He might be 80 but Sebastiao Salgado, the Brazilian photojournalist who has spent five decades chronicling the world around us, is not ready to hang up his camera yet.
Salgado, known in particular for his work in the Amazon, insists there is still a need to “raise awareness” about the deforestation of the planet.
The overall winners of the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards have been revealed. This year’s selection of images showcases a sublime mixture of unspoiled landscapes, amazing animals, and extraordinary people going about their lives.
Now in its 17th year, the Sony World Photography Awards celebrates powerful photographs that resonate with audiences worldwide. Read on for a look at some competition standouts, and be sure to head to the gallery to see a selection of our favorite photographs from this year’s winners.
The prestigious Photographer of the Year prize, which includes US$25,000 and Sony photography gear, was awarded to France’s Juliette Pavy for her photo series Spiralkampagnen: Forced Contraception and Unintended Sterilisation of Greenlandic Women.
The haunting series draws attention to the lasting impact of a forced birth control campaign led by Danish authorities in Greenland in the 1960s and 1970s, in which several thousand Inuit women and children were implanted with intrauterine devices without their consent.
Spiralkampagnen, by Juliette Pavy, won the overall Photographer of the Year prize. The image is one of a series exploring the lasting impact of a forced birth control campaign led by Danish authorities in Greenland in the 1960s and 1970s
Juliette Pavy, France, Photographer of the Year, Professional competition, Documentary Projects, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
“‘I am truly honored to be named the Photographer of the Year and for my work to be recognized among such a remarkable selection of projects and stories celebrated here tonight,” said Pavy. “With this award I hope to give a voice to those who were silenced for almost half a century, and to all the women in the world who are constantly fighting for their rights. By telling this story, I want to raise awareness of the violence against Inuit women and the social and psychological repercussions of this forced contraception campaign, and the unintended sterilisation of many of its victims.”
Moonrise Sprites over Storr, by Liam Man, shows the Old Man of Storr rock formation in Scotland illuminated with powerful lights attached to drones
Liam Man, United Kingdom, Open Photographer of the Year, Open Competition, Landscape, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
The UK’s Liam Man has been declared Open Photographer of the Year for his photograph Moonrise Sprites over Storr. This stunning image captures a rock formation named the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, highlighting the rugged mountainous landscape and the winter sky.
The shot was challenging to realize and was taken at night and lit both by drone lights and the rising moon during a powerful blizzard.
Caiman Crunch, by Ian Ford, was taken on Brazil’s São Lourenço river and captures the moment a female jaguar pounces on an unsuspecting caiman
Ian Ford, United Kingdom, Winner, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards 2024
Ian Ford, again from the UK, won the Natural World & Wildlife Category for this photo titled Caiman Crunch. Nearing the end of his adventure on the São Lourenço River in Brazil, he was told that a jaguar had been spotted nearby. Racing to the spot, he happened upon a female stalking her prey and was perfectly positioned as she pounced on an unsuspecting caiman.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X’s editorial process
and policies. Editors have highlighted
the following attributes while ensuring the content’s credibility:
fact-checked
preprint
trusted source
proofread
by Bob Yirka , Tech Xplore
arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2404.10667″>
Given a single portrait image, a speech audio clip, and optionally a set of other control signals, our approach produces a high-quality lifelike talking face video of 512× 512 resolution at up to 40 FPS. The method is generic and robust, and the generated talking faces can faithfully mimic human facial expressions and head movements, reaching a high level of realism and liveliness. (All the photorealistic portrait images in this paper are virtual, non-existing identities.). Credit: arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2404.10667
A team of AI researchers at Microsoft Research Asia has developed an AI application that converts a still image of a person and an audio track into an animation that accurately portrays the individual speaking or singing the audio track with appropriate facial expressions.
The team has published a paper describing how they created the app on the arXiv preprint server; video samples are available on the research project page.
The research team sought to animate still images talking and singing using any provided backing audio track, while also displaying believable facial expressions. They clearly succeeded with the development of VASA-1, an AI system that turns static images, whether captured by a camera, drawn, or painted, into what they describe as “exquisitely synchronized” animations.
The group has proven the effectiveness of their system by posting short video clips of their test results. In one, a cartoon version of the Mona Lisa is performs a rap song; in another, a photograph of a woman has been transformed into a singing performance, and in yet another, a drawing of a man delivers a speech.
In each of the animations, the facial expressions change along with the words in a way that emphasizes what is being said. The researchers note also that despite the life-like nature of the videos, closer inspection can reveal flaws and evidence that they have been artificially generated.
Credit: Microsoft
The research team achieved their results by training their app on thousands of images with a wide variety of facial expressions. They also note that the system currently produces 512-by-512-pixel imagery running at 45 frames per second. Also, it took an average of two minutes to produce the videos using a desktop-grade Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU.
The research team suggests that VASA-1 could be used to generate extremely lifelike avatars for games or simulations. At the same time, they acknowledge the potential for abuse and are therefore not making the system available for general use.
More information:
Sicheng Xu et al, VASA-1: Lifelike Audio-Driven Talking Faces Generated in Real Time, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2404.10667
Citation:
Microsoft’s AI app VASA-1 makes photographs talk and sing with believable facial expressions (2024, April 19)
retrieved 19 April 2024
from https://techxplore.com/news/2024-04-microsoft-ai-app-vasa-believable.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
Palestinian photographer Motaz Azaiza has been included in the Times 100 Most Influential People in 2024. The photographer has been included in the icon category.
The young photographer used social media and his exceptional photography and video-making skills to bring to the world the plight, devastations, and ongoing war in Gaza following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7th, 2024. He showed the loss of innocent lives in Gaza, the destruction of indiscriminate bombing by Israel on the human population in Gaza, and the ongoing genocide in the city. He was, however, forced to leave the city.
Motaz Azaiza became the voice of the people of Gaza at this time. His social media gained a humongous following from across the globe as he captured the grief, pain, and devastation through his camera lenses. He has 18.2 million followers on Instagram and 1.1 million on Twitter.
Time Magazine called him the world’s eyes and ears in Gaza for 108 days. “Armed with a camera and a flak jacket marked ‘PRESS,’ the 25-year-old Palestinian photographer spent nearly four months documenting life under Israeli bombardment: families displaced from homes, women mourning loved ones, a man trapped beneath the rubble,” it said.
Motaz Azaiza acknowledged the Time’s recognition of his work. In a tweet on X, he expressed his gratitude.
“For those who don’t recognize Palestine as a state, or for those who claim that it is their land. Palestine gonna be free one day from Zionists and occupation. Everyone does his part, and my part is not done yet,” he wrote on his social media account.
Time added that the photographer reported from the war-torn area at a greater risk. At least 95 journalists have been killed in Gaza while reporting the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
It quoted the Palestinian journalist as saying: “What is happening in Gaza is not content for you. We are not telling you what is happening … for your likes or views or shares. No, we are waiting for you to act. We need to stop this war.”
Indigenous filmmakers will come together on April 29 in Sante Fe, New Mexico, for the 2024 Sundance Institute Native Filmmakers Lab, a week-long program designed to empower and elevate their voices in the world of cinema.
Led by Adam Piron (Kiowa/Mohawk), Director of the Sundance Institute’s Indigenous Program, the program aims to empower Indigenous voices in cinema through tailored sessions with advisors. The lab will offer workshops, feedback sessions, and roundtable discussions to enhance participants’ skills and deepen their understanding of their craft.
Never miss Indian Country’s biggest stories and breaking news. Sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.
“The Native Lab has a rich history of supporting Indigenous filmmakers and artists for generations since its founding. Its unique approach involves intensive sessions with advisors, tailored to elevate the voices and projects of indigenous artists to the next level,” Piron told Native News Online.
One of the foundational aspects of the Native Filmmakers Lab is its emphasis on Indigenizing creative practices. Throughout the week, participants will be encouraged to explore how they can infuse their work with elements of Indigenous culture and tradition, creating stories that are both authentic and impactful.
“What sets the native lab apart is our commitment to meeting artists where they are and empowering them to pursue their creative vision without constraints,” said Piron. “Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach, we tailor our support to each artist’s unique needs and aspirations. We prioritize authenticity and cultural resonance, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives remain at the forefront of the storytelling process.”
Past participants of the Native Filmmakers Lab include acclaimed filmmakers such as Sterlin Harjo, director of “Reservation Dogs”; Sky Hopinka, visual artist and filmmaker known for works like “Kicking The Clouds”; and Erica Tremblay, director of “Fancy Dance”.
“Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing the growth and success of many talented indigenous filmmakers who have participated in our lab. Their journeys serve as inspiring examples of the impact our program can have in nurturing Indigenous talent and amplifying Indigenous voices on a global scale,” Piron said.
Beyond the lab itself, the Sundance Institute’s Indigenous Program offers ongoing support and resources to Indigenous filmmakers, helping to foster their growth and success long after the event has ended. Participants will receive a $10,000 grant to support their projects, with the goal of helping them take their work to the next level.
Additionally, participants become part of a community of Indigenous filmmakers, with opportunities to showcase their work at the Sundance Film Festival and connect with industry professionals and funders.
“Looking ahead, our goal is to continue expanding opportunities for indigenous artists and fostering a more inclusive and equitable landscape in the film industry,” said Piron. “By providing ongoing support, mentorship, and resources, we hope to bring positive change and create lasting impact in Indigenous storytelling for generations to come.”
We launched Native News Online because the mainstream media often overlooks news that is important is Native people. We believe that everyone in Indian Country deserves equal access to news and commentary pertaining to them, their relatives and their communities. That’s why the story you’ve just finished was free — and we want to keep it that way, for all readers. We hope you’ll consider making a donation to support our efforts so that we can continue publishing more stories that make a difference to Native people, whether they live on or off the reservation. Your donation will help us keep producing quality journalism and elevating Indigenous voices. Any contribution of any amount — big or small — gives us a better, stronger future and allows us to remain a force for change. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous-centered journalism. Thank you.
About The Author
Author:Kaili BergEmail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Staff Reporter
Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Nation, and a shareholder of Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Berg, who is based in Wisconsin, previously reported for the Ho-Chunk Nation newspaper, Hocak Worak. She went to school originally for nursing, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin.
Macro photography offers a unique perspective, revealing intricate details and hidden worlds often unseen by the naked eye. However, achieving sharp focus throughout the entire image can be challenging due to the inherently shallow depth of field. This is where focus stacking, a technique that merges multiple images with different focus points, becomes invaluable.
Coming to you from Matt Shannon, this informative video dives into the world of macro photography, specifically focusing on focus stacking and lighting techniques. Shannon emphasizes the importance of understanding depth of field and how factors like aperture, lens length, and subject distance influence it. He demonstrates how to use the focus shift shooting feature on his Nikon Z9 camera, allowing for precise control over focus bracketing and capturing a series of images for stacking.
Shannon doesn’t stop at camera settings; he also explores lighting techniques to enhance your macro shots. He showcases the use of an Aputure LED light to introduce artificial sunlight, adding depth and dimension to subjects like leaves and flowers. Additionally, he discusses the benefits of using a polarizer to reduce unwanted reflections and enhance colors, particularly when photographing waxy surfaces like foliage.
Beyond the technical aspects, Shannon provides valuable insights into composing macro photographs. He highlights the potential of telephoto lenses for macro work, demonstrating how they can create a sense of environment and compression, further emphasizing the subject. He also shares tips on choosing the right settings for different scenarios, such as photographing bees in bright sunlight.
Whether you’re a seasoned macro photographer or just starting out, this video offers valuable knowledge and inspiration. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Shannon.
