Can You Solve This Architectural Conundrum?

Henry Gifford is what is known as a building scientist: He studies how buildings work and, just as important, why some don't. He has written and published a remarkable book called Buildings Don't Lie, nearly 600 full-color pages stuffed with information, infrared photography, diagrams, and—the best part—quizzes to test your knowledge.

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The book is as beautiful as it is exhaustive, covering air flow, water, light, sound, fire, pests, ventilation, air quality, and a lot more. We'll be covering the subject of building science more in the magazine soon. In the meantime, here's a quiz from the book:

Question: Why is water vapor condensing onto only one of the windows? And why in the middle of the pane only? And which surface of which pane is the water condensing on?

Clue: The photo below was taken during the winter.

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Got it?

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Answer: The window in the photo has two panes of glass. Multi-pane windows are built with an airtight space between the panes. In the middle window, the air barrier has failed. It is allowing water vapor to get into the space between the panes. The condensation is occurring only in the middle of the pane because the frame of the window conducts much more heat (from indoors) than the glass, and the heat is heating the edges of the glass above the dewpoint temperature, while the middle remains colder than the dewpoint temperature.

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The water must be condensing on one of the surfaces between the panes because otherwise the water would evaporate into the indoor or outdoor air. This leaves on the question of which pane the water is condensing onto: the pane on the outdoor side, because that pane is colder during the winter.

Henry Gifford has 25+ years experience making buildings energy efficient, using common sense approaches. You can buy his new book, Buildings Don't Lie, right here.

Source: Can You Solve This Architectural Conundrum?

Changing exposure with Lee Filters

For the past 50 years, Lee Filters has been the choice of filter manufacturer for discerning photographers who want to manipulate exposure. Angela Nicholson explains the why and the how

A classic long-exposure image, showing flat, milky sea, wispy clouds and the c haracteristic blue cast of a Stopper filter. Nikon D3X, 14-24mm f/2.8 at 24mm, eight minutes at f/11, ISO 100, 0.6 ND hard grad, Super Stopper, blue colour cast uncorrected. Credit: Jeremy Walker

Now in its 50th year, Lee Filters is the world's leading manufacturer of professional-quality light-control filters. The Andover-based company's filters are used not only in photography, but also in motion picture and television productions, theatrical and live stage events, and architectural and themed entertainments.

Within the world of stills photography, Lee Filters has probably been best known for its graduated filters, which enable photographers to balance the exposure of a bright sky with that for the land. However, over the past few years, the Stopper range of filters, which are used to extend exposure time, have become extremely popular. And now a new range of ProGlass IRND neutral-density filters has been launched. So what's the difference between them?

The Stopper range

Lee Filters Stopper filters have been designed to enable photographers to extend exposure times. This has the effect of causing anything that is moving within the frame to become blurred in the final image. It's a popular effect in both seascape and landscape photography, where choppy water is made smooth and clouds or waterfalls are transformed into silky streaks.

There are three strengths of Stopper filter available: the Little Stopper, which extends exposureby six stops; the Big Stopper, which brings a 10-stop extension; and the 15-stop Super Stopper.

The dark appearance of the Stoppers is created by adding dye to the glass when it's still liquid, so the colour is mixed throughout the filter. In addition to the black dye, there's also a hint of blue, as this helps deal with infrared (IR) pollution, which is a particular issue with long exposures and can make blacks appear brown. It's tricky to correct IR pollution issues, but adding blue turns it into a white balance shift, which is much easier to address post-capture. Over the years, many photographers have come to love the blue note of unadjusted Stopper images.

"Long exposures have the effect of causing anything that is moving to become blurred"

Because of the blue tone, Lee Filters doesn't refer to the Stopper Range as being neutral-density (ND) filters – they're called Stoppers because they stop light from entering the lens.

One interesting effect that has also proved popular with the Stopper range is the slight vignette that is created with wideangle lenses. This happens because light at the edges of a wideangle frame enters the filter at a more acute angle then it does with longer lenses, and thus it has to travel through more of the filter. This means more light is cut out.

All Stopper filters have a foam seal to prevent light leaks from spoiling the image

ProGlass IRND filters

Lee Filters developed ProGlass IRND filters many years ago in response to a request from its parent company, Panavision – a movie camera business. Panavision recognised that infrared pollution was causing problems with ND filter use in the movie industry, and that many hours of grading were being spent purely trying to correct for different levels of pollution effect. The solution was for Lee Filters to produce a neutral filter that also cut out infrared light and it has quickly become the number one filter in the film industry. Now, Lee Filters has made this filter available to stills photographers who want a more neutral result than is possible straight from the camera with the Stopper range.

One of the key differences between the Stopper range and the ProGlass IRND filters is that ProGlass filters have a surface coating and there's no dye mixed through the glass. This is a more expensive process, but it means that the filter doesn't cause vignetting with wideangle lenses.

Lee Filters ProGlass IRND filters have a protective coating, but they should be treated with care to avoid damaging the neutral-density layer.

Source: Changing exposure with Lee Filters

Magnificent Angkor in infrared photography

Source:Ecns.cn Published: 2017/1/18 16:27:40

Photographer Huang Zheng from Southwest China's Sichuan Province has adopted infrared photography to take photos of the temples in Angkor, Cambodia, giving them almost surreal appearance. (Photo/Huang Zheng)

 

An infrared photograph of Preah Khan temple. Photographer Huang Zheng from Southwest China's Sichuan Province has adopted infrared photography to take photos of the temples in Angkor, Cambodia, giving them almost surreal appearance. (Photo/Huang Zheng)

 

An infrared photograph of Bayon temple. Photographer Huang Zheng from Southwest China's Sichuan Province has adopted infrared photography to take photos of the temples in Angkor, Cambodia, giving them almost surreal appearance. (Photo/Huang Zheng)

 

An infrared photograph of Angkor Thom. Photographer Huang Zheng from Southwest China's Sichuan Province has adopted infrared photography to take photos of the temples in Angkor, Cambodia, giving them almost surreal appearance. (Photo/Huang Zheng)

 

An infrared photograph of Pre Rup, a Hindu temple at Angkor, Cambodia. Photographer Huang Zheng from Southwest China's Sichuan Province has adopted infrared photography to take photos of the temples in Angkor, Cambodia, giving them almost surreal appearance. (Photo/Huang Zheng)

 

An infrared photograph of Ta Prohm. Photographer Huang Zheng from Southwest China's Sichuan Province has adopted infrared photography to take photos of the temples in Angkor, Cambodia, giving them almost surreal appearance. (Photo/Huang Zheng)

 

An infrared photograph of Banteay Srei temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Photographer Huang Zheng from Southwest China's Sichuan Province has adopted infrared photography to take photos of the temples in Angkor, Cambodia, giving them almost surreal appearance. (Photo/Huang Zheng)

 

An infrared photograph of Beng Mealea temple. Photographer Huang Zheng from Southwest China's Sichuan Province has adopted infrared photography to take photos of the temples in Angkor, Cambodia, giving them almost surreal appearance. (Photo/Huang Zheng)

 

An infrared photograph of the Terrace of the Elephants. Photographer Huang Zheng from Southwest China's Sichuan Province has adopted infrared photography to take photos of the temples in Angkor, Cambodia, giving them almost surreal appearance. (Photo/Huang Zheng)

 

An infrared photograph of Ta Prohm. Photographer Huang Zheng from Southwest China's Sichuan Province has adopted infrared photography to take photos of the temples in Angkor, Cambodia, giving them almost surreal appearance. (Photo/Huang Zheng)

 
Source: Magnificent Angkor in infrared photography

An auto-tracking camera stabilizer means you don't have to bug your friends to take videos of you anymore

"Sport mode" is a camera feature that's been around forever, but it still seems like companies can't get the hang of tracking that doesn't involve an obnoxious amount of blurriness. Though we could all ride Segways to film fast-moving objects, shouldn't there be a more efficient way to capture movement?

Enter Taro: a camera stabilizer and auto-tracker that wants to act as your own personal cameraman.

Recently launched on Kickstarter, Taro brings a whole new meaning to "sport mode." Now you can capture or film yourself playing sports, dancing, skateboarding, etc. — anything you've always wanted to film but could never quite figure out how. Just stand in front of Taro for a second and the tracking module (composed of an infrared camera) and a flickering sequential infrared tag will pick up your body's movements and make sure you're always in frame. 

What's the big deal with infrared, you may ask? Well, the infrared tracking allows Taro's algorithm to work insanely fast — according to the campaign's page, they mean fast as in tracking objects going up to 50 MPH. The auto-cut feature automatically detects your speed in order to prevent any unwanted motion, which means less editing for you. 

But what good is an auto-tracker if the camera is jolting around, making the finished product look like a toddler filmed it? The goal for Taro is that the three high-torque motors are able to react quickly to your movements and keep things smooth. Whether you're shooting with an iPhone or DSLR camera, Taro wants it to give you those high quality feels.

Here's Taro in action:

As if the auto-tracker and stabilizer weren't enough, the extra features that come with the device include time-lapse photography, action sequencing, and an assortment of others. Shipping begins in April 2018 — back the campaign and snag the early bird prices starting at $99 here.

Image: taro

Source: An auto-tracking camera stabilizer means you don't have to bug your friends to take videos of you anymore

White Knight Press Releases Complete Guide Book for Sony DSC-RX10 IV Camera

  December 10, 2017 -- !-- AddToAny BEGIN -->

HENRICO, Va. (PRWEB) December 10, 2017

White Knight Press has just released Photographer's Guide to the Sony DSC-RX10 IV, a full-color, 269-page guide book covering all features and operations of the highly popular RX10 IV digital camera.

With this book, author Alexander S. White provides users of the RX10 IV with a manual covering all aspects of the camera's operation. Using a tutorial-like approach, the book shows beginning and intermediate photographers how to accomplish things with the RX10 IV, and explains when and why to use the camera's many features.

The book provides details about the camera's shooting modes as well as its menu options for camera settings, playback, setup, video, Wi-Fi, and special effects. The book covers all features of the RX10 IV that are new for this model, including its enhanced focusing system with phase detection autofocus; its ability to use a touch screen for focusing and enlarging images in some situations; and a variety of new or enhanced menu options.

The book includes more than 500 color photographs that illustrate the camera's controls, display screens, and menus. The images include photographs taken using the RX10 IV's Scene mode, with settings optimized for subjects such as landscapes, sunsets, portraits, and action shots; and its Creative Style and Picture Effect menu options, with settings that alter the appearance of images.

The book provides concise introductions to topics such as street photography and infrared photography, and explains how to use the camera's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features to transfer images to a smartphone or tablet, to control the camera from such a device, and to add location information to images.

The book includes a full discussion of the video features of the RX10 IV, which can shoot HD and 4K (ultra-HD) movies, with manual control of exposure and focus during recording. The book explains the camera's numerous features for professional-level videography, including Picture Profiles that allow adjustment of settings such as gamma curve, black level, knee, and detail. The book describes steps for recording 4K video to an external video recorder using the �clean" video output from the camera's HDMI port.

In three appendices, the book discusses accessories for the RX10 IV, including cases, power sources, remote controls, microphones and external flash units, and includes a list of websites and other resources for further information. The book includes an appendix with �quick tips" on how to take advantage of the camera's features in the most efficient ways possible.

This guide to the RX10 IV includes a detailed index, so the reader can quickly locate information about any particular feature or aspect of the camera.

The book is available now in ebook formats and a paperback edition.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/12/prweb14999127.htm.

Related Keywords:

Source:PRWEB.COM Newswire. All Rights Reserved

Source: White Knight Press Releases Complete Guide Book for Sony DSC-RX10 IV Camera

An auto-tracking camera stabilizer means you don't have to bug your friends to take videos of you anymore

"Sport mode" is a camera feature that's been around forever, but it still seems like companies can't get the hang of tracking that doesn't involve an obnoxious amount of blurriness. Though we could all ride Segways to film fast-moving objects, shouldn't there be a more efficient way to capture movement?

Enter Taro: a camera stabilizer and auto-tracker that wants to act as your own personal cameraman.

Recently launched on Kickstarter, Taro brings a whole new meaning to "sport mode." Now you can capture or film yourself playing sports, dancing, skateboarding, etc. — anything you've always wanted to film but could never quite figure out how. Just stand in front of Taro for a second and the tracking module (composed of an infrared camera) and a flickering sequential infrared tag will pick up your body's movements and make sure you're always in frame. 

What's the big deal with infrared, you may ask? Well, the infrared tracking allows Taro's algorithm to work insanely fast — according to the campaign's page, they mean fast as in tracking objects going up to 50 MPH. The auto-cut feature automatically detects your speed in order to prevent any unwanted motion, which means less editing for you. 

But what good is an auto-tracker if the camera is jolting around, making the finished product look like a toddler filmed it? The goal for Taro is that the three high-torque motors are able to react quickly to your movements and keep things smooth. Whether you're shooting with an iPhone or DSLR camera, Taro wants it to give you those high quality feels.

Here's Taro in action:

As if the auto-tracker and stabilizer weren't enough, the extra features that come with the device include time-lapse photography, action sequencing, and an assortment of others. Shipping begins in April 2018 — back the campaign and snag the early bird prices starting at $99 here.

Image: taro

Source: An auto-tracking camera stabilizer means you don't have to bug your friends to take videos of you anymore

White Knight Press Releases Complete Guide Book for Sony DSC-RX10 IV Camera

  December 10, 2017 -- !-- AddToAny BEGIN -->

HENRICO, Va. (PRWEB) December 10, 2017

White Knight Press has just released Photographer's Guide to the Sony DSC-RX10 IV, a full-color, 269-page guide book covering all features and operations of the highly popular RX10 IV digital camera.

With this book, author Alexander S. White provides users of the RX10 IV with a manual covering all aspects of the camera's operation. Using a tutorial-like approach, the book shows beginning and intermediate photographers how to accomplish things with the RX10 IV, and explains when and why to use the camera's many features.

The book provides details about the camera's shooting modes as well as its menu options for camera settings, playback, setup, video, Wi-Fi, and special effects. The book covers all features of the RX10 IV that are new for this model, including its enhanced focusing system with phase detection autofocus; its ability to use a touch screen for focusing and enlarging images in some situations; and a variety of new or enhanced menu options.

The book includes more than 500 color photographs that illustrate the camera's controls, display screens, and menus. The images include photographs taken using the RX10 IV's Scene mode, with settings optimized for subjects such as landscapes, sunsets, portraits, and action shots; and its Creative Style and Picture Effect menu options, with settings that alter the appearance of images.

The book provides concise introductions to topics such as street photography and infrared photography, and explains how to use the camera's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features to transfer images to a smartphone or tablet, to control the camera from such a device, and to add location information to images.

The book includes a full discussion of the video features of the RX10 IV, which can shoot HD and 4K (ultra-HD) movies, with manual control of exposure and focus during recording. The book explains the camera's numerous features for professional-level videography, including Picture Profiles that allow adjustment of settings such as gamma curve, black level, knee, and detail. The book describes steps for recording 4K video to an external video recorder using the �clean" video output from the camera's HDMI port.

In three appendices, the book discusses accessories for the RX10 IV, including cases, power sources, remote controls, microphones and external flash units, and includes a list of websites and other resources for further information. The book includes an appendix with �quick tips" on how to take advantage of the camera's features in the most efficient ways possible.

This guide to the RX10 IV includes a detailed index, so the reader can quickly locate information about any particular feature or aspect of the camera.

The book is available now in ebook formats and a paperback edition.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/12/prweb14999127.htm.

Related Keywords:

Source:PRWEB.COM Newswire. All Rights Reserved

Source: White Knight Press Releases Complete Guide Book for Sony DSC-RX10 IV Camera