By Raffy Paredes Coinciding with the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, WeTransfer, the cloud-based file-sharing service, announced the launch of the Union of Concerned Photographers UCP), an international collective that aims to focus attention on the effects of climate change and other critical environmental issues. The concept of the effort derives from the Union of Concerned Scientists, a group of prominent experts founded in 1969 calling for scientific research to be directed toward solving pressing environmental and social problems. The term “concerned photographer” has an additional history: It was coined by photographer and International Center of Photography founder Cornell Capa to describe the humanitarian impulse that has inspired the work of many documentary photographers. The UCP gets underway with the launch of projects from five well-known nature and environmental photographers: Ami Vitale, Luca Locatelli, Frans Lanting, Mandy Barker, and Joel Redman. Each tackles a different climate issue, including drought, deforestation, decrease in biodiversity, increased carbon emissions, and ocean “dead zones.” Their work will be presented at WeTransfer.com and the WePresent online platform, where, the company notes, it will reach WeTransfer’s more than 40 million users. With the UCP, We Transfer is looking to grab the attention of those with an interest in climate change issues. The company is encouraging photographers and like-minded creatives to join the UCP by submitting their work via WeTransfer for a chance to be featured on the site (Pro Photo Daily). A rainforest canopy can reach 15 to 20 stories high. It’s an ecosystem unto itself. Now—to study drought effects—scientists have made the 1st 3D measurements of rainforest canopies in the Brazilian Amazon. NASA released a new video on June 12, 2018 depicting scientists flying over a rainforest canopy in the Brazilian Amazon, using an instrument to fire 300,000 laser pulses per second. Using this technique, NASA scientists have obtained a 3D look at the rainforest canopy and the first-ever measurements of the high number of tree branch falls–and of tree mortality—occurring in the Brazilian Amazon under drought conditions. They found that 65 percent more trees and large branches died due to an El Niño-driven drought in 2015-2016 as compared to an average year. The new work is published in the peer-reviewed journal New Phytologist. The scientists said that understanding the effects of prolonged drought will give them a better sense of what might happen to carbon stored in tropical forests if, as scientists expect, drought events become more common as the climate continues to warm (earthsky.org). Facebook researchers have created an AI that can automatically replace closed eyes with open ones in your pictures. The scientists trained the AI with photos of people with their eyes open to learn what the subjects’ eyes normally look like. After learning what a person’s eye shape and features should be like, the AI can then work to replace closed eyes with artificially generated eyes in blinking photos. Some results are better than others. A few are quite realistic, while others produce cold and creepy stares that you probably wouldn’t want to share with friends and family on Facebook. Advancements in this type of eye-opening AI will undoubtedly produce better and more realistic results as time goes by. But for now, this is an interesting (and eerie) look at what the future may hold for our casual snapshots (PetaPixel). Just for some music fun, visit the site DeepJ (Deep Learning DJ), an artificial intelligence that composes piano music in real time. The site has sliders for mixing baroque, classical, modern and romantic musical genres. See what musical composition you can come up with. And now to our featured readers. Richie Romulus Tabuada from Bulacan, freelance photographer, videographer, and editor currently working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a technical supervisor shares an untitled photo of sand dunes in the mideast country. He writes: “I started photography as a hobbyist but now I’m working part-time in a studio as an editor and every weekend as an event videographer covering weddings, birthdays, among others, here in Jeddah.” From Ateneo Sta. Ines is an untitled photo of a street scene at BGC. He shares: “The photo was taken at the Bonifacio Global City. The place was perfect for a new perspective for my street photography and found it so very visually beautiful because of the texture just like you were not in the Philippines.” Earl Vince Santos, member of the Official Nikon Club Philippines and a freelance photographer sent in the photo titled “Risk Takers.” His photo story reads: This shot was taken outside a hotel in Pasay City as four men do their job fearlessly cleaning the exterior windows of the building. I really admire these people who take great challenges and risks just to earn decently. And the reason why I took this photo is because it shows hard work and bravery in the face of danger that most of us will never try. The photo, “Byaheng Pagod” comes from John Leo Mojako Ocenar. “Nakakatuwang isipin na dahil sobrang pagod na ng mga Pilipino sa kanilang trabaho hahanap at hahanap ng magandang tulog,” he writes. “Sa byahe natin araw-araw sa buhay sana makahanap pa din tayo ng masarap na tulog.” High school student Karl Renzo Dadiz submitted the photo, “Friends Walk.” “This photograph shows the intimate relationship between pet and owner,” writes Renzo. “It conveys the message of treating animals well by giving them enough care and opportunity to live happily with their friends.” Seafarer Mandy Buenconsejo shares an untitled photo he took during his shore leave at the port of Keelung, Taiwan. He writes: “Saw this elderly man sitting on a bench maybe wondering how the place he grew up with transformed into a great tourist destination.” Robert Bryan De La Rosa contributed the photo titled “Once a Princess.”  His description reads: Mary Maginoo during the annual Flores De Mayo in San Pablo City, Laguna wearing Chico Estiva glamorous gown and her beautiful smile as she enjoyed her once a princess day. From Rene Bernal is “Saranggola,” a silhouette photo of a boy with a kite in hand as he watches a low flying plane. Photo was taken in Parañaque. Jomarie Romaquin sent in the photo, “Curious Kitty.” And Niji Lacsamana shares an untitled photo of pottery making, taken at the Pagburnayan (Pottery Place) in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.   Readers may now view issues of Picture Perfect including this column with the pictures at www.mbpictureperfect.com. For comments, suggestions or just to share an image or idea, email [email protected].