Lytro Photography

Photographs just got cooler

While the concept behind Lytro photograph is actually quite old, the technology itself is very new.
Lytro cameras are capable to taking a photo of a scene, capturing enough depth information to allow you to change the point of focus afterwards. It's a very cool effect, however the cameras are not cheap.

There is a hack out there that lets you create these impressive images without the need for a Lytro camera though. The guys at Chaos Collective have created a tool that takes a short movie and converts it into an embeded functional faux-lytro image. Below are a couple of images I've created using their tool.

Enjoy!
This is a DOF-Changeable Image.
Click anywhere to adjust the focus.
Faux Lytro image of my work space...Winding down after a long day's work with an ice cold cider.
This is a DOF-Changeable Image.
Click anywhere to adjust the focus.
Faux Lytro image of an assortment of items on my kitchen table. Mainly Music I'm playing.
This is a DOF-Changeable Image.
Click anywhere to adjust the focus.
Again a faux Lytro image of the music on my kitchen table.
This is a DOF-Changeable Image.
Click anywhere to adjust the focus.
Faux Lytro image of some fruit and mint sitting on my kitchen table.
This is a DOF-Changeable Image.
Click anywhere to adjust the focus.
Faux Lytro image of the fruit bowl and mint sitting on my kitchen table, from another angle.
This is a DOF-Changeable Image.
Click anywhere to adjust the focus.
Faux Lytro image of some of my musical instruments and recording equipment.
This is a DOF-Changeable Image.
Click anywhere to adjust the focus.
Faux Lytro image of my Korg electric piano.
This is a DOF-Changeable Image.
Click anywhere to adjust the focus.
Faux Lytro image of some instruments again. This time horribly over-exposed. Oops!
Got a camera that can take video?
Well then why not have a go at this.
It's incredibly simple!
Just follow the instructions at https://dof.chaoscollective.org/

You will get the best results if you have a tripod handy.
You will also need to be able to focus your camera manually (Time to get a DLSR?).