Researchers use A.I. to make smiling pet pics — and it’s as creepy as it sounds
Nvidia researchers have created an A.I. program that can give one animal's expression to an entirely different animal -- and the program was trained with fewer photos. Called GANimal, the program is part of an ongoing effort to give computers more imagination.
Goodbye, tedious masks? A.I. is about to make Photoshop selections even faster
Selecting an object for local adjustments in Photoshop is about to get simpler. Adobe is teasing a new Object Selection Tool in Photoshop that uses A.I. to select a single object. Unlike the Select Subject tool, the Object Selection tool works within a user-defined area to select an item.
Canon’s EOS-1D X Mark III wants to squash mirrorless with 20 fps, 10-bit color
Canon has a new flagship coming -- the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III promises the fastest speed yet from the series with a 16 to 20 fps top burst speed. But that's not all the flagship is banking on -- the camera is boasting 10-bit color stills with HEIF and 10-bit 4K at 60 fps with Canon Log.
DxO PhotoLab 3 reinvents the color wheel with new set of HSL controls
DxO PhotoLab 3 ditches adjusting colors in a straight line and instead swaps to a color wheel interface, allowing for more control over color replacement. The updated colors tool also includes controls for uniformity. The updated photo editor also includes enhancements to local adjustment tools.
Hey Alexa, inspire me — Adobe launches new skill aimed at sparking creativity
Are you in a creative rut? The new Adobe Inspiration Engine allows Alexa to be your muse. The Alexa skill allows the virtual assistant to offer inspirational quotes or images, or to walk you through a creative exercise. The free Alexa skill is available beginning October 21.
You’re probably seeing more social media propaganda, but don’t blame the bots
As the amount of social media propaganda climbs, so does the number of different tactics to avoid detection. A recent study from the University of Oxford suggests that more countries use social media accounts run by actual people — including communication firms and hired students — than bots.
The best camera filters for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras
Camera filters are simple accessories that can make a big impact on the quality of your photos -- if you don't buy a dud. So what are the best camera filters for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras? We've rounded up some of the best neutral density filters, graduated filters, and polarizers.
Let the GIF games begin — Giphy Arcade lets you build micro games with stickers
Turn your favorite GIF into a video game character with Giphy's latest tool. Giphy Arcade allows anyone to create and share a video game in just a few clicks by customizing the game with animated stickers as the characters. Giphy Arcade also includes pre-built games to play and share.
Do Threads’ sparse downloads mean Facebook’s best days are in the past?
Instagram Threads only saw a small percentage of downloads in the first week -- so is the new app destined for failure? Data shows a small number of downloads as Threads joins Lasso in the list of Facebook's attempts to captivate Gen Z, both with slower growth than competing apps.
New custom feed tools will help streamline your Pinterest brainstorms
Tired of seeing irrelevant pins and old searches in the Pinterest home feed? Pinterest is rolling out new tools that allow users to control what topics the algorithm uses to generate personalized content. The update also introduces more pin-level control to send feedback on hidden posts.
Millennials would rather raise their credit score than Instagram follower count
The generation currently between the ages of 23 and 38 likes social media -- but not as much as they like a good credit score. A recent survey by Experian suggests most millennials would rather raise their credit score than their number of social media followers, and that many worry about credit scores.
How to photograph kids
Kids create photo-worthy moments -- but their non-stop movement also makes it pretty hard if you don't learn how to photograph kids. From simple steps like shooting from their eye level to the more advanced shooting modes, this guide helps parents capture those fleeting moments of childhood in a frame-worthy way.
What does f/0.98 look like? The Nikon Noct is a monstrous lens you can’t afford
Nikon'sbrightest lens ever is here — so what does f/0.98 look like? The Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct weighs more than four pounds, but those optics allow for more light-gathering power, better bokeh, and less flare. The Z-mount lens will be available at the end of the month.
The smallest full-frame mirrorless Sigma Fp is also one of the cheapest
The Sigma Fp is the smallest, lightest full-frame camera on the market -- and the price is not too bad either. After announcing the Fp over the summer, Sigma is releasing pricing and availability information for the compact mirrorless, putting it in close competition with the Z 6 and A7 III.
The little but fierce Nikon Z 50 is a sub-$1,000 mirrorless destined for travel
Nikon's new sub-$1,000 mirrorless is here -- but what did Nikon cut from the Z 6 to get there? The Nikon Z 50 uses a crop sensor instead of full-frame and also ditches the in-body stabilization, but allows for in-camera video edits and wireless video transfers in a more compact body.
Instagram ditches Following tab, disappointing online stalkers everywhere
Instagram's notification center will no longer be split in two. The Following tab that details what your friends interact with on Instagram is being phased out of the app beginning today. The feature raised privacy questions, while the goal of the section has already been replaced by Explore.
Threads, a more private Instagram, automatically updates your status for you
Still wondering what Facebook's definition of a private social network is? Behold Instagram Threads, a network designed only for your closet friends, but that will auto update your status based on your phone's location. Facebook says the data isn't stored long term or used for ads.
How to make your own Lightroom presets that actually work
Tired of buying Lightroom presets that never turn out? Making your own is a simple three-step process. Take the guesswork out of creating presets in this tutorial for both Lightroom Classic CC and Lightroom CC.
Sony tames the mirrorless speed demon with updated autofocus in the new A9 II
The flagship Sony A9 impressed but the second-generation Sony A9 II refines the speed demon with more tools for pros, better autofocus, and enhanced noise reduction. A new voice memo tool allows sports photographers to add notes to the photo's metadata as they shoot on the sidelines.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link hands-on review: Wiggle it
The Instax Mini Link mobile printer uses motion controls to change settings, so you can tilt it to zoom or flip it up to change the mode. It's also loaded with some creative (and gimmicky) features that will make it a hit at parties.
European court decides what Facebook can show to the rest of the world
If a court in Europe determines the content of a Facebook post to be illegal, that post is now required to be removed everywhere around the world. The decision stems from a case in which an Austrian politician sued the network for refusing to remove a post that courts previously found defamatory.
WhatsApp beta suggests disappearing messages are coming
Group messages in WhatsApp could have an expiration date, if a new test is successful. Spotted in the beta app code, the feature allows group messages to expire after five seconds or one hour. At that time, the messages disappear from the chat. WhatsApp hasn't yet confirmed the test.
The GoPro Max adds a screen and stitching to fix Fusion’s flaws, and then some
The new GoPro Max has two lenses, but three uses. Adding a screen, stitching, and single-lens modes allows the GoPro Max to work as a 360 camera, an action camera, and a vlogging camera. The new 360 camera also enhances stabilization, adds keyframe editing, and more over the older GoPro Fusion.
Reddit bolsters its rules against bullying and harassment of users
Getting harassed on the front page of the internet? New Reddit policies aim to better target abuse and improve reporting tools. The updated Reddit policy strikes out previous clauses that said bullying had to be continuous and extend into the real-world for the team to take action.
Stay lost on Pinterest even later into the night with app’s new dark mode
With a black background, Pinterest users can ease the eyes when browsing Pinterest at night with a new dark mode. The company says the update is one of the most requested features by users. On iOS, night mode follows the device's settings by default, while on Android the option is in the app as well.
Pick your nose in a crowd of 10,000 and this 500-megapixel camera will know
Hiding from a security camera becomes even harder when that security camera can see five times the detail the human eye can. Researchers in China recently shared the design of a super camera that can use facial recognition in crowds of tens of thousands of people, thanks to a 500-megapixel resolution.
Photoshop’s Content-Aware Fill is about to get even smarter with auto selections
Tired of drawing out the sampling area for Photoshop's Content-Aware Fill? The photo editor will soon be able to handle the task for you, thanks to artificial intelligence. In a teaser, Adobe shared a glimpse of upcoming Photoshop updates designed to make Content-Aware Fill smarter and more efficient.
Match.com used flagged scam messages to con users into paid subscriptions, FTC says
Many Free Match.com users decided to buy a subscription to read a message -- only to realize that message was from a scammer. The FTC is claiming that the company knew those accounts were scams, but let them send messages exclusively to free-tier members to get new subscriptions.
What is aperture priority? Unlock your camera’s potential with this mode
Aperture Priority Mode may be a semi-auto camera mode, but the A or Av on the camera dial allows photographers almost full control over the shot. Learn how to use aperture priority mode, and why A definitely does not stand for Amateur.
Eye autofocus arrives on Canon’s selfie-loving mirrorless for beginners
Canon's beginner-friendly, selfie-loving mirrorless camera will now shoot 4K, capture vertical video, and automatically focus on the eyes. The Canon EOS M200 is a budget mirrorless with an updated processor. Like the older M100, the design is geared toward beginners moving from a smartphone camera.
The best cameras for Instagram: earn more likes on your photos
Looking to snap better Instagrams? Instagram doesn't demand high-resolution files, but upgrading your camera can deliver better bokeh and low-light quality. Factor in portability, durability and built-in Wi-Fi, and many cameras still offer convenient sharing. Here our the best cameras for Instagram.
Epson crams wide-format printing into a compact, voice-activated photo printer
Wide-format printers aren't all giants with big price tags. The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Small-In-One spits out borderless 11 x 17 prints but is still small enough to sit on a desk. The printer also includes voice commands. Oh, and it's one of the more affordable wide-format photo printers.
The best ring lights: bring your lighting skills full circle
Craving those circular catchlights, soft flattering light or well-lit macro photos? Ring lights can improve everything from vlogs to high-end portraits -- but what are the best ring lights out there? Here are the top picks from off-camera to macro ring lights to smartphone ring lights.
I turned off Facebook’s ad trackers, and the ads only got more personalized
Facebook offers a few simple toggles to turn off ad tracking settings -- but those settings are only a portion of what Facebook users to deliver ads. The rest can only be turned off one-by-one and they don't make it easy. So what should privacy-concerned users do about Facebook ad trackers?
Help wanted. Vimeo launches a gig marketplace for video professionals
Looking for freelance video gigs? Vimeo just launched a new platform to connect video pros with businesses looking for, well, video pros. Vimeo For Hire is designed for videographers, video editors, directors, animators and more and is included with any Vimeo subscription.
Twitter now lets you play hide-and-seek with unwanted replies, but will it last?
Twitter could be getting ready to make conversations easier to manage through a new Twitter hide reply tool. The test for the hide tool is now available in the U.S. and Japan, but there's no word yet if the option will be a permanent part of the social network.
Profoto puts sunshine in your pocket with photo studio-quality smartphone lights
Lighting company Profoto has launched its first lights designed for smartphone photographers. The Profoto C1 and C1 Plus are portable lights that wirelessly connect to a smartphone app. The lights feature both auto and manual adjustments, magnetic modifiers, and temperature controls.
Pinterest brings back the heart button with Facebook-like Reactions for groups
The Pinterest heart button is back from the dead — and brought other reactions with it. On group Boards only, Pinterest is adding new reaction tools designed for collaborating on ideas. The update also includes a new chat and organizational tools for groups.