(Image: Lytro)
Camera technology never stops evolving. The latest devices can do away with the lens, combine several blurry photos to make one sharp image, or manipulate light. So far, one thing has stayed the same: each snapshot is frozen in time.
cameras capture an entirely new kind of image. 鈥淵ou have still, you have video 鈥� and now you have living pictures,鈥� says Lytro鈥檚 CEO Jason Rosenthal.
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The cameras use what鈥檚 known as light-field technology to capture these living pictures. Behind a single main lens is a sensor with an array of up to 250,000 micro lenses, each of which captures light at a slightly different angle. 鈥淵ou can think of each of those micro lenses as an itty bitty camera,鈥� says CTO Kurt Akeley. Software then combines all that information into an image that uses the entire light field of a scene. This result appears magical: you can change the depth of field, the focus and perspective after the photo has been taken. Photos become interactive. 鈥淚n the same way digital replaced film, light-field imaging will ultimately replace digital,鈥� says Rosenthal.
Lytro is now looking into lightfield microscopes that would be able to create a 3D model of a subject without having to take images from multiple angles. NASA has also snapped up the tech for use on its space probes. 鈥淭his just becomes a better way of doing imaging,鈥� says Rosenthal
Now it鈥檚 your turn to get in on the action. For a chance to win an 鈥� Lytro鈥檚 flagship camera worth 拢1000 鈥� just answer the following question: Who took the world鈥檚 first photo?
Fill in our entry form with your answer. Be sure to put 鈥淟ytro Illum competition鈥� in your message.
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