The National Science Fair

Light Field Camera

The Lytro light field camera is expected in 2011 in the shops. Will it transform the photography? The photography is still not so old, but in this area the technology has developed in recent years rapidly. Recently, the American company Lytro presented a so-called light camera, which could be the biggest breakthrough since the invention of photography. The first photo was taken by a Frenchman, Monsieur Niepce in 1826. While in the 19th century, cameras were yet monstrous boxes, they were much smaller at the beginning of the 20th century. The German camera industry, which at the latest leader was considered with the triumphant advance of Leica worldwide had a significant part in it. In the 1990s, then digital cameras began to enforce.

All cameras on a chemical process triggered by light depended on, cameras could capture now images using an image sensor. This was a major breakthrough, because these images had to be developed not more lengthy and immediately on the camera display or Computer screen could be examined. Also the image editing made this easier. It was previously almost impossible to change a photo, changes could be made now thanks to PhotoShop and similar image editing programs subsequently. A digital image had not once more will be scanned. What is still not possible, is the change of the sharpness levels after taking. A picture for that once the shutter release button has been pressed, cannot be and large changed in terms of sharpness.

At this point the Lytro light field camera attaches. This camera is not a single pixel, but one whole image point cloud. This is done on the basis of a relatively complex mesh of lenses. Using a special algorithm, then this software can calculate the image. This light field camera image can be changed then in terms of sharpness level. You can then subsequently decide, whether to the point of focus rather on the front or on the Background wants to create. Thus the lengthy composition for photographers is superfluous, as one can subsequently decide on the computer, what looks like the final image of the camera.