Computational Photography

[xpatUSA]

The phrase is new to me.

As smartphone cameras progress, we're seeing a cultural split from traditional camera companies, who rely mostly on hardware and optics to achieve good image quality, just as they did with their film cameras. Instead, smartphone manufacturers are relying more on computational photography and artificial intelligence to produce a photo that is detailed and well-toned, right 'out of camera'. With just one button-press - no need to set the exposure or dynamic range compensation or AF mode yourself.

Read more here.

Will the quality of image outputs from such devices finally exceed that of a full set of traditional full-size hardware + a tripod or two: ... see just-noticeable-difference (JND)? *

Or, has it already succeeded?! (composition & scene material being the same, of course).

What say you?

* As I sit in front of my monitor, being 78 and diabetic, my human visual JND is already about double that of y'all's. In other words, half as good.

I remain grimly All-in-Manual as opposed to Ed, but I do sometime wonder about the general direction of Photography. Lovers of the 1Ds III or the D850, etc. might soon perforce be buying them on eBay as the traditional manufacturer's stocks fall toward zero.

[zen]

"I remain grimly All-in-Manual as opposed to Ed, but I do sometime wonder about the general direction of Photography. Lovers of the 1Ds III or the D850, etc. might soon perforce be buying them on eBay as the traditional manufacturer's stocks fall toward zero.

And I. Seems to me that no matter what the camera phones can do, and are doing in often expert hands, there will always be a few, me included, who cling to traditional image making. That is, using a "real" camera. But this wonders why, then, we are willing to go digital, when film is even more traditional. I was reluctant to give up my Canon F1 and lenses, but when I saw how good digital images can be, went quickly in that direction. Now, I willingly claim that "they" will have to pry my 5d4 out of my cold, dead hands. Should I live that long, however, perhaps I'll be saying that about my phone . . .

Makes me wonder about this thing called progress.

Zen

[xpatUSA]

And I. Seems to me that no matter what the camera phones can do, and are doing in often expert hands, there will always be a few, me included, who cling to traditional image making. That is, using a "real" camera. But this wonders why, then, we are willing to go digital, when film is even more traditional.

I had a Praktica MTL-3 with a Zeiss-Jena 50mm Pancolar on it most of the time. Was only a snapshooter then.

For me, digital brought:

Instant image reviews i.e. no waiting for the whole roll to be developed by others (never did it myself).

No more gallon-of-gas trips in the guzzler to K-mart, handing over dollars for their interpretation of my shots.

And post-processing.

[rpcrowe]

After I got my first DSLR, the Canon 10D, I never shot another frame of film. I sold (more accurately, just about gave away) all of my film gear Canon A-1 and Canon AE-1 plus several lenses. Although I really liked these cameras, I don't miss them a bit!

Unique thing is that I always thought that I could focus manual lenses faster and more accurately than lenses could auto-focus. I WAS WRONG

I can respect people who still shoot film but, I am not one of them...

[xpatUSA]

After I got my first DSLR, the Canon 10D, I never shot another frame of film. I sold (more accurately, just about gave away) all of my film gear Canon A-1 and Canon AE-1 plus several lenses. Although I really liked these cameras, I don't miss them a bit!

Last year, a neighbor asked me sell those very same flagship models for whatever I could get. Posted on several fora and of course eBay. No takers. He told me to throw them out.

[Abitconfused]

Of course, users of technologically sophisticated yet affordable digital cameras producing images from 24-50 megapixels also may use cutting-edge software to perfect their craft. So the smartphone needen't lead us into the future. Our much bigger lenses can be exploited to aid in producing images having noticable better contrast, color, and resolution. We must fight on brothers and sisters! And, of course, add a phone to our camera...it already has a touch screen and microphone.

[Manfred M]

Of course, users of technologically sophisticated yet affordable digital cameras producing images from 24-50 megapixels also may use cutting-edge software to perfect their craft.

Unfortunately, unless one is printing, this resolution is not going to buy much when posting on the internet or on a standard computer screen which is limited to ~ 2MP. Even the high resolution 4K or 5K screens are only in the 8MP and 10 MP range.

[Abitconfused]

True, I have a strange longing for the D850's resolution that I will use for...nothing. I want it because its there and has such potential. To me a 4K or, if evil marketing has its way, 8K screen is a canvas to fill but filling it takes only a smidgen of most digital camera's capabilities. I suspect printers of all variations will continue to reveal their uselessness as we continue the paperless plunge. Somewhere in Dixie a farmer still plows his field using a mule and an iron plow. One sympathises.

[Manfred M]

I suspect printers of all variations will continue to reveal their uselessness as we continue the paperless plunge.

1. Prints will outlast any form of digital storage. A properly stored print on archival paper and pigment inks will last at least 200 years for colour and 300 years in B&W.

2. When you are no longer around, no one will dig into your hard drive or online storage. A shoe box of prints will entertain for many generations.

Sorry, prints are not dead and will likely never die. They are the best way to preserve our photographic legacy.

[Abitconfused]

I hope so!

[xpatUSA]

True, I have a strange longing for the D850's resolution that I will use for...nothing. I want it because its there and has such potential. To me a 4K or, if evil marketing has its way, 8K screen is a canvas to fill but filling it takes only a smidgen of most digital camera's capabilities. I suspect printers of all variations will continue to reveal their uselessness as we continue the paperless plunge. Somewhere in Dixie a farmer still plows his field using a mule and an iron plow. One sympathises.

Ed,

Somewhere in Texas, a retired geezer (me) just sold a late model Sigma because of it's huge files and automated stuff. Do feel free to sympathize even more.

2K rules ...

[Tringa]

Interesting ideas here.

Greater computing power will allow cameras to become more able in dealing with dynamic range, low light, more 'intelligent' focussing, aperture and shutter speed choice etc., then it could be argued the user will no longer need to understand what they are doing, and everybody will become a 'great' photographer.

Conversely it could be argued that if everyone has a superbly features camera then the results* will separate those who have photographic talent from someone who has none and is simply pointing and shooting.

It is going to be interesting.

Dave

* however, we know from social media that often the results do not matter. While there are many excellent photos online there are also many of very poor shots that receive lots of 'likes'

[Abitconfused]

I see the truth of it! In the end it is the image that rules not the gear. If the image doesn’t pull at least one heart string might as well leave the camera in its bag.

[Panama Hat & Camera]

The phrase is new to me.



Read more here.

Will the quality of image outputs from such devices finally exceed that of a full set of traditional full-size hardware + a tripod or two: ... see just-noticeable-difference (JND)? *

Or, has it already succeeded?! (composition & scene material being the same, of course).

What say you?

* As I sit in front of my monitor, being 78 and diabetic, my human visual JND is already about double that of y'all's. In other words, half as good.

I remain grimly All-in-Manual as opposed to Ed, but I do sometime wonder about the general direction of Photography. Lovers of the 1Ds III or the D850, etc. might soon perforce be buying them on eBay as the traditional manufacturer's stocks fall toward zero.

Optics or electronic (digital cameras or smartphone cameras)? Where will the photography go? I found this thread very interesting and it inspired me to write the thread Smartphone cameras (Computational Photography???), where I gave my opinion on this subject.
Cheers,
Antonio.