What you need to know

• A new survey reveals AI camera tricks likely to come with Pixel 8.
• These include an earlier leaked Magic Audio eraser tool.
• We might see AI-powered advanced Magic Editor features as well.

As we near the launch of the Pixel 8 series, which will likely happen in the next couple of months, some Pixel Superfans from Team Pixel have reportedly received surveys to select scenarios that would help someone decide which smartphone to purchase. These surveys have apparently hinted at new features coming from the Pixel 8.

As noted by Mishaal Rahman on X, the scenarios mentioned in the above surveys allude to the Audio Magic Eraser feature that will likely be featured in the upcoming Pixel 8 — a recently leaked promotional material of the alleged device showcased how the feature would work.

According to Rahman, the survey pointed out scenarios such as:

“Eliminate the shouting of the fan in the next seat from your game-winning shot video with your phone’s amazing AI video noise removal.”

“Enhance the sound of your friends and family’s reactions during a thrilling game, while minimizing the background stadium noise with your phone’s amazing AI video noise removal.”

While these scenarios are self-explanatory, some other statements from the survey seem to refer to entirely new features. For instance, one of the statements says, “No worries if someone’s distracted during a group photo, your phone’s AI can still make it into a perfect group photo.”

It’s possible that one of these could refer to the new “Magic Editor” feature that Google showcased in its I/O event, or they could be completely new functions arriving with the Pixel 8.

Meanwhile, another reliable tipster, Kamila Wojciechowska, got her hands on the complete list of options from the survey that reveal additional scenarios that appear to be primarily AI-powered. These questions from the survey assure that Google is indeed working on bringing advanced features to the Pixel 8 series cameras alongside enhancements like faster camera launch speeds, amongst others.

Wojciechowska further notes that Pixel 8 will bring a redesigned Google Camera app, and we can expect more AI-based features like AI Wallpapers and proofreading mode in Gboard, among other advancements.

As a photographer, my lens has been my window to the world, a conduit through which I’ve captured the grandeur of nature’s landscapes. From the sweeping vistas of mountains to the tranquil embrace of forests, I’ve dedicated my craft to preserving the beauty of the outdoors. Yet, a whisper of curiosity has tugged at me, urging me to step outside my comfort zone and explore the realm of portrait photography for a long time.

At a recent visit with some relatives, I was asked to take some senior year images for my wives niece, as I am the “photographer.” Somewhat reluctantly, I agreed and set off with my trusty Canon EOS R and the versatile 70-200mm f/4L lens in hand. I embarked on a journey that would challenge my perception of photography and redefine my artistic narrative. I wold also need to break out my flash, which is something that I have done just a handful of times before.

The Spark of Curiosity

The spark that ignited my journey into portrait photography wasn’t sudden; it had simmered beneath the surface for a while, yet I had never taken a single portrait shot. I’ve always been drawn to stories, to the emotions that linger just beneath the surface of a captured moment, especially when looking at the fantastic images I saw from other photographers who were producing some incredible shots of humans in nature. With this curiosity, I found myself standing at the crossroads of my craft, eager to explore a dimension that was both exciting and unknown.

A Colourful Canvas: Crafting Compositions in the Park

So, my voyage into portrait photography would begin at a local park— a lush canvas teeming with life and possibilities. The same compositional instincts that had guided me through landscapes now guided me to frame my niece amidst the vibrant surroundings. Armed with my 70-200mm lens, I sought to capture candid moments that resonated with both her vivacity and the natural beauty of the park.

As sunlight filtered through the foliage, I adapted my landscape sensibilities to this new challenge. I knew that maintaining a shallow depth of field was essential for isolating my subject and adding a soft background. Shooting at f/4, the lens’ widest aperture, I could achieve this effect while ensuring fast shutter speeds to freeze motion and keep the images sharp. The aperture, a tool I had long mastered in landscapes, now came alive as I used it to add a touch of bokeh to my compositions. This delicate background blur created a dreamlike quality, reminiscent of my expansive landscape work. Ideally, I would have liked to shoot at f/2.8; however, this wasn’t an option for me, of course. 

Dancing With Distance: A Lighthouse’s Gaze

I wanted to ensure that I got to a variety of locations, so next, it was off to a beach that stretched its golden arms towards the horizon. Here, the majestic Ballycotton lighthouse would stand on the horizon as a sentinel against the azure expanse. The 70-200mm lens again became my storyteller, allowing me to encapsulate both the human form and the distant lighthouse in a single frame.

In this setting, depth and perspective played center stage. My niece’s form stood poised against the backdrop of the lighthouse. This rendered the background as a soft subject, allowing the lighthouse’s details to persist as a faint emblem of maritime spirit. As I framed my shot, I marveled at how this portrait encapsulated both the essence of portraiture and the essence of the sprawling landscape. I then began to have some fun, and we took some candid shots as well as having my subject jump and play on the sand.

Confluence of Time: A Castle’s Embrace

Next, we were off to an old castle/folly that I had photographed many times before. Its weathered stones steeped in history would act as a nice out-of-focus subject in the background. Against this backdrop, my niece became a contemporary muse intertwined with the echoes of the past. Here, the 70-200mm lens revealed its versatility as it captured her vitality against the castle’s timeless solemnity.

In this instance, I aimed for an aperture setting between f/4 and f/5.6. This choice allowed me to embrace the background without overpowering my subject. The ancient arches and textured stones formed a textured frame for my portrait, a visual symphony of history and youth. The deliberate use of bokeh here, a technique honed through landscapes, added an element of separation that underscored the interplay between subject and surroundings.

Whispers of the Woods: A Serene Serenade

My portrait odyssey found its conclusion in the embrace of my local woods – a sanctuary of serenity and contemplation. The 70-200mm lens once again became my guide, capturing my niece’s introspection as sunlight filtered through the leaves.

Here, I experimented with poses. Against an ancient tree, she reclined in contemplation. The aperture oscillated between f/4 and f/5.6, as I aimed to capture the interplay of light and shadow. Bokeh emerged organically, a gentle cocoon around her form, echoing the calm that permeated the woods. I thought this location would be the easiest for me. As I had plenty of practice at the other locations earlier, I was feeling more comfortable behind the camera, and my subject was also feeling like she was getting into the swing of things.

The Portrait Unveiled: Lessons from the Expedition

As my portrait expedition drew to a close, I found myself enriched with invaluable insights. Shooting almost exclusively at f/4 provided the perfect balance between isolating the subject and maintaining a connection to the environment. The wide aperture facilitated fast shutter speeds, allowing me to capture candid moments without compromising sharpness.

Moreover, this journey taught me the significance of embracing different perspectives. My familiarity with landscape composition seamlessly translated into creating captivating portraits against diverse backdrops. The dance of light and shadow, a hallmark of my landscape work, became equally vital in adding depth and dimension to my portraits. Of course, as it was really my first time, perhaps what I produced wasn’t up to par with what others would or could produce. Nonetheless, I enjoyed learning on the go and, of course, looking at the finished images.

The journey from landscapes to portraits was a short a voyage of discovery. Armed with my Canon EOS R and the versatile 70-200mm f/4L lens, combined with my flash, I’ve painted a portrait of exploration and evolution, a testament to the harmony between landscape and portrait. Through the lens of curiosity, I’ve created a tapestry of portraits, each one as diverse and resonant as the varied landscapes that have always been my muse. In the end, my expedition taught me that the art of photography is a limitless canvas where every brushstroke, every aperture setting, and every frame tells a unique story.

I think I will be giving this a go again for sure, as it actually felt great to step outside my comfort zone, and overall, I was happy with the results.

Have you examples of a time when you stepped outside your comfort zone, either good or bad?

Landscape photography can often be a very slow process that requires a lot of preparation followed by a lot of waiting for just the right conditions and right light to develop in front of you. If you are willing to wait, though, you will often be rewarded with worthwhile images. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the importance of patience in the craft. 

Coming to you from Christian Irmler – Landscape Photographer, this great video discusses the importance of patience as a landscape photographer. Particularly in an age when we are used to instant gratification and the pressure to constantly produce content, it can be easy to become impatient and to push for pictures as quickly as possible. But in a genre in which you have no control over the conditions or the light at hand, sometimes, you have no choice but to wait things out while the best photo evolves in front of you. This is why preparation is so important, as it allows you to predict if you’ll eventually get those correct conditions instead of waiting for nothing. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Irmler. 

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, “Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!” 

SHAVERTOWN, Pa. — We’ll head to Bradford County with Floyd Trudgen, a local wildlife photographer, to visit an American Bald Eagle nest.  Floyd is obsessed with taking photograph’s of this majestic bird and displaying them at his wife’s gallery in Shavertown.