Introducing, potentially, the most versatile camera ever. Lytro is the name given to the newest advancement in cameras; the light field camera. The concept behind this camera is simple. “Shoot first, focus after.” This camera uses light field technology, which is a core concept in imaging science. Light fields describe the amount of light traveling in every direction through every point in space. There are complex equations and mathematical relations that I’ll spare since it’s summer. Simply put, cameras have always been limited to the instantaneous amount of light they are exposed to at the time of taking a picture. Conventional cameras can not record the light fields present in a scene, but a Lytro can very well do that.
Using new light field sensors, the Lytro can capture colour, intensity and most importantly the vector direction of light. That just means that it can recognise where a source of light came from (keeping in mind we’re not talking about light bulbs here, we’re talking about each and every ray of light and its origin). This allows for the user to pick a focal point after the photo is taken! For photo junkies and amateurs alike, a tool like this is revolutionizing. Not only does it make capturing the perfect moment easier, but it also opens up opportunities to see details that would be missed otherwise. This camera, though still a young camera in the photography world, has already succeeded by having the capabilities to shift your perspective in photography, literally. Click through to interactively play with pictures taken by the Lytro and experience and/or fall in love with it for yourself.