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Capturing
the Images
1)
Turntable Style - One of the easiest methods for capturing
the images along a circular path is to keep the camera stationary
and rotate the subject. Place your subject on a turntable,
and position the camera so that it is centered on the turntable.
Now simply rotate the turntable at a smooth, steady pace,
and capture the images as the subject rotates.
- If
you are using a camcorder or DV camcorder, let it record
continuously while the turntable is rotating continuously.
- If
you are turning the turntable manually, keep the rotation
smooth and steady.
- If
you are using a digital still camera or a regular still
camera, you will need to rotate the turntable 1 degree at
a time, stopping at each point to snap a picture. (If 1
degree is too difficult, try larger increments. Even up
to 5 degrees.)
- If
you are recording something with motion, like a person blowing
a kiss, keep the motions smooth and steady. Nothing too
fast or jerky.
- Remember,
if it is not rotating on the turntable, it will not appear
properly 3D in the final hologram. So background elements
that are stationary will not work well. It is usually best
to just use a black (or other solid color) background behind
the images.
2)
Creative Turntable Style - Basically, the subject needs to
rotate in front of the camera. Here are a few of the creative
(and brilliant) ideas we've heard:
- Use
a swivel chair or rotating stool. Have someone (preferably
not seen by the camera) rotate the chair at a smooth and
steady pace. Start facing the right and rotate for a full
180 degrees so that you wind up facing left. Don't forget
to smile and wave.(Credited to Randy)
- Make
a big semicircle on a piece of paper with a radius of 5
inches. Mark along the perimeter of the semicircle every
1/4 inch (this is about 3 degrees). Place the piece of paper
on the floor in front of the camera and stand on top of
it so that when you face to the right you are at the start
of the semicircle Tie a pencil to your shoe or make a mark
on your shoe, and line it up with the first mark along the
semicircle Take a picture with your camera, then shuffle
your feet so that your shoes line up with the next mark
on the paper, and you body has turned slightly. (The rotation
for this one will not be quite as smooth, but you'll still
get the 3D effect. You can also try turning 360 degrees
at about 5 degree increments.)
- For
inanimate objects, try a "lazy susan." They sell
them at almost any place that would have kitchen or dining
room supplies. Make marks along the outer edge at 1 degree
increments, so that you can turn it precisely. Move to each
mark, and snap a picture.
- Go
to an auto show, and when no one is looking, jump up on
the big rotating platform with one of the cars. Have your
friend video tape you as you rotate around. Be sure to capture
the policeman as he removes you from the scene (or perhaps
you are better off just filming the car by itself).
3)
Moving Camera Style - The other way to capture the necessary
images is to keep the subject stationary, and move the camera
around the subject along a circular path. This is the only
way to capture larger objects, and to get background scenery
or objects in the hologram. We have had very good success
using curved dolly track, which is used in the motion picture
industry, with a camera dolly rolling smoothly around the
subject. Place the main subject of your hologram at the center
of the curve for the camera, and then move the camera around
it 180 degrees. Everything that is captured by the moving
camera will be captured in 3D in the final hologram, including
all background items and scenery.
4)
Creative Moving Camera Style - Here's a few more creative
ideas for capturing the images with a camera moving around
the subject:
- Very
large objects, such as cars, horses, or buildings, require
some extra planning. Create a circle on the ground that
is big enough to go all the way around the object. Then
figure out how far you need to move along the circle to
move in increments of 1 degree (remember circumference of
a circle is 2*pi*radius, then divide by 360 degrees to get
1 degree). Mark each segment off on the ground. Place your
camera on a tripod, and hang a string with a plumb bob from
the center under the camera. Place the plumb bob, and the
tripod as a result, over each mark along the circle, center
the object, and take a picture.
- Rent
a helicopter and fly in circles around cool stuff.
- Use
GPS coordinates to plot out 1 degree increments along a
very large circular path for extremely large objects.
Helpful
Tips
It is important to note that the center of rotation of the
camera (whether you rotate the subject, or rotate the camera)
will determine what part of your subject projects out in front
of the holographic film, and what part of your subject appears
to be behind, or "inside," the hologram. Objects
between the camera and the center of rotation will appear
to "project" out in front of the hologram, while
objects located beyond the center of rotation will appear
to be "inside" the hologram. And of course, objects
at the center of rotation will appear to be located on the
surface of the hologram film.
It
is also important to be aware that holograms exhibit a type
of "holographic depth of focus," similar to depth
of focus in photography. This means that objects located closest
to the surface of the hologram film (closest to the center
of rotation) will be the sharpest and clearest. Objects that
are farther from the hologram film, whether projected in front
or positioned inside the hologram, will gradually lose sharpness
as they get farther from the surface of the hologram film.
So objects or people that are the main subjects for your hologram
should be located as close to the surface of the hologram
film (and thus the center of rotation) as possible. As a very
general rule of thumb, we recommend limiting the projection
of objects in front of the hologram to about 30% of the total
width of the hologram, and limiting the position of objects
inside the hologram to less than about 50% of the width. This
would mean that for a 12 inch wide hologram, it would be helpful
to limit object projection to less than 4 inches, and keep
important objects within about 6 inches deep inside the hologram.
But remember, this is your hologram, so feel free to break
these rules at any time and experiment.
Video
Formats, Movie Formats, and File Formats
If possible, we prefer to receive the individual images or
frames in BMP format. However, TIFF also works well, or sending
the images in Quicktime or AVI movie formats. If necessary,
we can often use many other image and movie formats. Or, you
can send us your movie footage on VHS tape or mini-DV tape,
and we'll extract the necessary frames.
Image
Resolution
It is always better to start out with higher quality images
for your hologram, if possible. If you are capturing content
with a camcorder or Digital Video camcorder, the resolution
will be about 720x480 pixels, which is standard video resolution.
If you are using a digital still camera, use the highest resolution
that will still allow you to capture all the images you need
(maximum of 1024x768 pixels). If you are using a film camera,
scan the images into your computer at a good resolution (maximum
of 1024x768). We have on occasion made holograms with resolutions
as low as 320x240, and still had reasonably good results.
Sending
Your Images to Liti
After you place your order for your custom Liti3D hologram,
you will be given a special e-mail address to which you can
send your images or movie. If the total size is larger than
about 50MB, we request that you use a .zip format to compress
the images or movie file first. If you are sending a video
or DV tape, you can find our address on the Contact
page.
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