With smartphone cameras and software getting better and better every year, more and more users are getting passionate about photography. So when you're shopping for a gift to get someone, if they have a smartphone, chances are they'll more than appreciate some tools and accessories for taking better photos with their pocket friend — and we've got some gear ideas they'll love.
You've protected your Ubuntu system from physical attacks, annoyed network hackers, and sandboxed potentially malicious applications. Great! Now, the next logical steps to locking down your OS include thoroughly auditing Ubuntu for weak points, using antivirus software that respects your privacy, and monitoring system logs like a boss.
OpenBSD implements security in its development in a way that no other operating system on the planet does. Learning to use the Unix-like operating system can help a hacker understand secure development, create better servers, and improve their understanding of the BSD operating system. Using VirtualBox, the OS can be installed within a host to create a full-featured test environment.
A mention of the deep web can bring to mind images of drugs, hackers, and other criminal activity. Despite the presence of these elements, the Tor network is a valuable tool for preserving privacy and anonymity. And browsing the deep web and any hidden services can be as simple as downloading the Tor Browser.
Android comprises an entire ecosystem of apps, games, functions, and features, so it would only make sense that it has its own lexicon. Words, phrases, and acronyms that didn't exist ten years ago are now used in an off-the-cuff style by developers and support technicians across the web.
5 out 5? Sounds too good to be true. Editor's notes: "PROS: Enormous, engaging world; expertly captures the look and feel of the Wild West; likable protagonist in John Marston, who boasts an interesting, worthwhile narrative
It's an ambitious How-To project to say the least, or more specifically, an over-the-top political art installation by San Francisco artist Brian Goggin. You may have previously heard of Goggin for his "Defenestration" project—an installation of "frozen" furniture, being tossed mid-air from a San Francisco apartment building. But Goggin's latest project sounds significantly more challenging to execute, considering the elaborate game plan involved:
Quick, winter is coming to a close, time to catch the tail end of the winter sport season. This could potentially include ice diving in Kaindy Lake (if you happen find yourself in Kazakhstan, home of Borat). Kaindy Lake was created by an enormous limestone landslide, and as a result, a forest was submerged. In the summer, half drowned trees emerge from the water, creating a dramatic effect. In the winter, ice divers brave the freezing waters to explore the depths.
Introducing the Bagger 288, built by Krupps in Germany. Weighing in at 45,000 tons, this bad boy is the biggest moving machine on the planet.
Wikipedia is an astonishing resource that provides an enormous amount of information to billions of users.
Rosemarie Fiore is badass. She makes art with pyrotechnics, amusement park rides, Atari, guns, and pinball machines. Though all of her work is cool, I have to say my favorite piece is Fiore's larger than life spirograph, made from an amusement park ride, entitled "Good Time Mix Machine".
In this Fine Art video tutorial you will learn how to replace focusing screens on Canon EOS cameras. The EOS 40D, like the EOS 5D and EOS 1 series of digital cameras has a user replaceable focusing screen. With the EOS 40D, you have the option of Ef D and the Ef S focusing screens. To replace the focusing screen, use the tool provided with kit supplied with the screen. The tool has a hook at one end and a spring loaded grip at the other end. Use the hook to lift the latch of the focusing scre...
Watch this instructional video brought to you by Nikon's Digitutor to learn how to operate the Nikon D80. This Nikon D80 video tutorial demonstrates how to use different solutions for various shooting situations, search from control panel, search from viewfinder, use the caerma body: front, top, back, maulti selector and mode dial, attach a lens, insert the battery, set the time and date, insert a memory card, format a memory card, adjust the viewfinder focus, use different shooting modes suc...
This collection of instructional videos from BaseballRox with baseball player Jeff Pick focuses on proper pitching mechanics with an emphasis on safety in the sport of baseball.
The Canon EOS 40D uses a nine-point focusing system. Learn more about using the focusing features of the Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR camera in this free Canon photography lesson. Use focusing features on the Canon EOS 40D - Part 1 of 9.
Watch this instructional video brought to you by Nikon's Digitutor to learn how to operate the Nikon D3. This Nikon D3 video tutorial demonstrates how to use the highlighting features, the taking pictures in mode P, the playback and deletion, the ISO sensitivity, the auto ISO sensitivity control, choosing ISO sensitivity, continuous high speed release mode, AF-area focus mode, choosing a focus point, taking pictures in live view, live view set up, live view hand held, live view tripod, active...
Focusing has always been a problem with photographers, and even with today's digital cameras it's not easy. The most obvious problem is trying to accurately focus on the subject before exposure. Next, you have to choose the correct aperture size in relation to the depth of field, and make sure you're using the correct exposure. Then there's lens aberrations, where a certain ray of light does not converge to a single focal point in the desired image, resulting in some light leaking away from t...
(Difficulty Level: from Newby to Expert) Digital cameras can produce freaky sharp images—it’s one thing that sets them apart from film cameras. A DSLR doesn’t have grain, it has noise—and that sounds a lot less charming for a reason. If you shoot at a low ISO, high f-stop and fast shutter speed, you can wind up with a super sharp image that might look great even on a billboard. But sometimes, sharp isn’t everything.
As many of you may have noticed, nearly every Google product (i.e. Gmail, Google search, etc.) has gone through a bit of a makeover since the release of Google+. Big blocky buttons and enormous font sizes are apparently the thing of the future, and with a cool JavaScript hack, you can have a goofy YouTube, too! Now, I'm actually just being a bit facetious, the new YouTube is really the only thing that I like out of all of Google's recent redesigns. It looks pretty sleek.
Out of focus city lights from an airplane. Really, Really, Really out of focus. :) And my 3rd photo...so I'm eliminated twice. :)
Every summer the city of Brussels assembles an enormous carpet of begonias, under the advisement of one hundred experienced gardeners. The project is planned far in advance, with illustrations and scale models based on a chosen theme (previously chosen have been the arms and shield of a town or commemoration of important events). This year's theme features Saint Michael striking down the dragon, the official protective image of the city, founded over 1,000 years ago.
Pulling focus is a neat trick that you should definitely try sometime! It's a great filmmaking technique, and it's not that hard to pull off.
Pulling focus is a neat trick that you should definitely try sometime! It's a great filmmaking technique, and it's not that hard to pull off.
What more is there to say about the almighty Conrad Schnitzler? One of the original founders of Tangerine Dream and Kluster (later Cluster), his contributions to the world of German experimental electronic music have been enormous. With album, cassette, and cd releases miles long, his discography would take a lifetime and a pretty penny to catch up to. 'Conrad and Sohn' is a pretty unique release, even for Schnitzler. The album was a private press release that he did with his son in 1981. App...
Seems like the media focuses a lot of attention on the grumpy travelers. This site focuses entirely on encouraging people not only to travel more, but sets out to teach them how to go about it. Travel Happy: How do we know the secrets of happy travelers?.
David Newton from Canon Professional Network teaches you how to eliminate dust spots on a Canon EOS camera. The Canon EOS has a self-cleaning sensor to help eliminate dust from it. You need a lens of 50 mm or longer for this to work properly. If you have a zoom lens, set it to the longest focal length it has. Switch the lens to manual focus and turn the focus ring until infinity. Enter the second red menu tab and choose Dust Delete Data at the bottom of the list. Pressing it will show you you...
What would happen to your productivity if you had a way to block Internet access to your favorite time-wasting websites like Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia and trashy celebrity gossip blogs? If you are like most people, you would probably get a lot more work done.
Hongkiat has compiled a collection of beautiful examples of "Bokeh" photography (1, 2):
COLOSSUS n pl. COLOSSUSES or COLOSSI a gigantic statue 60 points (10 points without the bingo)
This is a continuation of a previous post about getting "unfocused" with your DSLR. We all work hard to get pictures that are sharp and have perfect focus. Maybe we’re missing the forest for the trees. Think about mood, color, ideas—in other words, not your gear.
Tired of getting calluses from incessantly strumming along to 'No Woman No Cry'? Just hook up to the brain-music system and use your brain power to play a tune instead. I'm not talking—humming along in your head. The machine, created by composer and computer-music specialist Eduardo Miranda of the University of Plymouth, UK, is composed of electrodes taped directly onto your skull that pick up tiny electrical impulses from neurons in your brain and translates them into musical rhythms on a co...
A target camera's view is focused by a target object. Moving or rotating the target camera will cause it to always tilt so that its focus remains on the target. In this 3ds Max video tutorial you will learn how to create and use target cameras. Make sure to hit "play tutorial" in the top left corner of the video to start the video. There is no sound, so you'll need to watch the pop-up directions. Create target cameras in 3ds Max.
Soft focus photography can produce some beautiful images when used properly. It's used a lot in beauty and glamour shots, but can be applied to other types of photos as well. Some digital cameras have pre-programmed settings for soft focus shots, but if you're using a DSLR, you'll need a special lens or filter to do it.
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Eran Stern demonstrates how you can create the illusion of time bending with a special focus on the correct way of using the CC Time Blend FX in After Effects. Blend and bend time in After Effects.
When working out or lifting weights, many people focus on large muscle groups like biceps, legs, shoulders and chest and forget to work out smaller muscle groups like the forearms and abs. Stan McQuay shows you how to do some great exercises for those "forgotten muscles". Work out smaller muscle groups.
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding video camera lenses. In part one, Mike talks about the basics of lenses, starting with focal length and angle of view. It's a lesson on the analog collections of lenses cinematographers use with their cameras. For people who like to point lenses at things, here is the functional knowledge.
Check out this instructional swimming video that demonstrates how to get comfortable swimming using these 3 drills to develop a feel of putting your head underwater and exhaling. These are 3 great drills for the very beginner swimmer. These drills will particularly give you the sensation of having your face underwater, exhaling and coming up to breath - without actually swimming.