Saturday, April 19, 2008
High Dynamic Range
This amazingly unique and vibrant photography technique was unknown to me until I was turned onto it by a friend just a year ago. Basically, the process works by compiling anywhere between 2 and upwards of 15 tripod identical shots set at all different exposure levels ranging from very under exposed all the way up to highly washed out.
[An example of an exposure series for input into an HDR algorithm. Wikipedia/CC]
The pictures are compiled using programs like Adobe CS3 or Photomatix where a new image is created which highlights the correct exposure on a huge array of differently exposed areas. The brightest bluest sky exposure is apparent alongside the richest color textures of the darkest shadows of a tree. The result is breathtaking, almost taking on the appearance of an illustration or painting.
An HDR shot in Del Mar California by my BOY, Dillon Morris.]
Often times HDRs have very useful applications other than just making a picture look epic. Photographers use HDR to capture the inside of churches to show the detail of the very bright stain glass with the much darker inside architecture in one image. HDR images are also used to render ultra enriched 3D gaming environments found in many of todays first person shooter games.
[Church detail illuminated by HDR. Photo digitalcameratracker.com
[An example of an exposure series for input into an HDR algorithm. Wikipedia/CC]The pictures are compiled using programs like Adobe CS3 or Photomatix where a new image is created which highlights the correct exposure on a huge array of differently exposed areas. The brightest bluest sky exposure is apparent alongside the richest color textures of the darkest shadows of a tree. The result is breathtaking, almost taking on the appearance of an illustration or painting.
An HDR shot in Del Mar California by my BOY, Dillon Morris.]Often times HDRs have very useful applications other than just making a picture look epic. Photographers use HDR to capture the inside of churches to show the detail of the very bright stain glass with the much darker inside architecture in one image. HDR images are also used to render ultra enriched 3D gaming environments found in many of todays first person shooter games.
[Church detail illuminated by HDR. Photo digitalcameratracker.com
Friday, April 18, 2008
The Changing Nature of Online Music
The online music landscape is changing quickly and thoroughly. Music blogs are a great source for finding music from like minded individuals that meshes with your style. However, tracking down blogs is sometimes difficult as the best content can be unprofiled, tucked deep in the sprawling blogosphere. But sites like HypeMachine have offered a solution by coalescing syndicated embedded music on a series of blogs and putting it into an easily searchable interface. Most of sites like HypeMachine stick to one genre offering users a hub for delivering a style of music they can count on. HypeMachine in particular has a diverse series of electro and hiphop remixes that will get stuff popping. iTunes and Amazon integration helps the artists by encouraging the legal monetization of online music.
Pandora is another unique music interface that disc jockeys for online visitors based on a formula called the 'Music Genome Project'. Based on a number of criteria including melody, harmony, arrangement and lyrics, stations are created by typing in an artist after which the system shuffles through a series of songs from different artists most corresponding with the style and sound of your initial launching point. Paging through the songs too quickly will give you an error as Pandora has secured the rights for only a limited amount of listens designated per hour for each user. In the battle between the effort to use free file sharing and record companies selling music for outrageous prices, interesting compromises have come. Pandora is one of those innovative and groundbreaking compromises. People listen for free, and find music they like, which they then can purchase, with just a few clicks.
Pandora is another unique music interface that disc jockeys for online visitors based on a formula called the 'Music Genome Project'. Based on a number of criteria including melody, harmony, arrangement and lyrics, stations are created by typing in an artist after which the system shuffles through a series of songs from different artists most corresponding with the style and sound of your initial launching point. Paging through the songs too quickly will give you an error as Pandora has secured the rights for only a limited amount of listens designated per hour for each user. In the battle between the effort to use free file sharing and record companies selling music for outrageous prices, interesting compromises have come. Pandora is one of those innovative and groundbreaking compromises. People listen for free, and find music they like, which they then can purchase, with just a few clicks.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Dissapointment in the 4th Branch
It seems that every presidential election that comes by I have a whole new perspective on life, our nation and the political process. Four years is just a number until there are recurring events to put that amount of time in perspective. I feel as if the way I view the world at this presidential election as opposed to the last is incomparable. A combination of journalism major with a poli sci minor has sharpened by awareness to a point where I view political coverage today with a hyper sensativity and suspicious awareness about what the media and candidates are telling me. With that ability I have felt that this latest contest for our next Chief Executive has been especially shallow. I often feel as if my heightened, alomst paranoid awareness as to the flaws of our news system and new dysfunctional trends in politics has stemmed primarily from my education. Even more so, that anyone exposed to the progressive teachings of a liberally acclimated institution like the University of Colorado will be doomed to these low persepctives of our political and news infrastructures for the rest of our lives. However, after watching this Wednesday's democratic debate I in fact know that there is grounded reality for the direction our media is headed in.
My roomate started up the debate on YouTube in our living room this morning and listening to it from the other room I was quickly keen to the words reverberating through the house. For the first 10 minutes I can remember listening, the moderators George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson asked some of the most irrelevant questions I have ever heard spoken at a political debate function. From Hillary's exxagerated accounts of the dangers faced in her Bosnian visit, to questioning why Obama doesn't wear a flag on his suit, it seemed that an immense amount of time was spent on issues having nothing to do with presidential policies or pertinent political issues. Stephanopoulos later called these questions 'electibility questions' which he believed very important to the political process. In reality 'electibility questions' are incidental, minor issues that have little to do with the overarching leadership qualities of the candidates and our petty attempts to highlight controversy and boost voetship. The cutting edge blogging super center the The HuffingtonPost has a great collection of stories on the issue as well as immense comment feedback from everyday Americans. Politics sucks.
My roomate started up the debate on YouTube in our living room this morning and listening to it from the other room I was quickly keen to the words reverberating through the house. For the first 10 minutes I can remember listening, the moderators George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson asked some of the most irrelevant questions I have ever heard spoken at a political debate function. From Hillary's exxagerated accounts of the dangers faced in her Bosnian visit, to questioning why Obama doesn't wear a flag on his suit, it seemed that an immense amount of time was spent on issues having nothing to do with presidential policies or pertinent political issues. Stephanopoulos later called these questions 'electibility questions' which he believed very important to the political process. In reality 'electibility questions' are incidental, minor issues that have little to do with the overarching leadership qualities of the candidates and our petty attempts to highlight controversy and boost voetship. The cutting edge blogging super center the The HuffingtonPost has a great collection of stories on the issue as well as immense comment feedback from everyday Americans. Politics sucks.
They Rule
I was showedTheyRule.net a few years back by a friend and was reminded of it recently when asked about it by a friend in San Francisco. This sleek Flash interface allows users to see the trends in America's ruling class by identifying common CEOs, board members and government officials across the top 500 corporations in the United States. Data was compiled by the site creators from directors websites and SEC filings in early 2004. This is a static database and only represents the 2004 trends but is still a very interesting experiment in corporate management trends. Browsing can start from opening a director nebulas of a particular company or a specific director's company ties. There is also an institutional section to begin browsing college alumni trends. Preloaded maps that either individuals have created or They Rule designers built, are the most interesting and offer amazing insight into the exclusivity and commonality of the America ruling class club.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Breckenridge Spring 2008
Last Friday and Saturday I filmed at Breckenridge with a few skilled skiers. Tom Wallisch, Adam Delorme, Mike Hornbeck and the latest Superunknown winner Jon Brogan. Although Friday was snowy Saturday and Sunday were epic. All of these kids will be skiing at a closed Keystone shoot with Level 1 this week. I shot with Kyle Decker from Level 1 and he will be doing the final edit, but below you can see a rough cut of my shots. Enjoi...
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
AppleTV
There is no doubt that the Internet has had a profound impact on many media industries. Newspapers are being ravaged by blogs and online news, the music industry has been transformed by MP3 players and file sharing websites and e-commerce solutions continue e to redefine how the world shops for goods. However, one media area that has not seen a substantial change with Internet technology is television and movies largely because systems and hardware that replace the living room viewing experience have not yet developed. That was until the last year and a half when some promising new services and technologies have surfaced that are poised to change who can give us video content and the way we watch it.
AppleTV is leading the way in developing a standardized Internet gateway for your living room. On demand technologies and Internet equipped television services have been around for over a decade. However, all of these systems coupled computer like functions with content from service providers who already dominated cable and satellite programming like DirecTV, Cox or Comcast in each area. The difference with AppleTV is that content is browsed, paid for and viewed in a completely unique interface running on the iTunes network. From my personal experimentation with my own AppleTV that I purchased in December, I think that the future of Internet TV systems will be defined by the ease of use of the hardware that links the content from the Internet to your living room and the content it offers.
Much of the current commentaries and research on what AppleTV will mean for television media was done before Apple’s latest firm wire update was released. The genius of AppleTV is that with a simple software update that can be initiated from your couch, Apple can upgrade all past AppleTVs with new media service programs. This latest update, has addressed AppleTV’s main, initial complaint, the inability for users to browse content directly on AppleTV. Previously all media had to be downloaded and managed from the computer base station, which was then automatically synced to the hard drive. Now, Apple has created a vivid browsing interface for movies, music, TV shows, Podcasts, Flickr albums and YouTube videos. The ‘My Movies’ option, for content that used to be managed on your computer, has been relegated to the last choice on the browsing lists as it is evident Apple wants you paying for and directly downloading all of your newest content. Movies can be rented for $3.99 where they sit on your hard drive for 30 days until you hit play, after which you have 24 hours to finish them. They are then deleted and returned to the iTunes store. TV Shows can be purchased for $1.99 an episode or by varying lump sums depending on season length. Music is the standard $.99 per song $9.99 per album and most pod casts are free.
With this newest update there is no doubt that Apple is now committed to expanding the potential of AppleTV to be an Internet media gateway for the masses. In comparison with Joost, a highly anticipated Internet television system which I was able to test yesterday, the programming on AppleTV is currently much deeper and its on my 32” high definition living room screen, while Joost is only on my computer. But the question is, will the average Joe, who will be buying most of his content from AppleTV, think that the advertising free, a la carte prices are fair and see it as an alternative to normal television; probably not for a while. AppleTVs movie rental and television shows can be compared to OnDemand, a system that people have been used to for quite some time now. What AppleTV must bolster is its free or very cheap programming that will supplement the premium pay per view options so users do not feel like they are constantly throwing two and three dollar bills down the drain. Apple has been able to do that to an extent with its Podcast selection and YouTube feature. All Podcasts are free and include everything from action sports video blogs to 30 minute Anderson Cooper reports to old re-runs of Comedy Central’s The Man Show.
This Podcast section is the most promising element of iTunes and AppleTV because anyone can make and upload a podcast. This is very exciting for the reinvigoration of the public sphere. Podcasts are a refreshing hope for young, independent and technically savvy journalists, writers and film makers looking distribute their works. While discussing his new book “The Assault on Reason” with Jon Stewart, Al Gore stated, “Internet is a beacon of hope for democracy due to low entry barriers and active contributive efforts.” The technologies that make it possible to share this new Internet media easily and efficiently in the company of family and friends in front of the big screen will be in demand in the future. It is evident that Jobs intends to use iTunes, iPod Video, iPhone and AppleTV to continue to redefine how we get our media. Jobs has began conversations with Jeff Zucker of NBC universal again after their content was pulled from iTunes last fall for fear that “Jobs would ruin the video business the same way he’d destroyed the music business.” Jobs commitment to resolve stalemates and secure premium content after the writer’s strike has ended is promising for iTunes and AppleTV’s future. I believe that the general discontent with mundane mainstream programming will convince users to experiment with internet gateways that offer a la carte and independent programming like AppleTV in the years to come.
AppleTV is leading the way in developing a standardized Internet gateway for your living room. On demand technologies and Internet equipped television services have been around for over a decade. However, all of these systems coupled computer like functions with content from service providers who already dominated cable and satellite programming like DirecTV, Cox or Comcast in each area. The difference with AppleTV is that content is browsed, paid for and viewed in a completely unique interface running on the iTunes network. From my personal experimentation with my own AppleTV that I purchased in December, I think that the future of Internet TV systems will be defined by the ease of use of the hardware that links the content from the Internet to your living room and the content it offers.
Much of the current commentaries and research on what AppleTV will mean for television media was done before Apple’s latest firm wire update was released. The genius of AppleTV is that with a simple software update that can be initiated from your couch, Apple can upgrade all past AppleTVs with new media service programs. This latest update, has addressed AppleTV’s main, initial complaint, the inability for users to browse content directly on AppleTV. Previously all media had to be downloaded and managed from the computer base station, which was then automatically synced to the hard drive. Now, Apple has created a vivid browsing interface for movies, music, TV shows, Podcasts, Flickr albums and YouTube videos. The ‘My Movies’ option, for content that used to be managed on your computer, has been relegated to the last choice on the browsing lists as it is evident Apple wants you paying for and directly downloading all of your newest content. Movies can be rented for $3.99 where they sit on your hard drive for 30 days until you hit play, after which you have 24 hours to finish them. They are then deleted and returned to the iTunes store. TV Shows can be purchased for $1.99 an episode or by varying lump sums depending on season length. Music is the standard $.99 per song $9.99 per album and most pod casts are free.
With this newest update there is no doubt that Apple is now committed to expanding the potential of AppleTV to be an Internet media gateway for the masses. In comparison with Joost, a highly anticipated Internet television system which I was able to test yesterday, the programming on AppleTV is currently much deeper and its on my 32” high definition living room screen, while Joost is only on my computer. But the question is, will the average Joe, who will be buying most of his content from AppleTV, think that the advertising free, a la carte prices are fair and see it as an alternative to normal television; probably not for a while. AppleTVs movie rental and television shows can be compared to OnDemand, a system that people have been used to for quite some time now. What AppleTV must bolster is its free or very cheap programming that will supplement the premium pay per view options so users do not feel like they are constantly throwing two and three dollar bills down the drain. Apple has been able to do that to an extent with its Podcast selection and YouTube feature. All Podcasts are free and include everything from action sports video blogs to 30 minute Anderson Cooper reports to old re-runs of Comedy Central’s The Man Show.
This Podcast section is the most promising element of iTunes and AppleTV because anyone can make and upload a podcast. This is very exciting for the reinvigoration of the public sphere. Podcasts are a refreshing hope for young, independent and technically savvy journalists, writers and film makers looking distribute their works. While discussing his new book “The Assault on Reason” with Jon Stewart, Al Gore stated, “Internet is a beacon of hope for democracy due to low entry barriers and active contributive efforts.” The technologies that make it possible to share this new Internet media easily and efficiently in the company of family and friends in front of the big screen will be in demand in the future. It is evident that Jobs intends to use iTunes, iPod Video, iPhone and AppleTV to continue to redefine how we get our media. Jobs has began conversations with Jeff Zucker of NBC universal again after their content was pulled from iTunes last fall for fear that “Jobs would ruin the video business the same way he’d destroyed the music business.” Jobs commitment to resolve stalemates and secure premium content after the writer’s strike has ended is promising for iTunes and AppleTV’s future. I believe that the general discontent with mundane mainstream programming will convince users to experiment with internet gateways that offer a la carte and independent programming like AppleTV in the years to come.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Matt Yerman
San Jose designer Matt Yerman is a young, dedicated artist who has been pushing himself and his work to new levels every month. With that has come a deep and prestigious client base along with editorial exposure and magazine collaborations.
We caught up with the 21 year old designer via email to ask him a few questions about life:
What's your name and where do you currently reside?
How many years have you been designing?
Personally, from following your work, I know you work with digital art tools like Photoshop and Illustrator alot. Lately, freehand sketch work has been finding its way into your finished products. What percentage of time would you say you spend freehand drawing vs.creating on the comp during your typical work sessions?
You have gotten some great media coverage lately in magazines like Beautiful Decay and on a few blogs. What avenues do you believe has brought you to the attention of these editors? Has it been more from freelance client work or from personal pieces you have published on the internet?
You currently attend San Jose state, what are you studying there?
How have you viewed your collegiate art education so far? Has it changed how you feel about working for school vs working for a client vs working on your personal projects?
I know from personal experience that grinding away at the computer on design work too frequently, burns me out. What influences, inspirations or motivational sources do you turn to when you feel this
way?
You got any shout outs?
We caught up with the 21 year old designer via email to ask him a few questions about life:
What's your name and where do you currently reside?
Matt Yerman / San Jose, CA
How many years have you been designing?
5
Personally, from following your work, I know you work with digital art tools like Photoshop and Illustrator alot. Lately, freehand sketch work has been finding its way into your finished products. What percentage of time would you say you spend freehand drawing vs.creating on the comp during your typical work sessions?
It all really depends on the project. I'd have to say that sketching is about 30% of my work. What really consumes time is the nitty-gritty vector work. Taking a sketch and turning it into a digital illustration can take up plenty of time.
You have gotten some great media coverage lately in magazines like Beautiful Decay and on a few blogs. What avenues do you believe has brought you to the attention of these editors? Has it been more from freelance client work or from personal pieces you have published on the internet?
Both freelance and personal pieces are responsible for my coverage. I got my work into B/D through a designer friend I met on myspace. Myspace is a great social networking tool and it helped me meet and interact with designers before the creation of the Behance network.
You currently attend San Jose state, what are you studying there?
Graphic design! I haven't quite decided on a minor yet though. Maybe photography?
How have you viewed your collegiate art education so far? Has it changed how you feel about working for school vs working for a client vs working on your personal projects?
I started off college pretty bummed about all the prerequisite classes I had to take. But now that I am actually in design classes, its done nothing but help. I've learned how important conceptualism should be in your work. If your concept isn't strong, or doesn't make sense, then what you've put on the computer screen or t-shirt is visual masturbation. Have a message and relay that message strongly, so that everyone can understand.
I know from personal experience that grinding away at the computer on design work too frequently, burns me out. What influences, inspirations or motivational sources do you turn to when you feel this
way?
Sometimes I check out design and type blogs to see other design out there. But usually I just reach into the mini fridge and grab an energy drink. Its gotten to the point where I really don't have time to feel burnt out. Too much stuff to do all the time!
You got any shout outs?
To all the Jiberish homies! You guys are awesome and have taken my design to a whole new level. Also to my awesome designer girlfriend who gives me tasty input all the time. And I guess I'll through one out to the family. My parents fork out tons of groceries to keep me well fed while I'm away from the house. Gotta eat right!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Newsmap
I scoped this graphically spectacular news trend map application from two rows behind a kid in my Political Science class Monday. This thing pops so hard that pulling it up on your screen should get the attention of wandering eyes dozens of yards away.
This map is an data visualization offering from the Japanese graphic design and information design firm Maramushi. This application is an effort to codify the content of the Google News aggregator into a visual interface. Content areas are color coded with varying color temperatures to measure currency of the headlines. An aggregator is a mechanism that harvests RSS feeds from, respected news agencies, independent blogs and podcasts.
The Google News aggergator represents the collection of of a huge array of respected syndicated news feeds and thus offers a good cross section of reporting trends across the Internet. Varying box sizes containing common headlines indicate how many articles related to or on the topic have streamed into Google New's Aggregator.
This map is an data visualization offering from the Japanese graphic design and information design firm Maramushi. This application is an effort to codify the content of the Google News aggregator into a visual interface. Content areas are color coded with varying color temperatures to measure currency of the headlines. An aggregator is a mechanism that harvests RSS feeds from, respected news agencies, independent blogs and podcasts.
The Google News aggergator represents the collection of of a huge array of respected syndicated news feeds and thus offers a good cross section of reporting trends across the Internet. Varying box sizes containing common headlines indicate how many articles related to or on the topic have streamed into Google New's Aggregator.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
JO Super Sessions
A progressive format skiing competition is currently underway in Are, Sweden that has been revolutionary in highlighting videographers and photographers abilities. Eight invited athletes chose their favorite photographer and filmer while two athletes two photographers and two filmers submitted creative entries to earn their ticket to Sweden.
[Simon Dumont on the Cheese Wedge jump. Photo: Felix Rioux]
Over ten days, the ten skiers have been and will continue to jump during the best light while their associated teams of photographers and videographers scramble the mountainside to secure media. Then, each photographer will present a slideshow, and each videographer presents a two to three minute edit that will be judged on creativity, cinemetography, storyline and skiing action. The winning team will take home $20,000.
[University of Colorado's very own, Mike Clarke throwing a Cork 9 in the Rhythm Section. Photo: Felix Rioux]
This contest format is being tried frequently as of late, recognizing the power of video and photography in capturing the world's most impressive athletic action, breathtaking scenery and general positive vibe that comes with a venue and competition like this. The best skiing probably won't determine the winner, neither the best photography or videography, but instead the team's ability to work together to create the most stimulating and visually captivating media. No judging on the skiing alone while on the mountain is conducted so the importance of videographers and photographers roles are reinforced immensely. The continued development of home editing stations, digital SLR photography and the internet has allowed the emmergence of these competitions to flourish.
[Crazy European hang-glide follow cams. Sammy Carlson crazy american ski jumping. Photo Felix Rioux]
This competition comes in a year when Jon has also conducted an amazingly successful experiment in online action sports media. He created a video blog that was updated at many important weeks of the season and bi-weekly after that. Thousands of viewers tuned in to every video to stay informed about what was going on in skiing. The value of a high quality, well maintained frequently updated blog was instantly recognized by Jon's sponsors as they realized their products and one of their star athletes was being exposed to viewers everyday. There is no doubt that in the future, that these video blogs, will be prevalent across many areas of action sports along with their potential for periodical news updates, online fictional drama and just about anything else a television station broadcasts. The effort to monetize these free blogs lies in banner advertising around the blogs as well as product placement within the videos. The role of product placement in video content will grow in this framework of free blogs.
[Simon Dumont on the Cheese Wedge jump. Photo: Felix Rioux]Over ten days, the ten skiers have been and will continue to jump during the best light while their associated teams of photographers and videographers scramble the mountainside to secure media. Then, each photographer will present a slideshow, and each videographer presents a two to three minute edit that will be judged on creativity, cinemetography, storyline and skiing action. The winning team will take home $20,000.
[University of Colorado's very own, Mike Clarke throwing a Cork 9 in the Rhythm Section. Photo: Felix Rioux]This contest format is being tried frequently as of late, recognizing the power of video and photography in capturing the world's most impressive athletic action, breathtaking scenery and general positive vibe that comes with a venue and competition like this. The best skiing probably won't determine the winner, neither the best photography or videography, but instead the team's ability to work together to create the most stimulating and visually captivating media. No judging on the skiing alone while on the mountain is conducted so the importance of videographers and photographers roles are reinforced immensely. The continued development of home editing stations, digital SLR photography and the internet has allowed the emmergence of these competitions to flourish.
[Crazy European hang-glide follow cams. Sammy Carlson crazy american ski jumping. Photo Felix Rioux]This competition comes in a year when Jon has also conducted an amazingly successful experiment in online action sports media. He created a video blog that was updated at many important weeks of the season and bi-weekly after that. Thousands of viewers tuned in to every video to stay informed about what was going on in skiing. The value of a high quality, well maintained frequently updated blog was instantly recognized by Jon's sponsors as they realized their products and one of their star athletes was being exposed to viewers everyday. There is no doubt that in the future, that these video blogs, will be prevalent across many areas of action sports along with their potential for periodical news updates, online fictional drama and just about anything else a television station broadcasts. The effort to monetize these free blogs lies in banner advertising around the blogs as well as product placement within the videos. The role of product placement in video content will grow in this framework of free blogs.
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