Michael Hession

​Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Review: Small, Fussy, Beautiful

The announcement of Blackmagic’s $3000 RAW-shooting Cinema Camera in 2012 caused such a stir that not many could have anticipated a followup model, so soon, that was a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the size. The Pocket Cinema Camera continues forging the path of the upstart high-end video camera. What Is It?…

I Wouldn’t Pay for 2013’s Most Pirated Movie Either

On the heels of Torrentfreak’s most-pirated TV shows of 2013 is their list of most-pirated movies. Not surprisingly, the list doesn’t exactly represent the refined cultural taste you might hope. https://gizmodo.com/the-top-10-pirated-tv-shows-of-2013-1490417092 Coming in at #1 is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. I’m guessing it only took a handful of 2012 theater goers to spread the…

4 Essential Apps for Mobile Photo Editing

Post-processing is an important part of photography, and it becomes even more important with smartphone photos that may lack depth of color and and dynamic range. With the advent of Instagram and its imitators, filters have come to rule the day for most casual photogs, but many of us demand more control. Here are five…

Whiskey, Toys, and Holograms: Our Best Original Videos of 2013

It’s been a fun year for Gizmodo’s video operation. We’ve gone inside distilleries and toy factories, and met some really interesting people in the process. The following is a compendium of moving images from 2013 for your listening and viewing pleasure. Grab an armchair, sip some ‘nog, and enjoy. The Art of the Hologram Is…

Can You Tell the Difference Between These Film and Digital Animations?

The eternal debate of film versus digital. In a sense, arguing between the two for any practical purpose is pretty much a moot point, since digital has become the go-to in the world of photography. But that doesn’t mean it’s not fun to compare the two every so often. This series of animations asks you…

How to Take Holiday Photos That Don’t Suck

Holiday family gatherings are the ripest events of year for photo-documentation. Rather than leaving the task to Aunt Edna, take those reins yourself. You can capture the finest damn pictures this family has ever seen! Here are seven tips that will help you on your quest. Keep your shutter speed above 1/80 The biggest culprit…

This Slow-Mo iPhone Video of a Snowstorm Will Lift Your Holiday Spirit

For all the wild creativity swirling around the internet, sometimes it’s the most simple gestures that make us smile. Such is the case with this video that Nitzan Yogev shot during a snowstorm in Jerusalem. Take a look. FStoppers reports that Yogev, a photography student, decided to go on a train ride during a blizzard,…

The 5 Most Innovative Cameras of 2013

This year was a mixed bag for cameras, with some genuinely amazing products showing up alongside a slew of incremental upgrades and more-of-the-same. Here are our picks for the cameras that truly had something new to offer. Sony A7r It’s not often that a company does exactly what their customers have been wishing for. With…

Sony RX10 Review: A First-Rate Camera With a Do-It-All Lens

The Sony A7 series marked a turning point for photographic gear, but it also overshadowed another new Sony offering every bit as unique as its full-frame companions. The RX10 was designed to bring powerhouse features into a practical and versatile package. For that reason, it holds vast appeal for many different types of shooters. https://gizmodo.com/sony-a7-a7r-review-so-long-dslrs-hello-future-of-ph-1469132320…

Flickr Now Lets You Embed Image Slideshows Directly In Web Pages

Flickr has a brand new feature, rolling out today, that provides code for embedding images or image slideshows directly into other websites. It looks to be a simple way for sharing sets of images without resorting to cumbersome galleries or uploads. To access the embed code, just click the share button beneath any of your…

Gifts for the Discerning Coffee Enthusiast You Like to Call a Snob

You don’t have to have a mustache and dress like it’s the thirties to take pleasure in the craft and science of coffee. All that is required is attention to detail, a few minutes of your time, and tastebuds. Here are a few gift ideas for your brew-loving acquaintances. If you’ve got any ideas you’d…

Fujifilm Announces Ultrawide 10-24mm f/4 Lens for X Series Cameras

Owners of a Fuji mirrorless camera can smile this morning knowing that an ultrawide zoom is coming to the X series of lenses early next year. The new glass is a 10-24mm f/4 OIS lens, and it will arrive in March 2014 for $1000. That will make it one of the most expensive X series…

Photo Essay Artfully Documents Walk Around the Perimeter of Manhattan

I love the idea of the single-day photo project. For the photographer, it’s the chasing of a singular purpose and imposing of strict limitations that push your creativity. For the viewer, it’s the simplicity and connection to time that can make such a series really resonate. New York Times photographer Todd Heisler’s “Once Around an…

Create Interactive 360° Panoramic Video With Ease

Have you ever watched a video and wanted so badly to view the scene from a different perspective? Maybe you wanted to see what was happening behind the person filming. Eye Mirror is an upcoming camera accessory that should let you pan 360° within a video as it’s playing. It looks surprisingly simple, and it…

A Film Camera You Assemble Yourself Lets You Add Light Leaks

An intricate device like a camera doesn’t seem like an obvious build-it-yourself project. But when there’s a will there’s a way, and one way is Last Camera. It’s a 35mm film camera you put together for some real-life Instagrammy, analog fun. This little black box comes with 2 interchangeable lenses, a 22mm and 45mm. It…

The Crazy Huge Aperture on This New Lens Chews Up Darkness

It’s been a good year for really huge aperture sizes on camera lenses, with products like the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8, and the Metabones Speed Boosters. But next year you’ll be able to get your hands on a 40mm lens with an aperture size of f/0.85. That is one gaping piehole. https://gizmodo.com/sigma-18-35mm-f-1-8-review-the-best-low-light-zoom-len-950860947 The Ibelux 40mm f/0.85…

Those Crazy Timelapse Videos We All Love Take a Whole Lot of Work

It seems like every other day there is a new dreamy, stupifyingly beautiful timelapse video of some location around the globe. It’s a tried and true form for wowing us internet denizens, but rarely do we get to meet the people behind those thousands of shutter clicks. The Creators Project recently visited with timelapse photographer…

Adobe has released Lightroom 5.3, which contains bug fixes as well as RAW support for the latest cameras like the Sony A7/A7r. Grabbit!

Adobe extends discounted Photography Program to December 31st

Oh nice. NICE. If you slept on your chance to sign up for Adobe’s Photography Program—which gets you access to Photoshop CC and Lightroom 5—for only $10 a month, there is a bit of good news. Sony has decided to extend the offer until December 31st. This is a seriously good deal, so put it…

Sony Exec Talks Camera Success and the Risks of Innovation

Gizmodo’s Mario Aguilar recently sat down with Sony COO Phil Molyneux to discuss the company’s approach to the consumer electronics market. Much of the conversation led back to cameras, which Sony has been getting a lot of attention for in the last few years. Their NEX and new A7 seriescameras have led the charge in…