Light show: Taking photography in a new direction

Like most digital cameras, Lytro cameras capture information about colour and intensity of light. But unlike traditional cameras they also record light in all directions. This enables photographers and viewers to manipulate images after they have been recorded, for example changing the focal point of the photograph or even making subtle shifts in perspective.

The company released its Perspective Shift technology in December. ‘You can take any little scene and make it like interactive Matrix-bullet-time,’ landscape photographer Trey Ratcliff said at the time. 

The company also worked with Style Network in February to document New York Fashion Week in light field pictures for the first time, enabling viewers to interact with photos from the catwalk. Examples are available in the company’s photo galleries. 

Fashion designers are also experimenting with short-form videos through iPhone app Vine to give followers a more intimate look at collections. To learn more, read our Climb on the Vine microtrend.