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Key Trends that Will Redefine the Future of Digital Photography

We’ve seen smartphones revolutionizing the way we take pictures. With the arrival of new technology like Virtual reality, computational imagery, deep data, multiple sensor devices and image recognition, we are set to witness new trends that are ready to redefine what digital photography can do in 2017.

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Sidharth Shekhar
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We’ve seen smartphones revolutionizing the way we take pictures. With the arrival of new technology like Virtual reality, computational imagery, deep data, multiple sensor devices and image recognition, we are set to witness new trends that are ready to redefine what digital photography can do in 2017.

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Here are few prominent trends.

Encryption for cameras

Journalists and investigative reporters have always relied on encrypted hard drives to protect their sources. However, photojournalists, especially those covering conflict zones or skirting beneath the radar of oppressive regimes need a truly secure encryption to protect their data.

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Recently, some 150 documentary filmmakers and photojournalists called on Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Ricoh, and Olympus to build in optional encryption to their cameras. The filmmakers signed an open letter from the nonprofit Freedom of the Press Foundation and expressed their concerns about how digital cameras manage images and video and highlighted their reasoning behind the need for encryption.

Highly sensitive imaging sensor

Tamron is currently working on an all-new imaging sensor that’s more sensitive than the human eye and captures an incredible amount of dynamic range.

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The new sensor is being developed in partnership with the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). The main purpose of the joint endeavor is to create an imaging sensor that’s capable of consistently outputting high dynamic range imagery in incredibly low-light conditions — something that’s proven to be a massive challenge in the past.

The intended technology is not focused on consumer cameras and will be used for industrial purposes. However, tech like this will eventually inspire the next generation of DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

Machine Learning and AI

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New technologies, like machine learning and artificial intelligence, can take smartphone cameras and photography to a different level, as evidenced by Google’s Pixel phone and other photo-related apps it has built.

Through complex algorithms, software can automatically tag your photos and even group them into categories, as well as recognize faces and it is already being used in apps like Google Photos and stock photo services like Shutterstock.

VR

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The camera companies are looking into the future. Nikon’s newly released 360-degree camera, the KeyMission 360, signals the company’s desire to enter the virtual reality market, an area that’s also being courted by Ricoh and Samsung. Canon recently demonstrated a VR headset that’s in development, as well as 8K imaging. As long as camera companies are able to finally innovate, survival is within reach.

Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team is already testing a 360-degree virtual reality camera attached to its car. Liberty Media, the U.S. investor group has already expressed interest in creating an all-new streaming service for Formula 1 races.

Imagine getting immersed in live 360-degree views, where you can hop on to a front-row seat of your favorite driver’s car.

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Reverse mounted Lens

Canon Japan has patented a lens that’s capable of being “reverse mounted” onto a camera to give macro capabilities with full electronic control.

Though, there are few adapters available in the market that will allow you to mount a lens backward on your DSLR or mirrorless camera to effectively turn your lens into a macro lens. But none of them give you autofocus, aperture control, or EXIF data transfer.

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According to patent publication number 2016-206568, the lens would feature mounts on both ends of the lens and contacts to transmit information and control the electronic components.

The return of the film

We all have found vintage film prints to be cool like turntables. The film cameras have returned for 2016. Nothing can beat the soul of a film camera and it captures real life in an unparalleled way. The colors are dreamy and full of tones and depth.

Sales of the photographic film have been steadily rising over the last few years, and people are exploring them like never before.

Resurgence of digital zoom

Due to improved processing and software, digital zooms could see a resurgence. The new iPhone 7 Plus features new design elements like the dual lens and image stabilization, as well as support for uncompressed RAW files. Such features are enough to demonstrate that smartphone makers can overcome the limitations of a thin frame.

Apple has changed the camera industry forever and with the iPhone 7, they are getting close to DSLR.

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