why You Should Start a Blog in 2018 appeared first on ProBlogger.

       from http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ProbloggerHelpingBloggersEarnMoney/~3/h1YTPOOcYvY/

[richardrobertsimsuccessblog]

4 Reasons Why You Should Start a Blog in 2018

At a recent Christmas party a friend asked me a series of rapid-fire questions about blogging.

“Do you think I should start a blog in 2018? Or have I missed the boat with blogging? If blogging is still relevant, how could it benefit me? I guess I’m trying to work out… why should I start a blog?”

My friend isn’t the only one asking these kinds of questions.

At the start of every year a lot of people ponder whether a blog should be a part of their plans for the new year. And every January we see a spike in our Google Analytics where people are arriving from Google to articles such as ‘How to Start a Blog’ and ‘Is a Blog Right for You?’

Which is why we’ve decided to put together our most comprehensive resource on the topic of starting blogs – our free Ultimate Guide to Starting a Blog Course (which kicks off next week).

Thousands of people have already claimed their spot in the course, convinced a blog should be a part of their plans for 2018. But I know some people in my friend’s shoes who are still trying to work out if a blog is right for them, and what the benefit would be to start one.

As I consider the question of why someone should start a blog in 2018, I can’t help but return to the beginning of my own blogging journey in 2002.

Why I Started Blogging

My decision to start a blog came very quickly. Within 15 minutes of seeing my first blog I wanted to have one.

When I talk at conferences about my start, I often talk about two things I found attractive in the first blogs I saw:

They gave normal people a ‘voice’ to share their story, experience and ideas.

They created community, and a place for others to come and interact around the ideas, stories and experience of the blogger.

The other thing I loved about the idea of having a blog is it could be a place for me to express myself, think out loud and record different aspects of my life and what I was doing and learning. It also looked like fun.

Ultimately, I had a hunch that blogging could be good for me. I had no real vision of where it may lead. And I suspect that most bloggers back then started in a similar way.

Things have changed since 2002.

I still meet quite a few bloggers who start for similar reasons – wanting to express themselves, make connections and have fun. But many now come to blogging with more formed ideas of the benefits blogging might bring to them.

Blogging has evolved (and was already evolving before I started). The earliest blogs were usually hand-coded, as no ready-made blogging tools existed. Tools such as Blogger, MovableType, TypePad and WordPress followed, and today there’s an entire industry of blogging tools.

Similarly, the ways people use blogs has changed. When I started, many bloggers described their blogs as online diaries where different topics sat side by side quite comfortably in a myriad of different categories.

While this approach still exists today, more and more bloggers have narrowed their focus to ‘niche’ topic blogs, or write for certain demographics of readers.

Finally, we’ve seen an evolution in the benefits and outcomes people hope to achieve with their blogs. While self-expression is still why many people blog, others want to make a profit or use their blog to land other opportunities that will bring them financial reward.

Which brings me to one of my friend’s main questions.

“Why should I start a blog?”

4 Reasons to Start a Blog in 2018

There’s no single answer to this question, and I don’t believe that every person should have a blog. But there are some really good reasons for starting a blog today, which I’d love to explore for those considering starting one.

Of course, this isn’t a definitive list. And keep in mind that many bloggers start for more than one of these reasons.

1. Self-Improvement and Personal Development

While blogging unexpectedly became the basis for my business, and has opened up amazing opportunities for me to earn an income, one of the biggest benefits to getting into this space is the same reason I got into it.

Blogging has given me a place to express myself.

Something very powerful happens when you get into the habit of ordering and writing down your thoughts, ideas, stories and opinions.

People have been doing this for centuries in private diaries and journals. But to put some of these things into a public forum for others to interact with has been a very positive experience for me.

Having a place to express myself has given me many personal benefits. In researching and writing thousands of articles over the years I have:

learned so much about the topics I write about

identified, sharpened and deepened my ideas and opinions

refined my voice

grown my writing and communication skills

built discipline

found a creative outlet

confronted fears and doubts and grown in confidence.

This list could go on. But the bottom line is I’m much better as a person for having a blog.

2. Profit

It will come as no surprise to regular ProBlogger readers that one of the reasons I’m giving for starting a blog is it can be financially profitable.

I’m not saying every blog will be profitable. But many bloggers have grown income streams from their blogging, both directly and indirectly.

This isn’t the place to go into depth about how to make money blogging. (I’ve written many articles on the topic, and  recommend reading my Make Money Blogging article as a starting point.) But I’m amazed at how blogs have provided an income for my little family over the years.

I blogged for 18 months without knowing you could make money from blogs. And then I started experimenting with Google’s AdSense and Amazon’s Associate’s program in 2004.

It started very slowly. Despite having a decent audience, my first month with AdSense brought in around A$60 (around US$45). My first month of Amazon’s Associates program made even less – around A$7 or US$5.50. My first month of earnings wouldn’t even get me a coffee a day.

Still, it was a start. And as I slowly built my traffic and got better at using these programs, the income grew.

I don’t typically share my income. But to illustrate how it’s grown, here’s a little insight into these two income streams.

My total Amazon Associates earnings since 2004 is around US$670,000.

My total AdSense earnings since 2004 is around US$2,400,000.

I hesitated about sharing these figures, because I don’t want to build false hope that anyone who starts a blog will reach this kind of income level. Not every blogger who sets out to make money blogging reaches a full-time level.

I should also point out this income is from 13.5 years of blogging. It’s certainly not an overnight thing.

But it is possible to build significant income from blogging. And these are just two of my income streams (and by no means  the biggest).

Since 2009 we’ve sold hundreds of thousands of eBooks, courses and Lightroom Presets on my main blog – Digital Photography School. And just as many sales of other people’s products as an affiliate.

I’m not the most profitable blogger around. But the fact I’ve achieved this level as a result of starting to monetize in the early days is quite amazing to me.

Further Reading: Can You REALLY Make Money Blogging? [7 Things I Know About Making Money from Blogging]

Of course, monetizing blogs through advertising, affiliate marketing and selling virtual products is just one way to make money from blogging. There are many more, such as using the profile a blog can bring to promote your existing business or to sell your own services as a freelancer, coach, speaker, etc.

Blogs allow you to:

grow your profile

be found via search engines and social media

(most importantly) build your brand, credibility, authority and trust with potential clients.

And I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen bloggers use their blog’s profile to land more traditional employment. (In these cases, their blog became their resume.)

Note: I explore reasons why businesses should start blogging in this podcast.

The other aspect of growing profit from a blog is it can also become an asset you can potentially sell at some point.

3. Relationships

I mentioned earlier that one reason I wanted to start a blog is those first blogs I came across has a sense of community on them.

While the bloggers were using their blogs to amplify their own voices, those blogs were also a place for other people to find their voices too. A community was forming in the comments. Bloggers were linking to (and building relationships with) each other. And there was a lovely sense of inclusiveness between bloggers.

While blogging can sometimes get a little competitive these days, I still believe it’s a remarkably welcoming and open community in most cases and can open some wonderful opportunities for relationships.

As I look back over the past 15 years I’ve been blogging, many of the highlights have been about the people I’ve had the opportunity to meet and interact with.

Years of creating useful content, growing your brand, building an audience and establishing trust with that audience opens the door for many friendships, collaborations and other opportunities.

You never quite know where these relationships might lead you. Some may lead to financially rewarding opportunities. But more often than not it leads to lasting friendships, and a real sense of belonging in dynamic and supportive communities.

4. Giving Something Back

This is my final reason, but it’s by no means the least important. In fact, for me it’s probably the most meaningful.

One of the big benefits of blogging is the potential to make the world we live in a better place. And while not all blogs do this, many do in their own small way.

My blogs are about photography and blogging. They’re not topics that will make a major difference on a global scale. (I din’t see a Nobel Peace Prize in my future.) But I know that after publishing content every day for 15 years my blogs have made a difference to the lives of many.

Late last year I shared a post here on ProBlogger about how a person came up to me recently at a conference and credited ProBlogger with saving their marriage. And others shared how they’d build significant businesses through coming across things we’d published.

Blogging can change your life as a blogger in many ways. But the experience is even more meaningful and rewarding when you realise it can be also used to inspire, educate, and give others a sense of belonging.

It also provides lots of opportunities to shine the light and lend your voice to other worthwhile causes. One of my own highlights from blogging came when I had opportunity to travel to Tanzania and see the work of an amazing organisation working with people with disabilities in that country.

Being able to use my blogs to give a voice to this worthy cause was an amazing opportunity.

Should you start a blog in 2018?

Unfortunately, I can’t answer that question for you. But I can say that, on a personal level, starting a blog was one of the most amazing things I’ve even done.

Blogging changed the trajectory of my life in many ways.

It helped me grow and develop on a personal level.

It helped me start and grow a business that has given our family income we never expected to have.

It opened opportunity for community, friendship and collaborations with wonderful people.

It gave me ways to do something meaningful that in small ways allows me to make a difference for others.

I hope this inspires you to join us in starting a blog in 2018. Reserve your spot in our new free Start a Blog course that kicks off on 10 January.

Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

The post 4 Reasons Why You Should Start a Blog in 2018 appeared first on ProBlogger.

       4 Reasons Why You Should Start a Blog in 2018

[silvino32mills]

4 Reasons Why You Should Start a Blog in 2018

At a recent Christmas party a friend asked me a series of rapid-fire questions about blogging.

“Do you think I should start a blog in 2018? Or have I missed the boat with blogging? If blogging is still relevant, how could it benefit me? I guess I’m trying to work out… why should I start a blog?”

My friend isn’t the only one asking these kinds of questions.

At the start of every year a lot of people ponder whether a blog should be a part of their plans for the new year. And every January we see a spike in our Google Analytics where people are arriving from Google to articles such as ‘How to Start a Blog’ and ‘Is a Blog Right for You?’

Which is why we’ve decided to put together our most comprehensive resource on the topic of starting blogs – our free Ultimate Guide to Starting a Blog Course (which kicks off next week).

Thousands of people have already claimed their spot in the course, convinced a blog should be a part of their plans for 2018. But I know some people in my friend’s shoes who are still trying to work out if a blog is right for them, and what the benefit would be to start one.

As I consider the question of why someone should start a blog in 2018, I can’t help but return to the beginning of my own blogging journey in 2002.

Why I Started Blogging

My decision to start a blog came very quickly. Within 15 minutes of seeing my first blog I wanted to have one.

When I talk at conferences about my start, I often talk about two things I found attractive in the first blogs I saw:

They gave normal people a ‘voice’ to share their story, experience and ideas.

They created community, and a place for others to come and interact around the ideas, stories and experience of the blogger.

The other thing I loved about the idea of having a blog is it could be a place for me to express myself, think out loud and record different aspects of my life and what I was doing and learning. It also looked like fun.

Ultimately, I had a hunch that blogging could be good for me. I had no real vision of where it may lead. And I suspect that most bloggers back then started in a similar way.

Things have changed since 2002.

I still meet quite a few bloggers who start for similar reasons – wanting to express themselves, make connections and have fun. But many now come to blogging with more formed ideas of the benefits blogging might bring to them.

Blogging has evolved (and was already evolving before I started). The earliest blogs were usually hand-coded, as no ready-made blogging tools existed. Tools such as Blogger, MovableType, TypePad and WordPress followed, and today there’s an entire industry of blogging tools.

Similarly, the ways people use blogs has changed. When I started, many bloggers described their blogs as online diaries where different topics sat side by side quite comfortably in a myriad of different categories.

While this approach still exists today, more and more bloggers have narrowed their focus to ‘niche’ topic blogs, or write for certain demographics of readers.

Finally, we’ve seen an evolution in the benefits and outcomes people hope to achieve with their blogs. While self-expression is still why many people blog, others want to make a profit or use their blog to land other opportunities that will bring them financial reward.

Which brings me to one of my friend’s main questions.

“Why should I start a blog?”

4 Reasons to Start a Blog in 2018

There’s no single answer to this question, and I don’t believe that every person should have a blog. But there are some really good reasons for starting a blog today, which I’d love to explore for those considering starting one.

Of course, this isn’t a definitive list. And keep in mind that many bloggers start for more than one of these reasons.

1. Self-Improvement and Personal Development

While blogging unexpectedly became the basis for my business, and has opened up amazing opportunities for me to earn an income, one of the biggest benefits to getting into this space is the same reason I got into it.

Blogging has given me a place to express myself.

Something very powerful happens when you get into the habit of ordering and writing down your thoughts, ideas, stories and opinions.

People have been doing this for centuries in private diaries and journals. But to put some of these things into a public forum for others to interact with has been a very positive experience for me.

Having a place to express myself has given me many personal benefits. In researching and writing thousands of articles over the years I have:

learned so much about the topics I write about

identified, sharpened and deepened my ideas and opinions

refined my voice

grown my writing and communication skills

built discipline

found a creative outlet

confronted fears and doubts and grown in confidence.

This list could go on. But the bottom line is I’m much better as a person for having a blog.

2. Profit

It will come as no surprise to regular ProBlogger readers that one of the reasons I’m giving for starting a blog is it can be financially profitable.

I’m not saying every blog will be profitable. But many bloggers have grown income streams from their blogging, both directly and indirectly.

This isn’t the place to go into depth about how to make money blogging. (I’ve written many articles on the topic, and  recommend reading my Make Money Blogging article as a starting point.) But I’m amazed at how blogs have provided an income for my little family over the years.

I blogged for 18 months without knowing you could make money from blogs. And then I started experimenting with Google’s AdSense and Amazon’s Associate’s program in 2004.

It started very slowly. Despite having a decent audience, my first month with AdSense brought in around A$60 (around US$45). My first month of Amazon’s Associates program made even less – around A$7 or US$5.50. My first month of earnings wouldn’t even get me a coffee a day.

Still, it was a start. And as I slowly built my traffic and got better at using these programs, the income grew.

I don’t typically share my income. But to illustrate how it’s grown, here’s a little insight into these two income streams.

My total Amazon Associates earnings since 2004 is around US$670,000.

My total AdSense earnings since 2004 is around US$2,400,000.

I hesitated about sharing these figures, because I don’t want to build false hope that anyone who starts a blog will reach this kind of income level. Not every blogger who sets out to make money blogging reaches a full-time level.

I should also point out this income is from 13.5 years of blogging. It’s certainly not an overnight thing.

But it is possible to build significant income from blogging. And these are just two of my income streams (and by no means  the biggest).

Since 2009 we’ve sold hundreds of thousands of eBooks, courses and Lightroom Presets on my main blog – Digital Photography School. And just as many sales of other people’s products as an affiliate.

I’m not the most profitable blogger around. But the fact I’ve achieved this level as a result of starting to monetize in the early days is quite amazing to me.

Further Reading: Can You REALLY Make Money Blogging? [7 Things I Know About Making Money from Blogging]

Of course, monetizing blogs through advertising, affiliate marketing and selling virtual products is just one way to make money from blogging. There are many more, such as using the profile a blog can bring to promote your existing business or to sell your own services as a freelancer, coach, speaker, etc.

Blogs allow you to:

grow your profile

be found via search engines and social media

(most importantly) build your brand, credibility, authority and trust with potential clients.

And I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen bloggers use their blog’s profile to land more traditional employment. (In these cases, their blog became their resume.)

Note: I explore reasons why businesses should start blogging in this podcast.

The other aspect of growing profit from a blog is it can also become an asset you can potentially sell at some point.

3. Relationships

I mentioned earlier that one reason I wanted to start a blog is those first blogs I came across has a sense of community on them.

While the bloggers were using their blogs to amplify their own voices, those blogs were also a place for other people to find their voices too. A community was forming in the comments. Bloggers were linking to (and building relationships with) each other. And there was a lovely sense of inclusiveness between bloggers.

While blogging can sometimes get a little competitive these days, I still believe it’s a remarkably welcoming and open community in most cases and can open some wonderful opportunities for relationships.

As I look back over the past 15 years I’ve been blogging, many of the highlights have been about the people I’ve had the opportunity to meet and interact with.

Years of creating useful content, growing your brand, building an audience and establishing trust with that audience opens the door for many friendships, collaborations and other opportunities.

You never quite know where these relationships might lead you. Some may lead to financially rewarding opportunities. But more often than not it leads to lasting friendships, and a real sense of belonging in dynamic and supportive communities.

4. Giving Something Back

This is my final reason, but it’s by no means the least important. In fact, for me it’s probably the most meaningful.

One of the big benefits of blogging is the potential to make the world we live in a better place. And while not all blogs do this, many do in their own small way.

My blogs are about photography and blogging. They’re not topics that will make a major difference on a global scale. (I din’t see a Nobel Peace Prize in my future.) But I know that after publishing content every day for 15 years my blogs have made a difference to the lives of many.

Late last year I shared a post here on ProBlogger about how a person came up to me recently at a conference and credited ProBlogger with saving their marriage. And others shared how they’d build significant businesses through coming across things we’d published.

Blogging can change your life as a blogger in many ways. But the experience is even more meaningful and rewarding when you realise it can be also used to inspire, educate, and give others a sense of belonging.

It also provides lots of opportunities to shine the light and lend your voice to other worthwhile causes. One of my own highlights from blogging came when I had opportunity to travel to Tanzania and see the work of an amazing organisation working with people with disabilities in that country.

Being able to use my blogs to give a voice to this worthy cause was an amazing opportunity.

Should you start a blog in 2018?

Unfortunately, I can’t answer that question for you. But I can say that, on a personal level, starting a blog was one of the most amazing things I’ve even done.

Blogging changed the trajectory of my life in many ways.

It helped me grow and develop on a personal level.

It helped me start and grow a business that has given our family income we never expected to have.

It opened opportunity for community, friendship and collaborations with wonderful people.

It gave me ways to do something meaningful that in small ways allows me to make a difference for others.

I hope this inspires you to join us in starting a blog in 2018. Reserve your spot in our new free Start a Blog course that kicks off on 10 January.

Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

The post 4 Reasons Why You Should Start a Blog in 2018 appeared first on ProBlogger.

       from ProBlogger http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ProbloggerHelpingBloggersEarnMoney/~3/h1YTPOOcYvY/

[exfrenchdorsl4p0a1]

Opinion: 6 reasons why VR isn’t ready to succeed, and 1 reason why it will

Virtual reality*, or VR, has the potential to break one of the basic tenets of photography: that it’s fundamentally a medium based on looking at an image, rather than being immersed in, or part of, an image. However, despite years of technology development, VR has never quite gained traction beyond tech enthusiasts.

The problem certainly isn’t a lack of innovation or investment. In the consumer market, companies like Samsung, Ricoh, and Nikon have all introduced 360º cameras at reasonable price points, and while they’re fun, none has come up with a product that rocked the world.

At the professional level, companies like Google and Nokia have put a lot of R&D into platforms and products, and while they’ve achieved some level commercial success, VR remains a somewhat niche market. Meanwhile, media organizations such as The New York Times and USA Today have created good content, but the masses aren't exactly rushing to it.

In late 2015 and 2016, The New York Times sent Google Cardboard to all their subscribers in preparation for watching VR content.

At a personal level, I’m excited about VR technology and its potential change the way we experience imaging. I’m even the guy that came back from NAB2016 so enthusiastic about VR that I wrote an article to tell you why it would succeed. While I still think I’m right – at least in the long run – I’ve now had a couple years to analyze the industry, poke and prod dozens of products, and talk with experts ranging from camera designers to Hollywood studio executives. And here’s what I’ve found:

VR isn’t ready to succeed.

Note that I didn’t say it won’t succeed, but that it’s not ready yet. I’m convinced VR will see its day as a transformational technology, but you’re going to have to wait. With that in mind, here are six reasons why VR isn’t ready to succeed, and one reason why it will, in the end.

Six reasons why VR isn't ready to succeed:

1. The viewing hardware is too cumbersome

I almost don’t need to point this out because it’s the most obvious factor, but the way we currently view VR content sucks. It generally requires large, bulky headgear that straps to your skull like a helmet, as well as whatever headphones you need for sound. In short order, it becomes uncomfortable enough that your desire to remove the hardware exceeds your desire to see whatever is coming out of it. That’s not a recipe for consumer success.

I loosely equate today’s VR headsets to 1981’s Osborne 1 portable computer. Sure, you could take it with you, but portable computers never achieved any type of critical mass until the advent of what we know today as the laptop. Similarly, VR viewing devices won’t see wide adoption until they are small, comfortable, and unobtrusive. They need to get to the point where it’s like putting on a pair of sunglasses.

The Osborne 1 computer (1981). Image by Wikimedia user Bilby, released under Creative Commons license.

2. The display technology isn’t good enough

Anyone who has tried a VR headset, even one of the better ones, knows how pixelated the image looks. Unfortunately for VR, high resolution displays that appear as sharp as a printed magazine page have become the norm, and have raised the bar of consumer expectations. Until consumers can look into a VR headset and see an image that achieves this level of clarity, or at least something close to it, it’s a no-go. After all, it’s virtual reality. To be convincing it must look real.

3. It doesn’t ‘just work’

Let’s say you can get past the cumbersome headgear that makes you look like a spaceman from a 1978 home movie, and that you don't mind a screen that looks like it has a chain-linked fence in front of it. You still have to get it to work. Admittedly, there’s been progress in this area, but using VR often requires some level of technical know-how and a willingness to tinker. We often talk about technology that ‘just works,’ but until it’s simple enough that the least tech savvy among us can set it up, VR will remain in the realm of tech enthusiasts.

4. VR capture technology needs to get better

Assuming you can solve the problems mentioned above, you still need to fill a virtual space with a lot of data for it to be convincing. That means you either need cameras with lots of resolution, or simply a lot of cameras (which is the current approach). To keep costs down, most VR camera setups rely on small sensors, which come with their own set of tradeoffs.

Even with professionally-oriented cameras such as the Nokia OZO, most of the content I’ve seen has mediocre dynamic range with crushed blacks and clipped highlights, as well as occasional stitching errors. Consumers have been trained to expect higher quality, and their tastes reflect that. Sure, you could build a cage to hold ten Arri Alexas, but that’s not an accessible option for most content producers.

The Nokia OZO is arguably one of the better VR cameras on the market today, and one that has achieved some level of commercial success. However, the imagery it produces is still below the standards consumers have become accustomed to. You can order it online for $40,000.

5. Nobody has agreed on common conventions for VR content

This one’s a bit more nebulous, but it’s actually pretty important. VR is new enough that conventions for things like how to film a scene, how to tell a story, or the best way to present information are still being invented. That’s a huge opportunity for content creators, but it also creates a disconnect with viewers. Until there's a consistent expectation for what VR is, and how it’s experienced, it will be challenged to reach a broad consumer audience.

6. You’re stuck in place:

Most VR experiences today simply place you at the center of a spherical space. Although you can choose where to look, that’s generally the limit of your engagement with the scene. It's certainly possible to create compelling VR content within this constraint, and I’ve seen great examples of VR films that do so, but for the average person who’s going to post a VR video on social media, their friends will get tired of it quickly. The really important leap will come when viewers can move around a scene.

I never thought I’d say this, but Facebook to the rescue! The video below shows off some technology that begins to address this problem. (In fairness, other companies are working on this type of technology as well, but Facebook wins because the video was easy to find…)

The one reason why VR will succeed:

VR content can be very compelling

Despite all these challenges, VR will eventually succeed for the simple reason that VR content can be extremely compelling. Even within the limitations of current technology, I’ve seen VR films, experiences, and news stories that were far more powerful and engaging than they would have been on a flat screen. In my post-NAB2016 article I called out two examples, Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness and Witness 360: 7/7, neither of which could have delivered the same impact without an immersive medium.

VR will need to overcome the limitations I've outlined above to expand beyond early adopters and enthusiasts, but once it does it has the potential to change the way we interact with digital imagery in very fundamental ways. Imagine being in the middle of a documentary film instead of watching it from across the room. Or, for still photo enthusiasts, imagine visiting someone’s online photo gallery and moving through 360º images with all the resolution and color fidelity one might expect from a Nikon D810. I don’t know how long it will take, but technology has a remarkable way of working these things out given enough time.

I'll end by posing two questions, and I'm genuinely curious what the DPReview audience thinks about them. 1) Have I missed anything important in my list above?, and 2) Assuming we can get past the technology challenges and VR becomes insanely good, and unobtrusive to use, would you use it? Let me know what you think.

* For the purpose of this article, I'm focused on VR as a technology for digital imaging, and excluding applications like computer gaming (which has a very different target audience and requirements)

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rZjATp

[porchenclose10019]

Opinion: 6 reasons why VR isn’t ready to succeed, and 1 reason why it will

Virtual reality*, or VR, has the potential to break one of the basic tenets of photography: that it’s fundamentally a medium based on looking at an image, rather than being immersed in, or part of, an image. However, despite years of technology development, VR has never quite gained traction beyond tech enthusiasts.

The problem certainly isn’t a lack of innovation or investment. In the consumer market, companies like Samsung, Ricoh, and Nikon have all introduced 360º cameras at reasonable price points, and while they’re fun, none has come up with a product that rocked the world.

At the professional level, companies like Google and Nokia have put a lot of R&D into platforms and products, and while they’ve achieved some level commercial success, VR remains a somewhat niche market. Meanwhile, media organizations such as The New York Times and USA Today have created good content, but the masses aren't exactly rushing to it.

In late 2015 and 2016, The New York Times sent Google Cardboard to all their subscribers in preparation for watching VR content.

At a personal level, I’m excited about VR technology and its potential change the way we experience imaging. I’m even the guy that came back from NAB2016 so enthusiastic about VR that I wrote an article to tell you why it would succeed. While I still think I’m right – at least in the long run – I’ve now had a couple years to analyze the industry, poke and prod dozens of products, and talk with experts ranging from camera designers to Hollywood studio executives. And here’s what I’ve found:

VR isn’t ready to succeed.

Note that I didn’t say it won’t succeed, but that it’s not ready yet. I’m convinced VR will see its day as a transformational technology, but you’re going to have to wait. With that in mind, here are six reasons why VR isn’t ready to succeed, and one reason why it will, in the end.

Six reasons why VR isn't ready to succeed:

1. The viewing hardware is too cumbersome

I almost don’t need to point this out because it’s the most obvious factor, but the way we currently view VR content sucks. It generally requires large, bulky headgear that straps to your skull like a helmet, as well as whatever headphones you need for sound. In short order, it becomes uncomfortable enough that your desire to remove the hardware exceeds your desire to see whatever is coming out of it. That’s not a recipe for consumer success.

I loosely equate today’s VR headsets to 1981’s Osborne 1 portable computer. Sure, you could take it with you, but portable computers never achieved any type of critical mass until the advent of what we know today as the laptop. Similarly, VR viewing devices won’t see wide adoption until they are small, comfortable, and unobtrusive. They need to get to the point where it’s like putting on a pair of sunglasses.

The Osborne 1 computer (1981). Image by Wikimedia user Bilby, released under Creative Commons license.

2. The display technology isn’t good enough

Anyone who has tried a VR headset, even one of the better ones, knows how pixelated the image looks. Unfortunately for VR, high resolution displays that appear as sharp as a printed magazine page have become the norm, and have raised the bar of consumer expectations. Until consumers can look into a VR headset and see an image that achieves this level of clarity, or at least something close to it, it’s a no-go. After all, it’s virtual reality. To be convincing it must look real.

3. It doesn’t ‘just work’

Let’s say you can get past the cumbersome headgear that makes you look like a spaceman from a 1978 home movie, and that you don't mind a screen that looks like it has a chain-linked fence in front of it. You still have to get it to work. Admittedly, there’s been progress in this area, but using VR often requires some level of technical know-how and a willingness to tinker. We often talk about technology that ‘just works,’ but until it’s simple enough that the least tech savvy among us can set it up, VR will remain in the realm of tech enthusiasts.

4. VR capture technology needs to get better

Assuming you can solve the problems mentioned above, you still need to fill a virtual space with a lot of data for it to be convincing. That means you either need cameras with lots of resolution, or simply a lot of cameras (which is the current approach). To keep costs down, most VR camera setups rely on small sensors, which come with their own set of tradeoffs.

Even with professionally-oriented cameras such as the Nokia OZO, most of the content I’ve seen has mediocre dynamic range with crushed blacks and clipped highlights, as well as occasional stitching errors. Consumers have been trained to expect higher quality, and their tastes reflect that. Sure, you could build a cage to hold ten Arri Alexas, but that’s not an accessible option for most content producers.

The Nokia OZO is arguably one of the better VR cameras on the market today, and one that has achieved some level of commercial success. However, the imagery it produces is still below the standards consumers have become accustomed to. You can order it online for $40,000.

5. Nobody has agreed on common conventions for VR content

This one’s a bit more nebulous, but it’s actually pretty important. VR is new enough that conventions for things like how to film a scene, how to tell a story, or the best way to present information are still being invented. That’s a huge opportunity for content creators, but it also creates a disconnect with viewers. Until there's a consistent expectation for what VR is, and how it’s experienced, it will be challenged to reach a broad consumer audience.

6. You’re stuck in place:

Most VR experiences today simply place you at the center of a spherical space. Although you can choose where to look, that’s generally the limit of your engagement with the scene. It's certainly possible to create compelling VR content within this constraint, and I’ve seen great examples of VR films that do so, but for the average person who’s going to post a VR video on social media, their friends will get tired of it quickly. The really important leap will come when viewers can move around a scene.

I never thought I’d say this, but Facebook to the rescue! The video below shows off some technology that begins to address this problem. (In fairness, other companies are working on this type of technology as well, but Facebook wins because the video was easy to find…)

The one reason why VR will succeed:

VR content can be very compelling

Despite all these challenges, VR will eventually succeed for the simple reason that VR content can be extremely compelling. Even within the limitations of current technology, I’ve seen VR films, experiences, and news stories that were far more powerful and engaging than they would have been on a flat screen. In my post-NAB2016 article I called out two examples, Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness and Witness 360: 7/7, neither of which could have delivered the same impact without an immersive medium.

VR will need to overcome the limitations I've outlined above to expand beyond early adopters and enthusiasts, but once it does it has the potential to change the way we interact with digital imagery in very fundamental ways. Imagine being in the middle of a documentary film instead of watching it from across the room. Or, for still photo enthusiasts, imagine visiting someone’s online photo gallery and moving through 360º images with all the resolution and color fidelity one might expect from a Nikon D810. I don’t know how long it will take, but technology has a remarkable way of working these things out given enough time.

I'll end by posing two questions, and I'm genuinely curious what the DPReview audience thinks about them. 1) Have I missed anything important in my list above?, and 2) Assuming we can get past the technology challenges and VR becomes insanely good, and unobtrusive to use, would you use it? Let me know what you think.

* For the purpose of this article, I'm focused on VR as a technology for digital imaging, and excluding applications like computer gaming (which has a very different target audience and requirements)

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rZjATp

[chpatdoorsl3z0a1]

Opinion: 6 reasons why VR isn’t ready to succeed, and 1 reason why it will

Virtual reality*, or VR, has the potential to break one of the basic tenets of photography: that it’s fundamentally a medium based on looking at an image, rather than being immersed in, or part of, an image. However, despite years of technology development, VR has never quite gained traction beyond tech enthusiasts.

The problem certainly isn’t a lack of innovation or investment. In the consumer market, companies like Samsung, Ricoh, and Nikon have all introduced 360º cameras at reasonable price points, and while they’re fun, none has come up with a product that rocked the world.

At the professional level, companies like Google and Nokia have put a lot of R&D into platforms and products, and while they’ve achieved some level commercial success, VR remains a somewhat niche market. Meanwhile, media organizations such as The New York Times and USA Today have created good content, but the masses aren't exactly rushing to it.

In late 2015 and 2016, The New York Times sent Google Cardboard to all their subscribers in preparation for watching VR content.

At a personal level, I’m excited about VR technology and its potential change the way we experience imaging. I’m even the guy that came back from NAB2016 so enthusiastic about VR that I wrote an article to tell you why it would succeed. While I still think I’m right – at least in the long run – I’ve now had a couple years to analyze the industry, poke and prod dozens of products, and talk with experts ranging from camera designers to Hollywood studio executives. And here’s what I’ve found:

VR isn’t ready to succeed.

Note that I didn’t say it won’t succeed, but that it’s not ready yet. I’m convinced VR will see its day as a transformational technology, but you’re going to have to wait. With that in mind, here are six reasons why VR isn’t ready to succeed, and one reason why it will, in the end.

Six reasons why VR isn't ready to succeed:

1. The viewing hardware is too cumbersome

I almost don’t need to point this out because it’s the most obvious factor, but the way we currently view VR content sucks. It generally requires large, bulky headgear that straps to your skull like a helmet, as well as whatever headphones you need for sound. In short order, it becomes uncomfortable enough that your desire to remove the hardware exceeds your desire to see whatever is coming out of it. That’s not a recipe for consumer success.

I loosely equate today’s VR headsets to 1981’s Osborne 1 portable computer. Sure, you could take it with you, but portable computers never achieved any type of critical mass until the advent of what we know today as the laptop. Similarly, VR viewing devices won’t see wide adoption until they are small, comfortable, and unobtrusive. They need to get to the point where it’s like putting on a pair of sunglasses.

The Osborne 1 computer (1981). Image by Wikimedia user Bilby, released under Creative Commons license.

2. The display technology isn’t good enough

Anyone who has tried a VR headset, even one of the better ones, knows how pixelated the image looks. Unfortunately for VR, high resolution displays that appear as sharp as a printed magazine page have become the norm, and have raised the bar of consumer expectations. Until consumers can look into a VR headset and see an image that achieves this level of clarity, or at least something close to it, it’s a no-go. After all, it’s virtual reality. To be convincing it must look real.

3. It doesn’t ‘just work’

Let’s say you can get past the cumbersome headgear that makes you look like a spaceman from a 1978 home movie, and that you don't mind a screen that looks like it has a chain-linked fence in front of it. You still have to get it to work. Admittedly, there’s been progress in this area, but using VR often requires some level of technical know-how and a willingness to tinker. We often talk about technology that ‘just works,’ but until it’s simple enough that the least tech savvy among us can set it up, VR will remain in the realm of tech enthusiasts.

4. VR capture technology needs to get better

Assuming you can solve the problems mentioned above, you still need to fill a virtual space with a lot of data for it to be convincing. That means you either need cameras with lots of resolution, or simply a lot of cameras (which is the current approach). To keep costs down, most VR camera setups rely on small sensors, which come with their own set of tradeoffs.

Even with professionally-oriented cameras such as the Nokia OZO, most of the content I’ve seen has mediocre dynamic range with crushed blacks and clipped highlights, as well as occasional stitching errors. Consumers have been trained to expect higher quality, and their tastes reflect that. Sure, you could build a cage to hold ten Arri Alexas, but that’s not an accessible option for most content producers.

The Nokia OZO is arguably one of the better VR cameras on the market today, and one that has achieved some level of commercial success. However, the imagery it produces is still below the standards consumers have become accustomed to. You can order it online for $40,000.

5. Nobody has agreed on common conventions for VR content

This one’s a bit more nebulous, but it’s actually pretty important. VR is new enough that conventions for things like how to film a scene, how to tell a story, or the best way to present information are still being invented. That’s a huge opportunity for content creators, but it also creates a disconnect with viewers. Until there's a consistent expectation for what VR is, and how it’s experienced, it will be challenged to reach a broad consumer audience.

6. You’re stuck in place:

Most VR experiences today simply place you at the center of a spherical space. Although you can choose where to look, that’s generally the limit of your engagement with the scene. It's certainly possible to create compelling VR content within this constraint, and I’ve seen great examples of VR films that do so, but for the average person who’s going to post a VR video on social media, their friends will get tired of it quickly. The really important leap will come when viewers can move around a scene.

I never thought I’d say this, but Facebook to the rescue! The video below shows off some technology that begins to address this problem. (In fairness, other companies are working on this type of technology as well, but Facebook wins because the video was easy to find…)

The one reason why VR will succeed:

VR content can be very compelling

Despite all these challenges, VR will eventually succeed for the simple reason that VR content can be extremely compelling. Even within the limitations of current technology, I’ve seen VR films, experiences, and news stories that were far more powerful and engaging than they would have been on a flat screen. In my post-NAB2016 article I called out two examples, Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness and Witness 360: 7/7, neither of which could have delivered the same impact without an immersive medium.

VR will need to overcome the limitations I've outlined above to expand beyond early adopters and enthusiasts, but once it does it has the potential to change the way we interact with digital imagery in very fundamental ways. Imagine being in the middle of a documentary film instead of watching it from across the room. Or, for still photo enthusiasts, imagine visiting someone’s online photo gallery and moving through 360º images with all the resolution and color fidelity one might expect from a Nikon D810. I don’t know how long it will take, but technology has a remarkable way of working these things out given enough time.

I'll end by posing two questions, and I'm genuinely curious what the DPReview audience thinks about them. 1) Have I missed anything important in my list above?, and 2) Assuming we can get past the technology challenges and VR becomes insanely good, and unobtrusive to use, would you use it? Let me know what you think.

* For the purpose of this article, I'm focused on VR as a technology for digital imaging, and excluding applications like computer gaming (which has a very different target audience and requirements)

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rZjATp

[stormdoors78476]

Opinion: 6 reasons why VR isn’t ready to succeed, and 1 reason why it will

Virtual reality*, or VR, has the potential to break one of the basic tenets of photography: that it’s fundamentally a medium based on looking at an image, rather than being immersed in, or part of, an image. However, despite years of technology development, VR has never quite gained traction beyond tech enthusiasts.

The problem certainly isn’t a lack of innovation or investment. In the consumer market, companies like Samsung, Ricoh, and Nikon have all introduced 360º cameras at reasonable price points, and while they’re fun, none has come up with a product that rocked the world.

At the professional level, companies like Google and Nokia have put a lot of R&D into platforms and products, and while they’ve achieved some level commercial success, VR remains a somewhat niche market. Meanwhile, media organizations such as The New York Times and USA Today have created good content, but the masses aren't exactly rushing to it.

In late 2015 and 2016, The New York Times sent Google Cardboard to all their subscribers in preparation for watching VR content.

At a personal level, I’m excited about VR technology and its potential change the way we experience imaging. I’m even the guy that came back from NAB2016 so enthusiastic about VR that I wrote an article to tell you why it would succeed. While I still think I’m right – at least in the long run – I’ve now had a couple years to analyze the industry, poke and prod dozens of products, and talk with experts ranging from camera designers to Hollywood studio executives. And here’s what I’ve found:

VR isn’t ready to succeed.

Note that I didn’t say it won’t succeed, but that it’s not ready yet. I’m convinced VR will see its day as a transformational technology, but you’re going to have to wait. With that in mind, here are six reasons why VR isn’t ready to succeed, and one reason why it will, in the end.

Six reasons why VR isn't ready to succeed:

1. The viewing hardware is too cumbersome

I almost don’t need to point this out because it’s the most obvious factor, but the way we currently view VR content sucks. It generally requires large, bulky headgear that straps to your skull like a helmet, as well as whatever headphones you need for sound. In short order, it becomes uncomfortable enough that your desire to remove the hardware exceeds your desire to see whatever is coming out of it. That’s not a recipe for consumer success.

I loosely equate today’s VR headsets to 1981’s Osborne 1 portable computer. Sure, you could take it with you, but portable computers never achieved any type of critical mass until the advent of what we know today as the laptop. Similarly, VR viewing devices won’t see wide adoption until they are small, comfortable, and unobtrusive. They need to get to the point where it’s like putting on a pair of sunglasses.

The Osborne 1 computer (1981). Image by Wikimedia user Bilby, released under Creative Commons license.

2. The display technology isn’t good enough

Anyone who has tried a VR headset, even one of the better ones, knows how pixelated the image looks. Unfortunately for VR, high resolution displays that appear as sharp as a printed magazine page have become the norm, and have raised the bar of consumer expectations. Until consumers can look into a VR headset and see an image that achieves this level of clarity, or at least something close to it, it’s a no-go. After all, it’s virtual reality. To be convincing it must look real.

3. It doesn’t ‘just work’

Let’s say you can get past the cumbersome headgear that makes you look like a spaceman from a 1978 home movie, and that you don't mind a screen that looks like it has a chain-linked fence in front of it. You still have to get it to work. Admittedly, there’s been progress in this area, but using VR often requires some level of technical know-how and a willingness to tinker. We often talk about technology that ‘just works,’ but until it’s simple enough that the least tech savvy among us can set it up, VR will remain in the realm of tech enthusiasts.

4. VR capture technology needs to get better

Assuming you can solve the problems mentioned above, you still need to fill a virtual space with a lot of data for it to be convincing. That means you either need cameras with lots of resolution, or simply a lot of cameras (which is the current approach). To keep costs down, most VR camera setups rely on small sensors, which come with their own set of tradeoffs.

Even with professionally-oriented cameras such as the Nokia OZO, most of the content I’ve seen has mediocre dynamic range with crushed blacks and clipped highlights, as well as occasional stitching errors. Consumers have been trained to expect higher quality, and their tastes reflect that. Sure, you could build a cage to hold ten Arri Alexas, but that’s not an accessible option for most content producers.

The Nokia OZO is arguably one of the better VR cameras on the market today, and one that has achieved some level of commercial success. However, the imagery it produces is still below the standards consumers have become accustomed to. You can order it online for $40,000.

5. Nobody has agreed on common conventions for VR content

This one’s a bit more nebulous, but it’s actually pretty important. VR is new enough that conventions for things like how to film a scene, how to tell a story, or the best way to present information are still being invented. That’s a huge opportunity for content creators, but it also creates a disconnect with viewers. Until there's a consistent expectation for what VR is, and how it’s experienced, it will be challenged to reach a broad consumer audience.

6. You’re stuck in place:

Most VR experiences today simply place you at the center of a spherical space. Although you can choose where to look, that’s generally the limit of your engagement with the scene. It's certainly possible to create compelling VR content within this constraint, and I’ve seen great examples of VR films that do so, but for the average person who’s going to post a VR video on social media, their friends will get tired of it quickly. The really important leap will come when viewers can move around a scene.

I never thought I’d say this, but Facebook to the rescue! The video below shows off some technology that begins to address this problem. (In fairness, other companies are working on this type of technology as well, but Facebook wins because the video was easy to find…)

The one reason why VR will succeed:

VR content can be very compelling

Despite all these challenges, VR will eventually succeed for the simple reason that VR content can be extremely compelling. Even within the limitations of current technology, I’ve seen VR films, experiences, and news stories that were far more powerful and engaging than they would have been on a flat screen. In my post-NAB2016 article I called out two examples, Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness and Witness 360: 7/7, neither of which could have delivered the same impact without an immersive medium.

VR will need to overcome the limitations I've outlined above to expand beyond early adopters and enthusiasts, but once it does it has the potential to change the way we interact with digital imagery in very fundamental ways. Imagine being in the middle of a documentary film instead of watching it from across the room. Or, for still photo enthusiasts, imagine visiting someone’s online photo gallery and moving through 360º images with all the resolution and color fidelity one might expect from a Nikon D810. I don’t know how long it will take, but technology has a remarkable way of working these things out given enough time.

I'll end by posing two questions, and I'm genuinely curious what the DPReview audience thinks about them. 1) Have I missed anything important in my list above?, and 2) Assuming we can get past the technology challenges and VR becomes insanely good, and unobtrusive to use, would you use it? Let me know what you think.

* For the purpose of this article, I'm focused on VR as a technology for digital imaging, and excluding applications like computer gaming (which has a very different target audience and requirements)

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rZjATp

[grgedoors02142]

Opinion: 6 reasons why VR isn’t ready to succeed, and 1 reason why it will

Virtual reality*, or VR, has the potential to break one of the basic tenets of photography: that it’s fundamentally a medium based on looking at an image, rather than being immersed in, or part of, an image. However, despite years of technology development, VR has never quite gained traction beyond tech enthusiasts.

The problem certainly isn’t a lack of innovation or investment. In the consumer market, companies like Samsung, Ricoh, and Nikon have all introduced 360º cameras at reasonable price points, and while they’re fun, none has come up with a product that rocked the world.

At the professional level, companies like Google and Nokia have put a lot of R&D into platforms and products, and while they’ve achieved some level commercial success, VR remains a somewhat niche market. Meanwhile, media organizations such as The New York Times and USA Today have created good content, but the masses aren't exactly rushing to it.

In late 2015 and 2016, The New York Times sent Google Cardboard to all their subscribers in preparation for watching VR content.

At a personal level, I’m excited about VR technology and its potential change the way we experience imaging. I’m even the guy that came back from NAB2016 so enthusiastic about VR that I wrote an article to tell you why it would succeed. While I still think I’m right – at least in the long run – I’ve now had a couple years to analyze the industry, poke and prod dozens of products, and talk with experts ranging from camera designers to Hollywood studio executives. And here’s what I’ve found:

VR isn’t ready to succeed.

Note that I didn’t say it won’t succeed, but that it’s not ready yet. I’m convinced VR will see its day as a transformational technology, but you’re going to have to wait. With that in mind, here are six reasons why VR isn’t ready to succeed, and one reason why it will, in the end.

Six reasons why VR isn't ready to succeed:

1. The viewing hardware is too cumbersome

I almost don’t need to point this out because it’s the most obvious factor, but the way we currently view VR content sucks. It generally requires large, bulky headgear that straps to your skull like a helmet, as well as whatever headphones you need for sound. In short order, it becomes uncomfortable enough that your desire to remove the hardware exceeds your desire to see whatever is coming out of it. That’s not a recipe for consumer success.

I loosely equate today’s VR headsets to 1981’s Osborne 1 portable computer. Sure, you could take it with you, but portable computers never achieved any type of critical mass until the advent of what we know today as the laptop. Similarly, VR viewing devices won’t see wide adoption until they are small, comfortable, and unobtrusive. They need to get to the point where it’s like putting on a pair of sunglasses.

The Osborne 1 computer (1981). Image by Wikimedia user Bilby, released under Creative Commons license.

2. The display technology isn’t good enough

Anyone who has tried a VR headset, even one of the better ones, knows how pixelated the image looks. Unfortunately for VR, high resolution displays that appear as sharp as a printed magazine page have become the norm, and have raised the bar of consumer expectations. Until consumers can look into a VR headset and see an image that achieves this level of clarity, or at least something close to it, it’s a no-go. After all, it’s virtual reality. To be convincing it must look real.

3. It doesn’t ‘just work’

Let’s say you can get past the cumbersome headgear that makes you look like a spaceman from a 1978 home movie, and that you don't mind a screen that looks like it has a chain-linked fence in front of it. You still have to get it to work. Admittedly, there’s been progress in this area, but using VR often requires some level of technical know-how and a willingness to tinker. We often talk about technology that ‘just works,’ but until it’s simple enough that the least tech savvy among us can set it up, VR will remain in the realm of tech enthusiasts.

4. VR capture technology needs to get better

Assuming you can solve the problems mentioned above, you still need to fill a virtual space with a lot of data for it to be convincing. That means you either need cameras with lots of resolution, or simply a lot of cameras (which is the current approach). To keep costs down, most VR camera setups rely on small sensors, which come with their own set of tradeoffs.

Even with professionally-oriented cameras such as the Nokia OZO, most of the content I’ve seen has mediocre dynamic range with crushed blacks and clipped highlights, as well as occasional stitching errors. Consumers have been trained to expect higher quality, and their tastes reflect that. Sure, you could build a cage to hold ten Arri Alexas, but that’s not an accessible option for most content producers.

The Nokia OZO is arguably one of the better VR cameras on the market today, and one that has achieved some level of commercial success. However, the imagery it produces is still below the standards consumers have become accustomed to. You can order it online for $40,000.

5. Nobody has agreed on common conventions for VR content

This one’s a bit more nebulous, but it’s actually pretty important. VR is new enough that conventions for things like how to film a scene, how to tell a story, or the best way to present information are still being invented. That’s a huge opportunity for content creators, but it also creates a disconnect with viewers. Until there's a consistent expectation for what VR is, and how it’s experienced, it will be challenged to reach a broad consumer audience.

6. You’re stuck in place:

Most VR experiences today simply place you at the center of a spherical space. Although you can choose where to look, that’s generally the limit of your engagement with the scene. It's certainly possible to create compelling VR content within this constraint, and I’ve seen great examples of VR films that do so, but for the average person who’s going to post a VR video on social media, their friends will get tired of it quickly. The really important leap will come when viewers can move around a scene.

I never thought I’d say this, but Facebook to the rescue! The video below shows off some technology that begins to address this problem. (In fairness, other companies are working on this type of technology as well, but Facebook wins because the video was easy to find…)

The one reason why VR will succeed:

VR content can be very compelling

Despite all these challenges, VR will eventually succeed for the simple reason that VR content can be extremely compelling. Even within the limitations of current technology, I’ve seen VR films, experiences, and news stories that were far more powerful and engaging than they would have been on a flat screen. In my post-NAB2016 article I called out two examples, Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness and Witness 360: 7/7, neither of which could have delivered the same impact without an immersive medium.

VR will need to overcome the limitations I've outlined above to expand beyond early adopters and enthusiasts, but once it does it has the potential to change the way we interact with digital imagery in very fundamental ways. Imagine being in the middle of a documentary film instead of watching it from across the room. Or, for still photo enthusiasts, imagine visiting someone’s online photo gallery and moving through 360º images with all the resolution and color fidelity one might expect from a Nikon D810. I don’t know how long it will take, but technology has a remarkable way of working these things out given enough time.

I'll end by posing two questions, and I'm genuinely curious what the DPReview audience thinks about them. 1) Have I missed anything important in my list above?, and 2) Assuming we can get past the technology challenges and VR becomes insanely good, and unobtrusive to use, would you use it? Let me know what you think.

* For the purpose of this article, I'm focused on VR as a technology for digital imaging, and excluding applications like computer gaming (which has a very different target audience and requirements)

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2rZjATp