Blog Marco

As Lady Gaga sings in her hit song "Paparazzi":

Got my flash on it's true
Need that picture of you
It's so magical

Someone has "invented" a new gadget for celebrities: an anti paparazzi flash gadget which fits in a purse. A photographer shooting a celebrity at night, complete with flash will find that every photo would be ruined as the flash from the anti paparazzi device will blind the camera's CCD sensors. There are still bigs in the "invention".

Anti Paparazzi Flash Not New

Anti Paparazzi Flash Gadget for celebrities is not new. If you are a studio photographer you would know that this technology basically uses the slave concept. Flash slaves basically are triggered by large flashes of light - and if you are organising a studio setup with multiple flashes this feature helps triggers all the flashes to light the subject.

Problems and Limitations for Anti Paparazzi Flash

I can forsee a few limitations which would limit the usability of such a device. First is that it can be easily circumvented. If the photographer chooses a shutter speed of faster than 1/200s should be able to defeat the system. Also, the second limitation is that it is run of batteries and it would be easily defeated if many photographers are flashing camera's - this little tiny device won't even survive the onslaught of flashes - because it won't even have the time to recharge. Good idea. But in reality. FAIL.

Although Harvey began developing the device for his class, he wasn’t able to perfect it, and since last fall he has continued to refine the design. Currently the wiring and batteries fit in a ladies’ clutch, but he hopes to continue reducing the size of the device to the point that it could be worn in something as small as a pendant or tie tack. In its current form the device is activated by powering it on and then tilting the clutch. The sensor will register a flash being fired from up to a 45 degree angle each way. The device works at up to 1/125 shutter speed, thus effecting slower, low-light shots.

Photography | Have you enjoyed this post? Share it with your friends... »