This robotic studio eliminates the photographer to shoot fashion photos
Feb 23, 2017
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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We’re in a world where robots seem to be taking over many of our jobs. I’m not saying whether this is a good or bad thing, it’s just reality. But this one I find to be a little bit strange. Especially when delays on professional photography shoots are usually not down to the photographer this system attempts to replace.
Regardless, in an attempt to apparently try and keep something as efficient as it already is, StyleShoots have launched Live. A robotic photo studio that, in theory, eliminates the need for a photographer or any other crew. Combining depth sensors, lighting rigs, a Canon 1DX Mark II (with a cheap 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 lens), and some nifty software on the iPad, all you need is a model and stylist.
Their goal, seems to be rapidly generating imagery for the multitude of platforms available today. Facebook, regular Instagram, Instagram stories, digital signage, and scores of others require different formats. And sometimes stills just doesn’t cut it. You need video. They claim that “within minutes”, you’ll get all the formats you need for every platform. Something totally not possible already with a handful of Photoshop actions & Premiere Pro presets.
Given that I’m a photographer, this post might seem like complaining. “Robots are taking our jobs!”. But it’s really not. For a start, I rarely shoot in the studio, and this thing can’t go out on location. But it just strikes me as a solution looking for a problem.
It may become the new “in-house photographer” for huge retailers. Ones that need to photograph thousands of clothing items each year with near identical shots for each. A set of standard poses and lighting setups in rapid succession. But, beyond that, I really can’t see it becoming a major threat. I certainly can’t imagine high end studio shooters being too concerned.
StyleShoots offer leases or you can buy the system outright, although they haven’t published what those options cost. You’ll have to contact them for a quote. I can imagine it’ll be well outside the budgets of most, though.
[via Engadget]
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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17 responses to “This robotic studio eliminates the photographer to shoot fashion photos”
Stupid concept… :-(
It’s a device that presses a button, a child could do that. A photographer is the director of a photo shoot.
So.e companies no doubt will pay for this and standard catalogue poses from standard models ….
Sure, a robotic camera can nail the exposure, but it can’t replace a photographer. the photographer working together with the model is what gives studio photos their oomph. without that conversing between photographer and model you have a lifeless and emotionless picture
With a good IA…The photographer is useless…
Agreed, the photographer isn’t just there to press the button, there’s a relationship there. I would be curious to know what models think of this as well.
This is just a stop-gap solution. In a few years all fashion shots will be CGI.
Probably only shoots in Jpeg!
It makes complete sense. Why pay a photographer over and over? Waiting on talent is irrelevant
How exactly did they film the video? Who cut it?
The way he talks about photography and filming convinces me that he doesn’t know anything about it.
Anyone find out cost?
So it’s just an advanced photo booth. Probably fine for crappy catalogue shots and basic portraits for passports and stuff, but I wouldn’t expect any amazing artistic images coming from it.
Narrative aside, I’m only seeing a fancy purikura (photo booth).
We already have those… called “Photo booths”…
I think this is an amazing device. It’s basically a light box for humans :-)
Girl’s haircut is a mind blower though…
I wouldn’t want to live in that world