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In the camera's eye
The morning news here in Japan had a short piece about new cell phones. Among the various features was an example of a new camera mode. Basically, the built-in camera can take a regular picture. But if you switch it into this other mode, when you take a picture of a person -- in particular a young girl's face -- her eyes will be enlarged and her makeup enhanced. You end up with a picture that is identifiably that person, but adjusted to suit the current Japanese style.
I think of this as the "artistic vision" mode. One of the differences between a photograph and a painting or artist's sketch has been the photo-realism of photographs. Now, with this new mode, the picture is no longer perfect. Instead, it is subjective! It interprets the subject. Imagine the policeman getting a picture from witnesses -- except he has to ask what mode the camera was in so that he can decide how accurately it reflects the person.
I wonder just how far this will be extended. For example, could an improved camera clean up the scenery, perhaps removing unsightly trash, telephone poles, and similar distractions? Adjusting people? I'm certain that it could add dramatic lighting, perhaps even adjust the framing? We've already got cameras that take the picture when the subject smiles, so clearly they can track and select what to take. How much automated photoshopping could it do?
Actually, an obvious possibility for the teenage male crowd would be the x-ray camera -- I'll bet it could reasonably easily provide naked bodies for people in pictures. Although that mode might have to be sold in the back of magazines rather than on the national news.
What happens when pictures aren't simply reflections of reality, but rather interpretations? Would you like the Monet mode, or perhaps the Gauguin mode? Van Gogh or Picasso?
I think of this as the "artistic vision" mode. One of the differences between a photograph and a painting or artist's sketch has been the photo-realism of photographs. Now, with this new mode, the picture is no longer perfect. Instead, it is subjective! It interprets the subject. Imagine the policeman getting a picture from witnesses -- except he has to ask what mode the camera was in so that he can decide how accurately it reflects the person.
I wonder just how far this will be extended. For example, could an improved camera clean up the scenery, perhaps removing unsightly trash, telephone poles, and similar distractions? Adjusting people? I'm certain that it could add dramatic lighting, perhaps even adjust the framing? We've already got cameras that take the picture when the subject smiles, so clearly they can track and select what to take. How much automated photoshopping could it do?
Actually, an obvious possibility for the teenage male crowd would be the x-ray camera -- I'll bet it could reasonably easily provide naked bodies for people in pictures. Although that mode might have to be sold in the back of magazines rather than on the national news.
What happens when pictures aren't simply reflections of reality, but rather interpretations? Would you like the Monet mode, or perhaps the Gauguin mode? Van Gogh or Picasso?
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