Is this a revolution, or, clutter?

Three items crossed through the ether on the weekend, one is somewhat long awaited (if you consider 5 years long), one that continues the march to making everything look inspiring, and one that even itself is not sure what it is.  The one in the middle is not even a thing, it is software.

Starting with what could either be revolutionizing digital photography (again) or go into the laser disc category (I actually acquired a laser disc player with my most recent house, although I don’t have a laser disc) – the gadget being name the Lytro.  Since these guys are probably copyright sensitive at this point, simply typing the code name, “Lytro” into Google will give you an onslaught of sites.  For those who have not been following this, this is the first implementation of what has come to be called “Lightfield Imaging”, discover, invented, or recognized by Prof. McVoy at Stanford and his student Ng.  It was first presented to the science audience at IODC in 2006, of all places.  Even then, the answers to questions were, “you’ll have to talk to my lawyer”.  This technology records not just a projected spatial intensity maps (what we call a photograph) but this device also records the intensity as a function of direction.  Conceptually, the net results being you’ve stored all the data in 3D so that you can decide what is in focus in your photo whenever you want.  Now, one might say – then why bother me, just put everything in focus.  But, the developers seem to think there are photographers out there that feel fuzzy is artistic and therefore have allowed you to make whatever you want fuzzy, or sharp.  On the Google list, it was noted that until Oct. 12, you couldn’t buy one without a “reservation code”. 

Also, on the list, was something I started to hear about earlier in the week, but, it showed up as a specific link from John Tamkin.  The new thing is, in my mind, Super Photoshop.  Apparently there are many who want to add things to their photos, that aren’t there (I don’t get it, but, I’m becoming old school I can see).  In any case, the site below guides you through how you can now add furniture to rooms that are lacking (actually in my house it would be to add floor where there are currently piles of books). 

http://kevinkarsch.com/publications/sa11.html

And, to complete the weekend there is the somewhat older news of Looxcie.  This is a tri focal length web cam you can wear on your ear – something I always wanted to do?  Available today through SkyMall (I’ve been on a lot of airplanes this month). 

 

 The catch phrases are “see what you see”, hmmm, and “catch those unexpected moments” – that can go few places.  So, now you’re caught up.  I’m not sure, yet, if you missed anything, we’ll see.

PS:  Even before we could launch this out the door, yet another “photo toy” appeared on the web that many have enjoyed.  Spotted by our web-watcher, Mark Kahan, this is the “ball camera” Quite fun too.  1 minute and 41 seconds – you can do it J

http://freshome.com/2011/10/21/ball-camera-that-captures-panoramic-views-by-jonas-pfeil-video/

Comments

[gadgettown]

Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is great blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.