After years of perceived stagnation in camera technology development we finally see real inovation again in the latest generation of digital cameras entering the market. For a long time the only number that seemed to matter was the amount of megapixels a camera can produce. As most images are shared online (for example on Instagram) at a resolution of less than four megapixels, the idea of cameras producing images of 50 megapixels or higher brings little added value.

Intelligent and fast autofocus

One of the biggest improvements in digital camera technology is the introduction of AI supported subject recognition and autofocus. The camera ‘understands’ the subject and can focus on the eyeballs of humans, animals and even birds. According to the team of established wedding photographers at Schmittat, this is a major improvement to the way we shoot weddings and events. Out-of-focus pictures are now a thing of the past as the camera continuously tracks even fast-moving subjects such as the wedding couple on the dance floor.

Cinema grade video capabilities

The latest generation of cameras by the big camera manufacturers (Sony, Canon, Nikon etc) are all capable of shooting video at broadcast or even feature film quality. 4k resolution is now standard with some models pushing the resolution to 6k or even 8k and beyond. The colour depth has been increased from 8bit to 10bit offering 4 times the amount of colour information in the image. Modern high speed codecs (such as HEVC) make it possible to save such enormous video files to standard SD cards, making overpriced proprietary camera-specific storage solutions a thing of the past. This enables photographers and videographers to become so-called ‘hybrid shooters’, producing both photography and videography at the same time. Funeral Memories tell us that it is now possible for a single shooter to film and photograph an event at the same time with just a single camera operator.

Wireless transfer

Many amateur photographers choose a smartphone over a dedicated digital camera because it’s easier to process and publish a photo from your phone. To compete with smartphones camera manufactures have come up with various interesting solutions. For example, it is now possible to wirelessly transer full resolution photographs instantly and continuously from the camera straight to a computer on location or remotely via the internet. Publishers, photography agencies and image editors receive the photographs moments after they have been taken in order to publish them just moments later. A consumer can connect a smartphone to the camera for ‘wireless tethered’ connections. Each image taken on the camera will automatically appear on the camera’s camera roll from where the user can publish it in the usually.

AI powered post-production

In addition to making the cameras better, the software used to process the images on a computer or mobile device is also getting a lot more feature-rich, thanks to the implementation of AI Systems. All major image processing software developers now offer AI algorithms within their image processing solutions. These tools intelligently indentify faces, facials expressions, smiles, and closed eyes. Especially headshot photographers such as London-based FrameShot greatly benefit from these tools. Gone are the days of manually culling through thousands of images after a long day of shooting. The software will reliably pick the best photos within moments.

After the best images have been selected the software packages can now also edit and retouch the images automatically. For the best results it is advisable to ‘feed’ the algorithm with thousands of previously edited photos in order for it to ‘learn’ one’s specific style and taste.

Conclusion

After many years of no real innovation, it’s finally an exciting time in terms of digital camera developments again. Instead of simply adding more megapixels, cameras are getting smarter and faster and software is embracing AI technology to streamline the post-production process as well.

Essentia Scientific is a global solutions provider of hemp derived extracts leading the industry to a safer and more sustainable extraction method with their patented water-as-solvent technology.

There is a prevalent need in the cannabinoid industry for a cleaner and more sustainable way to extract cannabinoids from the raw hemp plant, and Essentia Scientific’s patented water-as-solvent technology delivers just that. Their proprietary process utilizes water as the solvent to produce a safer, more sustainable, consistent, and affordable output of high purity pharmaceutical grade cannabinoids, including the rare offerings of acidic cannabinoids at a mass scale. 

What is Water-as-Solvent technology? 

Essentia Scientific’s patented water-as-solvent technology leverages water to leach cannabinoids from the plant without the use of heat, harsh chemicals, or hydrocarbons; while successfully rejecting contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, microbial, and mycotoxins. The process can also effectively limit or remove the amount of THC yielding a more consistent and compliant product.

Benefits of water-as-solvent technology

Traditional extraction methods utilize harmful solvents, such as butane and ethanol, for extraction having an array of consequences that have impact on manufacturers, consumers, and the environment. By utilizing water as the solvent, Essentia Scientific’s process eliminates the consequences solvents like butane and ethanol bring and provides an array of advantages the industry needs.

When utilizing solvents like butane or ethanol remediation is necessary to rid the final product of volatile solvents that can be harmful to the consumers health. However, the techniques and solvents traditionally used tend to not discriminate against most pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Rather, the process tends to concentrate these compounds in the final extract, leaving trace amounts in the final product for consumers to ingest. To assist in the recovery of the volatile solvents vacuum distillation is often used. Unfortunately, the process does not fully rid the product of volatile solvents and can convert acidic cannabinoids to their neutral state by exposing them to heat, making it difficult or impossible to extract acidic cannabinoids, such as CBDA and CBGA, from the plant. Additionally, dehydration of the plant is often required for efficient extraction prior to adding the solvent. This causes the conversion of cannabinoids, or decarboxylation, to begin prior to the extraction, losing a large majority of acidic cannabinoids before the extraction even begins. By utilizing water as the solvent, Essentia Scientific’s process eliminates the need for heat, allowing for the extraction of high purity acidic cannabinoids at a mass scale with no trace residual volatile solvents in the final extract. 

Taste is an important factor when infusing cannabinoid-based products. We want them to taste good, not like the hemp plant, but the product it is infused in to. Concentrates from traditional extraction technologies typically have a robust hemp flavor that can be off putting to most, making it difficult to infuse into edible products. Often available in a solid form, not only is infusing difficult, but dosing is also impacted making it difficult to accurately dose the extract. With their water-as-solvent technology, Essentia Scientific’s extractions are odorless and tasteless, able to be easily infused into cannabinoid-based applications and their clearly water-soluble products are truly water-soluble. Traditional extracts use nano-emulsions or liposomes to create their “water-soluble” products. However, they form colloidal suspensions, separating overtime leaving sentiment in the final product. Essentia Scientific’s clearly water-soluble extracts form a true solution where the solvent and solute consist of a single phase, not separating overtime, and fully dissolve in water forming a clear and transparent solution.

By not using equipment for extraction that is typically expensive that uses high temperatures or pressure to accomplish cannabinoid extraction, Essentia Scientific’s process brings the industry a simple and inexpensive extraction process. The process also eliminates the need for expensive organic solvents which are potentially harmful and polluting for the environment, delivering the industry not only a more cost-effective option, but also one that is more environmentally friendly. When extracting cannabinoids with butane, pressurized butane is passed through the plant material. Residual solvents then evaporate from the concentrate under a vacuum and are typically released into the atmosphere. Though there are attempts to recycle the butane, they are not 100% effective, releasing hydrocarbons into the atmosphere and in turn causing environmental harm. Water is a true inorganic solvent that will not will not release harmful chemicals into the environment, creating a safer and more sustainable way to extract cannabinoids from the raw hemp plant. 

The Essentia Advantage 

With a team that has over 100 years of combined chemistry experience, Essentia Scientific is leading the industry to cleaner cannabinoid extraction with their patented water-as-solvent technology. By utilizing water as the solvent, Essentia Scientific can produce an array of high purity pharmaceutical grade cannabinoids, including the rare offerings of acidic cannabinoids, such as CBGA and CBDA, at a mass scale. Their process eliminates the need for harmful solvents and produces a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable cannabinoid extract that can easily be infused into any cannabinoid-based application and gives consumers consistent high-quality products they can count on.