Wednesday, Jan. 10, was our first meeting of 2024 for the Photography Club of Citrus Hills.
Our day started early with Flower Photography Made Simple, a great workshop prepared and presented by Nancylee Mudd. After a slide presentation, attendees were able to select a station, grab flowers, backdrops and other great accessories and spend several fun hours practicing the various technique Nancylee had suggested. Members have asked that she repeat this workshop again.
Released nearly two decades ago and well ahead of the era of streaming, the original Tivoli Audio SongBook was a portable 1.75lbs AM/FM radio outfitted with a lone speaker and telescoping antenna – a compact travel radio reflective of a different time and listening habits. Tivoli has recently revived the SongBook with the announcement of not just one new speaker, but two Bluetooth sound systems featuring the melodious moniker, each designed to evoke the stylings of the past while delivering the music streaming features expected of today.
Designer and CEO of Tivoli Audio, Paul DePasquale says the new SongBook was inspired by industrial designs from the 1970s and 1990s – everything from kitchen appliances, consumer electronics, and of course, home audio. And it shows, with a simple approach to listening.
“I wanted the product to feel like something I would have loved to have growing up in the 90s,” DePasquale explains. “Adding the analog approach to the equalizer, power functions, and sources brought to life a familiar joy in user experience, which is simple and fun.”
The Tivoli Audio SongBook’s retro design is invitingly tactile, featuring a power toggle switch, line/amp toggle, source knob, volume knob, and Lo / Mid / Hi EQ adjustment sliders with nary a screen in sight.
It may look like a boombox of yesteryear, but Tivoli has outfitted the SoundBook with modern specs, including two 20-watt amps output, Bluetooth 5.3 wireless connectivity, one 3.5″ full-range driver with a 3.5” woofer, fast power delivery recharging, and even splash resistant IPX 4 rating.
The resulting “newly evolved” SongBook’s aesthetic is indeed a tactile reinterpretation of the original radio, and one strongly evocative of the most beloved and nostalgic audio designs: the radio boombox.
Available now in two sizes, the first SongBook weighs 6.7lbs and measures 12″ x 9″ x 5″ – roughly the size of the boombox stereo some of us remember from our analog youth. Instead of popping in cassette tapes or CDs, the retro-styled speaker now connects to sources both wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast, or directly using a 1⁄4”/ 6.35mm auxiliary input.
You won’t ever have to worry about changing out enormous D size batteries to power this portable speaker as it’s equipped with an internal fast charging battery that ekes up to 10 hours of battery life per charge.
Tivoli also offers a second SongBook MAX, a larger iteration equipped with a beefier 4″ subwoofer for the bump in the trunk low end, 4″ midrange driver, small .75″ tweeter positioned in the center, and two 50-watt amps. Weighing 11.5lbs and measuring 15″ x 11″ x 6″, the MAX edition is more to lug around, but offers a bigger sound with its size. There’s also an FM radio tuner if you like to “stream” music the old fashioned way, with the option to program up to 5 station presets.
Unlike the smaller SoundBook, the MAX edition features a small digital status display, but otherwise retains the same tactile user controls.
Musicians take note, both of the new SongBooks feature a built-in pre-amp, which allows connection and output from a turntable or a guitar.
Both Tivoli Audio SongBook editions are available adorned in a cream/brown combo or a glossy green finish, with the SongBook priced at $449.99 and the SongBook MAX for $599.99.
A lot of emphasis gets placed on the cameras of our cell phones.
On the one hand, snapping pics is one of the most common things people will do with their phone. So it makes sense this is an important point to people.
On the other hand, modern phones have gotten SO good, each generation seems to only have incremental gains over the previous generation. Batteries last all day. Screens have great refresh rates and brightness levels. Storage capacities are large (or maybe most of your stuff is in the cloud anyway).
One area where phone makers try to one up each other is with the camera on their phones. Whether it’s through hardware design to give better optical zoom and image stabilization, or software and AI for touch ups after a picture is snapped, camera quality continues to be a bragging point.
I currently have the most modern flagship phones from Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, and Google. So I figured I’d do a little camera testing and share some pics for those who want a quick comparison.
Even though two of the pones were released in 2023, my test was done in January of 2024, hence the title.
I decided to test in 3 commonly used modes: Portrait (for an aesthetic, soft background), Macro (for close up details), and Zoom (for those faraway distance shots).
Using my trusty Krrsantan Funko as a test subject, here’s a comparison of Portrait Mode between the various phones. Display order: S24 Ultra, iPhone 15 Pro, OnePlus 12, and Pixel 8 Pro.
Draw your own conclusions, because I think “best portrait mode” is a bit subjective. I feel like iPhone made the subject a tiny bit softer than it should be. One Plus really darkened the figure’s fur moreso than real life. My personal taste leans toward the S24 or Pixel 8 Pro as a favorite. But all four models do a great job of achieving a pretty depth of field for portriat photography.
This Krrsantan Funko is actually perfect for this test because this version is “flocked” which means its finished with tiny fuzz over the figure.
Again, this will come down to personal taste and preference. The S24 Ultra focus was a bit more soft around the edges of the subject. And iPhone 15 Pro’s temperature leaned a little warmer than real life. My pick for macro favorite is between the OnePlus 12 or Pixel 8 Pro. Leaning slightly more toward OnePlus 12.
That’s our quick test of portrait and macro modes between a few of the best phones you can buy in 2024. Based on the pictures above, or your own experience with any of these models, share your phone photography thoughts about why you do, or don’t like a certain brands photos.
Samsung is following Apple by introducing a titanium body to their highest end phone. But between Apple and Samsung, who pulls off a better titanium look?
Discover the Samsung S24 Ultra’s capabilities, highlighting its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 12GB RAM, and groundbreaking Galaxy AI. Featuring a titanium frame and Gorilla Armor glass for durability, and a new 50MP telephoto lens for advanced photography. Dive into the details of these features and learn how they compare to previous models.
January 31, 2024 10:47 AM EST
TIME and the American Society of Media Photographers are pleased to announce the winners of our Global Photographic Portraiture Competition: “The Human Element.”
Over 2,200 images were submitted across five categories, with the winning images shot by photographers from 9 different countries including Bangladesh, Poland, and Iran. The images, accompanied here by captions provided by the photographers, celebrate the diversity of the human experience while touching on themes that unite the world at this moment in time — including climate change, gender identity, loss, and love.
With gratitude to the contest judges and everyone who took the time to submit their work and show us their corner of the world, we present the winners of “The Human Element.”
Tombstone was a gold rush boom town in Arizona, famous today for a little piece of American history that happened there: a gunfight between law-maker Wyatt Earp and outlaws that has since been represented in films, on TV and in a theatre performance that takes place twice a day every day in Tombstone itself. The show is the story of an all-American hero loved by the US audience – but of course it’s a fake story. Earp wasn’t a golden superhero and, like so many famous historical figures, the events surrounding him and the gunfight are unfocused and blurred. For me, this is a metaphor for how US culture rewrites its history in a way that has little to do with the facts.
My girlfriend – also a photographer – and I went to the theatre show in Tombstone for three days in a row. There are two performances a day, one early in the morning and one at noon. On the first day we booked both, so as to check which was better in terms of the light. The noon one was best – the sun was high and the shadows fell right beneath the bodies.
The next day we came back with our cameras: two Fuji GFXs. It’s one of the most powerful digital cameras. We sat in the front of the theatre, without tripods or lights, and just took the same photographs for two days in a row. I wanted to show both shooters getting hit at the same moment, capturing the figures suspended in the air as they are falling. There’s no heel or elbow or head touching the ground in this picture. In most of the photographs in West, the series this is from, what you see is what we shot – but not in this case. We didn’t manage to capture both shooters suspended in the air at the same time – so we moved one of them into the other in post-production.
The photograph is typical of my visual language: it’s overexposed, two-dimensional, frontal – the viewer is right in front of the scene. Everything is clean and clear, but the message is still confused. I always try to do this with my work: to make my photographs clear, physically, but they are never a complete story. I am always trying to make the spectator ask: “What am I looking at? Should I trust photography? Should I trust the artist?” I’m happy when someone looks at my work and gets suspicious.
I wanted to combine the feel of a snapshot with the sense of something eternal. The blur between real and fake is very important to me. The main questions in this work were “Is history real?”, and “How does what is staged become real in American history?”
The West project technically began in 2014 and ended in 2022. But conceptually it started in 2008, with the financial crisis and the collapse of Lehman Brothers. I wanted to do something about western culture, and was wondering what time and place could describe what I wanted to say about capitalism, liberalism and post-Fordism. The gold rush, beginning in California in 1848, was a good starting point. It was a moment when people from every place in the world rushed to one specific point with the aim of becoming rich very fast without any particular skill. It was the start of liberalism, which evolved into what happened in 2008 and the global financial crisis.
All of the West project was staged. When I’m at home in Milan, I study Google Earth and decide where I want to place my tripod, what kind of lens I want to use. On the one hand everything is real, because I don’t build or construct anything; but on the other, it is also fake. I usually print my images on cotton paper, because I want to find a sort of blurred area between photography and painting. I try to understand the role of photography in relation to art, especially in my country, and its relation to geopolitical issues. That’s what my art is ultimately about: how can photography engage with geopolitical issues?
Today, photography has lost its sacred aura. We take pictures with mobile phones, we don’t print them, we put them in clouds, and everyone is a photographer. So we have no photographs, no cameras and no photographers.
Born: Napoli, Italy, 1967
Trained: “Graduated as an architect. I never studied art or photography, but my family’s house was full of books, all kinds of books.”
Influences: “Stan Lee & Jack Kirby, Raymond Chandler, Michael Mann, Paul Virilio, Caravaggio, Hideo Kojima.”
High point: “A few years back in Rotterdam, after a lecture, a young man approached and told me, ‘please stay hungry.’”
Low point: “I never succeeded in making a long feature movie and I will never travel the universe (very probably).”
Top tip: “Travel the universe.”
In my mind’s eye I can see each of these lamps living in specific rooms of my home, with a similar feel but also worlds apart. The Folk and Flora Collection, designed by artist and vintage curator Carmen Nash of Loft and Thought for Troy Lighting, is earthy elegance embodied. The series is a reimagining of Nash’s favorite folk art stories paired with her own belief that storytelling connects us to the objects we love. Similar to how stories can play off of one another, the collection’s lamp designs differ while also forming a cohesive group that feels related, all thanks to tones and textures.
The Folk and Flora Collection includes eight lamps made from a mix of natural materials such as abaca and terracotta. “In my world of design, palm fronds become lampshades, and lighting is rendered through the visual retelling of my favorite passages from novelists such as Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison. I hope that showing lighting through my lens evokes joy and thought,” Nash shares.
The designer’s path hasn’t been a straight line, she was first exposed to luxury design via her degree in resort and hospitality management. From there, Nash began curating and purveying vintage furniture on her own through Instagram. Soon enough, she was selling to high profile clients and being featured in magazines, like Vogue, Milieu, and Domino. People were quickly noticing her great taste and sharp eye for design.
Nash says her design perspective is derived from her spirituality and a heritage rooted in experiences as a Black southern artist. Each piece is turned into a visual narrative through her work, evoking beauty, emotion, and thought – whether that’s expressed through Nash’s curation or in her own design practice. The Folk and Flora Collection is a triumph with several standout pieces, and here we’re sharing four of our favorites.
Morri Table Lamp
Morri, a tribute to novelist Toni Morrison, features a charred wood lamp base with a twisting neck and woven natural Abaca string shade. The smooth black body paired with the textured lamp shade feel unexpectedly welcome.
Morri Table Lamp
Morri Table Lamp
Seyla Table Lamp
Seyla embraces wabi-sabi and the imperfect. With the weighty, hand-sculpted feel of the Ancient Terracotta body, the woven natural Abaca shade provides a balance of material and aesthetics.
Seyla Table Lamp
Seyla Table Lamp
Pecola Table Lamp
Folk art may define Pecola more than any of the other lamp designs. Graphic etchings, curves, and a large ash ceramic base make it feel like a found treasure. Countering these materials are Patina Brass metalwork details and a tapering linen shade.
Pecola Table Lamp
Pecola Table Lamp
Soloma Table Lamp
A personal favorite from the collection is Soloma, borrowing it’s name from Toni Morrison’s novel “Song of Solomon.” Inspired by the color white and crafted entirely from Artisan White ceramic, Soloma’s sculptural form somehow manages to remain distinct and diverse. The irregular edge of the dome-shaped shade feels a bit like a crown when illuminated.
Carmen Nash
To learn more about The Folk and Flora Lighting Collection, visit hvlgroup.com.
Lifestyle photography by Jeanne Canto.
Las Vegas Corporate Event Photographer
Corporate Photographer Christian Purdie
Las Vegas Event Photographer
Christian Purdie Photography’s corporate photography tech-infused solutions, mirrorless cameras, fast prime lenses, and a storytelling approach.
LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES, January 31, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — Today marks a pivotal moment in the world of corporate photography as Christian Purdie Photography, a trailblazer in the industry, unveils a visionary approach with cutting-edge, tech-infused solutions designed to reshape how businesses showcase their professional identity. Fusing creativity with technology, Christian Purdie Photography is set to revolutionize corporate imagery, offering clients a new level of engagement and visual storytelling.
Capturing the Future of Corporate Imagery:
In an era where first impressions matter more than ever, Christian Purdie Photography recognizes the need for businesses to embrace innovative ways of presenting their professional image. The tech-infused photography solutions introduced by Christian Purdie Photography go beyond the conventional, providing clients with immersive experiences that captivate their audience and elevate their brand presence.
Key Features of Tech-Infused Photography Solutions:
Mirrorless Cameras:
Christian Purdie Photography armed with the latest in mirrorless camera technology brings a new dimension to capturing the essence of corporate events. The sleek and portable design of mirrorless cameras allows for greater flexibility in navigating dynamic event spaces, ensuring that every moment, from keynote addresses to spontaneous interactions, is captured with ease. The rapid autofocus capabilities of these cameras prove invaluable in swiftly and accurately seizing fleeting moments, even in challenging lighting conditions typical of corporate venues. The seamless transition between still photography and video recording enhances the photographer’s ability to craft a comprehensive visual narrative. With advanced features like 4K video recording and image stabilization, mirrorless cameras empower corporate photographers to deliver not only striking stills but also engaging multimedia content. The incorporation of connectivity options enables real-time sharing of high-quality images, providing clients and audiences with an immediate and impactful glimpse into the corporate event experience. In essence, leveraging mirrorless camera technology elevates the corporate photographer‘s capabilities, ensuring seamless and visually compelling documentation of corporate gatherings.
Fast Prime Lenses:
Christian Purdie Photography is equipped with fast aperture prime lenses to introduce a heightened level of sophistication and versatility to the documentation of corporate events. The wide aperture of these lenses, often ranging from f/1.2 to f/2.8, allows for exceptional low-light performance, capturing details and nuances in ambient lighting that might be missed with standard lenses. This capability is particularly crucial in the often dimly lit settings of corporate venues, ensuring that each photograph maintains clarity and brilliance. The ability to create a shallow depth of field with these lenses adds an aesthetic dimension, emphasizing the subject while artfully blurring the background. This not only elevates the visual appeal of individual shots but also imparts a professional and polished look to the overall event coverage. Fast-aperture prime lenses contribute to a photographer’s agility in adapting to changing conditions, making them indispensable for candid moments and impromptu captures. In essence, the incorporation of these advanced lenses enhances a corporate photographer’s ability to produce visually stunning and technically superior images, setting a new standard for excellence in corporate event documentation.
Thinking Beyond The Lens:
A skilled Las Vegas corporate event photographer goes beyond merely viewing events through the lens, of cultivating a nuanced and perceptive approach to their craft. Beyond technical proficiency, they possess a keen ability to observe and understand the unique dynamics of a corporate setting. This intuitive understanding allows them to anticipate pivotal moments, capturing not just images but the essence of interactions and emotions. By viewing events holistically, a Las Vegas corporate photographer becomes a storyteller, weaving narratives that transcend the visual.
Their keen eye for detail extends to the broader context, enabling them to encapsulate the atmosphere, energy, and intricacies of a corporate environment. This holistic perspective goes beyond the immediate frame, allowing the photographer to deliver a comprehensive visual story that resonates with the audience and authentically reflects the spirit of the corporate event. In essence, their ability to view things beyond the lens transforms photography into a powerful medium for storytelling and communication in the corporate realm.
About Christian Purdie Photography:
With 25 years of experience in the field, Christian Purdie has earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries of traditional photography. Their portfolio boasts a diverse range of projects, showcasing a commitment to innovation and a passion for delivering visuals that leave a lasting impression.
Christian Purdie Photography invites businesses to explore the future of corporate imagery and embrace the limitless possibilities that tech-infused photography solutions bring. As the world evolves, so does the art of visual storytelling, and Christian Purdie is leading the way.
Christian Purdie
Christian Purdie Photography
+1 702-530-4384
email us here
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Las Vegas Corporate Photographer
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