By Raffy Paredes
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been given out. Take a break from all we have been going through the past months and get a laugh from the hilarious gallery of winners and finalists at www.comedywildlifephoto.com.
Microsoft researchers have built an AI system that’s even more accurate than humans in image captioning – describing the contents of a photo. The company is now offering the new captioning model as part of Azure's Cognitive Services, so any developer can bring it into their apps. It’s also available today in Seeing AI, Microsoft's app for blind and visually impaired users that can narrative the world around them. And later this year, the captioning model will also improve your presentations in PowerPoint for the web, Windows, and Mac. It’ll also pop up in Word and Outlook on desktop platforms. Refining captioning techniques can help every user: It makes it easier to find the images you’re looking for in search engines. And for visually impaired users, it can make navigating the web and software dramatically better (source: engadget.com).
Here are today’s featured readers and their photos.
From Cagayan de Oro, Japhet Bendol shares the black-and-white photo, “Mga Batang Paslit.” “Natutuwa kasi ako sa mga batang ito,” writes Japhet. “May dala-dala po silang kahoy pinagtulungan nilang buhatin kahit mabigat para panggatong ng magulang nila. At galing din po sila sa tindahan may dala silang mantika at magic sarap. Kuha ko po habang nag walking ako dito sa area namin.”
Karla Jane Timado sent in the photo taken with her mobile phone cam of a section of Ayala Avenue in Makati titled “City Builds.”
Liemuel E. Pantuhann contributed the untitled photo of two people in a banca silhouetted by the sun behind. He writes: “In compliance with our research, we decided to travel Road 955 again, but this time on one sunny Saturday morning. Years back, our experience in this road was not really good, hesitant but determined we continued on the journey. On our way home, we passed by the national road and dropped by Binuangan church in Misamis Oriental and God just allowed me to have this shot.”
Marc Jolas Aquino of Binangonan, Rizal writes that he recently found a place in Binangonan where the “overlooking is breathtaking and relaxing especially during these trying times that we need to reflect and get closer to our one true God who recreates this.” The result of his find is his panoramic photo titled “Pause.”
The photo “Paraiso” comes from Marcelo Frias III. He shares: “Nakakagalak na masilayan ko ang ganitong tanawin na malayo sa aking nakasanayan sa Kamaynilaan. Ngayon ay hanggang ala-ala nalang muna dahil sa pandemya nawa’y masilayan kong muli ang gantong ganda ng Pilipinas.” He took the photo in Camarines Sur.
From Rinalyn Aiza Loyola is “The Blanket of Boats.” “My favorite masterpiece,” writes Rinalyn. “It’s absolutely mesmerizing to watch the calmness of ocean blended with pretty shades of orange, purple, and blue.”
Rodel Bartolome Jr. of Kalibo, Aklan submitted his selfie portrait titled “Energy Ball.” He shares: “Dahil po lockdown tayo imbes na sa dagat ko ito gagawin para maghukay ng maliit na butas sa tabi ng dagat at mag-selfie, ito ay ginawa ko na lamang sa tabi ng bahay nila ate para iwas covid po tayo. Sa panahon ngayon marami tayong naiisip na gawin para makagawa tayo ng makabuluhan sa bawat araw na lumilipas.”
Exal Agnas sent in the silhouette photo titled “Araw ng Ama.”
From Jeffrey Delfin is “Colours,” from a thematic photoshoot featuring model Jermelyn Panes.
And the untitled photo of a man in a bicycle crossing an intersection is from Junn Davad.
For comments, suggestions or just to share an image or idea, email [email protected] or [email protected].