Apple set to pivot toward photography with iPhone 16 through new ‘Capture Button’

Feb 7, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Apple is now working on the iPhone 16 series which is going to be launched in the second half of 2024. As the development progresses, more and more features are being leaked into the public arena by tipsters and analysts. This time, it is all about the new Capture Button. With the iPhone 15, Apple introduced the new Action Button, and now with iPhone 16 models, it is rumored to reveal a Capture Button with some amazing camera functionalities. Know what the recent leak revealed about the iPhone 16 Capture Button.

iPhone 16 camera features

The presence of a Capture Button in the iPhone 16 model was rumored earlier too, however, its functionalities were unknown. Later Apple analyst Mark Gurman revealed that the Capture Button would be used for recording videos. Then more information about the new iPhone 16 button was leaked indicating the ramping up of its zooming and focusing capabilities. Now, according to a Weibo leak by Instant Digital (via Macrumors), the iPhone 16 Capture Button will have some professional camera functionalities such as capturing images and videos with the ability for users to adjust focus with a light press.

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The reports said that these features can be seen in DSLR or mirrorless cameras which use the shutter button to lock in focus and full press to capture the scene. It was also revealed that the new capture button highlights Apple’s initiatives towards the iPhone’s focus on photography. However, these all are rumored functionalities of the iPhone 16 camera button and it does not provide any credibility till Apple announces the button and its feature.

Earlier an iPhone 16 prototype was leaked which showcased the placement of the Capture Button. Based on the leaked images, it is anticipated that the iPhone 16 Capture Button will be placed on the bottom right of the device.

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Dragons captured by photographers’ lenses

Feb 7, 2024 By Admin in Photography

The Spring Festival, the most significant traditional celebration in Chinese culture, marks a momentous occasion for family gatherings and shared joy. Every household adorns their doors with red couplets and colorful lanterns, while a diverse array of traditional delicacies enriches the festive atmosphere of the New Year’s Eve dinner. Across the globe, various regions are gearing up to welcome a surge of visitors and lively celebrations, allowing happiness to reach its peak during this special time.

As we approach the upcoming Chinese New Year of the Dragon, the dragon rightfully takes center stage. In the submissions to our “Sharing China” photo contest, dragons in various forms often become the central focus through the lenses of photographers both at home and abroad. Through these photographic works, we aim to take you on a journey exploring the diverse styles of dragon dances from various regions, highlighting different dragon-related elements, and providing a deep immersion into the vibrant traditions associated with the Lunar New Year.

Let us warmly welcome the auspicious dragon and together create a symphony of happiness for the new year.

After offering sacrifices to the spirits, the dragon lanterns formed with benches descend from the mountain and performs a dragon dance in Jinyun county, Zhejiang province. Photography by Tian Xiaoping

No cameras allowed! Iconic attractions where photography is banned

Feb 7, 2024 By Admin in Photography

No cameras allowed! Iconic attractions where photography is banned

In a world where most of the things revolve around Instagrammable moments and the pursuit of the perfect travel snapshot, it will be disheartening to note that certain renowned landmarks don’t allow p…

Photographers upset with MSHSL restrictions

Feb 7, 2024 By Admin in Photography

CreativeSoul Photography

Feb 7, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Miami, FL

(33127)

Today

Sunshine. High around 75F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 59F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.

Updated: February 7, 2024 @ 12:31 am

New Zealand Releases Fifth Edition of ‘Parliamentary Practice’, No…

Feb 7, 2024 By Admin in Photography

The Office of the Clerk in New Zealand has unveiled the fifth edition of the revered reference book, ‘Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand’. The comprehensive guide, initially published in 1985 by David McGee, a long-serving Clerk, has been the go-to source for understanding parliamentary rules, practices, and procedures.

Reflecting Evolving Parliamentary Practices

The latest edition encapsulates the updates and developments in New Zealand’s parliamentary system up until early 2023. Noteworthy adjustments include the establishment of the Petitions Committee, alterations from the Review of Standing Orders 2020, and the enactment of the Legislation Act 2019. The edition also reflects the adaptations necessitated by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

First to Feature Parliamentary Photography

Marking a significant first, this edition incorporates photography that vividly documents democracy in action within the New Zealand Parliament. This visual element brings to life the otherwise textual chronicles of Parliament’s workings, adding an engaging, human touch to the guide.

Striving for Greater Accessibility

The fifth edition has undergone major revisions to enhance accessibility for Members of Parliament, parliamentary staff, and the general public. It aims to be more user-friendly, shedding light on how Parliament has modernized and adapted to the multifaceted challenges brought about by the pandemic. This new edition, now available online and in the Parliament gift shop, strives to be a more intuitive, enlightening resource for those interested in the machinations of New Zealand’s democracy.

David Wilson, the current Clerk of the House and editor of the new edition, underscored the dedicated effort by the staff of the Office of the Clerk and Parliamentary Service in producing this valuable guide. The publication continues to honor the legacy of David McGee, whose significant contributions to the parliamentary guide remain invaluable, even after his retirement.

Olympian Vashti Cunningham takes photography skills to Super Bowl

Feb 7, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Dreamy image of a polar bear snoozing on a bed of ice wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award 2023

Feb 7, 2024 By Admin in Photography

The winners of this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award have been revealed.

The 25 images in the running for this year’s competition received over 75,000 votes, with British amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani eventually clinching top spot.

“Nima’s breathtaking and poignant image allows us to see the beauty and fragility of our planet,” says Director of the Natural History Museum, Dr Douglas Gurr.

“His thought- provoking image is a stark reminder of the integral bond between an animal and its habitat and serves as a visual representation of the detrimental impacts of climate warming and habitat loss.”

The four ‘Highly Commended’ finalists that also charmed wildlife lovers include ‘The Happy Turtle’ by Tzahi Finkelstein, ‘Starling Murmuration’ by Daniel Dencescu, ‘Shared Parenting’ by Mark Boyd and ‘Aurora Jellies’ by Audun Rikardsen.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London.

Ice Bed by Nima Sarikhani

Wildlife Photographer of the Year by Nima Sarikhani — ‘Ice Bed’ – Winner. Credit: Nima Sarikhani, Wildlife Photographer of the Year

A polar bear carves out a bed from a small iceberg before drifting off to sleep in the far north, off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. Having spent three days desperately searching for polar bears through thick fog in the far north off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, the expedition vessel Nima was on decided to change course. It turned and headed to the southeast, where there was still some sea ice. Here they encountered a younger and an older male. Just before midnight, the young male clambered onto a small iceberg and, using his strong paws, clawed away at it to carve out a bed for himself before drifting off to sleep.

Location: Off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, Norway

Aurora Jellies by Audun Rikardsen

Moon jellyfish swarm in the cool autumnal waters of a fjord outside Tromsø in northern Norway illuminated by the aurora borealis. It’s common for this species to gather in their hundreds under the aurora borealis. Sheltering his equipment in a self-made waterproof housing, Audun used a single exposure as well as his own system for adjusting the focus and aperture during the exposure. This enabled him to capture the reflection of the sky’s colours on the surface of the water and at the same time light up the jellyfish with flashes. Moon jellyfish are common in all oceans and are easily recognised by their four rings, which are in fact their genitals.

Location: Tromsø, Northern Norway

Shared Parenting by Mark Boyd

A pair of lionesses devotedly groom one of the pride’s five cubs in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Early in the morning, Mark watched as these lionesses groomed one of their five cubs in their territory in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The evening before they’d set off to hunt, leaving the cubs hidden overnight in dense bushes. Returning from their unsuccessful mission, they’d called the cubs out onto the open grassland. Females raise each other’s cubs as their own, sharing parenting duties. Here the youngster was clearly enjoying the moment of affection and attention.

Location: Maasai Mara, Kenya

Starling Murmuration by Daniel Dencescu

A mesmerising mass of starlings swirl into the shape of a giant bird on their way to communal roosts above the city of Rome, Italy. Daniel was mesmerised by the movements of the starlings as they formed colossal organic shapes in the sky. Each day, as they returned from foraging, they would gather in large numbers and perform spellbinding aerial shows, known as murmurations, on their flight home to their communal roosts. In a bid to locate the best roosting sites at which to capture the spectacle, Daniel spent hours following the starlings around the city and suburbs of Rome. Finally, on this cloudless winter’s day, the flock didn’t disappoint, swirling into the shape of a giant bird.

Location: The city of Rome, Italy

The Happy Turtle by Tzahi Finkelstein

Nima Sarikhani Wildlife Photographer of the Year — ‘The Happy Turtle’ – Highly Commended.Credit: Tzahi Finkelstein, Wildlife Photographer of the Year

A Balkan pond turtle shares a moment of peaceful coexistence with a northern banded groundling dragonfly in Israel’s Jezreel Valley. Tzahi was positioned in his hide in Israel’s Jezreel Valley photographing shore birds when he spotted a Balkan pond turtle walking in the shallow water. At first, he wasn’t interested in it and carried on watching the birds. It wasn’t until a northern banded groundling dragonfly flew past his lens in the direction of the turtle that his focus changed. The dragonfly unexpectedly landed on the turtle’s nose, but instead of snapping up the insect, the turtle appeared to be experiencing pleasure from the interaction as they shared a moment of peaceful coexistence in the midst of the swamp’s murky waters.

Location: Jezreel Valley, Israel

10 Must-See Works at the Houston Center for Photography’s Always Coveted Print Auction — Seeing the Big Picture

Feb 7, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Houston’s thriving photography community will be celebrated at Houston Center for Photography’s 43rd Print Auction & Dinner. This event, which supports Houston Center for Photography exhibitions, educational initiatives and community programs, is set to take place next Thursday, February 15 at Hotel ZaZa in the heart of the city’s museum district.

This year’s auction honors Gay Block, a founding member of HCP and acclaimed portrait photographer. Her work explores identity and community, capturing the essence of her subjects in a way that is truly breathtaking. Her landmark series, Rescuers: Portraits of Moral Courage in the Holocaust, has been exhibited internationally at venues which include the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

As a founding member of HCP, Block was instrumental in the growth of the organization and served as one of the first board presidents. Although she no longer lives in Houston, the organization remains close to her heart. Block has remained active in the Houston art world too. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston holds the largest collection of her work, and the University of Houston will receive her archives, which include proof prints, negatives and contact film sheets.

As for the auction. . . There will be 81 lots available for bid, consisting of 70 photographs, six objects, four books and one portfolio. These include four lots from Magnum photographers, a handful from Houston Center for Photography instructors and a strong showing from photographers throughout the state of Texas.

The live auction will include 26 lots, and the other 55 are part of the silent auction. The live auction will surely be spirited, with Ruth Mauldin returning as the auctioneer.

Usually, the live auction is only available to those at the dinner, but for the first time this year HCP is allowing bidding by proxies, a practice recognized by auction houses. The bidding process for the silent auction is streamlined and available online through Qtego.

Say I Love You with Valobra

As an art advisor, I research and place artwork for clients while trying to educate. Here are my Top 10 Picks for the HCP auction:

Gay Block’s *Untitled*, 1982-85, printed 2023 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)

Gay Block, Untitled, 1982-85, printed 2023, Live Auction Lot 1

This auction would not be complete without a portrait by honoree Gay Block. This piece — one of two Block works in the auction — is from her Miami series, in which she photographs Jewish retirees in South Beach in the 1980s. I adore the two elderly women chatting in the beach chairs with their hands folded in their laps, while Miami’s iconic blue sky, palm trees and Art Deco architecture stretch out in the distance.

Dina Litovsky’s *Satin Shoes, Fashion Week*, 2019, printed 2023 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)

**Dina Litovsky, Satin Shoes, Fashion Week, 2019, printed 2023, Live Auction Lot 4**

This photograph of a model’s raw and blistered feet in yellow slingback heels by Dina Litovsky went viral when it was posted by National Geographic on Instagram in 2022, triggering a heated discussion about beauty standards and the fashion industry. Many women can relate to the ordeal of wearing painful shoes, and this visceral photograph captures exactly that.

Martín Wannam’s *Hot Yellow Clouds, Monument,* 2023 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)

Martín Wannam, Hot Yellow Clouds, Monument, 2023, Live Auction Lot 8

Artist Martín Wannam critically examines and reimagines his homeland of Guatemala. The artist uses stickers and emblems sourced from Guatemala and cut-out plexiglass acrylic in this mixed-media piece. The bright colors and whimsical style belie the profound nature of the work.

Yael Martínez’s *Astros*, 2024 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)

Yael Martínez, Astros, 2024, Live Auction Lot 16

Magnum photographer Yael Martinez recently led a class at HCP on community. While in Houston, he made this unique piece specifically for the auction. The figure wearing the Astros jersey while wrapped in the American flag is truly emblematic of the Bayou City. What makes the photograph especially exciting is that the print has been manipulated through cuts and folds, and held in place by silver pins that stick out quite sculpturally.

Stuart Allen’s *AA 2408 – OVER CALIFORNIA – 02/01/2017, 4:47 PM*, 2023 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)

Stuart Allen, AA 2408 – OVER CALIFORNIA – 02/01/2017, 4:47 PM, 2023, Live Auction Lot 20

I am incredibly intrigued by this photograph by Stuart Allen, whose work explores perception and time. This photograph was initially taken through the window of an airplane on an iPhone. The artist then applied an algorithm that breaks down the snapshot into a grid of small dots, so that a record of the color of atmospheric light remains.

Chris McCaw’s *Sunburned GSP#1069 (Olympics)*, 2022 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)

Chris McCaw, Sunburned GSP#1069 (Olympics), 2022, Live Auction Lot 21

Chris McCaw is internationally recognized for his unique approach to contemporary landscape photography. Sunburned GSP#1069 (Olympics) records the passage of time through the movement of the sun in a handmade large-format camera. Due to the lengthy exposure time, this unique gelatin silver paper negative has been solarized in the camera, reversing the tonality of the landscape.

Mark Sink’s *Lionel Richie,* 2018 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)

Mark Sink, Lionel Richie, 2018, Lot 129

This fun, unique gelatin silver photograph of Lionel Richie was taken by Mark Sink in the early 1980s, when he worked for Andy Warhol and documented celebrity culture. Sink repurposed this vintage print by adding the vinyl dots, activating the image while exploring memory and time.

Troy Ezequiel Montes’ *Sigo El Camino*, 2022 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)

Troy Ezequiel Montes, Sigo El Camino, 2022, printed 2023, Lot 133

Houston-based photographer Troy Ezequiel Montes documents his annual pilgrimages to his ancestral home of El Porvenir, Mexico. This photograph immediately caught my eye due to the artist’s understanding of color and composition, as well as the extreme shadows that slightly obscure the figure’s face.

Brigitte Bauer’s SeoulFlowers&Trees_n°71, 2018, printed 2024 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)

**Brigitte Bauer, SeoulFlowers&Trees_n°71, 2018, printed 2024, Silent Auction Lot 149**

This piece by Brigitte Bauer is about the act of viewing and being viewed. The park in the photograph is surrounded by a wall printed with a black-and-white image, likely of the park itself. A square window in the wall allows the passerby to peek in, revealing a burst of soft greens and a tree trunk rising from the ground. In the midst of the tree’s beautiful branches is a pole with cameras, watching and recording. I particularly like this photograph for its peculiarity and how it provoked my continued contemplation of surveillance.

Samuel Ryde’s *Hackney Picturehouse, London,* 2020, printed 2023 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)

Samuel Ryde, Hackney Picturehouse, London, 2020, printed 2023, Silent Auction Lot 156

Samuel Ryde is a British photographer who captures often-overlooked items of the everyday. Hackney Picturehouse, London is part of a fascinating study of hand dryers throughout the world. I’m a fan of Ryde’s photography and have included his work in exhibitions, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this piece in the auction.

The Houston Center for Photography’s 43rd Print Auction will take place next Thursday, February 15 at Hotel ZaZa. The lots are available to see in person at the Houston Center for Photography galleries through this Sunday, February 11. For more information and tickets, go here. View lots and register here. If you would like to bid on a live lot but are unable to attend in person, contact [email protected]

Author’s note: Haley Berkman Karren is an art advisor, appraiser, independent curator and writer who has contributed to the Houston Center for Photography’s Spot Magazine as well as juried the HCP exhibition, “Learning Curve 11.” She is also the founder and director of Karren Art Advisory, specializing in modern and contemporary art, photography and digital art.