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Using Makeup To Fool Face Recognition

Molli Fire — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:35:07 +0000

Adam Harvey from Brooklyn, NY has been researching face recognition algorithms in an attempt to reverse engineer them. (At least that what I gathered from checking out his site – http://ahprojects.com) Based on the results of this reverse engineering, he’s come up with an antidote of sorts to hide one’s face from cameras.

Harvey recently published the preliminary results of his theory showing how face-paint or makeup can be used as camouflage. You’ll have to click over to his site to see the different faces and how he’s disguised them (I don’t want to spoil the fun). While you’re there, look at his previous posts that show how he reached this point…

Read more @ “CV Dazzle Makeup” on AHProjects.com

a 3d graph of how skin texture is recognized

For more info on facial recognition and surveillance techniques check out these sources:

How Stuff Works – Facial Recognition – this article provides additional info on how to disguise yourself from digital analysis:

However, it is not a perfect system. There are some factors that could get in the way of recognition, including:

* Significant glare on eyeglasses or wearing sunglasses
* Long hair obscuring the central part of the face
* Poor lighting that would cause the face to be over- or under-exposed
* Lack of resolution (image was taken too far away)

Wikipedia page on Facial Recognition Systems

Yoga For Journalists Pt. 2

Molli Fire — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:17:52 +0000

More yoga resources for the Journalist Bootcamp series:

Tara Stiles is one of my favorite online yoga teachers. She’s a Ford model and she seems like a really sweet lady. Here’s her yoga sequences for hotel rooms and offices:

Tara Stiles Hotel Room Yoga:

Tara Stiles Office Yoga:

More Tara Stiles videos on her youTube page:

http://www.youtube.com/TaraStilesYoga

An alternative morning sequence:

Evening sequence for stretching legs, hips, shoulders and neck at the end of a long day:

Even More Yoga and Pilates Resources:

Yoga and Pilates channel on Hulu

Yoga For Journalists Pt. 1

Molli Fire — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:17:19 +0000

Many reporters have long, grueling days on their feet and need all the strength and stamina they can muster to see a story to the end. Whether it’s pounding the pavement to follow leads or jetsetting from city to city on the campaign trail or anything in between, a reporter needs to be as fit as a soldier (or a war photographer). I find that the job itself keeps me in pretty good shape – some days I’m lugging as much gear as a wildland firefighter and on my feet for 10-12 hours straight! But the older I get, the harder it gets to rebound from these assignments and jump out of bed the next day. Until I discovered yoga. I practice yoga at home and in the office almost every day. In the morning, it supplies me with as much energy as 2 cups of coffee. At night, it stretches my legs, hips and shoulders after sitting in an office chair all day. Sometimes, it gives me the second wind I need to get through an all day, all night music festival. It also relieves the tension in my neck after holding my camera up to my eye through the entire event.

Find What Works For You

Yoga may not be the best exercise plan for you. But I highly recommend trying different types and finding the one that suits you. Because journalists need to stay in shape in order to be the best in their field. Plus, we’re spending more and more time in front of computers and behind cameras and video cameras as we put more and more content on the web. So be smart, stay fit and remain active until a ripe old age. (Of course, if you’re the best in your field, you can always hire assistants to carry your gear when you get older… But you still have to be able to get to the scene in style no matter what.)

For the ladies: bonus effects of yoga and pilates = longer, leaner legs and what I’ve heard referred to as “yoga ass”!

Here’s my favorite Morning Yoga video for waking up in the morning:

This vid is from the Yoga Journal which is a fabulous magazine with a fabulous website. You can find loads more yoga videos on their site:

Yoga Journal

For more yoga and pilates resources, check out the next installment in our Journalist Boot Camp:

Yoga For Journalists Pt. 2

You’ll find yoga routines for the office, hotel room, morning, night and more…