The Future of Photography
Capturing Moments
The Future of Photography
Capturing Moments
Content
Table of Contents Introduction 04
History of Photography 10
Wearable Camera 20
Smart Camera 42
Reference 62
Introduction This book aims to explore future photography
a new direction. Among them, wearable
around the world. The main point focuses on
cameras represent a concept of “free style�
future cameras. In the future, cameras will be
of life. They may be not applied in the pro-
more and more intelligent, and their appear-
fessional field, but they will bring a special
ances will become more delicate, which will
experience for customers.
not only be convenient for carrying, but also become very beautiful.
The third chapter shows another developing have enough intelligence to satisfy anyone’s
raphy. The concept of photography can date
particular requirement. New high technology
from early cave paintings. The cave paintings
cameras will break any barrier to achieve an
attested to the fact that man has wanted to
exceptionally smart level. They will be more
record himself, his activities and the environ-
user-friendly and they will be helpful for
ment around him. In the 19th century, the
accomplishing any task without a hitch.
two basic elements of a camera were gradually formed. Also, the technology of photography developed a lot. In the 20th century, the first digital camera was designed and marketed,
introduction
direction of future cameras. Cameras will The first part reviews development of photog-
which made picture-taking easier, and every man, woman and child could become an amateur photographer. The second chapter introduces one trend of future cameras, which is a wearable camera. In the future, anything can be a camera, andevery device will be imbedded within a camera. Miniaturization of cameras will be
05
Quick and Easy Photos: Smartphones vs. Cameras
Apple
Samsung
Nikon
Canon
iPhone 5
Galaxy S4
Coolpix S3500
PowerShot SX500 IS
8 MP
13 MP
20 MP
16 MP
Lens aperture
f/2.4
f/2.2
f/3.4-f/6.4
f/3.4-f/5.8
Optical zoom
None
None
7X
30X
Digital zoom
4X
4X
4X
4X
Autofocus
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
None
None
Yes
Yes
Digital
Digital
Optical
Optical
$200-$400
$150-$250
$140
$300
Picture quality
capturing moments
(megapixels)
Manual shutter & 06
aperture control
Red eye reduction
Image stabilization system
Price
introduction
Top Left: Smartphone took a picture
Top Right: Camera took a picture
07
We can see a disparity in camera function between the smartphone and the digital camera is not wide. However, taking a photo with a smartphone is much more convenient than carrying around and learning to use a more complex digital camera. People may not always have their camera with them when an interesting photo opportunity arises, though they usually have their smartphone with them. Plus, a smartphone fits right in a pocket; a digital camera is not so much. Thus, in order for cameras to remain valuable, future cameras need to change their appearances and keep their high qualities to make them more user-friendly.
History of Photography
capturing moments
Real candle
Real candle
The image
12
History of Photography Photography is a word derived from Greek words photos (“light”) and graphein (“to draw”) The word was first used by the scientist Sir John F.W. Herschel in 1839. It is a method of recording images by the action of light, or related radiation, on a sensitive material. The early cave paintings attest to the fact that man has always wanted to record himself, his activities and the environment around him. This art, until very recently, has been reserved for the talented individuals. Painters of great renown abound throughout the centuries and have left remarkable pictorial histories of our journey through time. Alhazen, who created the first pinhole camera, was an authority on optics in the Middle Ages. He was able to actually explain why the images that were captured were upside down. But it was not until 330 BC when Aristotle noted and observed the first optic laws. He is the one who also questioned the reason behind the sun’s ability to create a circular image even though it shined through a hole that was shaped in the form of a square.
From each point of every colored body, illuminated by any light, issue light and color along every straight line that can be drawn from that point.
history of photography
—Alhazen
Bottom: Camera obscura
Opposite: Pinhole imaging
13
Top: First photograph, by Daguerre, 1838 capturing moments
14
Transforming impressions, mood changes, and movements were produced by a system of shutters and screens that allowed light to be projected—from behind—on alternately separate sections of an image painted on a semi-transparent backdrop. —Louis Daguerre
Even though the pinhole camera was developed in 1000 AD, it was not until 1827 when the first photograph was actually recorded, which was taken by Joseph Nicephore Niepce. Prior to this summer day, this camera was simply used to view and draw images, not for actual photographs. These images were referred to as sun prints, and were modern photography’s prototype. Louis Daguerre began working with Niepce in 1829 to help improve the method of photography. After working with Niepce for several years and after his death, Daguerre developed the daguerreotype, sheets. This method was a more effective and convenient way to take pictures. In order to take the pictures, the surface was painted with iodine, which made it sensitive to light. After the image was created through the use of light, the picture was then painted with silver chloride to keep the surface from transforming again. The calotype was developed in 1841, and was the process of transferring images to paper. Henry Fox Talbot was the inventor, and
history of photography
which involved the processing of pictures on silver-plated copper
developed this process by applying a silver salt solution to the paper so that it was sensitive to light. When he first began working on this method, the background of the picture was black and the image that was created was in shades of gray. The light and shadows were then reversed, which created a picture with great detail. Color photographs were not developed until the 1940s. Rolled photographic film was first introduced by George Eastman, as was the Kodak camera. Eastman developed this method in 1888, and involved the processing of images on dry, flexible and transparent photographic film. In addition to the development of the actual film, Eastman also created the camera that could use the film. Eastman’s goal was to create a simplified method of photography. The first Kodak camera was available in 1888 when the Kodak Company was founded,
15
Opposite: Canon first digital electronic camera
Bottom: Kodachrome color film
Top: The first modern photoflash bulb capturing moments
16
and was preloaded with enough rolled film to capture 100 images. This made it possible for the invention of the motion picture camera by Thomas Edison in 1891. The first type of digital photography was developed in 1969 by Bell Laboratories. The images that were taken were recorded in the form of pixels, and were not very clear until its progression in 1982. This type of photography entered into commerce in the late 1980s. The Professional Digital Camera System was introduced by Kodak, and allowed photojournalists to take electronic pictures for newspaper publishing. The type of camera that was used at this time had a 1.3 megapixel sensor, and was the Nikon F-3. The first consumer digital camera was not available until 1990.
history of photography
17
There are pros and cons when comparing digital and film photography. One of the pros of using digital photography is that you can reuse the medium that the images are recorded on. For instance, once you have used the available space on the memory card, you can transfer the data onto another device, such as a computer, and clear the space for more images. With film photography, once you have used the film, it cannot be reused. Other pros of using digital over film include the ability of viewing the images instantly over the need to use chemicals to develop the film, and the ability to edit the photos without access to a darkroom. Two benefits of using film cameras is that the batteries last longer and the camera is quicker and more effective in shutter speed.
Timeline of development of photography
1727
Johann Heinrich Schulz discovered that a substance called silver nitrate would change color when exposed to light. This paved the way for the first pictures to be taken and processed.
1826
Nicéphore Niépce makes what is now the earliest surviving photograph from nature, capturing moments
a landscape. It requires an exposure in the camera that lasts at least eight hours and
18
probably several days.
1839
Louis Daguerre publicly introduces his daguerreotype process, which produces highly detailed permanent photographs on silver-plated sheets of copper. At first, it requires several minutes of exposure in the camera, but later improvements reduce the exposure time to a few seconds. Photography suddenly enters the public consciousness and Daguerre’s process is soon being used worldwide.
1861
James Clerk Maxwell presents a projected additive color image of a multicolored ribbon, the first demonstration of color photography by the three-color method he suggested in 1855. It uses three separate black-and-white photographs taken and projected through red, green and blue color filters. The projected image is temporary but the set of three “color separations” is the first durable color photograph.
1878
Eadweard Muybridge uses a row of cameras with trip-wires to make a high-speed photographic analysis of a galloping horse. Each picture is taken in less than the two-thousandth part of a second, and they are taken in sufficiently rapid sequence (about 25 per second) that they constitute a brief real-time “movie” that can be viewed by using a device such as a zoetrope—a photographic “first”.
The Polaroid camera is marketed. The Polaroid allowed people to take a photo and have it developed immediately, right from the camera.
1963
First color instant film developed by Polaroid; Instamatic released by Kodak; first purpose-built underwater introduced, the Nikonos.
1984
The first digital camera was marketed. Canon put out the first digital camera for the public.
history of photography
1948 19
Wearable Camera
Google Glass Google Glass is a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted display. It is packed with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a camera, microphone, speakers, GPS, touchpad and possibly a gyroscope that detects head tilts. Also, there is the main piece, a tiny screen the size of a finger, that shows all the information people need at a fingertip. One of the most important features is Google Glass has voice input, which makes everything a lot more interestGoogle Now connects directly to the search engine. People can activate Google Now by saying “Okay Glass” then send a command or question. Another main feature is its camera function. Google Glass users can now live
wearable camera
ing. The built in microphone combined with
in the moment, and keep that memory in picturesor videos. No more foraging around for a camera, tuning the settings of photo apps, and letting the moment go by without a single snap. Just say, “Take a Photo” and eyes’ view at the moment is captured, hands-free. Other than photos, people can do the same with videos, which spells opportunities for extreme sports, real-life tutorials and more.
23
Opposite: Bottom: Shoot a picture in the sky
Opposite: Middle: Shoot a picture in the sky
Opposite: Top: Shoot a picture in movement
Above: Option page
24 capturing moments
25
wearable camera
CPU
Speakers
capturing moments
Battery
26
With Glass, people can either speak the com-
with Glass. Glass rests nice and securely on
mand, “Ok Glass, take a picture,� to instantly
head and is the most stable part of body.
snap a photo, or press the hardware button
This ensures shots are always nice and clean.
located on top. There is little to no shutter lag
The fact that the camera is always primed
in Glass. Clicking the shutter button almost
means people will be ready for whatever life
instantly focuses and takes a shot. It is easily
throws at them, never missing life’s precious
one of the most satisfying experiences.
moments. There is no digging into pocket, unlocking phone, opening up the camera
When snapping pictures with a smartphone,
app, holding hand steady, then pressing the
sometimes the natural shaking of hand will
onscreen shutter button.
blur an image, especially when pressing an onscreen shutter button (which causes your phone to move). This is simply not the case
Prism Camera
wearable camera
Micro
27
Opposite: The Maltese Falcon
Top: Pirelli Calendar
capturing moments
wearable camera
30 capturing moments
wearable camera
31
The biggest learning curve users will face
up to Google+ as soon as people connected to
when taking pictures with Glass is simply
Wi-Fi. Also, pressing on the touchpad when
framing the shot. There is absolutely no live
viewing a single image or video in Glass will
preview, meaning Glass users go into every
allow people to share them. Overall, Google
shot blindly. Simply speak the command or
Glass is very fashionable and convenient, and
press the camera button and hope for the
It will be an indispensable part in people’s life.
best. After shot, all the photos are backed
capturing moments
30
Canon Snap Digital cameras will continue to get smaller and smaller so long as technology successfully miniaturizes high quality optics. The Canon Snap concept is a look into what a future device might look like. The mini camera can be worn like a ring and is as adorable as it is practical, and even has good functionality. The Snap is tiny enough to wear on your finger yet powerful enough to give today’s bigger cameras a run for their money. The single button interface makes it easy to take a picture at a whim’s moment.
31
wearable camera
34 capturing moments
35
wearable camera
Display
capturing moments
Connector
36
Plug
Canon Snap Features: 1. The camera lens design: Memory
The lens is inset in a solid protective shell because the Snap is worn on a person’s finger and needs to be protected. Also, advanced technology helps the lens keep a high resolution with a small size.
Gel Ring 2. The display design: Although the camera is very small, it still has a display that checks photos immediately.
The Snap can be holden a memory card to help people save more photos. The card can be inserted into the back of the display, and it can connect with computer easily. 4. The plug design: The Snap also has a plug that hides in the back. It is a USB, so the camera not only can charge freely in any computer, but also output images easily.
wearable camera
3. The memory system design: Lens
37
The camera hound of the future wears on his forehead a lump a little larger than a walnut. It takes pictures 3 projected or enlarged, which after all involves only a factor of ten beyond present practice.
capturing moments
—Vannevar Bush
Opposite: Wearing a Canon Snap
Bottom: Canon Snap side view
38
wearable camera
39
Due to its small size and ring form, this mini
In the future, most products will pursue
snapshot camera can be always with you.
multifunctionality. The Snap not just is a mini
Against the trend of putting more and more
camera, but also can be used as a decoration.
functions into electronic devices, the design
Its gel shell can be changed to many different
idea for this camera was to make it as simple
colors for adjusting people’s moods or clothes,
and easy to use as possible. The most import-
which is similar as a phone shell. Overall, the
ant aspect for a snapshot camera is of course
Snap as a new technological representation
that you have it active the right moment. Thus,
of digital cameras has a number of outstanding
the whole electronic is put into a flexible gell-
features. The beautiful shape with suitable
ing that is easily adjust shapes, and help the
materials makes it user friendly. The small
ring camera satisfies everyone’s finger size.
size with high quality makes it use conve-
In combination with the easy to use one button
nient. It will be a new and fashionable trend
interface quick accessibility and fun taking
in the future.
snapshots is guarantied.
Smart Camera
Touch Sight Touch Sight is a digital camera for visually impaired people. It is easy to use, and it includes an unique feature which records sound to help people review and manage the photos. Without an LCD screen, it has a lightweight, flexible Braille display sheet which displays a 3D image by embossing the surface, allowing the user to touch the image. The sound file and picture document combine to become a touchable photo that is stored in the device and can be uploaded to share with others and downloaded to other Touch Sight cameras. One interesting point discovered by Chueh is that holding the camera to the forehead is the optimal position for this device. He discovered who teaches a photography course for the visually impaired discovered that holding the camera to the forehead, is the best way to stabilize and aim the camera. The instructor found the visually impaired have no problems with estimating distances, since their sense of hearing
smart camera
that “at the Beit Ha’iver (Center for the Blind) in Herzliya, the instructor
is especially sharp. Every rustle of wind in the trees catches their attention and can be used to judge distances. Other senses come into play as well. They regularly use their non-visual senses regularly to feel the world and manifest it into a mental photograph.”
45
capturing moments
Camera Lens
Shutter Button
46
Touch Sight Features: 1. The camera lens design: Since “touching� is the way for visually impaired people to operate the camera, Touch Sight has a small camera lens to prevent touching and scratching it. When accidentally dropped, this type of lens design can also reduce the risk of damage from hitting the ground. 2. The shutter button design: The shutter button is bigger and more clickable than a normal camera. It is covered with silicon rubber which provides a comfortable touch and operate. 3. Braille display design: The Braille display is placed underneath silicon rubber to provide a comfortable touch.
Power On/Off
smart camera
Braille Display
47
4. Power on/off design: The power on/off button is designed on the button is designed on the bottom of the camera to prevent accidental activation. It is separated from other buttons which makes it easy to find. 5. Reduce feature buttons to a minimum: The feature buttons on the Touch Sight are reduced to a minimum. To avoid confusion, all feature buttons are 3D silicon icons. They are easy and simple to operate.
48 capturing moments
smart camera
Opposite: Recording audio clip
Top: Braille display
49
Designed specifically for those people with impaired vision, the revolutionary camera allows it is user to take “pictures” of whatever they like, and like a sort of blind-man’s polaroid, it immediately displays the image, not on an LCD screen, but on a raised Braille display sheet on the back of the camera. For example, imagine you cannot see very well and you take a photo of your 30th birthday cake with the Touch Sight camera. Suddenly, a 3D embossed image of the cake will appear on the camera’s back surface for you to feel/look at and then save to feel away again at your own timely convenience. Pretty cool stuff, right? Right. But now replace the image of a birthday cake, with say, the face of your first born child. The camera also records a three second audio clip the moment you press the shutter button, so that the user can then use the sound as a point of reference for when they are sitting back reviewing all their photos in their own time.
50 capturing moments
Top: Touching the image
Opposite: Bottom: Braille display with image
Opposite: Top: Normal image
51
smart camera
100
Opposite: Iris camera
f / 5.4
capturing moments
1 / 125
Top: Iris camera display
Preferred settings loaded
52
Iris Camera Tech gadgets are shifting toward intuitive operation and natural body movement control. Take, for example, multi-touch interfaces of tablets and smartphones and gesture control in game consoles like Microsoft Kinect. This natural user control is the inspiration behind a developing technology that uses eye tracking and biometrics to take photographs. The Iris camera concept is a biometrically enabled and controlled by your eye. The idea behind the camera is that it would use your eyeball to figure out what you are looking at and allows you to capture exactly what you see. It aims to use eye-tracking technology to enable the user to zoom in by squinting and zoom out by opening the eyes and biometric detection to provide an impressively frictionless device for taking photos. All it takes is a double blink to snap a photograph. Rather than a traditional viewfinder or LCD screen, the surface has a digital display that shows the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings.
smart camera
When we are learning to use a camera we are really training ourselves to adapt to the product, and I believe it should also be the other way around. Products should be more intelligent and they should have the ability to also adapt to us.
capturing moments
—Mimi Zou
54
smart camera
Top: The picture shows on Iris camera
Opposite: Take a picture by Iris camera
55
Iris is controlled by blinking and squinting, allowing for single-handed operation. The real innovation of the camera is that it will not only react to eye movements, but also instead develop a relationship with its user over time. When a user picks up the camera, it scans his iris and can immediately determine his identity as long as he is registered his biometric data in the camera's software. Once it recognizes the user, the camera will automatically pull down a series of previously created preferences. The user can look through the lens, but they can zoom in and out by narrowing their eyelids. To snap a photo, just hold gaze and double blink. For example, if the person were near-sighted, Iris would identify her and immediately set the diopter, so she can see clearly. Some people might like a certain aesthetic to their photos—like a low depth of field—so the camera would set the aperture accordingly.
56 capturing moments
57
smart camera
The subject’s iris is also recognized and that allows the camera to tag the photo. Using the camera’s built in Wi-Fi capabilities, would both help the camera identify its subjects and tell it whether they wanted their photos sent to a specific location like a cloud or Facebook. Also, it can be inserted an SD card to help people save more photos. The Iris camera is an interesting idea that shows how cameras might become more of an extension of the human body in the future.
Top: Iris camera display
Opposite: A cloud option on the display
56 capturing moments
57
smart camera
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http://www.overnightprints.com/
place-2d-as-the-standard/
history_of_photography
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_photography
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eyetrackingupdate.com/2012/07/02/iris-eye-
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reference
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63
capturing moments
Image Reference:
64
A cloud option on the display
Flower, Bahman Farzad
technabob.com 58
Pinterest 02
Braille display
Flower, Michael Taggart
www.yankodesign.com 49
Pinterest 62
Bo Don, Alessandro dal Buoni
Google glass
noirfacade.livejournal.com 42
Google 22
Braille display with image
Google glass
Google 50
Google 31
Camera Obscura
Iris camera
Google 13
technabob.com 53
Camera took a picture
Iris camera display
Google 07
technabob.com 59
Canon first digital electronic camera
Kodachrome color film
Flickr 17
Google 16
Canon Snap
Maryna Linchuk, Victor Demarchelier
www.yankodesign.com 35
www.thequietfront.com 40–41
Canon Snap side view
Normal image
www.yankodesign.com 38
Google 50
Dancing
Option page
Flickr 32
Google 24
Dancing, Lois Greenfield
Photography
loisgreenfield.com 34
Google 33
First photograph, by Daguerre, 1838
Couple In Love Holidays
Flickr 14
www.all-wallpapers.net 56–57
The picture shows on Iris camera
Flickr 10
technabob.com 55
Pirelli Calendar, Richard Avedon
Touch Sight
christyturlingtonfan.tumblr.com 20
www.yankodesign.com 44
Pirelli Calendar, Steve McCurry
Touching the image
www.whudat.de 28
Google 51
Rag & Bone photo, Craig Mcdean
Vintage camera
www.designscene.net 60–61
Flickr 08–09
Recording audio clip
Wearing a Google glass
www.yankodesign.com 48
Google 30
Shoot a picture in movement
Wearing Canon Snap
Google 25
www.yankodesign.com 39
Shoot a picture in the sky Google 25 Smartphone took a picture Google 07 Sri Lanka, Clizia Capecchi blog.xritephoto.com 04 Take a picture by Iris camera technabob.com 54 The first modern photoflash bulb Google 16 The maltese falcon, Dimitris Theocharis www.dimitristheocharis.com 29
reference
Photography, Greg Kadel
65
When we are learning to use a camera we are really training ourselves to adapt to the product, and I believe it should also be the other way around. Products should be more intelligent and they should have the ability to also adapt to us. —Mimi Zou