I learned today of a new development in camera technology and thanks to the wonderful folks at Nicanon I got to try out these features on their soon to be released models for a full week.
For several years we have seen great leaps in the automation of camera functions. We have become used to automatic focusing, automatic white balance, automatic selection of aperture and/or shutter speed. We even rely on auto-exposure metering to set the camera for us. Now however, the major manufacturers are set to offer us a huge leap in technology in two areas:
1. Composition
2. Expression and feeling
The new auto-composition modules will recognize the elements in your shot and calculate how best to frame, place and arrange them so as to create a pleasing composition. Just select the auto-composition's dynamic tension mode and it will automatically skew the shot and place the objects within the frame so as offer maximum dynamism. Choose the auto-composition's contrast mode and it will seek out patterns of light and shade, contrasting colors, contrasts in texture or scale and produce the best shot available. I personally enjoyed the chiaroscuro option in the contrast module. Also in the composition sub-menu you will be able to select options such as:
- Leading lines
- S curves
- Triangles
- Circles
- Repeating patterns
- Implied connections
- Visual Weight (balanced, unbalanced, surreal and totally disturbing)
Make a selection of any of the above and the wave the camera around the scene until a loud beep tells you that it has spotted the S Curve or other feature you were looking for; just click OK and the camera will adjust its settings to best emphasize that feature. it is a little slow however, when seeking implied connections and a couple of times it beeped when someone appeared to be talking to a wall. I also encountered difficulty in getting it to beep when looking for an sfumato effect, it kept telling me I needed to have the optional smoke module installed.
In the auto-composition's portrait mode it will assess the number of people within the frame and use the camera's built in speaker to encourage each person in the shot to move, left, right up or down until a pleasing grouping and alignment is achieved. On the advanced auto-composition portrait feature the camera will stubbornly refuse to take the shot until everyone is facing the right way and paying attention. The optional 'Eyes Open" feature can be turned on to ensure the camera isn't fired until the module is certain that everyone in the shot has their eye's fully open. I loaned a camera with this feature to my assistant and sent her off to get a group portrait of the local cub-scout pack, I asked her to test the feature and not to return until she had a good shot. That was three days ago and still no word from her.
While the composition module is very useful at taking away all those tough decisions you have in creating an artistic image, it is the new Expression and Feeling module that will revolutionize the way you work. No longer will you have to explore every square foot of the scene or stand for long periods to absorb the atmosphere. No longer will you have to measure your reaction to it and dig deeply to your unique connection with the subject. No longer will you have to struggle with those tricky questions which say "OK, you know what this will be a photograph of, but what will it be about?". This module will take away all the hard work and effort you put into expressing yourself in the image. In a fully automated mode it will measure, compose and take the shot for you in a manner that will guarantee your viewer will feel emotion, get the message, see the story, or be intrigued by what is left out of the image.
The Expression and Feeling module will automatically scan the scene, electronically measure you heart-rate, pulse and brain activity and based on your socio-economic grouping, cultural background, education, life history and psych-evaluation which you have previously uploaded to the camera's memory, it will recognize how you feel when faced with all the elements in the scene and will automatically set the camera's controls to produce a powerful image which clearly expresses that feeling. An optional 'story' module which comes as a small device (which you attach to your forehead and carry with you at all times) will, over an extended period of time, monitor your reading, TV and movie habits and use the data it collects to identify common story lines to which you have been drawn. When faced with a scene, you just press the 'tell story' button on the module and it will use a wi-fi connection to the camera to indicate the settings that will best cause an appropriate story to be reflected in the image. Be warned however, that if you read and watch too many murder mysteries the resulting image can at times be unsuitable for those with a nervous disposition.
After using the revolutionary features of this camera for a full week I was sad to give it back. I managed to take several thousand more photographs in a day than I would otherwise have been able to do using the traditional 'artistic' method of firmly putting myself and my feelings into each shot. Next year when the promised Auto Feeling and Expression plug-in is released for Photoshop I should be able to increase my artistic output ten-fold!
Finally, I had great fun watching my old photography mentor cry when I presented the images I created with the "abject misery" and "terrible tragedy" auto story modules. He cried too when I presented the "happy ending' images - I'm not sure why - maybe the firmware needs an update.
If anyone is interested I am looking for a new assistant. Key attributes include an ability to stay with the project until it's done.
Ian is a professional photographer, published writer, occasional blogger, and photography teacher. Check out Ian's classes on Meetup Photography Classes and see his work at Ian Murray Photography
