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VISUAL CREATORS
For your artistic side.

📸 Fujifilm Stumbles on X100 Camera Craze?

Once derided as a classic case of Japan Inc.’s inability to let go of the past, Fujifilm’s retro X100 camera has become a social-media sensation, a fashion statement that’s turned around the company’s image just as it was gaining traction in healthcare.

Fujifilm is cashing in on a camera comeback led by the TikTok generation. The company's retro X100 series is proving popular among young creators and shutterbugs, with demand so high it sold out last year.

Prized by users for its looks, functions, and that indescribable 'cool' factor, it accounted for 37% of Fujifilm’s operating profit last fiscal year.

But here’s the plot twist: Fans can’t get enough, and Fujifilm can’t make them fast enough.

The camera, which sells for $1,599 a pop, has become a darling among young creators for its aesthetic and high quality. Camera enthusiasts are eating it up, too.

The bottom line: The camera hasn’t propelled Fujifilm to its former position as king of the photo sector, but it’s a bright spot for a company that bet big on healthcare.

PRODUCTION MASTERY
The commercial aspects of creativity.

📉 Photography is Advancing But Not Improving

Photography tech gets better, but do our pics? Photographer Charles Sheeler once mused on how camera advancements don’t always translate to improved art.

And you know what? He might’ve had a point. Megapixels climb, yet creativity seems to flatten. We're stuck in a tech-upgrade loop where more megapixels and better autofocus don't necessarily translate to groundbreaking shots.

It’s a case of missed flashes—like the latest Nikon Z9's groundbreaking ability to lock focus on low-light shots of people of color, an unsung hero in today's spec-obsessed market.

So, how can we snap out of it? Stop scrolling through your fave photographer’s Insta and pick up a a book or visit an art gallery instead. Don’t just capture an image; tell a story and bare your soul. 'Click' should come from the shutter and your audience, not just from your gear.

To truly evolve, photographers need to break free from the lens-based bubble, seeking inspiration from literature, music, and more.

CREATOR ECONOMY
Navigating the digital creative world.

🖼️ Meta Slaps ‘Made with AI’ on All Edits

Remember when Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, promised to label AI-generated content? Well, they’ve started rolling out the labels and it’s causing a stir.

The move has frustrated many content creators who argue that the labels fail to distinguish between light touch-ups and imagery that has been wholly generated by AI.

Meta’s response? They’re going off metadata, so if AI is detectable, it’s getting labeled. But they’re not giving creators a way to differentiate between “edited with AI” and “made with AI”.

Critics contend that the labeling undermines trust in digital images without effectively informing users about the extent of AI use.

Oh, and it’s not just about photos. Reels and Stories are getting the labels too. It’s a big move in the age of AI-assisted creativity, but will it hurt social platforms if creators start to worry about sharing anything that could get labeled “Made with AI”?

🔥 Press Worthy

📽️ VISUAL CREATORS

Blackmagic launches free Android camera app, expanding its filmmaker ecosystem. The app integrates with Blackmagic Cloud and DaVinci Resolve.

Shangri-La artists at Glastonbury subvert consumerism with creative flair; installations confront visitors with the perils of capitalism in playful and impactful ways.

📈 PRODUCTION MASTERY

Motorola’s AI creates ad campaign featuring outfits inspired by the brand’s logo, matching the new Razr 50 phone in six colors. This is already the 2nd AI-generated campaign in the same week. Toys “R” Us sparked some AI ad debate a few days ago.

Freelance photojournalism: a path to poverty? Over 80% of surveyed lensfolk call the career choice financially unsustainable. The culprits? Low rates, high hopes.

🎭 CREATOR ECONOMY

Disney claims copyright against Jenny Nicholson’s 4-hour Star Wars hotel review, sparking creator backlash.

YouTube's anti-misinformation efforts draw flak from fact-checkers. Despite a Google-backed grant of $13.2M to combat fake news, the International Fact-Checking Network deems the platform's actions insufficient.

📚 Learn & Grow

📽️ VISUAL CREATORS

• The 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards deadline for entries is approaching

• Expand Your Photos in Lightroom: No Photoshop Needed

📈 PRODUCTION MASTERY

• Mastering Screen Intimacy: A Guide to Writing Compelling Sex Scenes

• One camera, One Lens – Testing the Photo Adage in Japan

🎭 CREATOR ECONOMY

• Instagram Reels Are Getting Popular, Leaving TikTok Behind

• What Does Anxiety Look Like? How Pixar Created the ‘Inside Out 2’ Villain