The next big thing?

[chris-p]

On the 10th of June, Canon filed a patent for a completely new, and potentially revolutionary, method for increasing the dynamic range that a sensor can capture.

Basically, Canon are talking about a system that allows them to alter the exposure value for each pixel on the sensor individually. The practical upshot of this is much wider dynamic ranges in single images.

What the camera does is capture the scene and then measure the exposure values at every photosite, creates an exposure map and alters the EV for each individual pixel to ensure that you don't blow highlights or clip shadows. The patent also suggests that the system would be adjustable so that you can refine it to your own preference or taste.

This could prove to be a rather contentious area, should it ever actually make it into a camera. HDR tends to divide opinions anyway and I can just imagine the argument about removing the requirement for the skill of the photographer.

But it could also revolutionise the way we use cameras and the way sensors are built and designed.

What do you think?


And... for those interested in the (very very long and techincal) details, the whole patent can be read here.

[GeoffWessex]

If it manages to eradicate burnt out highlights and completely black shadows it can't be a bad thing, particularly if it can be adjusted a little. For landscapes that's great.... but obviously when high-key and low-key images are required you're going to want to turn off the feature.

[ABERS]

Another stick to beat us technophobes with!

I suppose the next step is to build in a device that won't allow the camera to fire unless the composition is right! Not being the slightest bit interested in the innards of cameras, someone will tell me that already exists!

Still it adds to the armoury of the technobore I suppose.

In effect our eyes / brain evaluate refracted light; This effective 'variable ISO' has always been on the cards since digital technology arrived, and with the speed in software advances I'm surprised it has taken so long!
Although the trickling of technology into the market place is always done to maximise profit and sustainability of the industry, at the end of the day, it's the skill and artistry of the user that will always count.

[chris-p]

For what it's worth, I think the implementation of this system (should it ever be used) is they key.

I think there are a couple of real issues with it. Firstly, the implementation (if it ever is implemented) would be absolutely critical. For me, I'd have to be able to turn it off, or not use it (like video) and, in the event I did want to use it, I would want complete control over it.

Secondly, I think it has the potential to benefit good photographers. Not by making their pictures any better, but by making everyone elses the same. At the moment I think it's relatively straight forward for anyone to go out and buy a new DSLR with a shiny lens and take sharp, well exposed shots. This sort of technology makes it even easier.
In my experience it's relatively easy to get to grips with the techincal aspects of photography, however learning the creative and artistic aspects is much harder. Making your photos stand out amongst the huge crowd of "average to good" shots is still the skill. To me, this sort of technology levels the playing field even further meaning that those with the real skill will still stand out.

Originally Posted by chris-p

For what it's worth, I think the implementation of this system (should it ever be used) is they key.

I think there are a couple of real issues with it. Firstly, the implementation (if it ever is implemented) would be absolutely critical. For me, I'd have to be able to turn it off, or not use it (like video) and, in the event I did want to use it, I would want complete control over it.

Secondly, I think it has the potential to benefit good photographers. Not by making their pictures any better, but by making everyone elses the same. At the moment I think it's relatively straight forward for anyone to go out and buy a new DSLR with a shiny lens and take sharp, well exposed shots. This sort of technology makes it even easier.
In my experience it's relatively easy to get to grips with the techincal aspects of photography, however learning the creative and artistic aspects is much harder. Making your photos stand out amongst the huge crowd of "average to good" shots is still the skill. To me, this sort of technology levels the playing field even further meaning that those with the real skill will still stand out.

I agree Chris. The big advantage to such advances; will be the ability to utilise settings to behave as graduated lens filters etc., and the reduced need of post processing (where it is easy to overlook the knock on effects, in consequence to off camera manipulation and post editing).

[StanleyMoon]

Originally Posted by ABERS

Not being the slightest bit interested in the innards of cameras...

Ditto.

As long as it feels right in my hands and the images are acceptable to me that's all I'm interested in.

[GeoffWessex]

On the other hand, photography (in general terms, "drawing with light") is the recording of light - or the lack of it.... i.e. highlights and shadows. Now, I can see the benefit of not having burnt highlights or completely black shadows but, let's hope we don't get away from the low-key or high-key effects completely. The logical extreme would be to photograph a tree, for example, and it would all be one tone....
Still, it makes me wonder whether this is yet another effect that would be applied in-camera to just the jpeg (like Brightness, Sharpness, Saturation), or if it would affect a Raw file too.

[KeithT]

Sounds good, but I can't help thinking that photography is slowly being taken out of the hands of the photographer. There will come a time I’m sure when cameras will have a say about who their owners will be, and they (the cameras) will choose a purchaser according to their own taste of human idiosyncrasy. A bit like the way photographers choose cameras themselves: according to the badge on the front.

[ABERS]

Originally Posted by KeithT

Sounds good, but I can't help thinking that photography is slowly being taken out of the hands of the photographer.

That's a frightening thought Keith, but I don't think it will, well not with the real photographers! The more and more gizmos and gimmicks that are introduced the more people will be lured into the art form thinking it's just a question of pressing a button and recording anything that's in front of you.

However there is a market for something new all the time, not because it's particularly useful, but just because it's new. Did all the people queuing up for the latest iPhone not have the capability to communicate with their current 'latest' phone?

Strange, sad old world.