The Lytro Camera

By Shea Garner

Tired of your digital camera? Is your Instagram account not getting the attention it deserves? Well now digital and analog connoisseurs can rejoice because the future of photography is here with the new Lytro camera. The Lytro camera is a new device that allows you to play with and adjust certain aspects of your photo after you’ve taken it in a way that iPhoto or Photoshop can’t.

The pictures are square, much like a Polaroid photograph or an Instagram rip-off; however, the quality of the images is stunning. The Lytro focuses on two main qualities in the image: light and focus. A conventional digital camera can only capture a single plane of light in its lens, whereas, a Lytro can capture the entire light field. Therefore, pornographic photos shot in the daylight can glisten like never before.

Where the Lytro really excels is in the focusing field. Capturing light and color from all directions allows you to focus your photo after you’ve taken it. Any part of the picture can be focused and re-focused and shared in a digital format that allows your fans and viewers to do the same. Uploading some crazy party pictures from the night before will completely change with the ability to focus and see who’s getting sloppy in the background of your best friend’s new profile picture.

The Lytro camera sports a small rectangular design and comes in three different colors (red, blue, and grey) and both 8GB ($399) and 16GB ($499) models. It has an 8x optical zoom with a sensitive glass touch screen that allows you to tap to adjust the exposure. The device also weighs in at less than eight ounces making it perfect to slip in your pocket or purse for on-the-go photos.

In a time where most digital photography is taken on a smartphone, it’s great to see a company with a new and original camera-design. Those who love the vintage look and feel of analog photography will always have the past, but those looking for innovation in the digital photography world: Lytro gives you the future.

What are your thoughts on the Lytro camera? And where do you stand on the analog vs. digital debate?