Have you heard of a Pixotope Living Photo? It is a game-changing technology in the world of Virtual Production, and it is revolutionizing the way media creators bring objects and people to life. In this article, we will introduce you to this brand-new technology, explain what a Living Photo is, and present some of its benefits for content creators.
If you have ever seen a football player appearing in the middle of a TV studio, following the camera's movements, waving, crossing his arms, or even moving his head, then you have been introduced to the exciting world of Living Photo.
Despite its name, the Living Photo is not a photograph. In fact, Pixotope Living Photo is a high-end, broadcast-quality solution that allows the user to produce a dynamic, trackable augmented reality asset that reacts to the camera's position and perspective.
In simple terms, it's a 2D video tricking your eyes into perceiving it as 3D materials because it interacts with the camera's position.
On top of that, it seamlessly blends with any AR, XR, or virtual studio workflows so that you can add it as an element to your production in a matter of minutes.
Pixotope Living Photo revolutionizes volumetric capture with a streamlined, cost-effective solution. Traditional methods often demand extensive equipment and setup time, resulting in flat, lifeless models. In contrast, our technology offers an affordable alternative with minimal gear and a quick setup. Using a rotating platform and green screen, Pixotope Living Photo captures subjects in stunning 360-degree views. Advanced computer vision and image processing seamlessly stitch the footage, allowing viewers to explore it from every angle.
Gone are the days of renting a studio, investing in multiple cameras, and spending hours setting up to achieve a photorealistic look. With Living Photo, the entire process is simplified and more accessible for virtual production. You can use your own equipment, including your camera, lens, and lighting, in any environment - from an office or studio environment to the locker room at a sports event.
This innovative approach, recently showcased in the BBC's Olympic coverage, delivers interactive visuals that create a powerful sense of engagement.
Watch how our partner, Tangram Solutions, is creating stunning Pixotope Living Photo
Living Photo technology makes subjects appear to make eye contact and follow camera movements, bringing images to life in an immersive way. Now, you can scan players coming off the pitch at halftime and use those captures in second-half commentary, enhancing the viewing experience with dynamic, real-time visuals.
"The use of Pixotope Living Photos was a significant innovation to the BBC Sport Olympic Virtual Studio. The ability to introduce player avatars that tracked the camera, appearing as if the athletes were physically in the studio really added an extra dimension.
The capture and processing of each avatar is remarkably efficient, requiring approximately 2-5 minutes and 10 minutes respectively. This streamlined workflow allows for on-site avatar creation which is then applied easily into the graphics AR layer.
The production teams were really happy with the end result, and we are excited to see how going forward this product evolves across more live sports broadcasts that want to add that extra personality to their player profile imagery."Nev Appleton Co-Founder & Director, MOOV TV
As we mentioned, Living Photos not only look real, but they are also more affordable. With fewer tools required and a more compact setup, they are significantly cheaper than a 3D capture rig.
In the past, capturing volumetric models of players required renting a large studio equipped with 30 to 40 cameras and a crew. The process would consume an entire day, and the team would have to travel to the studio, which was a cumbersome task. The photos taken during these sessions, such as the player waving or looking at the camera, would take several days to produce.
This technology is so versatile that it can even be used during live events, allowing you to capture photorealistic Living Photo photos of athletes in the moment, just minutes later on TV.
The applications of Pixotope Living Photo are limitless and, apart from sports broadcasting, can be used even in shopping TV or the fashion world.
Pixotope Living Photo is a game-changer in the world of media. They offer a more realistic, economical, and efficient way to create photorealistic 3D photos that truly represent their subjects. Whether you're a broadcaster, content creator, or just looking to experiment with new technology, Pixotope Living Photo is definitely worth checking out.
With lower costs, higher quality, and unmatched versatility, Pixotope Living Photo is ideal for diverse industries, from news and sport, to fashion. It empowers creators to elevate their visual content, offering a dynamic, engaging experience that captivates audiences.
Why settle for an artificial avatar when you can have a natural and lifelike representation?
Contact our team for a demo of living photos to learn how you can leverage photorealism in your broadcasting and drive viewers' engagement.