[Hyderabadi]

This is pretty amazing, wonder if any of you have seen this site before. I've  linked directly to the 'Sytem Requirements' page, it does require some serious computing power and a high speed internet connection to experience it fully.

Photosynth

OR:
http://labs.live.com...ynth/sysreq.htm

Edited by Hyderabadi, 08 July 2007 - 06:11 AM.

[john.sw]

Technology moves on apace!

This looks similar to stitching software, but is selects other people's photos as well as your own so it can create huge panoramas and virtual tours...

Google has already done something similar with their own 3D tours of various cities, so I guess it won't be long before millions of us feature in these 3D scenes - just don't be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time!  

[Hyderabadi]

Here's one 3D tour
http://www.everyscape.com/

[webswami]

Hyderabadi, on Jul 8 2007, 01:37 AM, said:

Photosynth

OR:
http://labs.live.com...ynth/sysreq.htm

watch this Blaise Aguera y Arcas: Jaw-dropping Photosynth  demo

while you are on ted.com see some more amazing things to come and more.. (sad I know but I have seen every video on this site on every subject)
on a separate note dont miss this.
Concert pianist and composer Jennifer Lin was only 14 when she performed at TED, drawing tears with her extraordinary improvisation.

[dzibead]

This technology is amazing!  And the "TED" website?  I think I've found a new obsession!  Great stuff!

[Hyderabadi]

Quote

The evolution of photography has entered a very interesting era: the digital age. In 2004, Kodak announced that it was selling off the remainder of its film stock and no longer designing film cameras. In the new-age of photography, where the “fast-food” concept has intervened, people are taking a new approach and using new techniques to create their images.

http://www.ringsurf....hotography.html

[john.sw]

For me, there is no turning back the clock to the days when I mixed chemicals (all at exactly the right temperature) and spent hours in a darkroom only to end up with some photographs that I couldn't share with anyone who didn't come to my house.  And then there was all that washing up afterwards!

I lugged two camera bodies around Mexico, along with a set of lenses and a bag full of expensive films, and I bet that the cost of my photography was equal to or greater than the return air fare from London to Mexico City!  Years later, many of the slides have a bloom on them (probably some sort of fungus spores) and the I have no idea where all but a few of the prints are.

Today, I can take as many photographs as I like, with no cost implications.  I can upload my photographs to the internet, share with friends and family all over the world and keep backups on various devices.

One 19" colour print costs more than a 2GB memory card.

35mm film photography is dead, but medium and large format still has a place for professionals.

[Hyderabadi]

That reminds me of an uncle who had a full fledged studio (I believe he was a great influence) back in the 70s. He a had room in his house with the red light and and all kinds of smelly chemicals.

Anyone who had to make copies of their certificates used to visit him bearing gifts of their house special. Non-veg please. Yes, he was a foodie too! They used to stick the certificates on a wall and uncle used to come out with his camera and tripod, looking very seriously business like. Pre photocopy machine days in India.

He also had the first B&W TV, when the signals were an experimental 2 hours a day programming of people talking with themselves. Wish uncle was alive to see this digital transformation and HD.

Over here 35mm film is available at throwaway prices now. As low as $1.00+.

[Hyderabadi]

john.sw, on Aug 3 2008, 04:54 AM, said:

Today, I can take as many photographs as I like, with no cost implications.  .

I agree John, but I think back up storage (though cheap) is a cost factor. A 500gb external drive cost me about $150 about a year ago, nothing, compared to the chemical risks .

And, while everyone may not 'process' their digital pictures, some amount of upgrading of your computer is necessary to handle those huge picture files. Ofcourse you could use the same computer to make YouTube videos .....

[Hyderabadi]

I've been working on a Youtube video/slideshow with my pictures of Hampi and thought why not give it a try with Photosynth. Not the ideal thing to do with these pictures as most of them do not have any overlapping elements. A try anyway.

You will have to download a Photosynth plug in to view it.
http://photosynth.ne...a...3632&m=true

[cyberhippie]

Nice Hyderabadi, I'll have to have a play with the software sometime. Were the photos scanned as the slide show is a bit grainy. I've noticed the same with youtube, the picture quality gets lost some where in the upload process.

[Hyderabadi]

cyberhippie, on Aug 30 2008, 04:54 AM, said:

Were the photos scanned as the slide show is a bit grainy. I've noticed the same with YouTube, the picture quality gets lost some where in the upload process.

Thanks CH.

No, they weren't scanned. It takes a  second or two before the photo is displayed and becomes sharp, in this case at least. Play around with the other options like zooming in (with your mouse wheel) or left click on a photo and moving it around the screen, fun.

I have noticed that about YouTube, probably video version of resizing? I've only done two videos so far though.

OTOH, I've noticed that Flickr seems to improve my pictures in some way....or is it just me?

[cyberhippie]

Yeah Flickr seems to lighten the images a bit and they appear a little sharper too.