Remedy continues to rack up the wins with its properties. Though this time, it’s not an accolade. Fresh off of the success of Alan Wake II and its sales,  Remedy has announced that they’ve acquired all publishing, distributing, marketing, and other rights to their sci–fi thriller Control from publisher 505 Games. The deal also includes the rights to Control, the upcoming four-player cooperative multiplayer spin-off Condor, Control 2, and all future Control entries.

Per the agreement, all publishing, distribution, marketing, and other rights licensed to 505 Games for Control 2 and Condor revert to Remedy immediately. 505 Games will continue as the publisher of Control until December 31, 2024.

According to the press release, Remedy states that this transaction with 505 Games “will enable [Remedy] to negotiate better deals for current and future Control games” as either a self-publisher or establishing a new publishing partner.

“We can now weigh up the options between self-publishing and a new publishing partner for Condor and Control 2. At the same time, we are in a better negotiating position than before as Control is an established brand and Alan Wake 2 has been successful. We are confident that these factors combined will enable us to get the right partner, deal structure and risk-reward profile that benefit Remedy and are the best fit for the Control franchise.”

“Ever since we signed up with 505 Games in 2017 to develop and publish Control, we have enjoyed a good partnership in building Control into a successful game that has sold over four million units and generated shareable net revenue of approximately €100 million to Remedy and 505 Games,” states Remedy Entertainment CEO Tero Virtala.

“Having complete ownership over the Control franchise gives us the freedom to decide the best path forward. We will consider our options carefully, knowing that Control is considered an attractive franchise by many partners. Condor and Control 2 have both progressed well in recent months and we expect these projects to reach their next development stages during the first half of 2024. The development of Condor and Control 2 will continue normally when we consider the best publishing, distribution and financing model for these projects.”

Control (read our review here) is available for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and the Nintendo Switch.

ikea announces annie leibovitz as its first artist in residence

IKEA introduces its inaugural artist in residence, the iconic Annie Leibovitz. To launch this collaboration, the Swedish furniture giant has invited the globally acclaimed photographer to reveal a collection of 25 images showcasing diverse homes and their inhabitants worldwide, in an exhibition titled Life at Home, running from February 29th to March 3rd, 2024 in Paris. The show draws inspiration from research revealing that 48% of individuals worldwide feel their domestic life is underrepresented in the media.

Rockyatu Otoo, United States | all images by Annie Leibovitz courtesy of IKEA

ikea’s mission to redefine home life in media

IKEA (find more here) remains deeply connected to global living trends, unveiling unique insights through its Life at Home Report, a decade-long compilation of research and discovery celebrating the essence of home life. Recent findings in the report underscore a widespread sentiment: many feel their domestic experiences are overlooked in media representation. This challenge is what sparked the collaboration with renowned American photographer, Annie Leibovitz (find more here). From a camper van traversing Italy to a boathouse in East London, and from a compact Tokyo apartment to a multi-generational Mumbai residence, Leibovitz’s photography vividly explores the diverse landscapes of home living worldwide. The images are on view for a limited time only at 28 Rue de Lappe in Paris, France.

‘We’re trying to change the fact that people don’t recognise the way their life at home is portrayed in the media. At the IKEA+ exhibition, we give the stage to new voices, new ways and new perspectives of portraying life at home. We want the exhibition to inspire people to make their home a home that respects and reflects their unique personality,’ says Marcus Engman, Creative Director at Ingka Group (IKEA Retail).

Francois Beyers, United Kingdom

A Fusion of Design, Photography, and Fashion at 28 Rue de Lappe

The space, envisioned by spatial designer Emerzon and architect Midori Hasuike, pays homage to the distinctive structure and essence of 28 Rue de Lappe’s diverse rooms. On the ground floor, the Life at Home collection takes center stage. Ascending to the mezzanine, guests encounter a series of photographs by emerging talents Elena Kalinichenko, Ka’Vozia Glynn, Praise Hassan, Toma Hurduc, Trâm Nguyen Quang, and Zélie Hallosserie, participants of a special mentorship program spearheaded by IKEA and Annie Leibovitz. Additionally, the mezzanine showcases the innovative work of six young designers from Casa93, an avant-garde fashion education initiative. Collaborating with IKEA mentors, Eva Louisa N´kie, Gitroïna Isaac, Ivann Halleur, Juliette Willemet, Loreny Tanda, and Raphale Nahon present exhibitions focused on home self-expression. 

‘We are thrilled to host the IKEA+ event in Paris! It truly represents what IKEA stands for, for more than 80 years: we have been turning dreams of life at home, for the many, into an affordable reality. So, we want this event to be a celebration of art, style and self-expression, where everybody is welcome,’ says Johan Laurell, Country Retail Manager & CSO IKEA France.

Silvia Ragusa, Italy

Revathi Thangavelu, India

Sharon Sala, Italy

By Katie Hind Consultant Editor Showbusiness

Published: 10:18 EST, 29 February 2024 | Updated: 10:19 EST, 29 February 2024

Olympian and Strictly champion Louis Smith has swapped his leotard for a lens and started a career as a wedding photographer, MailOnline can reveal. 

The former gymnast, who won a total of four Olympic medals during his sporting career, is now selling photography services to brides and grooms wanting to capture memories from their big day. 

His website, which offers wedding photography packages ranging from £700 to £1400, states: ‘My goal is to capture the unique essence of your special day, creating timeless memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.’ 

He adds: ‘I invite you to join me on this artistic journey, capturing the magic of your wedding day through my lens. Secure your spot now to benefit from my current pricing and let’s create extraordinary memories together.

‘I look forward to the privilege of being part of your special moments and crafting images that tell the unique story of your love.’ 

Louis, 34, is the most successful male gymnast to come out of the UK – with his bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 was Great Britain’s first Olympic gymnastics medal since 1928.

However, he announced his retirement from gymnastics in 2018 and embarked on a career in showbiz with roles in theatre productions and appearances on several reality TV shows. 

He won Strictly Come Dancing in 2012 with professional partner Flavia Cacace, shortly before he was awarded an MBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours for services to gymnastics. 

In 2017, he was the runner up on The Jump and he won The Masked Dancer dressed as Carwash in 2021. 

Although Louis’s new venture sees him stepping behind the camera instead of in front of it, he makes no attempt to conceal his identity on his photography website. 

His bio reads: ‘I’m Louis Smith the Olympian and I’ve managed to find myself typing this bio trying to figure out how I explain how I ended up here.’ 

As well as wedding photography, the ex-gymnast offers portrait shoots, headshots and a range of photography services for businesses and events. 

His Instagram account also reveals he shot photos of JLS member Aston Merrygold’s concert tour in 2023. 

He writes: ‘So, like gymnastics, I tend to commit all my time and effort into being the best I can be at something. And for a while not that has extended itself to photography and portrait photography. 

‘What started as a passion has turned into people, friends and family wanting the chance to shoot with me or hire my skills to shoot a particular product or event in Peterborough.’ 

Louis lives in Peterborough with his girlfriend Charlie Bruce and daughter Marley – who the couple welcomed in February 2021.

He took to Instagram and shared a heartwarming photo of his partner cradling their newborn. 

He took to Instagram to confirm Charlie, 30, had given birth to a girl named Marley Valentina.

Louis wrote: ‘What a 3 days it’s been. From Thursday night to Sunday morning. You women are incredible and the mother of my child is no exception. 

‘So glad both ladies are doing well and healthy. Marley Valentina Smith welcome.’

Louis took to Instagram and shared a heartwarming photo of his other half cradling their newborn while Charlie also shared several snaps of the baby.

The Manfrotto Element MII is a lightweight tripod aimed at hobbyists and entry-level photographers who need something sturdy yet easy on the pocketbook. But the tripod seems to check many boxes for such an affordable tripod. Let’s have a look.

Note: Manfrotto sent us the Element MII aluminum tripod and ball head to review and keep. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this tripod and ball head are our own.

Pros 

• Decent build quality for the price
• Versatile, quick and easy  to set up and operate
• Nice light weight and size for travel photography
• Is able to do hours-long time-lapse and long star trails photos in mild conditions with a heavy full-frame DSLR camera
• Rubber grip on one of the legs for carrying and maneuvering the tripod
• Large rubberized twist locks make it easy to deploy legs
• Full height is good for a tripod that is less than 17 inches folded up
• Ball head is sufficiently sturdy and easy to use
• Versatile leg angle selectors on the top of the legs allow for changing the angle of the legs
• 360-degree panning
• The center column may be used as a monopod!
• The tripod allows you to flip the camera upside down, allowing you to get close to the ground for macro or other photography

Cons

• Aluminum instead of carbon fiber (then again, this makes it less expensive, so maybe not that much of a con for the price point)
• The legs bend slightly when fully extended and you apply a small amount of pressure.
• When the tripod legs are fully extended and you tap on the legs, it vibrates for about half a second afterward.
• Leg angle selectors seem like they could be a bit wiggly and invite dust and crud, although so far in practice, they have worked well
• Leg angle selectors sometimes switch positions when handling the tripod when it is folded up (it does not switch positions when in use, thankfully!)
• Leg-locks rattle

Manfrotto Element MII tripod — Technical specifications

All of the technical specifications for the Flex Light Pro are from the official Manfrotto website.

• Weight: 3.42 lbs (1.55 kg)
• Maximum Height: 62.99 in (160 cm)
• Closed Length: 16.73 in (42.5 cm)
• Head Type: Ball Head
• Safety Payload UNI/PdR 105:2021: 17.64 lbs (8 kg)
• Maximum Height (With Center Column Down): 51.97 in
• Base Diameter: 1.57 in
• Bubble Spirit Level (No.): 1
• Carrying Bag Included: 116241
• Center Column: rapid
• Color: Red
• Leg Sections: 4
• Top Attachment: 1/4″ screw
• Base Type: 1.57 in
• Easy Link: No
• Friction Control: No
• Front Tilt: +90°/-38°
• Min Height: 16.93 in
• Independent Pan Lock: yes
• Ball Locking: Yes
• Independent Tilt Lock: yes
• Lateral Tilt: +90°/-38°
• Leg Type: Single
• Leg Angles: 25°, 35°
• Leg Lock Type: Twist Lock
• Legs Tube Diameter: 0.47- 0.61- 0.75- 0.89 in
• Material: Aluminum
• Maximum Working Temperature: 158 °F
• Minimum Working Temperature: -22 °F
• Pan Drag: NONE
• Panoramic Rotation: 360°
• Plate Type: 200LT-PL-PRO
• Quick Release: Yes
• Tilt Drag: NONE

Manfrotto Element MII tripod — Ergonomics and build quality

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I am going to get this out of the way first. I am a night photographer. This tripod is most likely aimed at someone like me who photographs in the strong winds of the Owens Valley in California and requires rock-solid stability when doing star trails for several hours. Consequently, I typically use larger, sturdier, higher-end tripods.

I mention this because every type of photography has different tripod requirements. What works for you may not work for me, and vice versa.

The Element MII tripod is for, by Manfrotto’s own description on their web page, “a hobbyist and aspiring photographer who uses compact cameras, CSCs, and DSLRs.” And that seems to be accurate. Given that it’s relatively lightweight for an aluminum tripod at 3.42 lbs (1.55 kg), the tripod is also suited for travel photography.

Ergonomics: Tripod

3.42 lbs. is relatively light for a tripod, making it easy to handle despite being made of aluminum instead of carbon fiber. Manfrotto makes a carbon fiber version of the Element MII that is a little lighter, if that is still an issue.

One of the tripod legs has a rubber grip. This makes the tripod considerably easier to handle and carry. Another bonus of putting on my night photography hat for a second, is that since aluminum is colder when carrying, this is a nice way of keeping your hand a little warmer during those cold desert or mountain nights photographing.

While we are on the subject of rubberized grips, the twist-locks have some good, large rubberized grips. I have large hands, so being able to easily deploy the tripod is a bonus. The twist-locks are not quite as smooth as other tripods I own, including the Robus and Feisol tripods. They’re also a little noisier. In fact, they rattle when they are loosened, something none of my other tripods do. I suspect that they may also trap sand and grit easier than those tripods since they seem a little looser and not as well sealed.

Do bear in mind that I am comparing much higher-end tripods to budget tripod. On the other hand, this sort of comparison can be educational. After all, even if we cannot or do not wish to purchase higher-end tripods, it’s good to know about the differences.

Ergonomics: Ball head

The ball head has rubberized grips for all the locks, making it nice and easy to turn. They appear to work smoothly and do not wiggle. There is no tension (friction) knob, so you must take care when adjusting the camera. The last thing you want is your very nice camera suddenly flopping over because you’ve loosened the lock! The plate lock—the lock that locks your camera to the tripod – seems fine and inspires confidence. I did notice that I felt like I could keep tightening past where I thought it might stop. This isn’t an issue, and for people like me who have a tendency to crank their locks really tight, I suppose this is comforting.

Manfrotto Element MII tripod — In the field

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Informal test for vibrations with camera mounted

I set up a Nikon D750 with a Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 fisheye lens on the tripod for a quick test. The tripod felt stable even when the legs were fully deployed. I was pleasantly surprised at how tall the tripod stands without using the center column. This is fantastic since I dislike using center columns. Why? They introduce more instability by creating more flex, another locking mechanism, creating a “tower” on top of a pyramid, and increasing the opportunity for more vibrations. For this reason, none of the tripods I have purchased have center columns.

With the legs fully extended, I tapped on the upper part of one of the legs repeatedly. This introduced vibrations that lasted for at least half a second.

When I lowered the tripod by sliding the lowest (and thinnest) part of the legs back and locking them, the tripod did not vibrate repeatedly when I tapped on the upper part of the leg. At this point, the tripod stood at approximately forty inches in height instead of its full height of almost fifty-two inches (without the center column extended).

Also, when the legs were fully extended and locked, they bent slightly in the middle. I once used another budget lightweight tripod and it too did the same thing. I crave stability, perhaps in more ways than one, and I found this disconcerting. Again, you can circumvent this by shortening by sliding the thinnest part of the legs back.

If I were using this tripod for star trails or “stacking” for Milky Way photos, I would most likely not extend the thinner bottom section of the tripod legs.

However, if I were photographing landscapes such as waterfalls during the day or steadying the camera for portraits, I would feel comfortable using this tripod with the legs fully extended. I would feel comfortable using this for short-exposure time-lapses as well, such as time-lapses of clouds photographed during the day.

About those leg angle selectors

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When I first encountered the leg angle selectors, I wasn’t sure how I felt about them. The design certainly seemed clever enough. After all, they allowed for three different positions for the legs. And one of these positions included folding the legs completely back so the tripod would be even shorter or could hold the camera upside down for increased versatility! This was an impressive range of motion. I could easily position the camera for close-to-the-ground macro work or detail work.

To change the leg angle, you must lift the selector up, then twist it to select another leg position.  When doing this, I found the leg angle selectors to be rather imprecise and wiggly. It also seemed to be a potential point of failure as well as something that could potentially capture unwanted crud eventually.

Furthermore, upon handling the tripod for a while when completely folded, I found that the leg angle selectors would sometimes change positions. I found this irritating. The leg angle selectors never changed when I was actually using the tripod. However, if I choose a leg angle, I prefer that they stay at that angle.

Assuming that the imprecision and wiggly aspect do not pose a larger issue, I should think that the versatility and range of motion outweigh the occasional shifting of leg angles when folded.

Oh, hey, it’s also a monopod!

Does Manfrotto even mention that the center column can be used as a monopod? If so, I didn’t see it on their website.

If you unscrew the cap on the bottom of the center column, it pulls out. And hey, it’s a monopod! And as a bonus, you can also screw on a plastic hook for hanging stuff like a small light or something useful.

If there is a breeze and you are going to hang a small camera bag or a weight on the hook, I would recommend having the bag or weight on the ground and using a bungee cord or something else to tie it on. This is so the weight doesn’t swing and introduce vibrations or other movement. This is particularly important with this tripod, which, as I mentioned already, bends when fully extended.

Ball head in the field

The rubber locks continued to work well in the field. If I remembered to be careful when adjusting the camera using the lock, everything was easy to use. While the center column does not fully rotate, the ball head offers 360-degree rotation. This works well, negating much of the need for a fully rotating center column.

How does it work for really long exposures at night?

This is, again, beyond what this small entry-level lightweight tripod is designed for. While hardly ideal, it works well for exposures lasting from 15 seconds to even several minutes if there’s no strong wind. If I were doing anything critical, I would not extend the thin bottom legs.

Manfrotto Element MII tripod: Timelapse testing in the field

Could the Manfrotto Element MII Aluminum Red tripod handle a 3.5-hour long time-lapse? I tested this in my back yard using a Nikon D750 DSLR with a Rokinon 12mm fisheye. I had the legs fully extended, but did not extend the center column.

The day was not windy, and whatever wind existed was blocked by the walls and trees. Still, I thought it might be an interesting test. You can see the results for yourself in the following time-lapse video.

Manfrotto Element MII tripod: Star trails testing in the field

Perhaps a more rigorous test was photographing long exposure star trails. I decided to try it later that night, this time with a heavier full-frame Pentax K-1 DSLR and a Pentax 28-105mm lens. This was also done in my backyard. This way, my camera could click away while I enjoyed a delicious homemade West African dinner and watching TV. Sometimes, the life of a Photofocus writer is a good one.

The star trails test was a more rigorous one. For instance, if the camera picked up vibrations in any of the frames, it would result in crooked or jagged star trails. It would be easy to see.

I also used a longer lens, using the lens at 28mm instead of 15mm since something zoomed in more would be more sensitive to vibrations. Like last time, I had the legs fully extended, but did not extend the center column.

As you can see from the above star trails photo, the tripod did well. There’s not any sign of vibration or wiggling, which would have shown up in the star trails.

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Manfrotto Element MII tripod: A Jack of all trades?

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Given what I demand out of a tripod as a night photographer, it sounds like I’ve been sometimes harsh in my assessment of this tripod. However, bear in mind that I’m basically almost “misusing” it.

What this tripod seems to be to me is a jack of all trades. It’s a mix of flexibility, portability, stability, and affordability. This seems to be a strong choice for a photographer who doesn’t want to break the bank but needs a tripod to do a little bit of everything.