Photo / Video News & Reviews
The World’s Most Advanced Wearable Wireless 4D Scuba Action Camera In Development – And You Can Help To Make It A Reality
Welcome to the world of 3D SNAP ™ – possibly the world’s most advanced ’4D’ 4K Action Camera.
3D SNAP ™ has been designed by the innovative German design company Atomare, to be a wearable, go anywhere, waterproof (250M), 35,000ft unpressurised, fully wireless 4K ’4D’ action camera Array.
Whether you are a scuba diver, extreme sports person, skier, mountain biker, horse rider, white water rafter, canoeist, mountain climber, skateboarder, parachutist, athlete,windsurfer, life-logger or techie – whatever your activity, 3D SNAP™ has been designed for you.
You simply secure 3D SNAP™ on your hand between your fingers, or alternatively use any of the revolutionary nano suction securing (multi-use) mechanisms supplied.
To put it simply – so long as you have a clear patch of clothing, skin, helmet etc, you can mount the camera lens array just about anywhere.
No glue, no complicated fixing mechanisms – just press, twist and go.
In its simplest form, the 3D SNAP™ system consists of a Lens Array, a touch sensitive flexible high definition OLED display and an Main Control Unit all secured on a total 3 direction flexible memory clear polymer band.
The 3D SNAP™ uses Cota™ wireless charging that can recharge both the 4K ’4D’ SNAP™ Camera System as well as up to 4 additional wireless lens arrays concurrently – while in use or switched off for recharging up to 30ft away, and all without any wires whatsoever – truly wireless.
Each 3D SNAP™ Camera System comes with 512GB built-in ’3D’ memory and each associated wireless lens array will come with 512GB ’3D’ Memory (enough storage for a day’s worth of movies and high-speed photography). Capture 60Mbps video , for example, and you could theoretically keep going for almost 19 hours – so there is little chance of you missing that split second fantastic action shot!
Lens Array
In an insect, each ommatidium (Small Eye) in the compound eye has a corneal lens, a crystalline cone and a light-sensitive organ at its base. The ommatidia work in unison to build a picture of the world.
Our Ommatidium – Small Eyes – consist of 4.6K individual laser-etched photonic tubes, each with its own lens at one end and a photodetector at the other, providing for a true 160 degrees field of view.
This whole arrangement is engineered to a hemispherical shape to give a 160-degree field of vision and surrounded by DFB Quantum Casade lasers.
The benefit of this arrangement is that they show remarkable depth of field – they can focus on objects at different distances at the same time and space, enabling the capture of still images and video in 3D, through up to ’4K’ in almost total darkness and even under water (250M certified).
They also do not suffer from the aberrations seen in single lens systems when viewing off-axis objects such as the huge distortion observed in wide-angle camera lenses such as the fish-eye.
Main Control Unit (MCU)
The main control unit consist of a flexible polymer casing complete with a high definition flexible touchscreen (with gloved fingers) OLED Display (you see what the cameras see), a ’3D’ flexible battery, 512GB built in ’3D’ memory, the main processing unit and associated electronics.
Control Button and dial
There is only one button and simple rotary dial allowing users to quickly setup the 3D SNAP™ (alternatively the software App which will include iOS, Windows and Android versions for both smartphones and tablets can be used).
When rotated the dial brings up simple graphics on the flexible OLED display which with a single touch makes the required settings for you.
The rotary dial and button are made from the same materials as the lens case thereby ensuring strength and reliability no matter what you throw at it.
Connectivity
3D SNAP™ comes as standard supporting WiFi 802.11 ac MIMO and 802.15.6NB1 (MBAN) with Bluetooth Smart Low Energy for handset/tablet setup.
Location Awareness
3D SNAP™ comes as standard with a choice of GPS/Galileo/Glonass/Compass(BeiDou 2)/QZSS) support in addition to using MBAN and the 9 degree freedom inertial unit for local extra phased camera Array positioning if specified.
Battery Life
3D SNAP™ once fully charged using the Cota wireless charging system will operate for approximately 2.5 hours recording at 4K ’4D’ 30fps (Cascade Lasers on). The system has a built in wireless quick charge facility that charges the units fully in 30 mins.
Available as an additional purchase, the optional Cota battery pack will allow you to wirelessly charge your device continually giving you up to 5 hours of record time.
Additional Information
- Frame rates: Variable from 4K 30fps down to standard HD 60fps (1080p).
- Point and shoot for stills frequency 1 – 1/20K of a second – Auto on.
- Maximum frequency stills motion frame rates burst photo 60fps for a maximum of 60 seconds.
- Simultaneous video 4K ’4D’ and 4K stills.
- 3D video capture with Casade Lasers off
- ’4D’ 4K Video capture with Cascade Lasers on – Auto switching.
- 12MP equivalent resolution.
- Autofocus
- Auto Face recognition
The 3D SNAP™ design has been completed, basic prototypes have been bench tested and the product is now ready to move forward with pre-production before signing off for mass production. However, additional funding is required before the 3D SNAP™ makes it on to the market.
A crowdfunding campaign to raise enough funds to complete this exciting project is currently running and ends on Sunday 19th October. There are lots of perks available to those who wish to contribute.
For more infomation about the 3D SNAP™ and to contribute to the crowdfunding campaign, click here.
An emotive photograph showing a freediver examining the aftermath of whaling sees
Alex Dawson from Sweden named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024. Dawson’s
photograph ‘Whale Bones’ triumphed over 6500 underwater pictures entered by underwater
photographers from around the world.
“Whale Bones was photographed in the toughest conditions,” explains chair of judging
panel Alex Mustard, “as a breath-hold diver descends below the Greenland ice sheet to bear
witness to the carcasses. The composition invites us to consider our impact on the great
creatures of this planet. Since the rise of humans, wild animals have declined by 85%. Today,
just 4% of mammals are wildlife, the remaining 96% are humans and our livestock. Our way
needs to change to find a balance with nature.”
Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero
Whales dominated the winning pictures this year with Spanish photographer Rafael
Fernandez Caballero winning two categories with his revealing photos of these ocean giants:
a close up of a grey whale’s eye and an action shot of a Bryde’s whale engulfing an entire bait
ball, both taken in Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico. Fernandez Caballero took ‘Grey
Whale Connection’ while drifting in a small boat, holding his camera over the side in the water
to photograph the curious whale. ‘The End Of A Baitball’ required Fernandez Caballero to dive
down and be in exactly the right place at the moment the whale lunged. “The photo shows
the high speed attack,” he said, “with the whale engulfing hundreds of kilograms of sardines
in one bite — simply unforgettable to see predation on such a scale.”
Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero
Lisa Stengel from the United States was named Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image of a mahi-mahi catching a sardine, in Mexico. Stengel used both a very fast shutter speed and her hearing to catch the moment. “If you listen there’s an enormous amount of sound in the ocean,” she explained. “The action was too fast to see, so I honed in on the sound of the attacks with my camera to capture this special moment.”
“It is such an exciting time in underwater photography because photographers are capturing such amazing new images, by visiting new locations and using the latest cameras,”
commented judge Alex Mustard. “Until this year I’d hardly ever see a photo of a mahi mahi,
now Lisa has photographed one hunting, action that plays out in the blink of an eye.”
The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest is based in the UK, and Jenny Stock,
was named as British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image “Star
Attraction”, which finds beauty in species of British wildlife that are often overlooked.
Exploring the west coast of Scotland, Stock explained “in the dark green depths my torch
picked out the vivid colours of a living carpet of thousands of brittle stars, each with a
different pattern. I was happily snapping away, when I spotted this purple sea urchin and I
got really excited.”
Photo: Jenny Stock
In the same contest, Portuguese photographer, Nuno Sá, was named ‘Save Our Seas
Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024, with his photo ‘Saving
Goliath’, taken in Portugal. Sá’s photo shows beachgoers trying to save a stranded sperm
whale. The picture gives us hope that people do care and want to help the oceans, but also
warns us that bigger changes are needed. “The whale had been struck by a ship and its fate
was sealed,” explains Sá. “An estimated 20,000 whales are killed every year, and many more
injured, after being struck by ships-and few people even realise that it happens.”
Photo: Nuno Sá
More winning images can be found at www.underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com.
About Underwater Photographer of the Year
Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition, based in the UK, that celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, and attracts entries from all around the world. The contest has 13 categories, testing photographers with themes such as Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck photography, as well as four categories for photos taken specifically in British waters. The winners were announced in an award ceremony in Mayfair, London, hosted by The Crown Estate. This year’s UPY judges were experienced underwater photographers Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich and Dr Alexander Mustard MBE.
Header image: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 winner Alex Dawson
The winners of the prestigious World Shootout 2023 underwater photography competition were announced at this year’s BOOT Show, captivating audiences at the world’s largest diving and water sports exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany. Hundreds of photographers from 54 countries competed across nine categories, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technical skill.
Grand Prize Winners
- Picture of the Year: Spanish photographer Eduardo Acevedo “secured” the top Honor with the prestigious prize the “boot Dusseldorf Director’s Prize, earning an Andromeda statuette and a €2,000 cash prize.
- Best 5 Images Portfolio: Luc Rooman from Belgium triumphed in this category, winning a dream 4-week diving trip for two to Papua New Guinea, valued at $18,900.
- Amateur Photographer: Alexandra Ceurvorst from the USA impressed the judges with her talent, taking home the 1,000 € cash prize award.
Celebrating Diversity and Innovation
This year’s competition saw 11,680 entries from 964 photographers, showcasing a remarkable spectrum of skills and perspectives. From the intricate wonders of Macro photography to the beauty of “Black Water”, the “Underwater Fashion” category added a touch of artistry and innovation, while the ever-important ” Environmental & Conservation” category served as a powerful reminder of the need to protect these fragile ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: AI and Ocean Conservation
World Shootout founder and producer David Pilosof unveiled an exciting addition for the 2024 competition: this year the Environmental category will be focusing on the impact of plastic on our oceans and future.
This category will embrace the potential of AI or other editing software as a tool to amplify the conservation message.
Entrants will submit campaigns of three original underwater photographs dealing with plastic pollution, along with their final AI assistance processing. This innovative approach encourages artistic expression while raising awareness about a critical environmental issue.
Explore the Stunning Collection
Discover the complete album of competition entries by clicking here.
For Low-resolution photos of finalist entries in eight categories, click here.
-
News3 months agoHone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News3 months agoCapturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months agoCreature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs2 months agoMurex Resorts: Passport to Paradise!
-
Blogs2 months agoDiver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph
-
Gear Reviews3 months agoGear Review: Oceanic+ Dive Housing for iPhone
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months agoSave the Manatee Club launches brand new webcams at Silver Springs State Park, Florida
-
News3 months agoWorld’s Best Underwater Photographers Unveil Breathtaking Images at World Shootout 2023