Google Pixel 2 vs. iPhone 8 Plus - Comparing Cameras

We often take a look at ways “technology” is impacting the photography landscape, both at the professional and the personal level. In this post, our Chief Creative Officer and avid smartphone techie @CurtisNewborn,  examines details on testing done by DxO Labs dealing with the cameras on two of the hottest smartphones on the market:

The new Google Pixel 2 has bumped the iPhone 8 Plus and Galaxy Note 8 off the number one spot to become the top-performing smartphone camera in DxO Labs' mobile photography tests. 

Just a day after Samsung's latest device matched Apple's largest iPhone 8 handset with an overall DxOMark score of 94, Google's newly launched Pixel 2 has now beaten both dual-lens devices with a score of 98, despite despite its rear-mounted single-camera design.

Its top scores in most of our traditional photo and video categories put it ahead of our previous (tied) leaders, the Apple iPhone 8 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, despite the Pixel 2 coming in lower in the new Zoom and Bokeh categories. The Pixel 2 is also a major step forward from the Pixel, moving from 90 to 98.

The lab’s reviewers praised the Pixel 2 for excellent video performance, scene reproduction, color rendering, and fast and accurate autofocus, highlighting in particular its "amazing" ability to render detail in both the bright and dark areas of difficult scenes. 

One weak spot for the Pixel 2 was said to be exposure in very low light images, which show increased noise in high dynamic range scenes, although excellent exposure and highlight preservation is still in evidence.

Despite performing very well for a single camera phone, the Pixel 2 couldn't outscore the zoom capability of the dual-lens Apple iPhone 8 Plus. The Pixel 2 also sometimes displayed aliasing and moiré artifacts in medium- and long-range zooms. 

The lab’s reviewers concluded that for just about any photo or video use case, the Pixel 2 recommends itself as the phone camera with the best image quality, with the exception of zoom and bokeh (including Depth and Portrait) that dual-camera smartphones such as the Apple iPhone 8 Plus and Galaxy Note 8 can provide. The Google handset was especially recommended for videographers, since it achieved the highest video score (96) for any device tested by DxO Labs. 

They concluded their research report by saying that their scoring system has "plenty of headroom" to go beyond 100, so we'll have to wait and see if Apple's iPhone X can break that ceiling when it's released in November.

THE "GOLDEN HOUR" OR WHAT'S THE BEST TIME FOR YOUR LOCATION SHOOT

Every once in awhile we step out of our usual “what’s going on at the studio” kind of content and examine something unique, different or fun. As Fall sets upon us, I thought it would be a great time to revisit a subject that we’ve discussed often with certain clients, and that’s the “Golden Hour”.

In case you’re not familiar with the term, the "Golden Hour" is the time just before sunset when the sun is close to going down, but still in the sky. Why do photographers like this time?  The reasons are plentiful, but here’s seven to start with:

1) All the lighting is rich and warm - golden indeed.
2) You do not need to squint into the sunlight or wear sunglasses.
3) The direction of the light and long shadows is so much nicer than overhead light and "raccoon eyes".
4) On hot days the weather has cooled down enough that we can all enjoy the session without sweating running down our faces.
5) On a good day we can get some creative light flairs.
6) We can get some artistic silhouette images as the sun gets lower in the sky.
7) You have some lovely warm skies, with great coloured clouds or sunsets.

Now, we can't promise all of those just because the time is right, the weather does it's own things, but it really does increase our chances when dealing with subject matter that’s being shot outside, on location.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this post, and that you’ve learned something new related to photography. 

Our studio and corporate office are located in Schaumburg in the Remington Tech Center. This provides an optimal spot for our group of companies, as we have FoodPhotoStudio.com, CurtisNewbornPhotographic.com, and ObscuraCompanies.com, all located under one roof. 

Our brands in total provide a complete, turnkey solution for visual imagery and marketing execution, and the services that we provide go well beyond photography. Would you like to learn even more about the advantages of working with us? Check out this blog post.

HOW TO HAVE A RELAXING PHOTO SHOOT

Most of the stress around a studio session is typically preparing for the day. So we always offer up some helpful tips for first-time clients so that they can be better prepared as well as more relaxed while on set.

Below is a quick outline of some of the key points to consider, once you’ve booked the date for your shoot:

A WEEK AHEAD

Schedule a pre-production meeting, or at the very least a phone call to discuss the shoots, including layouts they’ll be used in, or any other medium that they’ll be tied to. This goes a long way to make sure both client and studio are on the same page, and lends itself to a time-efficient shooting day.

ONE DAY AHEAD

The client should pack up any products, along with specific propping being supplied by the client (but keep in mind we have a massive prop department that can solve those needs for you) Make sure your team that’s attending the shoot knows where they are going, and confirm the timing of your arrival. We have a great document that we can provide that includes driving directions to the studio, please tips on area restaurants and attractions.

ON THE WAY OVER

Allow yourself a few minutes extra traveling time, just so you are relaxed about the journey. You don't need to be a half hour early, but five minutes early is always great. Our team will greet your arrival with open arms and a big smile every time!.

AT THE SHOOT

If someone is getting thirsty or hungry, we always have quick snacks and hot & cold beverages available. Additionally, we have a conference area where you can set up, spread out and maintain contact with your office as needed using our high-speed WiFi and our calling room. 

IN SUMMARY

While we know the prospect of being in a studio and working to get all the necessary shots done in a day can be daunting, with a little preparation and the help of our knowledgeable staff, you’ll walk away at the end of the day feeling great about the final product and excited to get your new visual content in play!

Why Use Our Visual Content Creation Studio? Because We Understand Technology

Key highlights:

• Let’s step back and examine “technology”
• Our technology, and how we use it
• How our methodology sets us apart

I’ve have for years said that the best camera to use is the one that’s with you in that moment. And I still firmly believe that, and it’s a premise I’ve tried to reinforce in people I’ve mentored in recent years who seem to get so caught up in the technological evolution and how it’s impacted the visual content creation industry.

Technology has brought us some great things… faster processing, larger chips in our cameras, streamlined workflow, the ability to create anywhere… but it’s also important to know that “technology” in and of itself does not make a top flight agency or studio.

At Curtis Newborn Photographic, as part of the Obscura Companies family, we never invest in new technology just for the sake of it, but rather, we examine how it will benefit us, and in turn our clients, in terms of improved quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. No matter what we visual content are creating on behalf of our clients, we make sure at the outset that the technology we employ as a part of that process is best suited to deliver the finest possible end result. 

I could offer up a big list of all of the types of equipment we utilize, from cameras to lighting to computers and cloud services, but that to me misses the point. It’s not just about “what” technology you’re using, but more importantly “how” you’re using it to maximize your creativity and improve the overall process of content creation, thereby delivering a stellar end product for your clients… one that helps them overcome their greatest challenges, and in the end, grows their business.

I’d love to hear how you’re using technology in your everyday life, be it from a personal or a professional standpoint. Post your comments and feedback below, and most of all, never stop creating!

 

About us...
 

Our studio and corporate office are located in Schaumburg in the Remington Tech Center. This provides an optimal spot for our group of companies, as we have FoodPhotoStudio.com, CurtisNewbornPhotographic.com, and ObscuraCompanies.com, all located under one roof. Our brands in total provide a complete, turnkey solution for visual imagery and marketing execution, and the services that we provide go well beyond photography. 

Would you like to learn even more about the advantages of working with us? Click the title to check out these recent posts on “propping”, “our location”, “visual content” & “motion”. 

World Photography Day!

Today is "World Photography Day", so we thought we'd pass on 10 very cool "photography related facts" to everyone... enjoy!

1. The first device made to project an image on a surface was the camera obscura, or “dark room” in Latin. The principle was first recorded by Mozi, a Chinese philosopher. (ca. 470 to ca. 391 BC). It was the basis for what we know as a pinhole camera. (as a side note, this is why we named our parent corporation, "Obscura, Inc.")

2. The first camera capable of recording an image used a process invented by Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre. The complex process was named for the inventor as “Daguerreotype”.

3. Daguerre's process was used in what's said to be the world's oldest camera, built by French firm Susse Freres. The camera, thought to have been made before 1839, was found in an attic in Germany. The camera sold to an online bidder for $792,33 at a Vienna auction, which also makes it the world's most expensive camera!

4. The oldest known surviving photograph is View from the Window at Le Gras, taken by Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 or 1827. It took about 8 hours to develop! 

5. The world's first color photo, pictured below, was made in 1861 from 3 separate photographs taken through red, green and blue filters, then projected onto a photosensitive plate with corresponding filters. This method was suggested in1861 by Thomas Sutton.

6. The first photograph of a total solar eclipse was taken by made by Julius Berkowski on July 28, 1851. To learn how to capture it this week, click here for our Eclipse Shooter's Guide on our blog.

7. Digital imaging is good for the environment! Many darkroom chemicals are toxic and dangerous to handle. Disposing of them by pouring them down the drain or other conventional means is polluting. Pat yourself on the back next time you open your processing software!

8. There are 12 Hasselblad cameras on the surface of the moon. They were left there to leave room for the moon rocks brought back to Earth. The film magazines, of course, made the return flight.

9. Steve Sasson of Eastman Kodak invented the digital camera in 1975. It weighed eight pounds, recorded the image on a cassette tape and took 23 seconds to “snap” a picture. Oh, and the resolution? 0.01 megapixels!

10. The concept of HDR images isn't new. Photographers have always needed to overcome the limited dynamic range of photographic media. Gustave Le Gray, a photographer in the 1800's was known to combine two separate images (water and sky) to better capture the wide luminosity range.

We hope you've enjoyed these 10 fun facts about photography... keep shooting and enjoy your creative endeavors!