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One skill a photographer must develop is determining which elements in a scene have the most potential to draw the viewer’s attention in the final image. Reducing the visual mass of distracting elements is crucial in directing the viewer’s attention. Sometimes, it is a matter of physically moving an object in the composition. Other times, it’s a matter of the photographer moving their position. Using a different focal length can help to emphasize or de-emphasize certain elements. Window reflections are a frequent source of distraction. The issue is prevalent when the photographer is outside in bright light attempting to photograph something in a storefront window. The resulting photograph may have as much information about what is across the street from the store as it does about what is in the display case. Often, these reflections are not reduced by the photographer changing position. A polarizing filter can help in some cases. Still, since the magnitude of the effect of the filter is dependent on the photographer’s position, it is not a viable option in every scenario. Since the recent development of artificial intelligence in computer technology, Adobe has announced several new features across its platforms. The most dramatic of these implementations is its generative AI, which allows programs such as Lightroom and Photoshop to add elements to existing photographs and even create images from scratch based on a user-supplied description. The latest of these innovations is called Reflection Removal, which allows a user to eliminate reflections from windows. Reflection Removal is powered by AI but is not generative AI. According to Adobe’s press release, “This first iteration of the tech is designed to address only one kind of reflection — from plate glass windows that cover most or all of your field of view. It's not designed to remove reflections from windows that are small or far away, or where the window frame is within the field of view, or reflections from objects like wine glasses, car bodies, or clouds reflected in a lake.” In samples provided by Adobe, the feature works remarkably well. It should be noted that the new Reflection Removal tool attempts to remove the reflection from the image, but it does not add new elements to the image. Adobe trains its computer model by assembling thousands of photographs of varying subjects that contain no reflections. Images are combined into pairs and fed into a computer that is tasked with separating the single image into two images representing the original images that were used to create the image that was fed into the computer. By ranking the computer’s accuracy and modifying the program accordingly, the computer becomes more accurate in determining how to separate a reflection from an image blended with that reflection. To access Reflection Removal, open a RAW file in Adobe Camera Raw and navigate to Restart Camera Raw and import the image. Navigate to the Remove panel (the eraser icon along the right side of the user interface), and in the Distraction Removal section, check the box labeled “Reflections.” The interface provides a slider that is used to vary the intensity of reflection removal. Currently, the feature works only on RAW files, but Adobe plans to support Reflection Removal for JPEGs, HEICs, and other non-RAW files. Adobe is also looking into removing small reflections like eyeglasses and distant windows. Headshot photographers, such as myself, will want to pay special attention to Reflection Removal updates so that they may reduce the headache of dealing with light reflections inside eyeglasses. John Ricard is a NYC based portrait photographer. You can find more of Ricard’s work on his Instagram. accounts, www.instagram.com/JohnRicard and www.instagram.com/RicInAction
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Officials demand explanation on mysterious drones as more sightings reported in New York metro area and beyondBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Quion Burns scored 17 points as Maine beat Canisius 84-79 on Saturday. Burns had seven rebounds for the Black Bears (8-5). Kellen Tynes scored 15 points while shooting 5 of 5 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line and added nine assists. Christopher Mantis had 15 points and went 5 of 8 from the field (3 for 5 from 3-point range). Jasman Sangha led the way for the Golden Griffins (0-11) with 26 points and three steals. Paul McMillan IV added 22 points and six assists for Canisius. Tana Kopa also had 16 points and two steals. The Golden Griffins prolonged their losing streak to 11 in a row. Maine plays Saturday against Stony Brook on the road, and Canisius visits Loyola Chicago on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .None
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MUMBAI: India's market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), is investigating allegations against Gautam Adani in the backdrop of the arrest warrant issued by a US court against the billionaire. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has alleged in its indictment that the Adani Group had paid Rs 2,092 crore in bribes to Indian politicians and officials to secure contracts for selling solar energy generated by Adani Green Energy company at higher prices. It is also alleged that the Adani Group then raised investments in the United States by concealing this. In connection with this, a New York court has issued an arrest warrant against Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani, who is his nephew and the Executive Director of the Green Energy company. Charges have been filed against seven top executives of the Adani Group, including the two. SEBI will be examining whether the Adani Green Energy company had failed to inform investors about the details of the inquiry being conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding bribery allegations. SEBI has directed the Indian stock exchanges, BSE and NSE, to provide information in this regard within two weeks. Did not disclose investigation details In March last year, FBI officials had arrived at Sagar Adani's residence in the US, served a search notice and seized some electronic devices. The US anti-corruption law mandates that such information be disclosed to investors. It is alleged that the Adani Group has violated this requirement.GreenPower Motor (OTCMKTS:GPVRF) Shares Up 7.1% – Time to Buy?SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election , according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country's electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation's electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030 . Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses . Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power. Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later. Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro
The Algoma District School Board’s annual high school VEX Robotics competition took place at Boreal French Immersion Public School Saturday. Approximately 30 students on 10 teams drawn from Korah, Superior Heights, White Pines, CASS and W.C. Eaket in Blind River participated. The robotics teams - in a game called High Stakes - were tasked with getting their robots to pick rubber rings off the surface of the school’s gym, travel across the floor for a short distance and lift the rings onto posts. Judges from the community’s engineering and business fields scored the performance of each team’s robot and referees were present. “A lot of these students have been involved with the robotics program since elementary school or in high school for a couple of years and it’s a real growth program for them. They’ve really stepped up their game in terms of understanding how to build and design robots to compete in these challenges,” said Mark Carlucci, Algoma District School Board robotics coordinator. Robotics programs in elementary and secondary schools emphasize the importance of developing skills in science, technology, engineering, and math - otherwise known as STEM - in preparation for the modern work world. “There are some great opportunities for them in computer science, mechanical engineering, robotics engineering, electrical engineering and mechatronics. We’ve seen a few of our graduates move that way. Some of the kids are shy but here they interact with their team members and other teams,” Carlucci told SooToday . There’s relatively little 'chalk and talk' learning involved in robotics. “A lot of it is just diving right in. We have the students working on builds and understanding the process of robotics,” Carlucci said. Students have been preparing for the annual high school VEX Robotics competition since the beginning of the current school year, bonding as team members and building their robots as an extracurricular activity. A Korah Collegiate team - composed of Gr. 12 students Samantha Cho, Lars Fransen-Molino, Yaksha Contractor and Aili Luonaranta - competed against other teams Saturday with their robotic creation called ‘The Toaster Oven.’ “We started building it in the middle of September and robotics is every day after school from about 2:30 to 4. We’ve been working on it for all these weeks. This is our second year. It was a lot easier to build this year. My favourite thing about robotics is my team, honestly. I think we’re doing pretty good so far today. I think this is a really good experience,” Cho said. High school robotics is seen not only as training for an in-demand field but also as an alternative team building exercise for students who aren’t into sports. “Robotics is a great program. We’ve made a lot of improvements over last year. Last year was an experimental year. Right now we’ve won six events and lost one today. I want to do chemical or mining engineering so this will definitely carry over into my career. We enjoy it,” said Fransen-Molino. Winning teams from Saturday's competition will head to regional competition in Sudbury in January and then provincials in southern Ontario. The ADSB's elementary school robotics competition will be held in January. Saturday’s event also saw Neil McLean, Sault North Rotary past president present a cheque for $5,000 to ADSB’s robotics program. The amount was the second installment of a $15,000 commitment for ADSB robotics made by Sault North Rotary earlier this year.
The College Football Playoff first round will see the No. 4 Texas Longhorns (11-2) hosting the No. 13 Clemson Tigers (10-3) at 4 p.m. ET at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas is favored in the matchup, by 12.5 points. What channel is Texas vs. Clemson on? What time is Texas vs. Clemson? Texas and Clemson play at 4 p.m. ET. Texas vs. Clemson betting odds, lines, spread Odds courtesy of BetMGM Texas schedule Clemson schedule This content was created for Gannett using technology provided by Data Skrive.The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — Max Brooks’ 26 points helped UMass-Lowell defeat Dartmouth 92-83 on Saturday. Brooks added nine rebounds and four steals for the River Hawks (8-4). Quinton Mincey added 20 points while going 7 of 10 from the floor, including 3 for 5 from 3-point range, and 3 for 4 from the line while he also had six assists. Martin Somerville shot 3 for 10 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 4 of 7 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points, while adding six rebounds. The Big Green (4-6) were led by Connor Amundsen, who posted 28 points and six assists. Cade Haskins added 16 points for Dartmouth. Jayden Williams also recorded 11 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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Ishiba aims to keep wage hike momentum; small businesses worriedAuthorities change plan to free ship stranded in QuebecThe Game Awards 2024, held at the iconic Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on December 12th, was a night of surprises, stunning reveals, and emotional acceptance speeches. But amidst the glitz and glamour, one moment stood out: Astro Bot, the charming 3D platformer developed by Team Asobi, was crowned Game of the Year, beating out heavy hitters like Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. This unexpected victory sent shockwaves through the gaming community. While Astro Bot was critically acclaimed, many anticipated the award would go to a title with a larger scope and more mainstream appeal. However, the adorable robot’s triumph signifies a growing appreciation for innovative gameplay, heartfelt storytelling, and pure, unadulterated fun. A David Amongst Goliaths Astro Bot’s journey to Game of the Year was an underdog story in the making. Facing off against juggernauts like Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, which led the nominations with seven nods, and the critically acclaimed Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Astro Bot’s victory seemed like a long shot. Yet, the game’s unique blend of platforming mastery, VR integration, and sheer charm resonated with both players and critics alike. The game’s success can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Astro Bot delivered a truly innovative platforming experience. By utilizing the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller and VR capabilities, Team Asobi created a game that felt both fresh and familiar. The haptics, adaptive triggers, and immersive 3D environments brought a new level of depth and engagement to the genre. Secondly, Astro Bot’s undeniable charm won the hearts of players worldwide. The game’s protagonist, Astro, is an endearing character with a wide range of expressive animations. The vibrant and colorful world, filled with playful enemies and hidden secrets, further enhanced the game’s appeal. Finally, Astro Bot’s masterful level design provided a challenging yet rewarding experience. Each level was meticulously crafted, offering a perfect balance of platforming, puzzle-solving, and combat. The game’s difficulty curve was expertly tuned, ensuring that players of all skill levels could enjoy the adventure. A Triumph for Innovation and Heart Astro Bot’s Game of the Year win is a testament to the power of innovation and heart in video games. In an industry often dominated by sequels and established franchises, Astro Bot dared to be different. It took risks, embraced new technology, and delivered an experience that was both refreshing and nostalgic. The game’s victory also highlights the growing importance of VR in the gaming landscape. While VR gaming is still relatively niche, Astro Bot demonstrated the immense potential of the technology. By seamlessly integrating VR into its core gameplay, Team Asobi created an experience that was truly immersive and unforgettable. Moreover, Astro Bot’s success serves as a reminder that games can be more than just entertainment. They can be sources of joy, wonder, and emotional connection. Astro Bot’s charming world and heartwarming story resonated with players on a deep level, proving that games can have a profound impact on our lives. The Game Awards 2024: A Night of Surprises and Celebrations Beyond Astro Bot’s historic win, The Game Awards 2024 was a night filled with memorable moments. From stunning musical performances by Snoop Dogg and Twenty One Pilots to exciting game reveals and emotional acceptance speeches, the event was a celebration of the best that the gaming industry has to offer. Other notable winners included: The Game Awards also recognized the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to the gaming industry. This year’s Innovation Award went to Fallout (Amazon MGM Studios) for its groundbreaking work in adapting video game narratives to television. A Bright Future for Astro and Team Asobi Astro Bot’s Game of the Year win is a momentous achievement for Team Asobi and a testament to their dedication to creating innovative and joyful gaming experiences. This recognition is likely to propel the studio to new heights, and fans eagerly anticipate what they have in store for the future. Will we see a new Astro Bot adventure on the PlayStation 5? Will Team Asobi continue to push the boundaries of VR gaming? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Astro Bot’s triumph at The Game Awards 2024 has solidified its place as a modern classic and a shining example of the power of creativity and passion in video game development.