Phone cameras are evolving rapidly to the point where the quality of the images now rivals that of higher-end camera bodies by names like Canon, Sony and Nikon.
This photographic arms race between the traditional dedicated SLR (single lens reflex) camera bodies along with the newer mirror-less camera bodies, versus the smartphone makers Apple, Samsung and others, is shrinking considerably as each new product release cycle happens each year.
I’m currently waiting for my recently ordered iPhone 15 Pro Max to arrive in a few weeks. It’s quite the upgrade from the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
My ancient (by smartphone standards) 13, which I purchased two whole years ago, is now left in the dust by the capabilities of the new 15 model.
It boasts a 48-megapixel camera with a bigger zoom ability, while that “old” 13 is scraping by with a mere 12 megapixels.
The old one makes great images, to be fair, but the new model, with its 48-megapixel sensor, is now in another universe of quality.
To put that into perspective, the iPhone 15 camera has the same sensor size as my new pro Canon camera body, the mirror-less R5 model, which is pretty incredible, really.
I like to get in close when framing my “people photos” to eliminate any unnecessary background “dead space.” | Kevin Lamb/BarrieToday
Having that much image-capturing power in a phone is impressive. But what does that mean for the average person out there who likes to snap pictures of their lunch, their sleepy cat purring, close-ups of a dog’s nose, and, of course, those duck-face selfies?
It means it’s time to (mostly) stop doing all that and evolve your own camera eye in lockstep with the technology.
Granted, cute cats and dog noses are always welcome, if you ask me.
This is certainly not an advertisement for smartphones. This is me trying to help your photography grow and utilize this amazing new tech that sits in your pocket everywhere you go.
Let’s start with something easy.
Try to always keep the sun at your back. Make the most of all that fabulous free lighting to illuminate your subjects, especially if they are fast-moving ones, like during sports events and such.
Another biggie: get down to the eye level of your smaller subjects. When capturing kids or pets, get down on the ground and look them in the eye. Proper perspective is key.
And speaking of eyes, when making a portrait photo or capturing any person or animal, make that the main point of focus. Always focus on the eyes before any other part.
And get rid of all that dead space. Nothing burns my toast more than someone taking a picture of a person and that subject is positioned in the centre of the photo and taking up only a small part of the overall image. Get in close. Make them stand out as much as possible.
For me, as a photographer and photojournalist, balance is the single most important aspect in the making of a good, quality photograph.
It’s hard to put into words describing exactly what I mean, but over time and with more experience, it becomes instantly obvious when you look at an image if it has balance or not. I will add a few good examples of balanced images in the photo gallery of this column to hopefully get across what I mean.
A balanced image, to me, has an equal amount of empty or dead space around the edges, and follows the rule of thirds in many cases, but not always. Look up that rule online, as describing what that is will take up far too many precious words in my word count, plus you’ll get bored with this story, if you aren’t already.
An easy way to determine balance is to imagine a line down the middle, or across the middle, depending on where your subjects are in the photo.
Is there an equal amount of foreground or background subject matter split between the two imaginary sides, and neither subject is cropped in a particularly awkward fashion?
If there is more than one person or semi-important background subject matter items — like trees or cars (parked or moving), fire hydrants, background dogs, flying birds, buildings, or anything else that is not plain and uniform in the image such as sky, water, or grass — make sure they are not half-cropped out of the photo.
Make sure these items I just described are balanced in regards to each other on either side of that imaginary line you made in your photo.
After a while practising this method, you will not even notice yourself doing it, when you are cropping or editing your images after you have taken them, and soon you will actually be framing your shots in-camera as you make them, using this strategy, which eliminates unnecessary editing later.
It’s easy-peasy and makes a whole world of difference when composing and capturing a good, everyday photograph.
These are just a few basic simple rules I follow as I point my lens all over the city of Barrie every day.
I hope this helps, but I also hope you don’t get good enough as a photographer to take my job as a photojournalist away from me just yet.
Hit me up by email if you have any questions about photography. I’m more than happy to help and can talk all day on the subject.
In the meantime, tap into that power in your pocket.
Kevin Lamb is a staff reporter at BarrieToday and a bit of a wizard when it comes to photography. He can be reached at [email protected].
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
