I’m not exactly the world’s best photographer. In fact, most of the great photo opportunities I’ve been given have passed me by, mainly due to the fact that I am terrible at capturing a photo quickly. My picture-taking skills improved a lot when I got my hands on the iPhone 4, because I could snap photos so fast. But I still find myself sifting through piles of unfocused, blurry, and dimly lit shots. It just seems like no matter what I do, I can’t take a good picture, and it has become very frustrating.
I learned today though, about a new camera called the Lytro. This amazing technological advancement in photography is promising to end the suffering of missed photo opportunities. The Lytro camera makes use of specialized light-field technology that allows pictures to be taken through the entire light field. This means that photos turn out exactly as you envisioned them and don’t suffer from issues like dim lighting or glare.
Lytro’s wonders don’t stop there, though. This camera has a unique ability thanks to its clever, well-tuned technology. You’ll be able to take photos quickly, since the camera doesn’t need to auto-focus, and then adjust the focus yourself later on a personal computer or tablet. What does this mean exactly? It means you have much more creative freedom over your photographs, and you’ll never have to worry about a blurry or unfocused shot again. You’ll be able to chose what aspects (if any) of the photo are blurry, and you can even add specialized filters to help fine-tune your pictures even further.
Technically you’re not getting an ordinary photo when you snap a shot with the Lytro. According to developers, you’re giving life to something called a “living photo.” After seeing your captured pictures on your PC or tablet, you’ll understand why the company uses this term. These are not traditional, two-dimensional photos. They are instead, three-dimensional shots that allow you to literally change angles and focal points. Clicking and dragging will allow you to see your photo from a variety of different angles, increasing the detail of the photo while simultaneously decreasing and eliminating any imperfections. It’s actually quite amazing how well this technology works.
All of this wonderful technology is packed into a sleek and unique design. The Lytro almost looks like a tiny telescope, or a spyglass of old. The camera itself is only 1.61 inches tall and 4.41 inches long. It’s easy to hold with one hand too, considering it only weighs 7.55 ounces. The outer casing of the camera is mostly aluminum, while the base is covered in a nice rubber grip which helps you to hold the camera when snapping photos. Everything is operated with one hand. The shutter button can be pressed easily with the index finger, and you can make use of an 8x optical zoom with a simple sliding gesture.
I am clambering to get my hands on one of these cameras to see if the claims for this device are really true. Because if they are, it would easily solve every problem I have ever had with photography. I wouldn’t be so upset, because I wouldn’t miss out on amazing pictures.
If you want to grab your own Lytro, you can do so from the company’s website. Their high-end “Red Hot” model has a 16 gigabyte (750 photo) capacity and runs at a price of USD $499.99. If you don’t need the extra space, you can opt for the smaller capacity model. This version comes in four colors – graphite, electric blue, seaglass, and moxie pink. It features 8 gigabytes of space (350 photos) and costs USD $399.99. You can also grab these fantastic new cameras at your local neighborhood Target store.
Photo Credit: Lytro
