Inventor Matt Richardson simply calls it the Descriptive Camera (soon to be called Photo2Text). The technology behind it is not really as cutting edge as PhotoSketch, although the concept certainly is. When an image is taken using the Descriptive Camera, it sends the digital photo to a person, who will then describe what’s in the photo. Richardson uses Amazon’s Mechanical Turk service to find people who will describe the photo. Finally, the camera’s built-in thermal printer will print out the description. I’m not sure where the digital image goes, so there could be a privacy issue there. All in all this “development” process takes 3 to 6 minutes.

The camera can also be switched to “accomplice mode”, which can be used to send an instant message to another person so they can describe the photo. So for example instead of asking a worker who doesn’t know a thing about you, you could ask your mom to describe a picture of you when you were a baby. Or you’d send yourself pictures taken while you’re drunk for your sober self to try to piece together later.

So why would anyone want a description of a picture instead of the picture itself? Richardson doesn’t actually want just the text. Rather, he envisions future digital cameras to add this kind of valuable information in the metadata of digital images, not just the camera that took the picture, its resolution, ISO and other technical stuff.

Not only will this make it possible to search for a picture by describing what’s in it, but it will also preserve the human element of the photo. Like how much your friends used to love hanging out at your house, or how really they only went there because you had a Famicom because man you were quite the weirdo in 5th grade, or that you absolutely suck at taking pictures in general. That kind of stuff gets lost in time you know. For good reason. What was I talking about again?

[Matt Richardson via Cnet]

Late last year, a service called Prinstagram surfaced on the web. It allowed users to order mini prints, photo books, and posters of their Instragram shots all compiled together. But if you’re looking to get larger prints of your shots without having to go edit them in Photoshop, then you can go for Snapstagram.

The web-based service will offer an easy-to-use interface to select batches of 12 photos from your Instagram account and have them output into 4″x4″ square prints. A “roll” of 12 prints will cost you $6 (USD) including shipping.

Snapstagram is currently raising funds on Kickstarter, where a minimum pledge of $5 will get you a promo code for 1 roll which contains printouts of 12 photos. They’ve already hit their goal, so they’re definitely moving forward with the site.

The aluminum TurtleJacket case has two tripod mounts, two strap holds, allowing you to hang your iPhone around your neck or wrists, and a 37mm thread for conversion lenses. The base package includes a UV filter and a 37mm wide-angle lens.

There’s even an SLR lens jacket version available, allowing you to mount your Nikon or Canon lenses to the iPhone if you want to go crazy. I think this could get a bit awkward and cumbersome, but anything for that perfect photo, right?

Unfortunately, all this photographic flexibility comes at a price – the TurtleJacket starts off at 980 Hong Kong Dollars (~$126 USD) while the DOF versions will set you back about twice that.

[via Ubergizmo]

Out of the box, the Digital Harinezumi 3.0 can add a wide variety of digital enhancements to your images, such as monochrome, vivid color, and various aging effects, each adding artistic lo-fi qualities to your images and videos.

It’s also capable of shooting macro images as close up as 1 inch from the lens, and combining those with its digital effects.

Some of the new modes for version 3.0 of the camera include various overexposure effects, as well as extreme noise modes (achieved through an aggressive 3.5x digital zoom.) Each of these modes gives you just that much more creative flexibility with this pocket-sized cam.

Perhaps my favorite new effect mode is “Smoky,” which combines both a blurry effect with some rather severe color abberations, resulting is some cool, ethereal shots.

Specs for the Digital Harinezumi 3.0 aren’t anything to write home about, with a top resolution of 2048×1536 (3 megapixels), and the ability to shoot video at up to 30fps (not sure on the resolution), and only ISO 100/800 modes. Still, if you’re buying one of these, you’re not buying it for the image quality – it’s all about the artistic effects you can achieve. While there are certainly smartphone apps and effects built into some conventional digital cameras, I still think there’s a certain something special about the images when they’re captured with a dedicated effects camera like the DH 3.0.

If you’re interested in one, they’re available from the SuperHeadz shop for ¥15,750 (~$188 USD) for the camera by itself. Various pricey bundles are available with additional accessories, but the camera itself is the star here. Since the website is entirely in Japanese, you might want to use a service like White Rabbit Express to order one on your behalf.

The body of the M-27 is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, and comes with 37mm wide angle and macro lenses. It will allow photographers a 130-degree field of view, and includes compatibility with a wide range of tripods, microphones and lights. It looks interesting, but only if you’re serious about your iPhone photography. You certainly don’t need something like for taking everyday snapshots.

The wide-angle and macro lenses can be easily removed, though it’s not clear if other lenses will be available at some point. In addition, the mount has a pair of ergonomic hand grips which make it easy to go on long handheld shoots.

The M-27 mount is available from iSteadyShot for the iPhone 4 and 4S, where it sells for $99.99(USD). It’s also available in a $199 bundle with the iSteady Shot ARC, a camera stabilizer system similar to a Steadicam.

[via Ubergizmo]

This probably happens to more people than we think, because there’s now an app that will make sure that you end up with photos that you’re happy with. It’s called Remove, and the way it works is extremely clever.

No, it doesn’t shoo away people nor will it magically fill in the background once you crop out a person or two. What it does is initially take a burst of shots in rapid succession. It then compares all the shots and identifies which subjects are moving (aka. the people to remove) and which ones are not (aka. the subject of the photos.)

The moving objects will be highlighted and presented to you in the next screen, where you’ll also be given the option to remove them. The final result is a composite photo showing just you and a distraction-less background.

It’s creator, Scalado, plans on showing off a working version at Mobile World Congress at the end of this month. Though it looks promising, Remove is still in the prototype stage, so you might have to wait a few more months before its public release.

[via New Scientist via Gizmag]

Artist/engineer Jeffrey Sgroi’s 3Tones are a new artform, made up out of thousands of tiny conical pits, drilled out by a computer-controlled router. By digitizing photographic images into halftones, then programming the drill to cut varying sized pits into a block of painted Corian, he’s able to achieve some really cool and unique art.

When you look each piece up close, it just looks like an abstract pattern, but when you stand back, you see a fully-formed photographic image. What’s really cool about this art is that it’s not just flat, and you can actually feel the texture of each image.

Even better yet, you can actually own one of these 3Tone images for yourself. After working out the process using equipment at TechShopRDU, Sgroi is raising funds over on Kickstarter to get his own production facility up and running. With a contribution of as little as $50(USD), you can have your very own 3Tone image of your choice.

A $50 pledge gets your a piece measuring approximately 50 square inches, using about 1400 holes. $80 gets you a 100 square inch piece with about 3000 holes, $175 buys a 250 square inch/7,000 hole image, and so on… all the way up to a ginormous 800 square inch 3Tone image made up of somewhere around 23,000 individual holes. You also can choose from white or “vanilla” Corian, as well as black, midnight blue or black paint.

Assuming the project reaches its $21,000 funding goal by March 11th, Jeffrey expects to start shipping 3Tone images this April. Head on over to Kickstarter to order yours now!

[Thanks for the tip, Jeffrey!]

Cinemagram converts short film clips into a single, animated image. It also offers special filters and photographic effects that can be layered onto the resulting animations. You can even select only a part of an image into a GIF, making it look like a video is embedded in a still photograph. Here are a couple of examples produced with the app:

You can get Cinemagram from the iTunes App Store for $1.99 (USD), and check out more Cinemagrams on Cinemagram’s Tumblr site.

[via designboom]

The compact and versatile Steady tool has a dozen tools built in, including fine-edge and serrated blades, four screwdrivers, wire cutters, a bottle opener and needlenose pliers. But the best part has got to be the addition of a tripod mount, which works with either camera screw mounts or with smartphones, via a suction cup attachment. To use it as a tripod, simply pop open the front legs, open up the tripod “blade” and attach your camera.

The overall tool measures about 4″ long when closed, and weighs 5.8 ounces, making it a somewhat largish thing to keep in your pocket, but a totally awesome thing to keep in your backpack or book bag. And I can’t imagine going on an outdoor trip without this in my travel kit.

If you’re in the market for a multi-functional tool, and you like to take photos, you’ll definitely want to check out the Steady. It lists for $64(USD) but you can find it over on Amazon for as little as $44 (USD).

The premise of the site is simple: if you’re willing to shell out one more dollar than the previous person who uploaded the most recent picture on the site, then you can upload your photo and have have it featured on the main page until the next person with deeper pockets comes along. The first image was uploaded for $1, the second at $2, and so on and so forth.

The site itself is an art project that was conceived and launched by Sebas­tian Stadler, Stefan Jan­dl, and Carlo Jörges. The first 300 photos submitted on the site will be published in a catalog that all the photo submitters will receive. And in case you were wondering, all of the money collected from the site will go into producing that catalog and into new TMEP projects to get the submitted images noticed.

As of this writing, there have already been 105 photos submitted. The site was launched in December 2011, so it might take a while before the 300-image mark will be reached.

If you think your photo is worth $106 (or more), then head on over to TMEP to submit it and have it featured.

[via Pop Up City]

The iPhone Lens Wallet is designed to keep your magnetic iPhone cell lenses in one fold-out case since it comes with a magnetic strip to hold your macro/wide lens, fisheye, and the 2× telephoto lens. It will even take an 8× telephoto lens in its side pocket, as well as a one of those lens-adapter case backs and a mini tripod.

Photojojo sells the iPhone Lens Wallet for $15(USD), or you can get it all packed up with all of the lenses mentioned above for $79.

He took some telephone wires and wired them up to a Radio Shack 2.5mm plug. Then, he fed it through a hole that he made through the rubber strain relief of the Nunchuk and soldered it where the shoulder button connected to the main board. C aut0-adjusts and Z fires the shutter. None of the other controls do anything at this point, though it would have been cool if the joystick could be used for  zooming and focusing remotely.

I always like the idea of reusing tech that you might throw away or no longer use. What spare gadget do you have lying around, and what would you like to rebuild it into if you could?

[via Ubergizmo]

But did you know that with just your iPhone, you can travel the world for free? With Wander, you can virtually visit countless locations all over the world through the magic of pictures.

Wander will have you fill out your profile first. Then you choose where you want to “go,” and the app will hook you up with another user from that country.

For a week, you can correspond through instant messages and photos, and get a glimpse into the world of someone who lives in your destination country.

And when your week-long virtual tour is over, you can start over again at another destination. Pretty neat for something that’s available for free. It’s currently available over on the iTunes App Store, and is coming to Android soon.

[via Peta Pixel]

The Spinner 360 uses 35mm film and spins its lens around, thanks to the aforementioned drawstring. You can decide whether to use 1/125 or 1/250 of a second or release it slower so that you can capture longer exposure footage, all in 360 degrees on a single strip of film. It even allows you to capture vertical panoramas. This low-tech approach to panoramas is certainly something uncanny, especially when you see the results.

Spinner 360 sells from Lomography.com starting at just $99 (USD). Pictured here is the special edition, covered in Italian toledo leather – which currently goes for $149.

[via designboom]

His shots of LEGO Star Wars minifigs are quite offbeat, but this one is so ludicrous that it makes sense. Stormtroopers do need to check up on the Facebook status of their Imperial friends, especially Darth Vader, and take care of “important” business, while still being the footsoldiers of the Empire.

You can check out Mike’s work over at his Flickr site and his website, where you can also order prints of his LEGO and Star Wars photographs.

[via Jay Mug]

What may have seemed impossible years ago, is now easy. Just head over to Image3D and you can create your own View-Master photo reels. Just create an account, upload some pictures, and place your order. You can even add text and do some basic image manipulation.

If you want 3D images, those can be ordered up too, as long as the pictures you took were in 3D and you use their “stereo” website to order, otherwise, you’re missing out on the best part. A custom reel will cost you $22 (USD), with additional copies costing less. You can also buy a bundle, which gets you a View-Master and a gift box for $25. It makes an awesome gift for any occasion.

[via redferret]

However, a new app has surfaced for the iPhone that is interesting to me. The app is called Snapily 3D and it allows you to shoot 3D pics on your iPhone easily. However, you need to wear colored glasses to view the photos you snap (unless you want to try the crazy glasses-free “cross-eyed” mode.)

According to reviews, the app takes a bit to get used to, but once you do, the 3D effects are fantastic. It can snap pics in either color or greyscale, and you can even print your 3D images. One catch is that 3D glasses naturally aren’t included with a digital purchase. You will have to find your own stereoscopic glasses and tell the app what sort you have. It appears that the app takes multiple photos for precise distances and overlays them for the effect.

The Snapily 3D app is on the App Store to purchase right now for $1.99 (USD)

A quirky solution? The Photoblocker Beer Cooler.

The Norte Photoblocker was created for an ad campaign of Norte Beer, a South American brewer. The cooler has been equipped with a sensor that detects when a flash is fired from a camera. Once it does, it emits a flash of its own – ruining the picture and saving your job/relationship/friendships/reputation in the process.

In case you’re wondering, the ones behind the Photoblocker Beer Cooler are the fine folks from Argentinian ad agency Del Campo/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi, and yes, they have actually made some of these and provided them to nightclubs already.

[via Fast Company via Oh Gizmo!]

Judging by these pinups from photographer Joseph DeMarco, if I join the Empire, I can expect to see sexy TIE Fighter pilots and cute officers in skirts. On the other hand if i choose the Rebel Alliance, it looks like all X-Wing pilots are pretty hot as well as their droids.

Sexy as these women are, it’s a good thing we don’t live in that world because it would have been a real disappointment after signing up to either side. I mean they promise you sexy Imperial officers and you get Grand Moff Tarkin. Then you’re stuck serving your time.

Like what you see? You can grab a 2012 Star Wars Pinup Calendar over on Etsy for $25 (USD).

[via Geeksaresexy]

That was then. Now fast forward to today, where people are taking photos like mad thanks to digital photography. Most devices now come with built-in cameras, from laptops to tablets and smartphones, like Apple’s ever-popular iPhone. The current reigning photo-sharing app on the iPhone is (in my opinion) Instagram. Aside from letting you post your photos to Facebook and Twitter, you can also add some pretty cool effects and filters to transform how your shots look. Plus, it’s free, so really, nothing to complain about there.

But if you’re a bit old school and want to be able to take some of your best Instagram shots around with you, or hang up posters of the prints in your room, then you’re in luck because that’s what Prinstagram is looking to offer you.

Choose the shots you want to keep forever, then have them printed out on a poster, mini print, mini book, or tiny book.

Or if you’re the playful type, then print them out on stickers instead. Prinstagram prices range from $10 to $25, so they’re still pretty affordable, since you get concrete versions of your best memories in exchange for that amount.

[via Dvice]