We're all gonna lose our photo jobs to a robot!!

[jorgemonkey]

Apparently some really smart guys developed the world first photography robot. Its actually pretty cool what has been done with modern technology-

http://news-info.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/190.html

[megan]

Too bad they didn't actually show some of the images it took so we could judge for ourselves!

[poker]

Cool.....imagine going to Disneyland with your picture taking robot?!?! I hope it pushes strollers, changes diapers, and waits in line for lousy $9 hamburgers.

I can actually be in family photos for the first time!!

[Speed]

"but the robot left the posed shots of the bridal party to a professional photographer."

In other words, he can't pose people.

"he can't move backwards or sideways. Presently, he only navigates flat surfaces."

That eliminates him from most of the photo shoots I've done.

"Lewis needs to be oriented before he does his thing. Grimm, Smart and their students must acclimate him to his environment and program him to recognize his setting."

While I like to see the setting before I show up for the wedding, I've shot more than one where I walked in, looked around, and began taking photo's.

"Though the quality of his photographs is considered uneven now, he should get better with time, the two say."

What can I add to that?

"The Washington University computer scientists, however, insist that they are not trying to dispose of the photography profession."

"Lewis has never been an attempt to build a replacement for a human photographer,"

Apparently the scientists are smarter than they look.

"People actually feel less self-conscious around Lewis, once they get over his novelty and fascination," he adds. "They 'pose' less and interact more naturally. This lack of humanity can actually foster a good photographic environment."

So, we photographers should show a lack of humanity to get good photo's?!

Hehehehe!

Amusing article, to say the least. I think we can keep our jobs for a few more years...

I am amazed as the technology behind it however. Fascinating how advanced robots has gotten, from the Mars rovers to Lewis.

[walterick]

This atrocity has already begun when the most of you started using digital cameras.

In fact, it started earlier than that when some of you (misguided) photographers started using autoexposure.

And power winders.

Me? I use exclusively mechanical cameras with no computer interpretation. It's the only real way to shoot photographs.

Plus, when the comet comes hear earth and turns all computers alive, I'll still be safe

[almo]

I hate stuff.

[poker]

Someone needs to register:

www.photographyrobotreview.com

I'm looking forward to the forum debates!

My Canon EOSRobot has superior "anti-trip image stabilization" over your Nikon PhotoBot.

My robot's built in compositional "rules" software isn't so great. Everything is centered. I need a new rule-of-third plug in.

[schrackman]

apparently they've programmed him to be a pervert too:

"They've programmed him to recognize humans by looking first at a pair of legs. From there Lewis will gaze up to find an individual's face by looking at skin-tone in hue/saturation space."

No telling where else his gaze might go next, lol.

[Asylum Steve]

"They've programmed him to recognize humans by looking first at a pair of legs..."

Wow, what a coincidence! That's my technique for meeting women...

[mwt]

This atrocity has already begun when the most of you started using digital cameras.

In fact, it started earlier than that when some of you (misguided) photographers started using autoexposure.

And power winders.

Me? I use exclusively mechanical cameras with no computer interpretation. It's the only real way to shoot photographs.

Plus, when the comet comes hear earth and turns all computers alive, I'll still be safe

How did you make this post?

:confused5:

[Speed]

You got rid of the Coolpix?

;-)

"This atrocity has already begun when the most of you started using digital cameras."

I can't argue with you there buddy! I've got a D200 now. BUT, my N80 and F5 are still my backups at weddings. And my K1000 has a roll of Provia 100 in it right now... There are some things digital can't do.

"Plus, when the comet comes hear earth and turns all computers alive, I'll still be safe"

Ever see "I, Robot"?

:-D

[walterick]

"You got rid of the Coolpix?"

Er, um...

What, that digital camera over there on my desk? That's not mine!

I swear it!!

It must gotten there when the comet flew by...