Edward R. Murrow

Is this cool or what?

There’s not many places where you can get a colorful sky in the middle of the night. China seems to be one of the best places to have these strange digital phenomenon.

This place is called “The Place.” It ranks right up there with some of the other awful names of Chinese locations. They should hire a poet or two so these places can sound more exotic. I’d be happier if it was called “Tomorrow Sky” or “The Sea of Matrix.”

“

(Via Lost in Customs.)

I want it. First I need to get the iPhone4s. Need some new clients for that. Check our my rebranded WordPress Consultant site.

How To Improve The Video Quality of The iPhone 4S: “

The video quality of the new iPhone 4S is already the best in the cell phone industry. However, this does not mean you cannot improve on it. With a help of a couple of choice hardware and software pieces, you can turn the iPhone into the ultimate video blogging rig.

The Owle Bubo

The first piece of the iPhone video puzzle is the Owle Bubo. The Bubo provides a nice stable housing for your iPhone 4 and 4S. The ergonomic design gives you the proper grip while adding just the right amount of weight to stabilize your device. One of the biggest problems with cell phone videos is shaky videos because of light weight and inability to hold them steady. The Bubo eliminates this problem. Designed specifically for Apple iPhone 4, the Bubo provides access to all ports and controls so you can make adjustments and plug in accessories without removal.

Integrated into the Bubo body are tripod and accessory mounts. This opens up a whole world of options for more complex shots. The 37mm lens mount enables you to attach a wide range of lens options. The included wide-angle macro combo lens allows you to get all the details in the shot, whether near or far. There’s even a kit to attach SLR lens if you want to get really fancy.

The iPhone snaps into the Bubo and is held in place with pressure created by the include iPhone case. Installing the iPhone for the first can be tricky, but once you figure it out, removing the and putting the iPhone into the Bubo becomes a snap. The Bubo provides access to all ports and controls so you can make adjustments and plug in accessories without removal. I recommend you put your iPhone in airplane mode when filming. You can answer phone calls with the Bubo installed, but you look pretty funny doing it. Below is my video review of the Owle Bubo.

Rode VideoMic Pro

Now that you have great video with the iPhone 4S and Owle Bubo, you’ll want sound quality to match. This is where the Rode Videomic Pro comes in. The Rode VideoMic Pro compact design is ideal for use with the iPhone. The mic attaches easily to the Bubo hot shoe mount.

Noise transference has been significantly reduced using both a revised, more elegant shock mounting system and a lightweight premium cable. The microphone has a broadcast-quality condenser capsule with a supercardioid pickup pattern to capture audio from the front, while minimizing pickup from the sides and rear. An integrated shock mount and foam windscreen minimize handling and wind noise to keep your recordings crystal clear.

On the rear of the mic, you’ll find a 3-way level control that offers -10dB, 0dB, and +20dB modes. There is also a 2-step high pass filter with 0 and 80Hz settings, letting you minimize the impact of low frequency hum, camera motor noise, and similar distractions. The mic has a standard camera shoe and a 3/8 inch threaded mount for easy attachment to cameras and boom poles. The 3.5mm input plugs right into the mic input of the iPhone. You will need to pair the VideoMic with a microphone adapter in order for it to work and to separate the audio input and output. The VideoMic Pro can operate for up to 70 hours on a single 9V battery.

Almost DSLR

Almost DSLR gives you almost DSLR level control over your iPhone’s camera. The $1.99 app allows you to lock exposure, focus and white balance so you don’t get all those shifting colors and focus when filming night scenes. The app also offers a self-timer, anti-shake and gridlines. You can see the app in action in the video below.

Apple iPhone 4S with Owle Bubo 1080P Video Quality Test

(Via John Chow dot Com.)

Classic Norman Rockwell at Buck County Library.

photo credit: erin MC hammer

Clever idea. High key exposure makes it pop.

photo credit: *clairity*

So beautiful subtle shading.

photo credit: belgianchocolate

Good case for having a telephoto lens.

photo credit: audreyjm529

Ready to trumpet the new day.

photo credit: Swami Stream

What makes this is the background darkness, back and yellow are strong contrasting colors. This was no accident; notice the mid ground flowers are well lite.

photo credit: miyukiutada

Good focus control.

photo credit: miyukiutada

Really good natural lighting to bring out the depth perspective.

photo credit: tanakawho

Very dynamic, all the angles. Looks like liftoff.

photo credit: Randy Son Of Robert

I love the reflections in the sphere; and the copper wire just draws your eye around and around.

photo credit: stephcarter

Interesting that the wall also is a pink shade. Cropping definitely makes this picture. Plus a fine model.

photo credit: bestfor

I wonder if those are olive trees? Near Buisson Buisson on the River Dordogne, France.
Nice place for a picnic.

photo credit: Pacdog

The angle makes the bottle look heroic, like the Colossus of Rhodes.

This painting by Dali projects that idea.

photo credit: fazen

I would not mess with a cat with eye like that.

photo credit: ?ick Harris

What makes this picture is the wispy clouds; remnants of fully formed cloud just like these former functional phone booths. Maybe these are Tardis from the set of Dr. Who. Too much time travel. -;)