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New Technology - Lytro: Light Field Photography

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[evan]
Posts: 5628 - Karma: 117
I was browsing YouTube the other day, checking through various tech channels and just generally exploring, when I came across a video by Noah Kravitz, or TechnoBuffalo. He is a popular uploader and somebody who I have followed for some time. He talked about a new type of photography, light field photography. Essentially what happens is, the camera captures all the light in the frame, and then in post you are able to selectively focus on any object of your choice. I haven't really figured out what to make of this yet, I have limited knowledge so far, and would love to hear what you more seasoned photographers think.

Here is Noah Kravitz's original video:





A link to the Lytro website:

http://www.lytro.com/


Be sure to play around on the Lytro site and discover what it really is for yourself.


Jun 29 2011 10:34PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
To be honest, I feel like it's a way to cheat at photography almost. Yes, it does have some good uses but a huge part of the fun in photography is working this stuff out when you're taking the shot. And if anyone can do this, it's making the gap from amateur to professional a lot smaller, which is a little depressing to see.
Jun 29 2011 11:28PM
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kalum.ko
Posts: 585 - Karma: 1,672
Totally agree with this. Kinda stupid nowadays how easy they are making thins for people.
Jun 29 2011 11:42PM
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[evan]
Posts: 5628 - Karma: 117
This for sure, it almost annoys me, I haven't done anything amazing, but even the little things I worked for. I doubt it will be that great though, I mean, how many DoF shots can there be and still remain good looking. Also, the quality doesn't appear to be that mind-blowing, which is a huge factor for soccer moms and hockey dads alike.
Jun 30 2011 12:52AM
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Rob.
Posts: 189 - Karma: 16
And something similar (maybe a compatible device) is being developed for cell phones by a company called Pelican Imaging (http://pelicanimaging.com/pelican-unveils.htm):

“Pelican’s technology has the potential to upset the traditional tradeoff between the sensitivity and resolution of a camera and its thickness. It also brings new capabilities to cameras, including post-capture focusing, foveal imaging and programmable frame rates..."


So get ready for lots of these types of shots if this takes off.
Jun 30 2011 9:57AM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,941
wow
Jun 30 2011 10:53AM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
well i guess we'll just have to hope its prohibitively expensive so the only people who can afford it are the ones that realize it's ruining the art. i could use it for video though lol i suck at keeping things in focus. il just stick to photography
Jun 30 2011 1:46PM
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Chunter
Posts: 2050 - Karma: 1,894
This. From what I got from it, its going to be a DSLR that takes out focusing pretty much. It'll make it easier to take nice DOF pictures or whatever but people are still going to have to choose aperture, shutter speed and iso on their own if they want a nice "artsy" picture outside of automatic mode.

To me this doesnt seem like it will shorten the gap too much between soccer moms and professional photographers but its more of a sign of things to come...
Jun 30 2011 2:04PM
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klayer_9
Posts: 2037 - Karma: 188
yeah thats my thought as well. It could have some potential but I doubt it will "replace" photography as we know it.
Jun 30 2011 2:58PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
It probably relies on software more than hardware. I doubt it'll change shit. There are probably some disadvantages that will deter real photographers. it seems like a "band-aid" for bad photography.
Jun 30 2011 3:18PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Nevermind, it for sure relies on software. Right from their website:


"By substituting powerful software for many of the internal parts of regular cameras, light field processing introduces new capabilities that were never before possible. Sophisticated algorithms use the full light field to unleash new ways to make and view pictures.

Relying on software rather than components can improve performance, from increased speed of picture taking to the potential for capturing better pictures in low light. It also creates new opportunities to innovate on camera lenses, controls and design."

Jun 30 2011 3:21PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
These launched today, look super interesting to fuck around with.

http://gizmodo.com/5851420/lytro-camera-first-look-its-small-deep-and-cheap-updating-live/gallery/1
Oct 19 2011 4:40PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
well shit...
Oct 19 2011 5:13PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
looks like you and I are part of the few.

The few, the proud, the searchbar-ers.
Oct 20 2011 12:21AM
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