Aerial photography: Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 leads Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s Frostburg Flyer through the Cumberland Narrows. Brandon Fiume
Digital photography is constantly improving, and these advancements are empowering photographers to push the boundaries and explore new styles of photography. A new style that has recently emerged reinvents the classic, pan and pace. Using a low shutter speed and a steady hand, this style allows photographers to focus on the subject – typically a lead locomotive – and track its movement through the viewfinder at the same speed. End results show a tack sharp subject with blurred foreground and backgrounds. Pan shots are more challenging as the photographer is typically stationary, while pacing is easier – providing you have a driver – as you parallel the subject, matching its speed. The results are often dramatic and evoke the essence of machinery and speed.
But today, this classic style is reaching new heights – literally – as photographers apply the same principles, though from the air using aerial drones. This makes achieving the end result more complicated. There are a few initial observations that make this a challenging style to execute.
1) Without the benefits of viewfinders, photographers must gauge the subject’s speed through a smartphone remotely connected to the drone’s controller or via another LCD screen. This is not as easy as physically eyeing the train and using a viewfinder to match its speed of motion. There is also the idea that shutter lag, or delay, may skew the focal point if the train’s speed differs from the drone.
2) Photographers must be familiar with the aerial territory to ensure no unexpecting obstructions are in the path of the pace. Towering obstructions in the vicinity of the pace limit the window of opportunity.
And 3) leveraging a slow shutter speed, oftentimes, 1/10th or 1/15th of a second, absorbs more ambient light, overexposing a photo unless photographers combat this with ultra-low ISO speeds or a high aperture, narrowing the amount of light. Not all drones are this sophisticated (yet), meaning the style of photography could be mostly limited to low-light conditions for some picture takers.
But one photographer has pioneered in this field, and I was eager to learn more about his success and experimentation with this dramatic style.
Aerial photography with Brandon Fiume:
Q: How many experiments did it take before you were content with your first aerial pace shot?
A: I’ll admit, I had significant beginner’s luck. During the first two days of trying to pace trains, I had a high success rate of one sharp photo for every two flights with each flight producing about a dozen frames. In fact, the first train that I shot yielded a sharp, well-exposed photo. I was certainly surprised that it worked on the first try, and I certainly underestimated the difficulty to reliably capture trains in this manner. Subsequent attempts have been less than fruitful, and I’ve had several outings where I didn’t produce a single usable image from an entire day of attempts.
Q: I understand the concept of slow shutter speed, high aperture, but how are you able to execute this in daylight without overexposing the composition and losing detail?
A: My drone has a fixed aperture of f/2.8, which makes controlling exposure quite difficult since I can only adjust shutter speed and the ISO. To compensate for a slow shutter speed, I use a series of fixed neutral density filters from ND16 to ND2000. The filters allow me to shoot up to 1 second in broad daylight and having a range of filters allows me to compensate for various lighting conditions. When the sun moves behind a cloud, I can only compensate by decreasing the shutter speed to ensure proper exposure since I cannot change filters mid-flight.
Q: What is your biggest challenge you have faced with this style of photography and what could be improved (by drone manufacturers) to make this process easier?
A: The biggest challenge is certainly trying to keep pace with the train, it requires a lot of precision with the controls to not only synchronize the speed and direction with the train, but also keep the train at the right point within the frame, all within a finite amount of straight track and flying range. If I’m flying faster than the train, I have to decrease my speed to let the train catch up, and then speed back up. If I’m flying slower than the train, I have to increase my speed which may not be possible due to maximum speed of the drone. Time is of the essence with this process; a long process will yield fewer frames.
Many photographers have asked about using autonomous flight modes that can track the subject, and many are under the impression that the tracking features can be used for pacing shots. The active tracking modes can only be used for video, and the current implementation favors following the subject from behind and favors panning. Within the current technology, pacing trains is not possible using the flight modes. When a frame is captured during an autonomous flight mode, the video feed is interrupted, causing the drone to cease tracking the train and hover.
I would love to have the ability to have an adjustable cruise control, similar to that on an automobile. It would make the matching of the train’s speed significantly easier, and I wouldn’t have to worry about maintaining the speed.
Fiume is currently flying with a DJI Air 2S and his photography is published on his website here.
A doctored image has been repeatedly shared in Urdu-language tweets and Facebook posts that falsely claim it shows the “US ambassador to Pakistan” posing after hunting Pakistan’s national animal, the markhor goat. The original photo has appeared in multiple reports about an American man who supposedly paid tens of thousands of dollars to hunt the markhor in Pakistan. This photo had been digitally altered to insert the image of the US consul general in Lahore — not the US ambassador as the posts claim.
“This photo is a true reflection of Pakistan’s situation,” reads part of the Urdu-language caption to the doctored image shared on Twitter on December 24, 2022.
“The markhor is lying under the American ambassador just like [Pakistan’s secret service] are also lying under American policies,” it adds.
The image purports to show US diplomat William Makaneole posing with a markhor, a large mountain goat with distinctive spiralling horns.
Makaneole is the US consul general in Pakistan’s second most populous city Lahore. The US ambassador to Pakistan is Donald Blome — whose photo is shown here.
The post circulated as tensions grew between the United States and Pakistan following the ousting of former prime minister Imran Khan in a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Khan has alleged that his ousting was orchestrated by the United States in a “regime change” conspiracy, and that the current leadership is an “imported government of crooks”.
Analysts say no evidence has proven this, but the anti-America message resonates deeply in parts of Pakistan.
Screenshot of the doctored image shared on Twitter. Taken January 13, 2023
The doctored image was also shared in similar posts on Twitter here, here and here; and on Facebook here, here, here, here and here.
But the original photo does not show Makaneole; it has circulated since at least 2016 in reports about foreign trophy hunters in Pakistan.
American trophy hunter
Google reverse image and keyword searches found the photo published in a report by the local news organisation Pamir Times on December 15, 2016.
The photo is uncaptioned, but the report reads: “Fred Rich, a hunter from Texas USA, successfully hunted a Markhor trophy in Chitral today.”
“The US national paid USD 100,000 to get the trophy,” it adds.
Pakistan’s national animal has been classed as “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but hunting is allowed for people willing to shell out tens of thousands of dollars for a trophy hunting permit.
AFP reported that these permits provide a financial incentive for local communities to prevent poaching.
The photo was also published in a report on markhor trophy hunting by The Express Tribune newspaper on November 27, 2018.
Neither the Pamir Times nor The Express Tribune mentions trophy hunting permits being bought by American diplomats.
A similar photo from a different angle was posted on Twitter here by journalist Benazir Samad on December 29, 2016.
“#Markhor trophy hunting #Chitral: American citizen Fred Rich obtained the hunting permit from the #wildlife department for US $100000,” reads the tweet.
Below is a screenshot comparison of the doctored image (left) and the photo that appeared in the Pamir Times in 2016 (right):
Screenshot comparison
Makaneole’s image
A search on the verified Facebook page of the US Consulate General Lahore found Makaneole’s image was taken from this photo published on February 24, 2022.
The caption to the album that contains the photo reads: “CG Makaneole participates in the launch ceremony of PakTESOL, a platform for the Pakistani English Language Teaching (ELT) community in collaboration with Allama Iqbal Open University and University of Education Lahore.”
Below is a screenshot comparison of the doctored image (left) and Makaneole’s photo published by the consulate (right):
Screenshot comparison
A spokesperson from Makaneole’s office also told AFP the altered image was “fake”.
“The image is not Consul General Makaneole. He has not hunted in Pakistan, and no diplomat currently serving at the U.S. Consulate in Lahore has gone hunting in Pakistan,” Karl Rogers, spokesperson from the US Consulate General Lahore, said on January 14, 2023.
Online posts carrying the doctored image were also debunked by Pakistan’s Geo News here.
A brilliant green comet passing through the inner solar system has captivated astrophotographers and may even become visible to the unaided eye soon.
The comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is making its first trip near Earth since the Stone Age in late January and early February. It was last seen 50,000 years ago and won’t be seen again for millennia once it’s gone. The comet made its closest approach to the sun on Jan. 12 and will make its closest approach to Earth on Feb. 2.
Astrophotographers around the world have been watching the comet as it crosses the northeastern sky. According to NASA, the best time to search for the comet is at dawn. You read our guide to observing comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) to learn how to spot it in telescopes or binoculars.
Related: Amazing photos of gorgeously green Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) (opens in new tab)
“Hopefully, this beautiful comet will brighten your New Year,” astrophotographer John Chumack of Yellow Springs, Ohio wrote in an email while sharing a stunning photo taken on Dec. 29. “You can see the nucleus, the nice green coma, the (brown) dust tail, and also the faint ion tail going off to the right.”
Chumack, who shares his astrophotography at his website GalacticImages.com (opens in new tab), used a TPO 12 inch F4 Newtonian telescope, ZWO 294MC cooled cmos camera, L-pro filter, Bisque ME mount and other gear to capture this image, which is made up of a dozen 2-second images combined.
If you’re hoping to observe C/2022 E3 (ZTF), we have guides on the best telescopes and best binoculars that can help. Be sure to check out our guide on how to photograph the moon, as well our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography to get started.
A photo of comet C/2022 E3 ZTF taken on Dec. 26, 2022 in Payson, Arizona by Chris Schur. (Image credit: Chris Schur)
Astrophotographer Chris Schur captured a stunning view of the comet in all its green glory while observing from Payton, Arizona on Dec. 26 in what amounted to a belated cosmic Christmas gift.
“Here is a really deep hour and a half exposure of the comet, showing the colors of the dust tail very well and a long tortured gas tail,” Schur said if his image in an email. He used a 10-inch f/3.9 GSO astrograph and ASI OSC CMOS camera to capture the image. You can see more of Schur’s astrophotography at his website (opens in new tab).
Photographer Darshna Ladva of London, UK, captured this image of the comet C/2022 E3 (ZFT) on Jan. 11, 2023 in the predawn sky. (Image credit: Darshna Ladva)
Amateur astronomer Darshna Ladva captured a view of the comet on Jan. 11 from London in the United Kingdom and wrote Space.com to share “my image of the beautiful comet that is passing through our skies.”
“I managed to get some clear skies on the morning of the 11th and it’s a beautiful comet,” Ladva wrote in an email. “Can’t wait to image it again.”
Ladva used an Altair Astro 60EDF 360mm telescope, Skywatcher EQ6-Pro mount, Nikon D5500camera and other gear to create the image, which is made up of several observations taken at 30-second, 60-second and 120-second exposures over 2.5 hours. You can find more of their astrophotography on Instagram (opens in new tab) and on Facebook at Darshna Ladva Photography (opens in new tab).
A NASA image showing the path of comet C/2022 E3 ZTF across the January sky for the Northern Hemisphere. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
The comet has taken Twitter by storm as well. Even actor Tim Russ, who portrayed the Vulcan Tuvok on “Star Trek: Voyager” amid many other roles, spotted the icy wanderer.
Grabbed an image of Comet E3 ZTF, early in the morning . pic.twitter.com/aF4mJVQy1OJanuary 12, 2023
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“Grabbed an image of Comet E3 ZTF, early in the morning,” Russ wrote on Twitter Thursday (Jan. 12). He used a Unistellar telescope to capture the image. Read our Unistellar eVscope 2 telescope review to learn more about the scope.
Astrophysicist Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project in Ceccano, Italy captured a striking view of the comet, showing its dusty coma and nucleus with its tail swept back.
This is the comet we are talking about these days: C/2022 E3 ZTF. #c2022e3 #ztfWe will show it live, online, on 13 Jan., starting at 04:00 UTC. Join at the link below from the comfort of your home!https://t.co/SAK38rFqdL pic.twitter.com/y6sfaZ8zQKJanuary 12, 2023
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Masi is hosting free live webcasts of comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in January and February to track its progress across the night sky. You can see the webcasts at the Virtual Telescope Project website (opens in new tab).
Austrian comet photographer Michael Jäger shared some dazzling images of comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) on Twitter that must be seen to be believed. You can check them out here and see more on this Twitter page @Komet123Jager (opens in new tab).
Two astrograph one image – C/2022 E3 (ZTF) 2023 jan 12 UT 6.15 11″ RASA QHY 600 7x90sec and Leica-Apo-Telyt F-280/4 Nikon Z50mod 5x150sec ISO 800 Michael Jäger pic.twitter.com/fbDndYIzqFJanuary 12, 2023
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C/2022 E3 (ZTF) 2023 jan 12 4.50 UT 6x90sec 11″ RASA QHY600 field 3×2° Michael Jäger pic.twitter.com/isTWEbE0OvJanuary 12, 2023
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You can see more amazing photos of comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in our gallery and we’ll keep tracking the comet’s brightness as it makes its closest approach to Earth on Feb. 2.
Editor’s Note: If you snap the comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), and would like to share it with Space.com’s readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to [email protected].
Email Tariq Malik at [email protected] or follow him @tariqjmalik (opens in new tab). Follow us @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab), Facebook (opens in new tab) and Instagram.
Here are the 22 interesting and funny stories about kids shared by their dads. There is an online community on Reddit called “Daddit” with around 575K members.
“This is a subreddit for Dads. Single Dads, new Dads, Step-Dads, tall Dads, short Dads, and any other kind of Dad. If you’ve got kids in your life that you love and provide for, come join us as we discuss everything from birth announcements to code browns in the shower.”
Here you can find 22 funny and interesting stories about kids Scroll down and enjoy yourself. All photos are linked and lead to the sources from which they were taken. Please feel free to explore further works of these photographers on their collections or their personal sites.
#1. “My son venting his emotions this morning”
Source: pesqules
#2. “This is how we found our son sleeping this morning… Poor guy, he’s fighting off a cold.”
Source: 25964167
#3. “Put this on Reddit and he’ll be a meme in 24 hours”
Source: pesqules
#4. “Alright, I’m done with these kids. I was so proud thinking he ate all his lunch”
Source: _Tigglebitties
#5. “I vaguely remember having privacy before kids. Very vaguely.”
Source: GorillaLibrarianship
#6. “Just found this in my son’s room. What should I do?!”
Source: elbartodespringfield
#7. “About to have our second son, which way do you carry the baby option 1 or option 2?”
Source: TheAtomicPlayboy
#8. “My wife isn’t talking to me because I told her our daughter ate a battery.”
Source: TheAtomicPlayboy
#9. “I just love it that children that age belief they are invisible hiding like this.”
Source: blickkyvek
#10. Grateful to work from home
Source: bryanx92
#11. “Wife tried to shame me on Facebook, but all I feel is proud of my invention”
Source: amaurer3210
#12. Three kids in one pic
Source: playswithwood
#13. “During my Thursday raid night he asked to sit in my lap, then just made himself at home and fell asleep.”
Source: Lt_Lysol
#14. “Was playing a video game with My son. My daughter was behind me giggling the whole time. This was the end result… I feel beautiful.”
Source: ryinzana
#15. “My daughter insists on wearing my socks, but only the ones that have her face all over them”
Source: JohnnyEvs
#16. “How I eat candy around my kids”
Source: No_Brilliant_638
#17. “Guess I’m princess Dada now”
Source: Gr8ValuDeanW-NchestR
#18. “I don’t have a lot of friends but I really want to tell someone. My little guy lost his first tooth!”
Source: MlntyFreshDeath
#19. “My six year old daughter has been asking for months to have a mohawk like her daddy. I cut it for her today. My kid is a right badass.”
Source: KiltedRonin
#20. “The struggle is real. Men’s bathrooms need changing tables.”
Source: mk4rim
#21. “Baby 3 arrived home yesterday. I told son 2 to not get too close. His solution.”
Source: jtalaiver
#22. “You aren’t a real father until you strike down your own children for not joining you to rule the galaxy.”
Norwalk is a populous city in Los Angeles County, California.
It’s a bustling residential district just several miles from Downtown Los Angeles, allowing this place to blossom into a great community with a strong local economy.
While not mainly known for its tourism, Norwalk has a couple of exciting parks and city attractions that make for a great day trip when visiting Los Angeles.
Lots of its underrated spots are free of charge, so you’ll have no problems adjusting your budget to visit the city.
Here’s a list of the free things to do in Norwalk, California:
Kick Back and Relax at Norwalk Park
Northwalker, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Norwalk Park is one of the epicenters of the community, known for various free amenities you can enjoy as a visitor.
If you’re into skateboarding, Norwalk Park has a decent skatepark that doubles as a BMX biking area.
It’s also a common place to kick back and enjoy a nice clear day in California, as it has plenty of benches and greenery.
Northwalker, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Several other free attractions are within walking distance from Norwalk Park, making this a must-visit if you’re planning to go.
You can find this city park along Norwalk’s Sproul Street, parallel to the Santa Ana Freeway.
See the Historic Gilbert Sproul Museum
Gilbert Sproul Museum is one of the city’s greatest historical treasures, found within Norwalk Park.
Gilbert Sproul is considered the first resident in Norwalk, with his house dating back to 1870.
Now, you can see this historic home, once a ranch around 400-plus acres in size.
You can take photos of this beautiful house, which is fenced in the corner of Norwalk Park.
Then, you can also go on tours where you can see the 19th-century artifacts that mostly show the lifestyle of Sproul that revolved around his ranch.
One of the highlights of this tour is the house’s kitchen, which is neatly preserved to its 1870 appearance.
If you’re raring to tour the Gilbert Sproul Museum, time your trip accordingly, as the city government only holds it every first Sunday of the month.
Bring the Kids to Holifield Park
Northwalker, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Holifield Park is another public park in Norwalk with something unique in store if you’re traveling with the little ones.
Equipped with modern and intricately designed playgrounds, Holifield Park isn’t your run-of-the-mill playground.
What makes this an exciting attraction for children is its unique rocket ship-like play structure, along with a kiddie zipline that’s sure to bring out the joy in many children.
Northwalker, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
There are more things to do here for the adults, including a basketball court and a baseball field.
The field, in particular, is a popular spot for city tournaments and leagues, so that you may stumble upon a live game during your visit.
Holifield Park can be found along Excelsior Drive.
Northwalker, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Check Out Local Art at Mary Paxon Art Gallery
Mary Paxon Art Gallery is another attraction you can visit for free that’s just a stone’s throw away from Norwalk Park.
Located inside the city’s Cultural Arts Center, Mary Paxon Art Gallery houses various artworks done by the promising local talent of Norwalk.
If you’re wondering who the gallery’s namesake is, it’s a member of the Norwalk Arts Commission and one of the greatest artists to hail from the city.
You’ll find all sorts of art mediums here, ranging from paintings to sculptures of all kinds.
As a fantastic place for art enthusiasts, Mary Paxon Art Gallery won’t take much of your time, making this a great addition to your Norwalk itinerary.
See the Architecture at Norwalk Civic Center
Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com
Norwalk Civic Center is in the heart of Norwalk’s business district, in the stretch of Norwalk Boulevard.
As one of the green, open spaces in the business district, Norwalk Civic Center is a great stopover before or after you do some urban exploration.
The civic center is intricately designed and constructed to harmonize its aesthetic with its neighboring buildings, such as Norwalk City Hall and Norwalk Courthouse.
There are a couple of exciting statues and some benches, with a generally peaceful ambiance.
If you’re lucky, you may stumble upon an event, as Norwalk Civic Center is one of the most popular places where locals congregate.
Enjoy Recreational Activities at Gerdes Park
Gerdes Park is located along Gridley Road, one of Norwalk’s best recreational spaces.
Sports is an everyday activity in this sizable park among its locals, particularly baseball and basketball, thanks to its great courts and fields.
There are even bleachers in this park, which is great if you’re not looking to play but would like to sit back and enjoy watching a local game.
Besides, Gerdes Park is another famous spot for picnics and barbecues because of its proximity to the residential areas of Norwalk.
There is lots of greenery and a kiddie playground, making this one of the best all-rounders for families.
Enjoy Quiet Time at Norwalk Library
Northwalker, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Norwalk Library is another nearby destination just a few steps away from Norwalk Civic Center.
The public library offers one of the best locations for a quiet place to do some work or spend a few hours in peace.
There are computers and study tables to help you get the job done, along with a professional staff ready to help.
The brutalist architecture of Norwalk Library also gives it a unique aesthetic that should be a great addition to your photo gallery.
The Norwalk Library is a great all-rounder for families looking to spend a few quiet hours.
Learn Local History at the D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum
Once the home of one of the first families to settle in Norwalk, the D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum is an essential piece of Norwalk history.
This historic home was built in 1891 by Darius David Johnston, credited with pioneering Norwalk’s first school system and investing in its first real industry: a cheese factory.
Today, this Victorian Eastlake-style house contains the Johnston-Hargitt family’s heirlooms and memorabilia, offering a unique glimpse into local history.
Beautifully preserved, the D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum is Norwalk’s only nationally registered landmark.
Visit in the afternoons on the first and third Saturdays of the month to join free docent-led tours that bring the house to life.
This fantastic museum can be found along Mapledale Street near Holifield Park.
See the Holiday Carnival at Norwalk Town Square
Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com
The Norwalk Town Square is one of the most popular destinations in Norwalk, and its yearly Holiday Carnival is the highly anticipated events in the city.
As free event geared towards children and parents, the Holiday Carnival features a unique set of festivities highlighted by the city’s own Santa Claus.
In previous years, the entrance of Santa Claus was pretty crazy, as he arrived to see the children via helicopter!
Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com
Activities abound during the Holiday Carnival for children, and the festivities make this event a feel-good place even for adults.
Even if you’re not going during Christmas, there are plenty more year-round events at Norwalk Town Square.
You can find Norwalk Town Square along Pioneer Boulevard.
Hang Out at Robert White Park
Another famous city park in Norwalk is Robert White Park, which you can find along Hoxie Avenue.
Geared towards the nearby residential areas of Norwalk, Robert White Park is an excellent city park known for its basketball courts, walking trails, and playgrounds.
Robert White Park is a great place to take your dogs for a nice walk.
The park also gets plenty of shade in the afternoon, making this a popular hangout spot and picnic ground.
Add this park to your itinerary for a place to spend some downtime during your visit.
Other Nearby Things to Do
Explore the El Dorado Nature Center
RingDeer Enterprises / Shutterstock.com
El Dorado Nature Center is one of Norwalk’s best nearby attractions that won’t cost you a single penny, only a 12-minute drive south of the city.
Found in Long Beach, California, El Dorado Nature Center is a haven for nature enthusiasts because its sprawling lands are home to diverse flora and fauna.
Its hiking trails are its bread and butter, offering some of the best areas to do nature photography.
Demi Lucas, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You’ll find lush woodlands, lakes, and creeks along the hiking trails that span around three miles long.
There’s also a visitor center here with exhibits.
Take Photos of the Old South Gate Train Bridge
Norwalk is close to the Los Angeles River, and one of the best places to see the river is the Old South Gate Train Bridge.
This bridge is in Los Angeles, California, 18 minutes from Norwalk.
This area isn’t your run-of-the-mill tourist attraction, as it’s more for the curious adventurer into the abandoned aesthetic and photography.
As an extremely rundown trestle bridge, Old South Gate Train Bridge is a fantastic place to do some rustic photography involving the Los Angeles River.
It’s full of rust and graffiti, and the place generally feels desolate, giving you a unique experience as you explore this area.
It’s a great place to ride a bike as well, as there are tracks here that locals use.
Old South Gate Train Bridge makes a fantastic addition if you’re in the mood for something quirky during your trip.
Bring Your Dog to Hollydale Regional Park
Close to the Old Gate South Bridge, Hollydale Regional Park is a more family-oriented place along the Los Angeles River that’s only 13 minutes from Norwalk.
One of the unique aspects of this place is its dog park, which Norwalk doesn’t have.
Here, you can let your dog run loose without spending any fee.
The greenery is spacious and a popular place to socialize your dogs in case they’re still in their training stage.
Besides the dog park, Hollydale Regional Park has substantial open spaces popular for sports and picnics.
Ride a Bike at Wilderness Park
Eight minutes from Norwalk lies Wilderness Park, found in the neighboring city of Downey, California.
Unlike the parks in Norwalk, Wilderness Park offers sprawling biking trails thanks to its sizable area.
The place is one of the most gorgeous treasures near the immediate area of Norwalk because of its picturesque ponds hosting ducks and geese.
It’s also right along the San Gabriel River, accentuating its natural beauty even more.
You can easily jog or stroll around this beautiful park.
Visit the Whittier Museum
Located just 15 minutes from Norwalk is the Whittier Museum in the city of Whittier, California.
As a museum with free admission, this is one of the best museums in Los Angeles County to learn about its urban history.
You’ll find many artifacts and relics dating as far back as the 19th century in this quaint museum.
A couple of art exhibits are also in Whittier Museum.
This small museum should be a fantastic addition to your itinerary.
Final Thoughts
While Norwalk isn’t mainly a famous tourist hotspot, many things to do in the city and surrounding areas warrant a spot in your itinerary.
If you’re convinced to go, use this list of the free things to do in Norwalk, California, as your budget-friendly guide.
Plan your trip today!
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The megapixel war among smartphones is entering a new phase in 2023. And it will be all about flexing the 200-megapixel lenses. The jury is out on whether this is going to be good or bad for the user, but one thing is for sure—it’s a trend whose time has come, especially when perhaps the most coveted Android phone, the arch nemesis of the iPhone, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, is rumoured to be getting one of these sensors.
The same trend continued when smartphones started displacing the digital camera for the average customer. It first started withthe pre-iPhone period, when Nokia and Sony Ericsson often battled for the top honours. Then the iPhone came along in 2007. By 2009, Android, with its armada of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), was redefining what a smartphone should be. But in those early days, neither the iPhone nor Android had good cameras.
Even though people desired phones with Android, iOS, or Blackberry OS, Nokia still had the camera feature as its trump card. But that started to shift when Apple launched the iPhone 4 in 2010 with a 5-megapixel camera that Steve Jobs described as the “closest kin of a vintage Leica camera.”
Even in the early 2010s, Nokia’s N8 and the 808 PureView continued to have the best cameras. The PureView 808 debuted with a 41-megapixel camera, which was even unheard of in DSLRs in 2012. Effectively, that phone only shot images at 5 megapixels using a trick called “pixel binning.”
As we enter 2023, 50-megapixel camera systems have become commonplace on smartphones. Since 2020, 108-megapixel cameras have also become quite common. The year 2022 was also the period when Apple joined the party with a 48-megapixel camera on the iPhone 14 Pro models. But the same year, we also saw a few models that launched with a 200-megapixel camera, a resolution that’s not excessive but ridiculous by any metric. My last column for ThePrint is about the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, which also has a 200-megapixel camera.
Also read: Samsung Smart TV, AMD processors—all that debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show this week
Samsung’s 200-megapixel gambit
Samsung is expected to announce Galaxy S23 Ultra on 1 February at a Galaxy Unpacked event. When a high-profile product integrates such technology, it’s a sign of validation. The industry usually follows suit.
Samsung went from 12-megapixel cameras on its flagship Galaxy S line of phones in 2019 to 108-megapixel sensors in 2020. It took Samsung two more years to perfect its 108-megapixel camera system. According to DXOMark, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, with its score of 135, has the 13th-best camera system on a smartphone. Samsung has some catching up to do.
Since 2021, its imaging division has come up with 200-megapixel sensors.HP1 andHP3mobile camera sensors have already been used by Xiaomi and Motorola. As Samsung’s camera business is the 2nd largest supplier of camera sensors in the smartphone industry, its technology is bound to show up in several gadgets.
Also read: Becoming disabled-friendly is what makes phones truly smart. Manufacturers are listening
Samsung ISOCELL HP series
HP1 was announced in 2021, though it showed up first on phones like the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Xiaomi 12T Pro in 2022. In June, Samsung introduced HP3,which has now found its way onto the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+. As highlighted in my column, I found the camera performance to be excellent for a phone in the sub-Rs 30,000 category. I also noted that theGoogle Pixel 6Acomes with a humble 12-megapixel snapper that provides superior still photography chops.
With these high-resolution sensors, Samsung is trying to bend the laws of physics using “pixel binning.” It’s a technique that combines adjoining sub-pixels within a camera sensor to create a superpixel. The idea here isn’t to shoot 200-megapixel photographs in most situations.
Smartphone cameras are tiny. The higher the resolution, vis-à-vis the size of the sensor, the individual sub-pixels become smaller and hence are less light sensitive. On phones, the sensor size is more important than the overall megapixels. Even the size of the aperture is more important than the megapixel count.
On Redmi Note 12 Pro+, the 1/1.4-inch sensor divided by 200 megapixels provides 0.56um sub-pixels that may not be effective in low light. Therefore, 200 megapixels is overkill for any scenario, apart from exaggerated cropping for lossless photos at a lower resolution.
Usually, HP3 shoots 50-megapixel photos using “pixel binning” with 1.12um sub-pixels. Users can also shoot at 12.5 megapixels, with the sub-pixel size again doubling. The iPhone had a 12-megapixel camera until 2021, and the Galaxy S10 was similar until 2019. The 12.5-megapixel photos captured with 2.24um sub-pixels are very light-sensitive. That’s why the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has excellent low-light performance.
It should be noted that HP3 probably isn’t the new sensor for flagship phones. Its biggest pitch over HP1 is that it retains the 200-megapixel resolution in a sensor that’s 20 per cent smaller. It means that HP3 is adept for slim phones that are affordable and that it could show up in many other sub-Rs 30,000 phones.
HP1 has 200 megapixels with a 1/1.22-inch sensor, one that’s bigger than the iPhone 14 Pro (1/1.28-inches), but also has larger 0.64um sub-pixels than HP3. The larger sensor, when paired with more capable silicon, would capture better images. But it could have a successor.
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ISOCELL HP2 for Galaxy S23 Ultra
Rumours suggest that Samsung has an ISOCELL HP2 sensor up its sleeve that could debut in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. This sensor could be larger than the 1/1.4-inch sensor on HP3, even if it is not as large as HP1. It could be as big as HM3 1/1.33-inch sensor on the current Galaxy S22 Ultra.
There is also chatter that it could implement “pixel binning” in a way that it takes 35-megapixel resolution photos, a number needed for 8K video. Of course, Samsung’s phones have had 8K videos for the last couple of years, but the footage hasn’t been very usable.
But the S23 Ultra could make that a reality. Would that mean much to the end user? Not much. 4K is plenty good. This sensor could help with better 4K video, an area in which Android phones have lagged behind the iPhone for a decade.
Samsung is already teasing some of the new capabilities of the S23 camera system. It is hinting at an astrophotography mode which will need a camera that is exceptional in the dark so that it can expose the galactic core in the night skyline.
So this new sensor could have a superior camera system to the S22 Ultra.
But don’t hold your breath on this type of camera showing up on an iPhone. Apple likes to use bespoke sensors made by Sony just for the iPhone. Sony doesn’t make a 200-megapixel mobile sensor.
Sahil Mohan Gupta is a Delhi-based technology journalist. He tweets @DigitallyBones. Views are personal.
Photography aficionados will need extra stamina to explore the seven exhibitions spread over three floors at the launch of the Centre for British Photography in central London on January 26.
Principally, the 8,000-square-foot space on Jermyn Street will house the Hyman Collection, the private collection of Claire and James Hyman widely considered one of the world’s major repositories of British photography. Over 3,000 significant works by more than 100 artists—such as Bill Brandt, Cecil Beaton, and Martin Parr—since 1900 are included. Until now, it was only available to view online.
The center will give a historical overview of British photography and—importantly—present the diverse landscape of British photography as it exists today. “There is no venue specifically dedicated to artists working in photography in Britain,” Founding Director James Hyman told Artnet News.
“While institutions such as Tate and the V&A have extraordinary, encyclopedic collections, they are not devoted to photography, or to British photography,” he continued. “We have one of the most substantial collections of British photography, which we wish to make more public.”
Natasha Caruana, Fairy Tale for Sale (2011-2013). Courtesy of the Centre for British Photography, London.
The new center, Hyman said, is “committed to presenting a diverse view of photographic practice in Britain,” which the opening program embodies. One of the major opening shows takes its name from Bill Brandt’s seminal publication of 1935, The English at Home, presenting over 150 works that explore the central place of the home in 20th-century British photography.
In “powerful contrast” to this is the group show “Headstrong.” Curated by Fast Forward—a research group designed to promote and engage with women and non-binary people in photography across the globe—the show will focus on recent self-portraits by women working in photography.
Trish Morrissey, Pretty Ogre (2011), part of “Headstrong. Courtesy of the Centre for British Photography, London.
“This exhibition foregrounds artists and photographers who have been using self-portraiture as a tool to crack open the oppressive, often punishing nature of patriarchy,” explained Anna Fox, Director of Fast Forward. “From exposing cyberbullies to exploring the multiplicity of female identity, these portraits reinvent outdated concepts of how we should behave, how we should be, and what we can become.”
The center will also reopen with three solo exhibitions by Heather Agyepong, Jo Spence, and Natasha Caruana. “Each show is different but, by putting these artists together—each of whom uses theater and performance—connections can be drawn,” Hyman said to Artnet News.
The new center is for anyone with an interest in photography—amateur or professional. It will be free to visit year round, and will present self-generated exhibitions, shows led by independent curators and organizations, as well as monographic displays, events, and talks. “We hope visitors will get a sense of the incredible range and diversity of historical as well as contemporary photography in Britain,” added Hyman.
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Trees are one of the primary focuses of landscape photography, and for good reason. They’re a crucial component of our natural world and in addition to being largely responsible for producing the air we breathe, and the homes that shield us from the elements, trees convey specific meanings when it comes to their artistic depictions.
The relationship between human beings and trees is a fascinating one, as we survive on the oxygen they produce and they survive on the carbon dioxide we produce. Many of us feel strong connections with trees and nature in general and as such, art lovers everywhere are drawn in by dynamic and mysterious images of trees. Not only does beautiful tree art add natural elements to a room and add warmth or cold (depending on color schemes), but they do so with intent. They often have deep and profound meaning to the people who collect and display them.
Let’s explore the reasons behind the popularity of trees, both as subject matter in nature and landscape photography and with art collectors themselves along with a dive into what trees symbolize in different forms of artistic expression. From there, I will take you on a visual journey through fifteen photographs of trees that truly capture the majesty of nature and present artistic symbolism without having to say a word.
The gnarled branches of a Japanese maple spread forth a flaming crown in a sculpted garden in Portland, Oregon. Beside a tranquil pond, the winding footpaths and soft beds of moss are scattered with the gold and crimson stars from this dazzling display. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
Symbolism & Meaning of Tree Photography
Depending on the type of tree depicted and the cultural influences of both the photographer and viewer, trees can represent different things depending on the viewer..
For example, the Norse saw trees as a symbol of connection between Earth and the nearby divine realms. One specific tree in Norse mythology, an ash named Yggdrasil, represented the entirety of the known universe to this culture. Yggdrasil was believed to connect all nine realms that Norse people believed to exist, thus tethering all of existence together.
Similarly, Ancient Jews examined the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge depicted in the scripture as representations of creation and the philosophy resulting from it.
Thousands of years ago in China, when the written and spoken language was new, the natural world influenced the development of vocabulary. The sturdiness and semi-permanent existence of a tree sheds light on why the word “willow” and the words “to stay” in Mandarin sound so similar. Additionally, the waving of wispy willow tree branches in the breeze was mentioned in Chinese poetry as a means to say goodbye.
Furthermore, in both the Eastern and Western worlds, trees can personify people and events that take place in human life. In China, fatherhood is often represented visually by Chinese Toon trees, while in western cultures, fathers are compared to oak trees.
In addition to the bright elements of life, trees can also represent the end of the cycle. Cypress and pine trees, for example, symbolized sorrow, grief, and death in Chinese literature.
The Tree of Life | Meaning & Symbolism
A popular and specific tree image that’s rooted itself into the art world, no pun intended, is the Tree of Life. This tree’s appearance differs somewhat from one culture to the next, but in general, the symbolism remains quite uniform.
Tree of Life images often portray a tree with far-reaching branches and spread out roots. In some of these images, the roots and branches come together to encircle the rest of the image. Images that portray similarly spread roots and branches create a mirror effect, which represents nature’s divine balance. Life comes into the world. It eats, it grows, it dies, and then it feeds the Earth to generate the next cycle.
Images that portray the roots and branches connected and weaved into a circle represent the interconnectivity of everything in nature. The existence of everything has an effect on everything else in terms of how we live, what we eat, and where our food and water come from. Nature’s web points to the idea that nothing exists alone, and what affects one community will affect every other in some way.
As an extension of the observations made about the natural world, the Tree of Life can also symbolize knowledge, a type of immortality, existence, family, enlightenment, peace, and strength. These variations are due to the fact that the Tree of Life is known in Judaism, Wicca, Paganism, Buddhism, and an array of other faiths and cultures.
The brilliant foliage of an old maple appears almost pink in the depths of a chill autumn day in Sammamish, Washington. Hardwoods, like shadowy spirits, emerge mysteriously from the shroud of fog beyond. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
The Symbolism of Specific Trees
We’ve covered the tree of life, but to delve further into tree symbolism in photography, we need to explore the representations of specific species of trees. While trees in general symbolize elements of life and nature, certain trees (and bushes) have their own meanings.
Several tree species carry more than one meaning. The Rowan Tree, for example, represents life and existence in general. The Myrtle mentioned above represents both joy and love. Oak, truffle, and hazel represent a combination of faith, courage, wisdom, and inspiration.
In addition, while Pagans of ancient times and today view trees in general as a representation of the natural world, yew trees held a special place in Pagan culture as a symbol of death and rebirth. Areas with copses of yew trees were considered sacred and Pagans routinely planted new yew trees in locations they planned to designate as hallowed ground for ceremonies, burials, and rituals.
15 Stunning Examples of Tree Photography
Now that we’ve taken an in-depth look at the influence of culture in tree symbolism, the meanings connected to famous tree symbols, and the ways certain tree types can carry with them their own unique meanings, you’re equipped to explore the symbolism present in tree photography with an informed eye.
Let’s explore fifteen dynamic and stunning photographs of trees. When looking upon these images, think about the meaning depicted in each shot. How do the trees captured affect the mood and overall message the photograph is attempting to convey? What does each mean to you?
Nebulas of scarlet stars erupt from the twisted branches of an old Japanese maple in a garden in Portland, Oregon. A brilliant flash of fire, the autumn boughs make the surrounding beds of moss seem almost to glow. Fine Art Limited Edition of 200.
Towering Aspen and Silver Birch trees intertwine to create a wall of autumn splendor on Last Dollar Road between Telluride and Ridgway in Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Lines of maples form the nave of a living church along a quiet country road near Snoqualmie, Washington. Traces of red and gold show here and there among the canopy, an early sign of fall on the way. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A tangled web of skeletal branches lace together the ashen trunks of a grove of aspen near Leavenworth, Washington. Unfazed as yet by the chill of winter, the fiery hues of the autumn undergrowth bleed through a hush of fog. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
A young and fiery Lace Leaf Japanese Maple tree glows in all its autumn glory just inside the gates of the Portland Japanese Garden in Portland Oregon. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Striking white aspen bark, backlit by the glow of the morning sun, reflects across the surface of a pond in Telluride Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A flurry of amber sparks is scattered from the thin branches of a young maple in a Japanese garden in Seattle, Washington. Peering through the gilded veil, a secluded azure pool lies beyond. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A dense stand of quaking aspen sits on the edge of a meadow near Leavenworth, Washington. A brilliant canary yellow spreads through the boughs–a sure sign of cooler weather to come. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Crimson stars dance in the boughs of a gnarled Japanese maple in Portland, Oregon. Beneath its blazing canopy, the old tree shelters its own garden of delicate ferns and emerald mosses. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A rhododendron in bloom spreads its pink blossoms towards the veiled sunlight in the forests of far northern California. Through the diaphanous mist, a grove of coast redwoods stands guard over the lush and fecund gardens of undergrowth. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Golden light from the early morning sun illuminates a forest of beautiful aspen trees at the peak of autumn in Telluride, Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A delicate web of interlaced branches weave together an aspen grove in Washington State. Through the snow-dusted boughs, a few last flashes of gold announce the end of autumn. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
A dense grove of aspen, suffused by a parade of bright gold and scarlet in the heart of winter is transformed by sudden motion. The fecund undergrowth becomes a raging brushfire snarling the grecian fantasy of floating columns like an animate miasma. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Fall aspens, like Grecian columns, reach towards transient puffs of cloud in a brilliant blue sky. When the days grow chill, groves of clonal aspen turn hillsides like this one near Aspen, Colorado into cascades of rippling gold. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
The crooked pride of a Monterey cypress braves the elements on a lonely promontory at Pebble Beach, California. A brief respite is offered by the calm evening, and pillows of pink cloud drift over the far mountains. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Recientemente he tenido el placer de leer el libro «La Cruz del Sur» de mi amigo y compañero de la Agrupación Astronómica Madrid Sur , Roberto López.
Esta novela, ambientada en los viajes de los exploradores navales españoles y portugueses del siglo XVI nos embarcará en la aventura de la búsqueda del paso del sur junto a Magallanes y Elcano de la mano de un entusiasta de la Astronomía, Diego Bernaldo de Quirós.
Durante su viaje iremos descubriendo algunas de las estrellas y constelaciones del hemisferio sur, mientras Diego intenta dar explicaciones a algunas de las preguntas que alguna vez nos hemos hecho todos: ¿Cómo demostrar la redondez de la Tierra? ¿Por qué se mueven los Planetas en el cielo? ¿Cómo se orientaban en medio del océano en la antigüedad?
La Cruz del Sur es un libro de aventuras e intriga salpicada de una agradable conversación científica marcada por el pensamiento de una época donde los límites de la imaginación parecían no tener fin y con un desenlace que no te dejará indiferente, te lo aseguro.
Puedes adquirir este libro en su página web por tan solo 15€.
Is ‘flyover country’ an appropriate moniker for the Midwestern U.S., or other overlooked places in the world? Through photography & poetry, this talk explores that question through inspection of the overlooked or the avoided: rust; thunderstorms; work; everyday people doing everyday things; politics; social class; et cetera.
A lifelong Midwesterner, Justin Hamm is the author of four poetry collections, two poetry chapbooks, and a book of photographs. His most recent book is Drinking Guinness With the Dead: Poems 2007-2021 (Spartan Press 2022) . . .
BLOOMINGTON — Most Midwesterners, like Justin Hamm, can say they once had childhood dreams of leaving their hometowns for somewhere “things are really happening.”
Now 42, Hamm is speaking about how he changed his perspective on life in the Midwest through the power of poetry and lens of a camera. The 1998 graduate of Normal West Community High School was featured in a TEDxOshkosh talk published Wednesday on YouTube, titled, “The American Midwest: A Story in Poems & Photographs.”
Bloomington-native Justin Hamm, in Mexico, Missouri, holds a stack of his poetry books in this provided photo from 2022. He was recently featured in a TEDxOshkosh talk.
FOR THE PANTAGRAPH
Mel Hamm
Hamm, who mainly grew up in Bloomington, theorized before listeners in November 2022 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, that “there really is no such place as nowhere.
Everywhere is somewhere, and everywhere has a story to (it) we can uncover if you learn to use the poet’s or the photographer’s eye.”
Pushing back against negative stereotypes about the region, like the “flyover country” label, he said the Midwest has kept him artistically busy and interested. Some of the prose recited by Hamm told of the beauty of a rust, “the mysteries of barn wood” and forgetting his jockstrap for a double-header baseball game.
Read this Wednesday, June 10, 1998 file story covering a Normal West High School baseball game against Olney High School, including quotes by then-catcher Justin Hamm.
PANTAGRAPH ARCHIVES
The former catcher for the Normal Wildcats chanted verses of “Until Death Do Us Part,” as photo slides showing the exterior of Keller’s Iron Skillet & Catering in Bloomington were displayed. He drew parallels in his poem “Rust — Or Perhaps Fine Art” between decay and impressionist painting.
In a Friday interview with The Pantagraph, he said he tries to take photographs that would make good poems: “Quiet little scenes that illustrate something about the region.”
Watch now: Normal West student, ‘train fanatic’ publishes book in ‘Images of Rail’ series
“Experience another life.”
Hamm explained the title of his latest poetry book, “Drinking Guinness with the Dead.” Drawing from three other previously released books, it was released in March 2022 by Spartan Press, and contains material dated between 2007 and 2021. Hamm said it also has a “book’s worth” of new poems to go with it.
He said one meaning of the title refers to having a few beverages before revising older material. It was weird reading back in time, and he didn’t seem to care or relate to it at first. But Hamm said he didn’t want that to be the case.
He said going back also made him realize he wasn’t doing enough to publicize that work.
Reflecting on his piece titled “A real team effort,” he said he hoped to capture awfully embarrassing moments of adolescence and bring them to life. Hamm said many have told him they can relate.
Poet-photographer and former Bloomington resident Justin Hamm is shown in this 2021 self-portrait.
FOR THE PANTAGRAPH
Justin Hamm
“They get to experience another life for a while,” he said.
That teleportation also extends to his photography work. Showing stills of rusted-out cars, he said countless people have told them that model was the first they owned.
At another poetry reading and photography showing, Hamm said two farmers lectured him about why a particular style of corn crib was built in Central Illinois but not in South Dakota, because of the immigrants who settled in those regions.
Shown in this 2019 photo provided by poet and photographer Justin Hamm, formerly of Bloomington, is a Central Illinois barn.
FOR THE PANTAGRAPH
Justin Hamm
See with different eyes
Hamm said he never left the Midwest. He said he got married and went to school in the region, and moved to Mexico, Missouri, where he currently works as a librarian for Eugene Fields Elementary School. He’s a husband to his wife Mel Hamm, and father to two daughters: Abbey, 13, and 9-year-old Sophie Hamm.
He attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville to play baseball, also where he met his wife, and said he got more involved in the English department after hurting his arm. Hamm also explored fiction writing, but said he knew he “was always a poet at heart.”
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Coming back to poetry over time, he said he found success. He did his masters of fine arts degree at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and followed another Bloomington native who was coaching wrestling in Mexico, Missouri.
Knowing his best friend “Martin” would be there and his wife liked the school district, he said it was a good landing destination. Hamm said they haven’t found any reason to relocate since they moved there in 2005.
Hamm also edited his startup literary magazine, Museum of Americana, for 10 years. Then in 2019, his poem “Goodbye, Sancho Panza“ was studied by 50,000 students worldwide through the World Scholar’s Cup curriculum.
Bloomington couple hope book, school visits improve birthmark awareness
Around 2009, Hamm said his mother died and he had his first child. That’s when he said he realized his roots are in the Midwest, and leaving was not a certainty. Hamm said he thought he’d better start trying to see things with different eyes.
“Everything that happens in this region is a microcosm of the biggest conflicts and struggles, and also the most beautiful things in the world,” he said.
He said these experiences teach us lessons in human psychology, social interactions and the dichotomy of rural versus urban. There are many different perspectives to view through stories and images, he said, like immigrant experiences and sights of beautiful landscapes.
“When I started to stop and pay attention, I realized how deep that history really is,” said Hamm.
To keep up with Hamm, and read or purchase his work, go to justinhamm.net.
Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison
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