In a series of interviews, content creators from across the UK will share their views on all things technology.

Meet Chris Fynes, a travel and food photographer and filmmaker from The Cotswolds. Amassing over 24,000 followers on his Instagram page, Chris has had a passion for photography from a young age, and when he began documenting his adventures in food, photography felt like the perfect way for him to express himself. He often uses his versatile Galaxy S9+ to capture content for his social channels.

Why did you start your Instagram page?

I actually started my Instagram on the night of a massive burger festival in London and I was using it to upload images of each burger and then share the image links on Twitter whilst live tweeting from the event! How times have changed, hey?

Have you always had an interest in photography?

I’ve always had a great affinity for photography and film and I’ve made it a mission to build a career in those industries. I think my brain is just wired to appreciate shapes and patterns and I constantly find myself lining up shots even when I don’t have a camera in hand.

What’s your best photography tip?

My best photography tip would be to shoot in Pro mode. It gives you so much more control over your images when editing and it’s why I love the Pro Mode on the Galaxy S9+. Take some time to get to know your camera and what settings work best for each environment or scene.

Why do you like shooting with a Samsung smartphone?

The Galaxy S9+ is my Samsung device of choice. First off the camera is superb and things like super slow-mo and Pro Mode give me more control over my results. The second is the expandable storage which means I can use memory cards to shoot imagery and film without worrying about clogging up the device.

What’s your favourite thing about Samsung smartphones?

That screen is second-to-none and is the perfect place to showcase your final shots. I’d love to create an art gallery where all the frames were in fact a Galaxy Note8 or S9+ and you could display your work on the phone.

If you could offer one piece of advice for photography novices, what would it be?

Shoot as often as possible and use the internet to help hone your craft. Everything I have learnt has been from reading or watching others and then heading out by myself or with friends to experiment with those new ideas. Once you find a style or method of capturing images that you are comfortable with, you will soon flourish and people will start recognising you for your work in that field.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ smartphones reimagine the way we communicate, share and experience the world. Made for the way we increasingly communicate and express ourselves with images, videos and emojis, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ brings innovation with Samsung’s most advanced camera to date. A Dual Aperture lens which adapts like the human to take brilliant pictures whether it’s bright or dark, Super Slow-mo video capabilities and personalised AR Emoji, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ ensure users never miss a moment and make their everyday epic.

Starting on 2^nd April and continuing every Monday throughout the month^[1], Samsung Pay users in the UK can enjoy free travel across the Transport for London (TfL) network when using a compatible Mastercard^[2].

Over the five promotional Mondays, all passengers on London’s transport network touching in and out using Samsung Pay, whether visitors to London or regular commuters, will benefit from a refund from Mastercard of up to £32.50 per promotional day. Customers can travel on Tube, buses, tram, DLR, London Overground, Emirates Air Line cable car and most National Rail services in London.

Plus, when GB customers use their Samsung Pay with MasterCard five times before the end of April, they can receive a £10 voucher to spend at Costa Coffee^[3]. The voucher will appear in their Samsung Pay app voucher folder and can be redeemed at any of Costa Coffee’s 2,380 branches in England, Scotland and Wales, across multiple transactions, until the £10 runs out.

Mastercard and Samsung Pay is available to HSBC, John Lewis Partnership, M&S Bank, MBNA, Santander and Danske Bank customers^[4].

Simple and secure, Samsung Pay enables users to make faster and smarter purchases directly via a number of Samsung devices^[4]. Additionally, Galaxy S9, S9+, Note8, S8 and S8+ users can take advantage of the innovative iris scanner technology to authorise payments, providing a new level of biometric security to ensure peace of mind.

For more information on how to take part in the promotion and for the full terms and conditions, visit http://www.mastercard.co.uk/SamsungPay

^[1] Subject to a cap being met.

^[2] Promoter: Mastercard Europe Services Limited. Selected UK Mastercard® with Samsung Pay only. Under 18s will require guardian/parental consent to take part. Subject to normal availability. Restrictions apply. The offer is available for specific periods (each a “Promotional Period”), between 04:30 and 04:29 on 02-03/04, 09-10/04, 16-17/04, 23-24/04 and 30/04-01/05.  A refund to a maximum value of £32.50 per cardholder, per Promotional Period will take up to 28 working days. Total refunds across all Promotional Periods will be capped at £65,000. Excludes travel on Thames Clipper River Bus services. Full T&Cs visit mstr.cd/SamsungPayTerms.

^[3] Promoters: Mastercard Europe Services Limited and Samsung Electronics (UK) Limited. Selected GB Mastercard® with Samsung Pay only. Use compatible Mastercard card in Samsung Pay five (5) times between 00:00 (BST) on 02/04/18 and 23:59 (BST) on 30/04/18 to receive a £10 Costa eGift. eGift will automatically appear in Samsung Pay once five (5) transactions have been made. eGifts must be redeemed by 31/08/18. 5,000 eGifts available. Offer available at participating Costa Coffee locations in England, Scotland and Wales only. Under 18s will require guardian/parental consent to take part. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs visit the Samsung Pay app. Not available to Danske Bank customers.

^[4] Samsung Pay is currently available on the Galaxy S9/S9+, Note8, S8/S8+, S7/S7 edge, S6/S6 edge and S6 edge+ (with Android Nougat 7.0 software update), A3 2017, A5 2016 and 2017 devices, J5 2017, Samsung Gear S3 and Gear Sport smartwatches (when paired with compatible smartphones running Android 4.4 KitKat and above). A limit of £30 may apply, based on merchant policies. Corporate cards currently not in scope.

About Samsung Pay in UK

Samsung Pay, a mobile payment service from Samsung Electronics, is simple, secure and works almost anywhere you can use a contactless payment card. Samsung Pay provides consumers a way to pay at millions of merchant locations that accept contactless payment cards. Samsung continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem for Samsung Pay to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers while enabling an easy and safe payment experience. Samsung Pay is compatible with select cards and Samsung devices, and leading wireless providers.

Visit http://www.samsung.com/uk/samsung-pay/ / www.samsung.com/uk/samsung-pay/ to learn more.

About Mastercard

Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.Mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry.  We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.  Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, travelling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone.  Follow us on Twitter @MastercardUKBiz, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

Samsung Electronics UK and AEG announced that from 29^th January to 18^th February 2018, they will partner to offer all customers who purchase a Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, Note8 or Tab S3 the opportunity to claim a pair of event tickets up to the value of £140 to a gig, tour or festival of their choice*. 

With a selection of nationwide events to choose from including Arcade Fire, Little Mix, The Vamps, Katy Perry, and a host of festivals, including Castle Concerts, Rock En Seine, and All Points East. Customers can enjoy a music event of their choice, armed with their brand new Samsung device.

Perfect for capturing content, Samsung’s smartphones and tablets enable users to snap the best photos and videos of the music event in action to create a truly memorable experience.  The Note8’s dual camera, the first ever on a Samsung smartphone, means users can capture the clearest and sharpest images and videos. The S8 and S8+’s Hyperlapse feature can create time lapse videos so users can re-experience the entire event in only a few minutes, perfect for sharing. When replaying the videos to friends and family, the Galaxy Tab S3’s super AMOLED screen with HDR video support means visuals are stunningly vivid with colours that look true-to-life, so they can enjoy the experience as if they were actually there.

Sam Grant, Marketing Director, Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland said: “At Samsung, we want to give everyone the chance to enjoy the things they love. With this partnership, customers can not only see performances live in action but also use their new phones or tablets to capture brilliant footage and relive that experience over and over again. We’re thrilled to be working with AEG and hope customers enjoy the show!”

Will Dowdy VP of Global Partnerships at AEG added:  “AEG has access to the some of the best music events across Europe and this partnership gives fans the chance to experience the music they love, by being there.  We have a long track record of enabling innovative brands to connect with their customers through entertainment and music, and this particular partnership is one of the biggest and most exciting yet.” 

To redeem the tickets, once the mobile device has been set up simply open the Samsung Members App and click on the Unbox Your Tickets banner to start the claim. Customers need to register their purchase on the app by 25 February 2018 to successfully redeem their tickets.

For Galaxy Tab S3 purchases, head over to www.samsung.com/uk/unboxyourtickets and select ‘Tablet Claim Now’.

Once customers have registered their purchase, a unique code will be sent by email and text, which can take up to 48 hours to receive. After receiving the unique code, select an event from the list provided, enter the unique code and confirm personal details. Event tickets will then be emailed or sent by post before the event, ready to enjoy. All tickets will need to be reserved by 4^th March 2018.  

For more information on Samsung and AEG’s partnership, and for further details on how to redeem your tickets please visit www.samsung.com/uk/unboxyourtickets.

Samsung Unbox You Tickets Promotion

Claim a pair of event tickets worth up to £140*

[All Products]

*Tickets are subject to availability on a first come first served basis. UK residents (18+) and UK businesses only.  Purchase by 18.02.18 from a UK participating retailer (Vodafone is not a participating retailer in this Promotion). Claim online by 25.02.18 via the Samsung Members App for phone purchases and at www.samsung.com/uk/unboxyourtickets for Tab 3 purchases. After registration tickets must be selected by 04.03.18. Resale of tickets is strictly prohibited. Maximum one claim per Promotional Product and ten claims per UK business.  See www.samsung.com/uk/unboxyourtickets/terms for full T&Cs. Promoter: Samsung Electronics (UK) Limited.

[Phones]

*Tickets are subject to availability on a first come first served basis. UK residents (18+) and UK businesses only.  Purchase by 18.02.18 from a UK participating retailer (Vodafone is not a participating retailer in this Promotion). Claim online by 25.02.18 via the Samsung Members App. After registration tickets must be selected by 04.03.18. Resale of tickets is strictly prohibited. Maximum one claim per Promotional Product and ten claims per UK business.  See www.samsung.com/uk/unboxyourtickets/terms for full T&Cs. Promoter: Samsung Electronics (UK) Limited.

[Tab3]

*Tickets are subject to availability and on a first come first served basis. UK residents (18+) and UK businesses only.  Purchase by 18.02.18 from a UK participating retailer (Vodafone is not a participating retailer in this Promotion). Claim online by 25.02.18 at www.samsung.com/uk/unboxyourtickets. After registration tickets must be selected by 04.03.18. Resale of tickets is strictly prohibited. Maximum one claim per Promotional Product and ten claims per UK business.  See www.samsung.com/uk/unboxyourtickets/terms for full T&Cs. Promoter: Samsung Electronics (UK) Limited.

Participating retailers

Samsung has teamed up with Tracey Trussell, Consultant Graphologist, to analyse the most common doodles and what they mean, exclusively using the Galaxy Note8 and its S Pen.

Watch the Galaxy Note8 doodles video below:

Several of the most popular doodles and their meanings include:

• Circles express the need to belong, love and be loved.
• Squares express a down-to-earth, practical and constructive nature.
• Triangles show a dynamic, powerful and ambitious nature
• Hearts are symbolic of love and romance, and tell of an affectionate and sentimental nature
• Webs reveal calculating personalities who are good at enticing people into a particular situation.
• A large circular centre in a flower expresses confidence, and the enjoyment of a good social life.
• Carefully drawn flowers betray the obsessive-compulsive personality.
• Boxes show ambition, materialism, and a need to plan for the future.
• Coils or spirals means doodlers thrive on variety, creativity and growth.

After a summer spent wowing festival goers, the Samsung Hypercube has now become the setting for an innovative new music video shot by rock band Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes.

A visual must-see during its festival tour this summer, Samsung has now partnered with rockers Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes. Fronted by ex-Gallows and Pure Love singer Frank Carter, the band thought the Hypercube was the perfect setting for their new music video for their latest single ‘Spray Paint Love’ which premiered on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show this week.

In the video, directed by Ross Cairns, the Hypercube takes centre stage, framing an illuminated Frank in a myriad of projected and mirrored imagery. The band are set to tour the UK at the end of this year.

Sam Grant, Marketing Director at Samsung Electronics UK said: “We are big fans of Frank, so when the opportunity arose for him and the Rattlesnakes to perform in our Hypercube, it was a no brainer. Frank is a creative genius and we are honoured to create possibilities for artists like him, whether with our inspirational brand experiences or products.”

About the partnership, Frank Carter said: “Rock and roll is all about staying true to yourself, Rattlesnakes as a band has always been immersed in tech and we pride ourselves on staying connected to the arrow head that is the modern digital frontier. So when Samsung asked if we would like to see their Hypercube, we said unequivocally; yes.

Once inside it’s easy for an artist’s mind to run riot. In many instances it would be easy for you to believe you have stepped into the actual mind of a much, much larger being than yourself.  And suddenly I knew we had to shoot a video in there. So we begged, and we promised to deliver a performance worthy of the space. When Samsung agreed, we were thrilled to be given the opportunity to play in a space with infinite possibilities.

No grandeur (it’s already grand), no overcrowding (less is more) and no forced energy (the space literally acts like it is alive already)… So I walked in, and I sang, and I danced, and I celebrated life over and over until the director yelled cut. The video has refined the experience within the space, and has allowed us to create something that is uniquely about the band and our new track. We are incredibly proud to be the one of the first to celebrate it.”

To check out the full ‘Spray Paint Love’ video visit: https://fcatr.lnk.to/YTSprayPaintLove

To find out more about the Hypercube visit: www.samsung.com/uk/hypercube

About Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

Frank Carter first made waves as the front man of Gallows, the vital hardcore act for which he was the righteous anger-fired-totem head. Two era-defining albums later, Carter found himself at a creative impasse and left to start Pure Love instead, showcasing a musical volte face with their muscular melodic rock on “Anthems”, released in 2013. It’s with Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes however, he is establishing himself as an iconic British rock front man to be reckoned with. Their incendiary first album “Blossom”, released in 2015, rocketed to the top 20, and this year’s “Modern Ruin” surpassed even that, crash landing in the top 10. It’s time to meet the real Frank Carter.

UPCOMING LIVE DATES

27/11 – Belfast, UK – Mandela Hall

28/11 – Dublin, IRE – Tivoli Theatre

01/12 – Bristol, UK – Bristol O2 (SOLD OUT)

02/12 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Institute

03/12 – Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz (SOLD OUT)

05/12 – Glasgow, UK – O2 ABC

06/12 – Nottingham, UK – Rock City

07/12 – Norwich, UK – UEA

08/12 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton

But aren’t we all fed up of seeing those blurry images that don’t show the firework off to its best? To help, Samsung has compiled the ultimate step by step guide on how to make your firework photos even better and perfect for sharing to your social media pages.

STEP ONE: A STEADY HAND

• Stability is key when taking the perfect firework photo
• If you have access to a small tripod, it will help with the steady hand needed when in low light conditions
• If you don’t have access to a tripod, find somewhere to stand that can help stabilise, for instance sitting down or leaning against a solid structure
• For Galaxy Note8 users this becomes even easier thanks to the 12MP Dual camera with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) which lets you capture incredibly sharp images

STEP TWO: NO FLASH

• Do not use flash, although you are in low light conditions, the flash won’t be able to light up enough of the sky to make a big impact
• Results will be better without and will show the depth of colour needed for the perfect firework photo

STEP THREE:  NO DIGITAL ZOOM

• Do not use zoom – your camera will capture more detail if you aren’t zoomed into the firework images
• In dual capture mode on the Note8, both rear cameras will take a photo simultaneously, a close up and a wide-angle shot that shows the entire background
• Combined with a bigger Infinity Display you will be able to capture and see all the detail needed

STEP FOUR: SET FOR SUCCESS

• Get the settings right:
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) should be turned off – long exposure slows down the capture which won’t be ideal for burst shoot images
• ISO (sensitivity of the digital camera sensor) – High ISO helps pick out details in the dark, however as fireworks essentially light up the sky, set the ISO to a low value such as 100 to reduce the chance of overexposure
• Aperture – adjust after tweaking the ISO setting to fine tune the image brightness as it controls the light coming into the camera
• If the above feels a little scary, set all the settings to automatic and use exposure compensation functions to adjust the brightness of your images, post capture

STEP FIVE: BURST SHOOT

• Just like taking the perfect selfie, more images the better
• Capture multiple images and as many as you can – use the burst shoot function where you can if you feel you aren’t fast enough
• When using the wide-angle lens, the Dual Pixel sensor includes rapid auto focus, so you can capture sharp and clear shots quickly even in low-light

STEP SIX: TRY ANOTHER ANGLE

• Try pointing your camera away from the sky
• Some of the best photos of fireworks are selfies with fireworks in the background
• With the bokeh effect feature in Samsung devices, you will be surprised at the beautiful colours and selfies you can create

On September 25, London’s Waterloo station was decked out in eye-catching images of the device encouraging commuters to “Do bigger things.” Waterloo is the busiest rail station in London with a footfall of 4,196,748 every 2 weeks, and contains the largest indoor advertising screen in Europe in the form of Waterloo motion.

The campaign follows a similar one held in New York City’s Times Square on September 15. The iconic entertainment center and tourist destination that sees an estimated 380,000 visitors every day was illuminated with S Pen-embellished portraits, animated illustrations and whimsical images of the Galaxy Note8 across 43 screens.

Other global attractions across Europe and Asia are also featuring immersive Galaxy Note8 signage.

Check out shots of the posters, billboards and digital displays from around the world in the photos below.

London Waterloo – London, UK

Times Square – New York City, USA

Other Locations

“Last Friday (September 15^th), the Galaxy Note8 officially went on sale in the UK & Ireland and sold in record numbers over its first weekend on general sale, making it our most successful Note device launch to date.

This just goes to show how sought after the Note8 device is – people looking for a device which redefines the smartphone experience are turning to the Note8.

It was extremely important for us to deliver a device that generated interest and excitement for our long-standing Note customers – while also attracting new customers – and we’re ecstatic with the results so far. With the S8 continuing to perform exceptionally well in the UK, we are delighted that we continue to attract consumers into the Samsung experience.”

About the Galaxy Note8

Samsung first introduced the Note series in 2011. Since then, a community of enthusiasts emerged through their affinity for Note’s signature expansive screen and S Pen. According to Samsung market research, 85 per cent of Note users say they’re proud to show off their Note and recommend it to friends, and 75 percent say it’s the best phone they’ve ever had.

With the Galaxy Note8, consumers get a bigger Infinity Display that fits comfortably in one hand, S Pen to communicate in more personal ways, and Samsung’s best-ever smartphone camera to capture stunning photos. It is a device designed for the way consumers lead their lives and lean on technology today.